Amanda Bonilla - Shaedes of Gray - A Shaede Assassin Novel

“Such as . . .” I prompted.

Xander shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ve heard tales that the shape they choose is the physical embodiment of their protection.”

“Are they immortal?”

He shook his head and jumped out of his chair. “You don’t listen very well, do you?” He took a few steps closer to me. “ Nothing on this earth is immortal, Darian.”

I looked away; his stare was too intense, and my emotions were becoming more ragged with each explanation. “Didn’t you hear me say that his life is now tied to yours? He’ll die if you die. He’ll die to save your life. He’s become entwined with you in a way you cannot comprehend.” I still refused to look at him. “You can die. You can pass from this existence into shadow forever. Haven’t I told you over again that you are more fragile a creature than you’ve thought?”

I felt an unfamiliar lump forming in my throat. It was like choking on a golf ball. The swell of emotion threatened to break from my chest and engulf me in a century’s worth of sorrow, forgotten until this moment. Maybe it was an effect of the Lyhtan venom that lingered in my body. Maybe it was the realization of what Tyler had actually done. Maybe it was simply a long-overdue breakdown. Keep it together, Darian. Christ. Just suck it up and keep your shit together.

“Jesus,” I said, snapping back into myself. “Why couldn’t you have just left me the fuck alone?”

“I need you,” he said. “And I suppose I must remind you again that you’ve been paid well for your services. I needed an assassin. And not just another killer off the street. I need you specifically.”

Xander’s smug expression did little to soothe my anger. How long had they been watching me, feeling me out and assessing my abilities? When did his little plan take root, and how had he known I was the only girl for the job? Of course, he could’ve killed Azriel himself. Their blood bond made that possible. Then again, Xander would never risk his royal neck by getting close enough to Azriel to do the deed. Paid or not, I’d become a pawn in his little game. His sardonic smiles didn’t fool me.

Resuming his place at the armchair, Xander regarded me like I was some sort of anomaly. Studying me like a cell on slide, his fingers in a steeple before him, his golden eyes probed right down to the pores on my face.

It wasn’t pity, though my disillusioned state was undeniably pathetic. Made me easy to maneuver too. With Raif’s help, he’d molded me like a hunk of clay, and if everything went his way, he’d have one dead enemy and one trained monkey. Over my dead body. Bile rose in my throat at the thought and I swallowed the bitterness down.

“We have a busy day tomorrow,” he said. “And I’m ready for bed.” His eyes twinkled behind a veil of calculation. “You can join me if you’d like.”

Somehow, I didn’t think Xander cared so much about social taboos. I’d slept with his son, for shit’s sake, and I had no interest in making it a family affair. “Sure,” I scoffed. “Wish in one hand, shit in the other. See which one fills up first.” I spun on a heel and left the High King of Bullshit chuckling behind me.

Chapter 17

My phone vibrated in my back pocket, stirring me from restless slumber. Tilted back in a chair, my legs propped up on the banister, I caught bits and pieces of rest while Xander slept safe in his bed on the other side of the door. The vibrating stopped, and I sighed in relief just before it started again. I knew who was calling. No doubts there.

Stiff and numb, I lowered the chair onto all four legs. My knees buckled when I stood, and I shook out my blood-deprived limbs, bending at the knee and testing each leg before placing my full weight on my feet. Tiptoeing toward the door, I carefully opened it just wide enough to check on Xander. His peaceful countenance made him look like he didn’t have a care in the world. Asshole . The vibration in my pocket stopped, but I was sure it would start up again as soon as Tyler could hit the redial button. A soft breeze stirred the drapes, and I quickly crossed the room. The French doors in the bedroom hadn’t been opened the last time I’d checked.

Careful not to interrupt Xander’s beauty sleep, I slipped through the open doors to check the balcony. Dawn had not yet approached. A lightening in the eastern horizon marked its coming, but I doubted it was visible to anyone other than a Shaede. I smelled the dew beginning to form on the leaves and grass below the terrace, and I drew in a deep breath to hold the heady fragrance of encroaching morning in my lungs. My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I fished it out.

“Where are you?” Tyler shouted before I could even say hello.

“Where are you ?” I asked.

“Not funny, Darian,” he said. “I’ve been sitting in your apartment for hours, waiting for you to show up. Is everything okay? Are you hurt? Why didn’t you make a wish?”

“Calm down,” I hissed into the phone. “I’m fine.”

“Where . . . are . . . you?” The controlled ferocity of his tone made my skin prickle.

“Xander’s.”

There was a pregnant pause on the other end of the line. I hoped Ty was counting to ten instead of heading out the door.

“Why?” He let the single word hang.

I rolled my eyes. “Side job. Security detail.”

“Security detail!” Ty exploded. “Security for who?”

“I’m Xander’s personal bodyguard for a while.” I cringed at the words, visualizing the incredulous look that was no doubt on Ty’s face.

“I’m coming over,” Tyler said.

“No.”

Tyler just couldn’t get it through his thick skull. I didn’t need him charging to my rescue. I had my pride to consider. Sure, he’d plucked me up off the street after the Lyhtan attack. And he had shown up at just the right second with my sword when I’d needed it. Time after time, Tyler had proved his loyalty, his concern, his protectiveness. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate it. I did. My overinflated ego didn’t.

“You can’t always be my knight in shining armor,” I said. “Ty, I’m obligated to do this. I can handle it.”

“Since when are you obligated to be Xander’s anything?” he said with a dead calm that was more frightening than anything he could have shouted. “You were hired for one thing only, and that one thing doesn’t include following Xander around and acting as his personal live target! Do you have any idea what might happen if you get into anything dicey? You could die, Darian!”

The sky continued to lighten, and I sensed a presence somewhere above me. It could have been another Shaede, but for some reason, my instinct told me differently. I couldn’t focus on my surroundings while bickering on the phone, and Xander was just inside the door, vulnerable to attack. If something were to happen to him while I was assuaging Ty’s ego, I’d never live it down. In fact, I didn’t think I’d live, period.

“Tyler,” I sighed. How could I convince him I was okay when my senses screamed that danger was close? “As soon as I’m done here, I’ll be home. Stay at my apartment and wait for me if you want. There’s nothing for you to worry about. Nothing dicey here.” Liar . “I appreciate your concern, and if I get into trouble, you’ll be the first person I’ll call. Promise. Wishes will rain down on your ears.” The hairs rose on the back of my neck as the pressure in the air intensified. “But right now, I’ve got to go.” I flipped the phone closed and slid it back into my pocket.

With steps as light as thistledown landing on the ground, I treaded back into the room. Xander was still asleep. I reached to my back, slid the katana from the scabbard, barely making a sound as it came free. And just as silently and quickly, I returned to the terrace.