The Doorman looked on knowingly. “And what do you need from me for this trap?”
A hint of vengeance glimmered in Elysia’s eyes.
She snatched a scarlet red tube of lipstick off the vanity. “I’m so glad you asked. I will be in need of a woman who can walk and talk like sin whom Scarzan will not be able to refuse. Simple men deserve simple plans. One woman, one poison, one death.”
The Doorman raised the brow she was currently filling in. “You expect me to call off your debt when you come here asking for my best trained courtesan to become an angel of death?”
Elysia smiled and dabbed at the shade she’d swiped on her lips. “Of course not. That would be absurd.”
She looked up, waving the lipstick in the air as she spoke. “Everyone will get poisoned in different amounts. But only from the drinks, which come from sealed bottles. No poison in the food, keeping the kitchens free of blame. I’ll also be bringing in some more muscled hands to do the serving. No servant will take the blame for my actions if I can help it. The woman I am requesting from you is simply a distraction to ensure he drinks his drink and stays long enough to die dramatically.”
She clacked the lipstick back down on the vanity. “Everyone around him will begin to take ill. And with half the Crown falling down, shitting themselves and Scarzan dead on the floor—well, the guards will be in a tizzy. It will be perfect.”
Something wild shone in her eyes as the plan played out in her mind, but then she coughed lightly and folded her hands primly, coming back to herself. “Well, what do you think?”
The Doorman’s cool dark eyes were wide and her mouth was frozen in a half open pout. She blinked once, then twice, and turned back to the mirror, shaking her head and muttering. “The two of you are a menace. Crown-trained menaces.”
“And?” Elysia prompted her, unperturbed by the Doorman’s fairly accurate evaluation of the Parker sisters.
“And you’ll have one highly motivated courtesan in your service. The drinks will go down, and then she will be gone, along with your debts.”
Elysia’s grin was just shy of unhinged. She just might be able to turn the tides of these games yet.
“I’ll see myself out then.”
She came to a stop in the doorway. “Oh, to be clear. You do know your girl will have to drink the poison like everyone else, right? Wouldn’t want her to look suspicious.” Elysia smiled innocently.
“Fucking Parkers.” A spiked heel sailed in Elysia’s direction, but she was already gone, laughing as she floated down the stairs.
Chapter 18
Elysia sighedfor the tenth time in the last minute. Her patience was reaching its limits. With the party fast approaching, her nerves were stretched thin, ready to snap. A small dingy tunnel was the last place she wanted to be right now. Pacing back and forth like a trapped rat, she growled in frustration.Where was he?
Rollie had refused to meet anywhere else because he was the world’s biggest pain in her ass. Well, therewasalways Topp and Beatriz to contend for that prized position. But today, Rollie had it in the bag.
Gods, it really does smell like shit down here.
Glancing at the walls in sudden concern, she promised herself it was just dirt. It had to be just dirt. She sighed again and even she found the sound annoying now. Rollie was late. It was highly inappropriate to be late when you were assisting in the plotting of someone’s murder.What was wrong with people?She tapped her foot, wishing he would just show up already.
Footsteps sounded down the tunnel, and her pulse skittered. She strained to listen.That sounds like two people.And there was only supposed to be one. Her hand slid to her dagger, andjust as she slipped it from its sheath, she heard the dry tones of Rollie’s laughter.
The dagger went back in, and Elysia smiled stiffly at Rollie and his unexpected companion.
Rollie stopped a few feet away with an incredulous expression on his face, holding a lantern out so it shone directly into her eyes. “Were you going to stab us? Do you even know how to use that thing?”
“Would you like me to show you, Rollickus?” She smiled sweetly with her fingers still on the hilt.
Rollie balked. “No, I would not like you toshow me.” His voice dropped to a mutter. “Someone’s gotten some new hobbies. I think I liked the flowers better.”
Elysia gracefully ignored him. “And who is this?” Her voice was clipped but polite, her feelings about the unwanted guest all too clear.
A short, powerfully built woman stepped up beside Rollie, appearing completely at ease despite the hostility and smell of shit in the air. “You can call me Mari.” Her voice tinkled like glass in the breeze.
Elysia gave her a short nod. “Rollie, why is the lovely Mari here?” Her impatience seeped into her words. What didn’t people understand about assassination? This was not a group sporting event!
Laughter lined the woman’s face. Even in the dark, Elysia could see she had beautiful tan-brown skin and full lips that easily smiled. Between her dulcet tones and laughing face, Elysia could tell she would be a hard person to dislike.Too bad I’m not here to make friends. She just needed a time and place and to be done with this disgusting tunnel.
“Rollie tells me you have everything ready?” Her voice was friendly, open.
