Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,11

line Balthazar’s pockets.

Delphi added a stack of credits to her stash to be on the safe side.

“Are you there?”

She hurried back to the command center when she heard Spear’s voice. “I’m here.”

“Say nothing of his past. Let it come to him. If it is Ivar, it’s best for him to remember on his own. According to the limited information I was able to access on the mediscanner, it would be too easy for him to create false memories with the information you give him, his brain desperate to make a connection to his past. If it’s not him, we cannot risk telling him anything he shouldn’t know.”

Secrecy was important to the Gravasians.

“I’ll be in touch. I’ll use the beacon when the time is right. Don’t expect to hear from me again. All tech is banned on Tortuga. It wasn’t easy to get permission to visit my ship.”

“You’re secure?” Sass broke into the conversation.

“I’m well.” There was no safety to be found here, and she wouldn’t lie to her sister. They were all assassins and knew the score.

“What’s the layout in the landing bay?” Spear asked. She quickly relayed all the information she had about the security she’d seen and the number of guards.

“I’m assuming there are other measures I know nothing about. Balthazar is dangerous and crazy, but he’s very intelligent. Don’t underestimate him,” she warned.

“I won’t,” he assured her.

“Stay safe.” Her sister’s concern warmed her heart.

“I will. You too.”

“Zaxe sends his love,” Sass added.

She snorted. “He did no such thing.” Her twin was still on Gravas and not happy about it. He’d wanted to come, but the king had kept him behind. Insurance against getting the job done. Spear had argued against it, but his father was king, his word law. It was a sign that they weren’t quite trusted, not yet, even through Sass had married into the family.

She got it. They were unknown. Still, it stung.

“When are you breaking him out?” Spear asked before she could disconnect.

“As soon as I figure it out. Tomorrow night or the next, if things go well. Watch for the beacon. Computer, end call.”

A part of her wanted to blast out of here. In spite of the warning from the guard, the shields of her ship would hold against attack. She was tired of her life always being on the line. Except this time, it was for something worthwhile. Someone worthwhile.

“I’m on my way, Ivar.” Gathering her bag, she left the safety of her ship and made the long trek back through the docking station. The only way in and out was through the scanner. She walked slowly and was met by the guard on the other side. He used a handheld scanner on her and searched her bag before nodding.

With the sun beating down on her, Delphi lugged her bag back to her room. It was time to get to work.

Chapter Four

She wasn’t coming back. It would be suicide for her to show up again this evening. He’d think she was nothing but a figment of his imagination if it weren’t for the fact she’d told him his name.

Ivar.

He said it over and over, hoping it would spark some memory, but they remained stubbornly silent.

She’d disappeared last night without a sound, a ghost, a whisper. He’d spent the entire day worrying. Had she been hurt? Captured on her way out?

No, if she had, they’d have come to interrogate him.

Right on cue, the outer door slammed open, banging against the stone wall. Heavy footsteps came toward him. Multiple men. A light from a lantern spilled out before them.

His gut seized, but he made himself push to his feet. He would not meet them lying on the ground.

The man who smiled at him had a big bushy beard the color of flames with hair to match. His eyes were the color of emeralds, sharp and hard. “Well, well. On your feet, I see. I must not have been paying you enough attention.”

He kept quiet. Anything he said would be used as an excuse to beat him. Of course, saying nothing was just as good a reason to this man.

“Balthazar.” He dipped his head in greeting.

“Look at you with all your fine manners. Ready to talk?” He motioned to the jailer, who sorted through the heavy keys on the ring he kept hooked to his belt until he found the right one. The door was unlocked and pulled open.

Ivar’s breathing increased, his heart racing in anticipation of what was to come. It took everything