Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,13

I need to do some research. There could be money to be made yet. If not, I can still sell this one to recoup the cost of his room and board. There’s always a captain looking for new crew. I have to think on this.”

Ivar stayed on his feet until they were gone, the door sealed shut, and the light dimmed. When he was in darkness, he slid to the floor and tested his jaw. He’d gotten off lucky with nothing more than a love tap and a bit of choking.

But time was running out. Seemed his captor was determined to make him pay, one way or another.

The future was looking grim. Either he’d end up being tortured by the Gravasians or pressed into servitude on a space pirate ship. Both options ended with him dead.

“Where are you, Del?”

****

Delphi’s patience was legendary, but it was running thin. Two days had passed since she’d found Ivar. Or who she hoped was Ivar. It had taken her that long to devise a plan and get everything in place. There’d been a stir around the jail last night.

Balthazar had visited.

The jailer had come into the tavern closest to the prison for a meal earlier today. It had only taken a couple of free ales from other patrons to loosen his tongue. Everyone wanted the latest news on the mysterious prisoner.

She’d sat in the shadows at a corner table, sipped ale, and listened. To give the jailer his due, he didn’t give too many details. Likely it was fear of his boss holding him back. But he did say that Balthazar had come up with a new way to make his prisoner pay off and that the prisoner was in worse shape than he had been.

That worried her.

The clock had run out for them both. Ivar was in greater danger and might possibly be moved, not to mention she was expected to have dinner with Balthazar tomorrow night. Or rather tonight, since it was just after two in the morning.

This was the time of day where most people were the least alert. Those who had been drinking were passed out or too drunk to be a problem. Everyone else was safely inside their dwellings.

This was her time.

Moving stealthily, she used the buildings for cover, slipping through the shadows until she was outside the prison. It was easier to go through the chimney, but there was no way Ivar would fit. As much weight as he’d lost, his shoulders were still far too wide.

“Through the front door.” She’d marked the timing and the route last night. One shot was all they’d have. If she failed, she’d have to leave Ivar to save herself.

And that she wouldn’t do.

Not only because she’d given her word—to the Gravasian king, her sister’s husband, and to Ivar himself. No, she couldn’t have Ivar’s death on her conscience.

He’d shown such composure under extreme pressure. He had no idea who he was, yet the core of the man shone through. Honor wasn’t just a word to him. He’d been concerned about her safety.

She’d held his hand.

Curling her fingers inward, she cursed the phantom heat from his touch. Straightening her palm, she rubbed it against her pants.

Get your head in the game and do this.

Delphi made sure her hood covered her head and watched as the outer guards made their rounds.

The one closest to her was first. She jumped toward him, slamming her hand over his face to muffle his cry of surprise even as she drove the tip of her blade into his heart. She lowered his body to the ground, withdrew the blade, and was on the move before he took his final breath.

The second man was huge. At seven feet tall, he was going to take a bit more work.

She picked up speed and jumped, using the wall as a springboard, her foot barely grazing it as she pushed off to give her both height and velocity. At the last second, he must have sensed something and turned.

It was too late. Her blade was already slicing across his throat. He grabbed her and threw her over his head even as he went down. She rolled and came up to her feet, on the move again.

The keys she needed were hooked to his belt. She grabbed them and ran. Timing was everything.

There were only three keys and she guessed right for the first one. She slowly released a breath when she was inside the prison.

No time to waste.

Two more locked doors,