Page 27 of Power of Shadow

“What? This is all because of my brother? I have no idea where he is! And even if I did, you’re delusional if you think I’d tell you anything.”

“You see, that’s the problem...” Playing with the blade in my hand, I laugh, watching him, transfixed. I feel a rush of excitement. “You’re not telling the truth at all, and...”

Usually, when I point out people’s foolishness, they react in one of two ways. Some go on the offensive, while others retreat. David immediately goes into attack mode.

By lunging at me, this asshole seals his fate.

Before his full weight falls on me, I move the dagger away so I don’t accidentally kill him. God knows I should hurt him, but not before he tells me where Charles Baker is.

The son of a bitch weighs as much as a small whale, because when his body pins me to the floor, I can’t breathe for a moment. But that’s not enough to defeat me.

Before David can take another breath, I hit him in the face with the hilt of the knife. Surprised by my movement and the force of the blow, he rolls off me. I immediately seize the moment, jumping onto him, crushing his shoulders with my knees. Before he can take another breath, my dagger is already pressing against his carotid artery.

“David, you know that cutting this spot gives you a few minutes before you pass out? And cutting both carotid arteries will give you only sixty seconds? Don’t mess with me. I’m really nice, and you’re a shitty host. Where’s Charles?”

“Jesus,” he groans, closing his eyes. When he opens them again, fear's present in them, though I know he’s trying to control it. “Don’t know what he’s done now, but we’re not close. I have no idea where he might be—”

Now I need to be more persuasive.

“Wouldn’t provoke her if I were you. Better tell the truth,” says a low, masculine voice.

A shiver runs through my body, and I feel all the hairs on my skin stand on end. That voice... That voice is like a mist-shrouded mystery, like tempting fruit and sin at the same time. It’s so rough, yet seductive.

I don’t take my eyes off David, but all my senses are on high alert.

How the hell did I not sense we weren’t alone here? This has never happened before. It shouldn’t have happened!

A dark silhouette stands casually against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles, watching us.

The lights from outside illuminate his figure to a small extent. He’s dressed in dark pants and a black leather jacket. On his face is a balaclava with a skull and crossbones.

He’s definitely taller than I am. Broad chest, built arms and shoulders signal what’s underneath. A mountain of muscles, that’s what. And a potential problem for me.

“Cool style,” I joke.

“Yours isn’t bad either. I’m intrigued. I imagined you a little differently.”

His words wash over me like ice-cold rain. It doesn’t take me long to understand who this man is.

Something I don’t understand flashes in his dark eyes.

Instinct kicks in. Everything happens so fast.

With my left hand, I reach for the knife hidden in my shoe and, at the same time, like a cat, I jump up, landing on my feet, assuming a position ready to attack. All this in a second.

But he’s not any slower, because before I can rise from David’s body, the shuriken whizzes right past my face. Probably to scare me or warn me. I don’t like either option. The movement of his hand before he releases the weapon is so fast that it’s almost invisible. If he really wanted to hurt me, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

Adrenaline rushes to my head, my ears ring, my heart beats faster. With slow movements, he pushes himself away from the wall and, like a predator, moves toward me. Step by step, until he’s on the other side of David, who’s still lying on the ground.

Now the dark eyes are much more clear, and they aren’t dark at all. They’re gray. Those eyes shimmer even more as he moves his gaze over my body. I do the same and have to admit something suddenly awakens in me.

Up close, this man is even bigger. Standing nonchalantly with his legs wide apart, one hand in his pocket, a shiny knife in the other, built of muscles I’m sure of even beneath his clothes, he intrigues me. The feeling starts somewhere in the pit of my belly, but I scold myself for it right away.

He’s your enemy! Don’t even go there.

The scent reaches my nose and makes me feel slightly dizzy. Whatever it is, it reminds me of money and wildness. With a hint of cedar and something fruity with a smoky undertone.

I grimace. At work, I always try to be scentless, to leave nothing behind, not even a whiff. This jerk, however, is confident, sure nothing can threaten him. He fears nothing.