“My boy wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t deserve to die. He was seventeen years old.” Tears welled in the woman’s eyes and her shoulders slumped. “He was my baby and now he’s gone.”
“Let me talk to her,” Zayn whispered in Ria’s ear.
She shook her head and moved her head in the direction ahead of them. Zayn looked up and saw another robed figure coming their way.Shit. The assassin was tall and moved in a way that made it look like he or she was floating.
He shouldered in front of Ria and bent his head so he could see the woman’s face. “The Guild is full of murderers and we’re here to teach them a lesson.”
The woman’s head shot up, and he heard Ria groan.
“This is Lucifa, she’ll rat us out for a single e-cred,” Ria whispered.
Keeping his gaze steady on the woman, he said, “I don’t think she’ll do that. What was your boy’s name?”
The woman’s lips trembled. “Leith.”
“We’ll get revenge for Leith today. You aren’t going to sell us out, are you?”
The woman dashed the tears from her eyes and shook her head.
“Good. Go now.”
The woman grabbed her ratty skirts and hurried away. Zayn and Ria turned to see the assassin reach them.
“Greetings, kin.”
A man with a deep, deep voice. Zayn kept his face angled down and gave a slow nod. He noted Ria keeping her face covered as well.
“Greetings,” Ria murmured. “May your daggers be sharp and your aim true.”
The familiar greeting made something in the man’s stance relax a little. “And you. Was the woman bothering you?”
“Nothing worth the trouble of our time,” Ria answered.
The assassin nodded. “And you, brother?”
Zayn felt the man’s gaze on him like a laser beam. “We need to get back to the Guild. We don’t need the hassle of an angry, old woman.”
The assassin was silent, gaze still burning through Zayn. He fought not to look up and meet the man’s stare.
“Very well. Good day.”
As the man moved off, Zayn released his breath. Ria started moving again, dragging him with her by the side of his robe.
“Oh my God, do you know who that was?” A furious whisper.
“No.” He turned to look over his shoulder, but Ria wrenched him forward.
“His name is Master Ronin. He’s one of the top assassins in the Guild. A master of the sword.” She sucked in a breath. “We’relucky to get away from him alive. Thank God he didn’t recognize me.” She dragged Zayn to a halt. “And why the hell did you tell the woman what we’re here for? She’s still likely to sell us out.”
“She won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Hey. Calm down.” He gripped her chin, his thumb rubbing over her skin. “I really want to kiss you?—”
“You can’t. Two assassins kissing would cause mayhem.”
He rubbed her skin again. “I’ll manage to resist. Now stay calm and let’s get to the Guild.”
