Well… That was unexpected. I turned to Simon, who looked just as perplexed as I was. He shrugged.
“You said they brought you to the brothel to sign the documents, right? I’d say let’s start there first. He probably does business out of there all the time. Shady guys like him usually do. And if he isn’t there, we can always make Quincy tell us where he might be.” He spun a dagger in his hand, a bloodthirsty look on his face. “I have ways of getting him to talk.”
“The spy should be at a pub near the brothel,” Umaira informed us. “We can dismount there and check in with him first. He will know where Hameed is hiding.”
With the plan in place, we made our way through the crowded town toward the district made of mostly brothels. My nerves twisted, attempting to get the best of me, but Uttin sidled closer and his leg brushed against mine, soothing me. I wasn’t alone with Umaira this time. My company wouldn’t stab me in the back. I trusted them.
Glancing at Uttin, I saw the foreboding expression on his face. I bit back a grin. Absolutely no one would be getting through my bondmate. I had nothing to worry about.
We dismounted outside the pub, tying our horeses to the hitching post out front. With normal horses, I might worry about thieves, but the stallions were enormous and prone to kicking and biting if anyone other than their people touched them. They didn’t need a guard. Umaira ducked inside, coming back out a moment later with a smaller man who seemed to move like a shadow. I knew his frame to be deceiving because while he might not be tall, he was quick as a whip and deadly when he needed to be. He bowed his head in greeting, keeping his voice low.
“My prince.”
“Hello, Malik. Is he in there?”
He nodded once. “Yes, Hameed is inside. He has holed up there since he arrived, hiding. I have gone in a few times to check. He hides in a small room upstairs and is only visited by the advisor and one of the whores.”
Coward. Was he planning on hiding away until the end of his days?
Malik suddenly stepped closer to me, gripping my shoulders to move me around Uttin’s side. Uttin didn’t like that and snarled, but I knew Malik would only touch a royal if absolutely necessary. I ducked my head, edging closer to the spot he placed me in.
“Is he outside?”
“No. The advisor comes this way. Be still, my prince. He hasn’t noticed you yet.”
Feigning nonchalance, I reached for Uttin, pulling his face to mine. What a better way to hide me than with my bondmate’s lips against mine?
Fisting my hair, Uttin kept me in place, tongue dueling with mine until I was breathless and Abdul cleared his throat to interrupt us.
“He has gone inside, my prince. We should follow.”
Pouting, I pulled away from Uttin, for the first time wishing this could be over with so I could return to having Uttin’s attention whenever I wished for it. If I didn’t want revenge so badly, I would have headed home when Einar and Matthew did.
“Right. How will we proceed?”
“There will be someone in front to check people in. We can go around back while those who haven’t been here before go through the front. That way no one can escape,” Simon instructed.
“No. I’m not splitting from Zakai,” Uttin argued with a glower.
Simon rolled his eyes, then shot a questioning look to Feigrind, who looked about as happy to split up as Uttin. Unfortunately for him, Simon had him wrapped around his finger. He dipped his chin once.
“I will go with Abdul. The rest will go through the back. Cut anyone down who threatens you, raknar.”
That drew a feral smile from Simon, which I matched when Uttin handed me his dagger. I had my own sword this time, but he apparently wanted me more prepared. I wasn’t going to say no.
Splitting up, we headed down an alley Simon guided us to and around the back of the building. A rickety set of wooden stairs led to the second floor and Simon made a beeline for them, ignoring the surprised looks of a few whores who he passed by. Umaira went next, watching Simon’s back, followed by me, then Uttin in the rear. Most of the doors to the second floor were closed and locked, something Simon quietly explained was normal to protect their things from thieves. It was the door at the end that was open, shouting voices spilling from inside.
“You ask too much!” Hameed bellowed.
“Your trade agreement is useless if no one shows up from Al Nuzem! You need to go back to find that signet ring! It is the only way to get traders here!” the advisor hissed.
Both men were in the same location? How lucky could I get?
“If I return to Al Nuzem, I’ll be hanged!” Hameed snapped. “The king and queen went looking for Zakai. It is only a matter of time before they find him.”
“Which is why it is better for you to go now before they return!”
Fools. They’d found me weeks ago. How old was their information?
