And thatlookon Avis’ face …
Aidon and his City Guard were checking every hovel and hells-hole for some trace of Viviane, but Will was willing to bet his favorite blade they’d come up empty.
And he was going to prove it.
It was only a matter of minutes before Ryker stumbled out of the tavern, his stride brisk as he headed away from the heart of the city. Will followed, waiting until the boy turned down one of the darker alleyways before making his move. But Ryker, it seemed, was expecting him.
No – not him.
Because as the boy whirled, it wasn’t to Will, but to a figure that had materialized out of the darkness next to him. Will’s blood froze as Ryker yanked Aya against him, his knife bared at her throat.
‘Well, isn’tthisinteresting?’ Ryker purred, glancing over Aya’s head at Will. His arm tightened around her waist, as if he sensed how Aya was assessing his hold, looking for a wayout. She’d donned her fighting leathers – as if she knew exactly what to be prepared for.
Blood beaded on the knife as Ryker growled, ‘Don’t try me.’
There was murder in Aya’s eyes as she stilled, and Ryker’s nose brushed her ear. ‘Good to see you again, sweetheart.’
Will hadn’t gone for Ryker after the Bellare attacked him and Aya. Not because he hadn’t wanted to kill him, but because he saw the hopelessness in Aya’s face the more they came up empty in their research. He still needed Lorna; but he wasn’t ready to play that final card.
But now …
I should have fucking killed him.
‘Let her go,’ was all he said.
Ryker clucked his tongue as he straightened, his dark eyes settling on Will. ‘I think I’ll keep her right here to ensure your good behavior.’
Will watched as Aya’s fists clenched, but she didn’t dare move, not with that knife against her throat.
‘What is it you two want?’
‘She has no business with you,’ Will pressed.
Again, Ryker glanced down at Aya, letting out a hum. ‘So she was followingyouthen. Interesting. It’s almost as if she doesn’t trust you.’
The words hit somewhere deep in Will, but he kept his focus on that knife, which Ryker finally loosened ever so slightly. Will slid his hands into his pockets, forcing himself to breathe – to relax into that easy arrogance he knew would draw Ryker away from her.
‘I came to save you some time. The two men you’re searching for are dead.’
Ryker frowned, dropping the knife further in his distraction. ‘What are you on about?’
‘Your friends took it upon themselves to kill a councilor’s daughter. So we returned the favor,’ Will said airily. He didn’t have to extend his affinity to know the shock that flickered across Ryker’s face was real.
‘Helene is dead?’
‘By rebel hands,’ Will drawled, marking the knife as it slid even lower.Move, he silently urged her. But Aya’s attention wasn’t on her captor. It was on him, a small frown creasing her brow as she tried to sort through what was happening. ‘We caught two of them tonight.’
‘That can’t be possible,’ Ryker breathed as he lowered the knife completely. Aya stayed exactly where she was.
‘Have you already taken a head count then?’
Say it, Ryker. I know you know, so say it.
Ryker bit his lip, true hesitation in his face as he stared at him. ‘Avis Lavigne is a member of the Bellare.’
Aya broke his hold, and in the span of a breath she had him on his back, her boot pressing lightly against his throat, his knife pointed at his heart.
‘I preferred you from behind,’ Ryker wheezed.
