Page 40 of Decoy
I hated the thought of agreeing to a contract whose conditions I didn’t yet possess full knowledge of, but desperation cajoled one to take all manner of risky paths. I felt as if I was sealing my life away with a single handshake rather than choosing the best means I currently knew to preserve it.
“To be clear, I’m not doing this foryoursake; I simply find the notion you’ve presented amusing.”
His disclaimer given, he wasted no further time in offering his arm to escort me back to the waiting court and the pool of potential suspects awaiting us.
“The first thing we’ll need to obtain is information, and considering your failure until now—”
“What makes you think I’vefailed?” I interrupted.
“It’s simply a conclusion I’ve drawn to surmise why you’d turn to your enemy of all potential allies to aid you in your task.”
I tried not to pout, but it was difficult when this was yet another victory he could lay claim to. “And just what means do you have in mind?”
Apprehension settled around me at his mischievous grin. “You shall soon find out, won’t you?”
My heart pounded wildly. Though I’d approached him with a firm hold over my control, somehow I felt the tables had already turned and I was about to enter a phase in our strange game that was far more dangerous than the last.
CHAPTER12
Luke’s heated gaze monitored my every move as I talked with a lesser noble of some forgettable house on the brink of falling out of favor with the aristocracy. It seemed a waste of time to interrogate such a suspect, but Luke had insisted with a reminder that not only could appearances be deceiving and this lesser nobleman could possess surprising information, but should he be as useless as I feared, I’d lose nothing should I bungle the interaction…not to mention talking to royals would only be a waste of my time considering they weren’t likely to give anything away, while a noblemen would be more likely to reveal anything that could gain my favor.
Normally I retained the poise I’d cultivated during my time as a noble, but Luke’s attentive analysis filled me with an anxious need to perform my task well, as if I were performing a part on some grand stage rather than the royal parlor with an audience of one—not just to prove I was an able partner for my own sake, but to earn his approval that I had no reason other than my pride to so earnestly seek.
The nobleman proved to be rather shy, so I was only able to obtain the most insignificant of information. After I managed to extract myself from the unproductive exchange in which the only useful thing I managed was to drop another hint of somewhere secluded for a nearby royal to hear, I made my way back to my waiting partner.
I expected honesty, but his disgusted look was outright depressing. I wilted at his disapproval. “That bad?”
He sighed. “Considering your other impressive skills, I truly expected better.”
Defensiveness swelled, causing me to seize the most convenient excuse. “He wasn’t very talkative.”
“The truly skilled can retrieve information from even the most difficult of sources. It appears we’ll be forced to utilize a moredrasticapproach.”
Foreboding prickled.Drasticundoubtedly meant something quite different to an assassin than my own definition. “You don’t want me to resort to…torture, do you?”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous; torture involves blood. My suggestion is much less unpleasant.” Disapproval pursed his lips as his sidelong glance took in my hands twisting in my lap. “Don’t show your emotions, especially those that expose your weaknesses.”
“I’m not so ignorant as to need a primer on the basics.”
“Yet you’re clearly in need of a review. Stop that.” He draped his hand over mine to still my fidgeting. I startled at his touch, but though I was tempted to explore this new but not entirely unpleasant feeling, I yanked my hand away.
“Assassins take considerable risk in daring to touch a princess without her permission.”
He glanced around to ensure no one had overheard us in our tucked-away corner. Other than my guards watching at a distance, our company seemed caught up in their own conversations.
“Such ingratitude when I’m the one doing you a favor.”
Already I didn’t like where this conversation was going. As much as I tried to contain any outward sign of anxiety, my hand shook as I poured myself a cup of tea. Before I could raise it to my lips, Luke suddenly brushed my hand. I lifted my eyebrow in silent question.
He narrowed his eyes at the cup. “Check the tea first.”
I obediently lowered it. “Why, did you poison it?”
He wordlessly took my cup and carefully studied its contents. “As I suspected: asphyx, easily recognized by its distinct scent and the most common poison used amongst assassins.”
My breath caught.Asphyx, an infamous and very deadly toxin.My anxiety heightened because this time it wasn’t Luke who’d attacked me but an unknown threat, leaving me feeling as if my old companion death had returned to pay me an extended visit.
“Though its familiarity makes it easy for most to detect, immunity to this particular poison is rare. I doubt you’ve endured the training required, but we can’t very well ignore it…leaving only one course of action.”
