problem, Markus. You never think. But now that the head of your order is out of the way, the way is clear for new blood to rise to the top. Especially for those with allies on the Elector Council."
Markus sucked in a deep breath.
Ral let him ponder that idea for a moment. "Is everything in place?"
"Sure. The plan is simple. I'll get there a candlemark after sundown. The signal is-"
"How many men are you bringing?"
Markus glanced over, a flicker of annoyance passing across his pale blue eyes. "I got a few boys on board, just like you told me. A couple of them owe me money, and another guy is bucking for a promotion so he can move out of his mother's house. They'll do what I say without question."
"And afterward?"
"They'll keep their mouths shut."
"They'd better. Our patron doesn't forgive mistakes. If one of these men talks-"
"I know what I'm doing."
Ral leaned into Markus, hooking his right arm through the man's elbow. His left hand pressed into the prefect's side, the needle-sharp point of the stiletto held in his palm pricking through both surcoat and mail to touch the flesh beneath. Markus huffed and strained to remain still.
Ral pitched his voice to a low whisper. "Listen to me. You don't have to worry about the boss. If you mess this up, I'll peel your worthless hide from your back myself. Do you understand me?"
Markus nodded. With a hiss, Ral released him. The stiletto vanished into his sleeve. Markus clutched his side and stared at the floor with his lips compressed into a tight line. The prefect wasn't used to being manhandled, but he had to understand and fast. Both their lives hung in the balance if he messed up.
"Get more men," Ral said.
The prefect rolled his shoulders. "I'll need more money for that. God's soldiers don't come cheap."
Ral wanted to laugh, but he didn't let it touch his features. He reached under his cassock. Markus stiffened, one hand dropping to the hilt of his sword, but he relaxed as Ral passed him a heavy pouch.
Ral stood up and rested his hand on the prefect's beefy shoulder, the very picture of a pastor counseling one of his flock.
"Remember, Markus. No mistakes. No loose ends."
"Don't worry. We'll arrive just a moment too late to save them."
"And their killer?"
An evil grin dimmed the prefect's chiseled features. "Sadly, he'll be killed trying to elude capture."
"Perfect."
A moment later, Ral was out the side door and down the alley, heading toward home. He had his own preparations to finalize. A horse was waiting for him at the west gate, reserved by the offices of the Elector Council, with remounts at every roadhouse and garrison station between here and his target. Tomorrow night, the culmination of his dearest ambition would begin. He would rise higher than his departed father had ever dreamed. Soon people would call him the most feared man in the city, and in the process he would eliminate his only true rival to that title.
Tomorrow night Caim, Low Town's favorite son, would die.
CHAPTER FOUR
it showed up while Caim stalked down a narrow lane between two dark rows of houses. One moment he was strolling by himself, eyes darting back and forth in search of hidden threats, and the next she was walking beside him. Or rather, she levitated beside him; her dainty feet never touched the cobbles.
"Welcome back, Kit. Off gallivanting again?"
"I don't gallivant, darling. I might flit about sometimes, or stop to watch a caterpillar weave its cocoon. Did you know they could do that? It's amazing! But I never, ever gallivant. As it happens, I was looking after your interests."
Kit flipped over so she was hovering upside down in front of him. In defiance of gravity, her long silver hair stayed curled around her slim shoulders. Her violet eyes twinkled mischievously as she regarded him, and it was all he could do not to chuckle.
Those eyes were his first memory, peeking over the side of his cradle when he was a babe. She claimed to have been searching for a little brother and stopped when she found him, but with Kit the truth was often difficult to ascertain. Whether real or imaginary, she was without a doubt the most interesting person he'd ever met. She'd been everywhere, it seemed, and seen everything there was to see. She could fly so high into the sky he lost sight of her, or dive into the earth and return with tales of the secret lives