Reggie’s lips pressed into a thin line as if he had forgotten. “Ah, yes.”
“He wanted me to lose. I know it,” Cameron huffed.
Samkiel tossed the ball back to the kids, who were waiting to continue playing, then turned to me and held out his hand. I took it, and he pulled me to my feet. Cameron was already stomping toward the fate. Samkiel wiped the sand from my butt, innocently acting the perfect gentleman, but I knew if he had his way, the man’s hands would never leave my body.
“They argue like they’re related,” I said, leaning against him.
Samkiel smiled as we watched them bicker together. “It’s good for them both, especially now.”
I nodded. “How much longer do we have before we go back to war plans?”
Samkiel squinted as he looked toward the horizon. “Until Kaden and Isaiah come back.”
I nuzzled against his chest, hoping Samkiel’s plan worked and would help us at least a little.
71
KADEN
The abandoned city of Sumaril
Isaiah fisted a gold coin from his pocket, tossing the worn disc toward me. I caught it, clutching its familiar shape in my palm.
“Are you still pissed they said no?” I asked.
Isaiah grunted. “Everyone assumes the worst of me.”
I shook my head. “It’s not that. She is their family, and working together or not, they don’t trust us.”
“You’re right,” he said with a sigh, resolve settling into his eyes. “They do only know the worst of us, and I can appreciate that they would protect her. I just … I don’t know.”
I knew what he meant because I felt the same way about Dianna. He just wanted to be near her. That was the simplest explanation. I also knew Isaiah wished for family and inclusion. It was why he and I both clung so desperately to Nismera. But we needed to remember that even though we were stuck working together, Samkiel’s and Dianna’s loyalties lie with The Hand and their family, and that did not include us. We needed to take care of ourselves as we always had, and my job was to make sure Isaiah survived this experience.
The city was nothing but rotting buildings and cracked stone roads. The main courtyard we stood in was lined with deteriorating carved stone benches and dead, twisted bushes. A fountain celebrating Sumaril acted as the centerpiece, the lingering water at the bottom as murky and dirty as the streets we stood on. The once-proud queen and long-dead ruler looked forward, her face and body completely covered except for her eyes. Her hands were folded neatly, and to anyone who did not know, they would assume she was some kind of saint. Maybe one you would pay tribute to for peace, health, and fortune, but it was a lie. What you paid for here was blood. It was what her followers stood for, and that was why we were here.
“Some say the fountain is haunted since it never cracks or wears,” Isaiah said, staring up at the queen.
“It’s not haunted. It’s guarded,” I said, flipping the coin with my thumb. The gold disk spun through the air, landing in the water with a thick plop. Darkness fell, and seconds turned into minutes. To the naked eye, it was just Isaiah and me. You wouldn’t notice the hundreds of lethal assassins surrounding us unless you knew what to look for. Every dark park of this city, every shadow, contained a trained killer, and every eye was on us.
“You can see me, but I can’t see you?” I whistled, rocking on the balls of my feet, my hands in my pockets. “No one likes a tease.”
The shadows near the left side of the fountain rose, and a slender female figure stepped out. Her hair was the color of melted chocolate and combed in finger waves that curved against her face. Her exposed skin was a flawless light brown, but most of it was covered by the jet-black leathers clinging to her curves.
A dark corset with silver latches snatched her waist tightly, the hood attached to the back capping her head and throwing her face into deeper shadows. Blades lined her bare arms, dark straps and sheaths lending credence to the reality of her dangerous beauty. Against my better judgment, I could not stop myself from appreciating the toned muscles of legs that folded with easy grace as she walked toward me. My gaze naturally moved up her body, all sleek curves and damning lines. I may be dead, but I was still just a man.
“The sons of Unir,” she said as she sized us up, returning the favor. “You’re as pretty as your father.”
“You knew our father?” Isaiah whistles. “You don’t look old enough.”
Her brow arched. “You are lucky you’re so attractive because if that is how you flirt, I pity your partners.” I snorted, drawing her attention back to me. “And yes. I do,” she said, answering Isaiah’s question.
“Do?” I asked.
“Don’t you know he walks this plane?” she asked, tilting her head.
Both of us froze. “What?” I demanded.
“He came back as a ghost. Well, I suppose I walked through our doors and collected a debt. The one you made is aware of it. She was a part of that debt.”
