AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m fine.” Wendel opened his eyes a sliver. “I’m not going to die.”
“Don’t. That would be counterproductive.”
“You Americans. Always so tactful.”
He broke into a smile, his eyes sparkling, and I couldn’t help smiling back. “Always.”
God, what was wrong with me? This was a mission. He was my target. I forced myself to keep a poker face.
“How long of a flight is this going to be?” he asked.
“About thirty minutes. Do you hate flying?”
He shrugged. “I’m indifferent to flying.” He glanced into my eyes. “Is thirty minutes long enough for me to hear your story?”
“Why?”
“You intrigue me.”
I fidgeted against the cold steel of the floor. “You first.”
Wendel let his head fall back against the wall. “I come from a good Prussian family, but I still managed to inherit bad blood.”
Prussian. No wonder he spoke flawless German. The kingdom of Prussia, far to the north, ruled the German Empire.
“Is it inherited?” I asked. “The necromancy?”
He shrugged. “Apparently a great-great-great grandfather of mine had the talent.”
“What’s your family name?”
His jaw tightened. “They aren’t my family now. They disinherited me years ago.”
“For being what you are?”
“Obviously.” His voice took on a bantering tone. “Your turn.”
“My mother came from China.”
“And your father?”
“I never met him.” I shrugged. “He wasn’t Chinese, of course.”
Wendel’s gaze lingered on my hair. My cheeks heated. If only I didn’t look foreign wherever I went.
“I assume your sword also came from China.”
“Yes. It’s called ajian.”
I drew Chun Yi halfway and let the light glint off the battered old blade, highlighting the two characters engraved below the cross guard. I couldn’t read Chinese, but I knew they must be the name of the sword.
“These are the characters for Chun Yi. Pure Justice.”
He raised one eyebrow with an impeccably sardonic look. “And how exactly did Pure Justice happen to fall into your hands?”
“It’s a family heirloom.” It wasn’t entirely a lie.
“Heirloom?” His eyes glinted. “Shouldn’t that sword be hanging over a mantelpiece?”
