“I think that's rather the point. This is a game to him. Risk makes it sweeter.” That's when I remembered I hadn't told the King about the second note—the one left on the boy's pillow. I pulled it out of my pocket and handed it over. “I believe I am his target, Your Majesty. He wants to play a game with me.”
“He's referencing something you said to me at the restaurant.”
“Yes, I know.”
“How would he know that?”
“Obviously, someone working there is also working for him.”
“But how would he know I was going to take you there? And how did they overhear us? We were in a private room.”
“They knew you there. You've frequented that restaurant. It wouldn't be hard to discover that.”
“It's not the only restaurant I frequent.”
“He must have had people at all of your favorite spots. Now, enough of that. We can talk about it later. Right now, we have to find a way onto the roof.”
“That's easy enough.” The King stepped forward.
I grabbed his arm. “Stay in the darkest shadows.”
He nodded and altered course to creep alongside a building. Was he following my directions because he had agreed to or because his blood inside me forced him to? I couldn't even tell, not under that much stress.
Shit. I had to watch myself with him. One wrong word, and I would betray my race's secret. The King wasn't an idiot. He'd figure it out.
I went next, just a few feet away from him, moving slowly while keeping an eye on our destination. Pruleng owned the whole building and it was in a business area, with no homes nearby. The other businesses were all closed for the night as well, so the entire block was quiet. Perfect for hearing people who were trying to sneak up on you.
Eljaffna were almost as good as Raltven at sneaking around, but Dragons? Not so much.
“Shh!” I hissed at the King when his heel dragged.
He winced and nodded.
I went back to scanning the building as I crept closer. No signs of life. Was I wrong? I was rarely wrong. I had to trust my instincts. At last, we made it to the alley beside Pruleng. I peered up the side of the building. The stone was smooth—no handholds. Nor was there a ladder. Some buildings had them in case of fires. Not this one.
“There's no way up,” I whispered.
The King looked up, and then to either side. “Come here.”
“What? Your Majesty, this is hardly the time for one of your—”
He grabbed me and pulled me into an embrace. Stunned, I stared up at him. My chest tightened. I couldn't look away. Why did his gods make him so beautiful? It wasn't fair.
“Hold on, my Claw.” The King bent his head to bring our foreheads together and tightened his hold on me.
Before I could form a response, my feet left the ground. I looked down and saw water beneath us. A column of water rushed upward, pushing directly against the soles of our shoes to lift us steadily alongside the building. My jaw fell.
I knew Dragons had gained Water Magic upon the release of their god from the prison their goddess had put him in. But it was new to them and most of them hadn't put in the time to master the element. The finesse the King displayed was the sort that only someone who had spent years working with a magic would have. To direct the water into four points and use the same upward pressure on all of those points, increasing it as he did? It was damn impressive.
Not wanting to distract King Tor'rien, I didn't speak until he had deposited us on the roof. Then I stepped back and met his gaze. “Do your knights know you can do that?”
He shook his head.
“Dear Gods,” I whispered. “That's the sort of thing you should keep quiet. It could benefit you.”
“I know.” His voice was deep from the lowered tone and slid over me like silk in the night. “But I trust you. And we need to save this child.”
The child. Shit! I'd forgotten why we were there. This is why I work best alone. And why the King should have gone back to his damn castle. But then, how would I have gotten onto the roof?
