Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,44

that she was on his side until it was nothing more than a ball of acid in her stomach.

She forced herself to laugh when all she wanted to do was cry. “A girl has to make a living. I live by the knife and spear.” She threw the word out there, hoping he’d understand that he wasn’t alone. If she died, Spear would come for him.

“A spear isn’t very handy,” Balthazar interrupted. The man hated being ignored, always had to be the center of attention.

“A spear can move soundlessly through the air and kill.” That was the pure truth. Spear el Gravaso was arguably the best Gravasian assassin, maybe the best in the known universe. Her smile was genuine this time. Their captor frowned, his green eyes darkening.

“Is that a threat?”

She shook her head. “A promise.”

He grabbed her by the hair, dragging her head back while at the same time yanking her up until she was balanced on her toes. “Torture is an art form. One I’ve mastered. It might take time, but I’d break you. I think I’d rather enjoy it.” He pulled her close, pressing his lower body into her.

The sadistic bastard was turned on by the thought of violence. “But would it be in time?” she taunted. Keep talking, Delphi. If it was just her, she’d fight and kill as many as she could before dying. She’d already lived longer than she’d ever thought she would.

Zaxe would blame himself. So would Sass. The guilt would eat them alive. She was sorry for that, but it was no longer about them. It was about her and Ivar. This was her chance to do something good, something noble. Taking all those lives had eaten her soul. Being with Ivar had given her a taste of something better.

Didn’t matter that it was over before it barely began, that he believed she lied and manipulated him. She knew it was real. That was all that mattered.

“Time?” He yanked hard on her hair. It hurt, and normally, she’d chew off her own tongue before letting him know that. Instead, she cried out. The weaker he believed her to be, the easier it would be to lull him into a false sense of security.

Then she’d strike. But first, she had a question of her own. “How did you just happen to be waiting for us?”

Chapter Twelve

Ivar banked the fury threatening to consume him, shoving it behind an impenetrable wall. Pain, worse than any meted out by Balthazar during his captivity, threatened to break him. Given enough time, his body would heal. His heart would forever bear the scars of Delphi’s betrayal.

And for what? Money. All her talk of keeping her word was as false as the disguise she sometimes wore. He was nothing more than a bounty.

Every word she spoke damned her. He must be an idiot, because he still didn’t want her hurt.

Delphi had risked her life to liberate him from prison. Their time together in the cave had been special, at least to him. It wasn’t a lie that she’d been a virgin. Their lovemaking had been sweet and tender and passionate, a gift, one she hadn’t needed to give him. Then why had she?

A spear can move soundlessly through the air and kill. Her words echoed in his brain. Spear was the name from the dream. And according to Delphi, the reason she was here.

Your body is a weapon. So is your brain. Use it.

It was the unknown voice, except this time, he was sure it belonged to Spear.

Heart racing, he really looked at her, trying to see beneath the in-control image she projected. Her eyes spoke of determination and anger rather than fear. This was a woman fully at ease, confident in her ability to deal with the situation.

Their captor had his hand fisted in her curls, ruthlessly dragging on her hair, making her cry out in pain. For that offense alone, he deserved to die.

Then her question to Balthazar penetrated his thoughts. How had he been waiting for them?

The giant of a man laughed again, finding pleasure in their torment. “You went missing around the same time as my guest.” He winked at Ivar. “I know you wouldn’t willingly leave my hospitality.”

Ivar crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “Yeah, real five-star accommodations, but the chef could use some work.”

“Better than dead. But there’s only one way on and off the planet. It was only a matter of time until you showed up. I’ve had men stationed