Elysia eyed her speculatively. “Are you in charge, then?”
She shrugged, her face growing serious. “I am one of several who ensure our safety. Can you ensure our safety, Ms. Parker? Some say it is unwise for us to make deals with someone like you.”
Ah. So that’s what this was then. The group was having second thoughts about letting her into their special, secret little meeting. Another test, as if setting up a massive diversion wasn’t payment enough. She was willing to bet they hadn’t expected her to come through. Thought she would run away from their exorbitant demands and they’d be rid of her.You’ll have to try harder than that.
Elysia’s teeth flashed in the light of Rollie’s lantern. “Then perhaps I should call the whole thing off. Who says you all can help me, anyway?”
Mari straightened and leaned forward just a hair. “Oh, but I think we can help you, Elysia. Rollie tells me of your nightly travels, and there are those in our midst who may have knowledge on the matter. Not all the old books were burned, you know.” Her friendly charm disappeared. “I just need to hear directly from your mouth that there won’t be anyproblems. Given who you are and the company you keep.”
Rollie shifted his feet nervously. “I told her you would never. Even if you do prance around with that insufferable prig of a man.”
Only years of her mother’s training kept her eyes from rolling into the back of her head. “I’ve told the prince nothing of these matters. I have no more wish to die than you.”
Never mind that he already knows.She swallowed hard, trying to keep her thoughts from wandering to all those grating questions of just what Topp planned to do with her and when.Maybe he’ll blackmail me just like Father.That would explain why she wasn’t dead.
Or maybe she was his greatest hunt. The prey he had stalked the longest and enjoyed the most. A sick feeling settled deep in her gut. But she let none of this show, smiling cooly at Rollie’s friend. “All you need to know is that the diversion is set. Treason bells will ring and every guard will be occupied.”
Mari faltered for a moment at this news and then let out a low, soft whistle. “You don’t do things by halves, do you?”
She crossed her arms and mulled it over before nodding to herself. Decision made, she pulled a small striated conch seashell out of her pocket. Mari slapped it into Elysia’s palm and held her own hand over it, warm and strong. “The night of the meeting, this will tell you where to go. If it doesn’t, then something has gone wrong. Be sure to bring the coin. You have no idea what you’re in for, Crown girl.” She grinned wickedly.
Elysia tucked the shell away safely and lifted her hood back over her head. “It’s been a pleasure.”Meeting adjourned. And with that she turned heel, plundering back down the tunnel until Rollie’s voice rang out like a bell.
“Hey, Parker.”
She paused, waiting.
“I hear the beast is hunting again. Be careful out in the woods.”
Elysia looked back and feigned a sweeping bow as if there were a crown to take off her head just like when they were kids and thought it was the funniest thing in the world to make fun of the prince and his stupid outfits and crowns.
Beast or no beast, she would not cower at the feet of Topp Blatz.
Chapter 19
It wasthe day of her first and what she hoped was her last assassination, and yet there she was in the market, ready to sell her wares as if it were any other day. She shivered both from the cold and anxious anticipation.So many things could go wrong.But assuming she wasn’t caught and executed for treason or magic—something she was desperately trying not to think about—she’d have to pay rent just like every other month.
Because, unfortunately for her, it was highly unlikely that her landlord, Mr. Coppicus, would take kindly to her missing rent due to plans of assassinating a foreign ambassador. Mr. Coppicus cared about two things and two things only: the sound of coins in a bag and his terrible squawking birds. She often dreamed about letting Sir Larkspur loose in his flat to shut up those damn birds once and for all.
Elysia was set up in her usual spot, listening to Mrs. Branby shout about fish prices and cups of chowder while continuing to ruminate about poison and if she’d gotten the doses right.What a strange day.She looked up at the bleak, gray sky. The soot was worse today, falling down with the heavy mist and bleeding through her clothes until her skin would be stained. She rubbed at her arms, hating how the accumulating droplets created acold, slick layer between her skin and the clothes that now stuck to her limbs. She jingled the coins in her pocket. At least she’d sold enough to cover rent.
The freezing mist whipped the small, pathetic tent she stood under. It was on its last leg, but buying a new one wasn’t really a priority right now. Elysia watched the crowds of people milling about and clasped her chilled fingers together a little tighter. Only in Kava did the people not so much as blink when the sky rained and froze its way to the ground.
She’d sold enough to cover her bills, but one small frame remained. The violet bloom inside the diamond cut glass looked charming with the speckles of rain across the glass. Elysia considered whether it was worth staying for the possibility of one more sale.I’m already freezing. Might as well carry on till close.
A little extra money might be what she needed to buy a ticket out of this city if everything went to shit.As if Father wouldn’t find me.She kicked at the sloppy ground with her boot and wondered what it would be like to leave Kava after all these years. She’d traveled with her father when she was young, but she’d never actuallyseenanything. He’d always kept her locked on the steamship or at the inn until she was needed at meetings. Had always argued it was for her own safety. All those kingdoms and cities and she’d barely seen a thing.
The thought of leaving had her eyes searching for the sea, but here in the center of Relaclave where old met the new, there was not a ship in sight. Only shops and stands, all centered around the enormous fountain in the middle of the square. Iron streetlamps lined the edges of the square, fighting to stay lit as the damp crept inside the glass. She knew the ships were there, though, past the square at the very edge of the north side. The docks and the sea waited for her there.
Lost in her thoughts, Elysia did not sense the sharp crackle in the air like that of a storm, or the earthen scent of woods creeping ever closer until there was a nose pressing against the skin of her neck and hands taking hold of her hips from behind. Hot breath stirred the damp strands of her hair, and Elysia’s shoulders stiffened.
“Looks like there’s something I need in the market today, after all.” Topp’s voice vibrated against her and she closed her eyes. She’d known she’d have to face him eventually, but she hadn’t expected it to be like this. In the middle of the market, caught off guard and looking like a drowned rat. She’d wanted to be prepared. For it to be onherterms, not his.
Elysia barely dared move, for fear of her spiking heart giving her away.Gods, he smells good. Her body, traitor that it was, wanted to lean back into his touch like a damn cat arching its back.
She kept her voice cool, her words archly distant. “I would think that one such as yourself already has everything they could ever want.”
He pressed his face closer, surrounding her with the warmth of his body. Tall and broad, his shoulders easily wrapped around hers. Voice rumbling into her ear and through her chest, he spoke. “Do I, Elysia?”
