Kyler's Justice (Assassins of Gravas Book 3) - N.J. Walters Page 0,20
step back, but she stopped and stood her ground. “Brave or foolish, which are you?”
“Neither. I’m desperate.”
The truth vibrated through him.
“I’ll tell you everything I know, answer any questions, if you make me a promise.”
“Oh, you’ll tell me what I want to know.”
The passion in her eyes had drained away, leaving only fear. He wanted to smash everything in the room. Why her? Why now? But life wasn’t fair. He yanked his fury back, restraining it, until the man she’d awoken was once again locked away. In front of her stood the king’s blade, the finest assassin of Gravas.
She swallowed heavily. “Helldrick told me my brother was involved with some stolen Gravasian tech.”
He inclined his head.
The only color in her face was the bruise that covered most of one cheek. “He must have a death wish.” She shook herself. “If the Gravasians sent you, I want to make a deal.”
“No deal.” Another layer of ice solidified around his heart.
A soft sound caught his attention. With the swiftness of the predator he was, he yanked up his hood, caught Etta around the waist, and dragged her against him. He withdrew a blaster from the holster at his waist, keeping it hidden from view.
A little girl with golden skin, vivid red hair, and vibrant green eyes peeked out from the hallway.
“Go back to bed, Maggs. I’ll come tuck you in.”
This was the youngest sister. He hadn’t expected either of the girls to be awake this late. They might be half-sisters, but she looked nothing like Etta. The hair and eyes came directly from her father. The golden skin must be a gift from her mother.
But the child wasn’t looking at her sister, she was staring at him.
His chest tightened, but he ignored it. It was the first time he’d ever had a child involved in an interrogation. He generally left children and women out of it. But Etta was stuck in the middle of this situation.
“Make her leave,” he whispered. It infuriated him that she was shaking in his arms. Did she think he’d kill the girl? Of course, she did. Why wouldn’t she?
“Maggs.” Her voice rose higher. “Please, sweetheart, go back to bed.”
But the girl started forward, her hand extended. It wasn’t empty, but held a data pad. “It’s you.” Her voice was sweet and musical and pure. “You came.”
Etta stilled in his arms. “Maggs, what are you talking about?” Fear mingled with confusion.
The girl held up the screen, showing a drawing of a large cloaked male. It might be a coincidence, but the fine hairs on the back of his neck rose.
Maggs ran her finger over the device to bring up another image. The likeness was uncanny. It was like looking at himself in the mirror.
Kyler stood on a precipice. On one side were his honor and his king. On the other stood Etta and her sisters.
****
What was Maggs doing up? She was the soundest sleeper Etta had ever known. Heart pounding, she tried to pull away from Ky and was surprised when he released her.
Legs shaking, she fought the urge to run to her sister, not wanting to scare her. “When did you draw those?”
Maggs scampered forward and thrust the screen toward Ky, exhibiting not the slightest bit of fear. “I have more.”
He took the device and shuffled through the detailed sketches. “They’re all date stamped. They go back several weeks.” Long before he’d arrived.
She cupped her sister’s small shoulders. “Where did you see him, sweetheart?”
Her pleasure dimmed, she stared down at the ground and shifted her weight from one leg to another.
Etta dropped to her knees and hugged the girl. “It’s okay, Maggs. You can tell me.”
“I dreamed him.” She tilted her head back and peered up at Ky. “He’ll protect us.”
Ky was still as a statue, but she wasn’t fooled. She’d seen how he moved—fast, silent, and deadly. Any doubts she’d had about him being her intruder were gone.
“Um, I don’t think so. Those were only dreams.” And dreams weren’t reality. It hurt her to have to break the girl’s heart. He wasn’t their hero, but she might be able to blackmail him into helping them.
It was a dangerous gamble, but one she had to take. She briefly closed her eyes, wishing she could go back six months in time and run before Balthazar had found her and started her down this path.
Maggs patted her small hands against Etta’s face. “It will be fine.”