“I suggest you remain quiet. You are already a traitor and coward to this Guild. You and your accomplice are not welcome here, whatever you have planned.”
Zayn saw her flinch. He gave the katana an experimental swing. “Ria is not a coward. I actually think the Guild is filled with cowards. She’s fighting for her freedom, and despite what you might think, the Guild can’t own people. You brainwash babies and make them kill. Not very courageous behavior.”
Ronin’s lips moved. His version of a smile. “That’s where you are wrong, Phoenix. Here in the Devil’s Nebula, slavery is a time-honored business. Besides, Ria isn’t a slave. She never had any freedom. She is a creation of the Guild, pure and simple.”
“I am my own person.” Ria’s words were low and quiet. “I have my own thoughts and desires. I don’t want to kill. I’mnota killer.”
“You are what we made you. Without us, you would have no life.” The master assassin lifted his sword. “Now, I think we’ve talked enough. I cannot allow either of you to leave here.”
Zayn braced for an attack. But it wasn’t Ronin who struck.
In a move faster than he could have anticipated, Ria flung off her robes and threw two slim knives at the assassin.
Ronin bent backward, somehow holding his balance. Then he was up and springing forward with his sword. Light glinted off its highly polished surface. Ria spun out of his path, another knife balanced in her hand. She now wore only a tight, black fighting suit that molded to her body. It would offer some protection from a blow…but not much.
Zayn circled the pair, testing the weight of the katana. Ronin swung his sword low, and Ria jumped. She arched over Ronin, jabbing down with her knife.
But he sensed her coming and rolled away.
Both assassins were skilled and well-trained. This was a deadly dance. One that could only end in death.
Zayn tried not to focus on the fact that Ronin was older and far more experienced. He’d damn well trained Ria, he’d know her weaknesses.
Suddenly, Ria charged at the master assassin. When he swung that lethal blade again, she ducked to the side, hit the floor on her knees, and skidded into her opponent. She rammed her knife into the man’s side.
Ronin took one step back, and looked down impassively. He gripped the knife hilt and yanked it out without displaying a reaction. Ria was already moving, rolling backward. But when she leapt to her feet, Ronin tossed the knife with an almost lazy throw.
But an accurate one.
The blade lodged in Ria’s shoulder. She grimaced.
“As you know, I am Cedonian. Our blood burns, doesn’t it, Ria?” Ronin held his sword by his side. “It has acidic properties and if left untreated—” he shrugged “—people have been known to die from allergic reactions to it.”
Shit. Zayn moved now. He charged, aiming the katana to run the assassin through.
But Ronin spun and his own sword met Zayn’s in a clang of metal.
“No marks for finesse,” Ronin said.
The two men strained against each other. “Wasn’t trying…for finesse.” Zayn felt the muscles in his arms burn. He pulled back, darting to the side as he did.
He and Ronin followed each other in a circle.
Then the assassin came again with that deadly sword. Zayn lifted his own weapon. This time the strength behind the blow was huge and the ancient katana snapped under the pressure. Zayn watched in horror as half of his blade skittered across the floor.
Ronin took a step toward him, and another. His pale eyes showed some emotion now. If Zayn had to guess, he’d say it was satisfaction.
Then Ronin’s body jolted. Once, twice, three times.
The assassin lowered his sword and turned slowly. Lodged in his back were three throwing stars, all with razor sharp edges.
“You would attack someone in the back?” Ronin made a choking sound. “The highest dishonor of our Guild.”
Ria stood, another star in her hand. “I am not a member of this Guild anymore. And I would do whatever I have to do to save someone I care about. I don’t expect you to understand that since you don’t care about anyone. All that matters is your precious honor and how to kill creatively.”
Ronin shook his head. “You showed such promise. It is a shame to have to kill you.” He lifted the sword so it was vertical and ran a thumb down the blade. “I know your weaknesses, Ria. You hate to kill. You might wound me in the back, but I don’t think you truly have what it takes to do what you would need to do to kill me.”
He sprang.
