Another sound, down in the bakery.
Goose bumps spring up on my arms, and I shiver. All my good knives are in the bakery, but Mother’s weapons are here, wrapped up and tucked beneath the bed. I tiptoe back to the bed and slide my hand around until I find a hilt. I expect a dagger, but I get a sword.
It pulls free with barely a whisper of sound. My heartbeat grows loud, but I stand straight, feeling the weight of it.
Too late, I sense movement behind me, and I try to whirl. An arm catches me around my neck, the hand slapping over my mouth. Another hand grabs my wrist, fingers clenching tight. I can tell from the size that it’s a man—and from the weight at my back, he’s armed a lot better than I am.
I squeal and struggle, trying to wrench free.
“Shh,” he whispers against my neck. The hood of a cloak brushes my cheek. “Don’t wake Nora.”
I freeze.Lord Alek.
His grip on my wrist gentles the slightest bit. “Can I let you go?”
I nod fiercely.
His arm slips loose, and I spin free of his hold, lifting the sword in front of me. All the heat from our kiss is missing now that he so clearly broke into my house. “What are you doing?”
He doesn’t even do me the grace of lifting his hands in surrender. “Do you know how to use that?”
“I know it’ll do a lot more damage than a pitchfork.”
He reaches out a hand to touch a finger to the blade, tipping it sideways half an inch. “Army issue. Your mother’s?”
I nod. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I won’t be interrogated at sword point, Callyn.”
There’s a dangerous tone to his voice tonight, and it sends a chill through my veins.
“Put it away,” he adds. “We’re not at odds.”
No. We weren’t. But I can’t ignore Jax’s warnings ringing through my thoughts. The way he said Alek was using me.
What will happen to your sister when you’re caught?
I’ve been frozen in place too long. Alek’s eyes are barely a gleaming shadow under the hood of his cloak.
“Or are we?” he says.
I lift the sword another inch. “Tell me what you’re doing here.”
He sighs. “Fine.”
Then his sword spins free of its sheath, and he swings before I’m ready. I haven’t used a sword in years, not since my mother took me into the yard to spar with her. Alek knocks the sword out of my hand, and it goes clattering across the floor. I suck in a breath and look to the doorway, but it’s all the moment of distraction he needs. Suddenly Alek’s sword point is at the hollow of my throat. I can feel the kiss of the cold steel.
I lift my hands and take a step back. He pursues me until I hit the wall. My pulse is still thundering.
“A sword isn’t a weapon of warning,” he says. He steps closer, changing the angle of the blade so it remains at my neck. “If you aren’t willing to use it, you may as well put it down.”
I keep my breathing very shallow. The edge is right there. I flick my eyes at the doorway. No Nora.Good.
“And you’re willing to use it?” I whisper.
“Always.” He’s moved very close, until I can feel the warmth of his body. The blade is a narrow barrier between us.
“Is this going to be our standard greeting?” he says. “Should I always arrive armed?”
