Amanda Bonilla - Shaedes of Gray - A Shaede Assassin Novel

The sky was illuminated in varying shades of gray. Before I’d discovered just how dangerous this hour could be, it had been my favorite time. A stillness hung in the air that wasn’t present at any other moment, save twilight. What I used to consider a peaceful time had become fraught with unseen dangers. A Lyhtan waited somewhere close; I could smell it.

I didn’t want to fight on the terrace. There wasn’t much room. But I didn’t feel like I should venture too far from Xander either. If it was an ambush, he’d be left unprotected while I fought from somewhere below—or above. The smell grew stronger, and I crinkled my nose in distaste. As the air around me became heavy, I looked up and froze in shock at what dangled several feet above my head. Hanging upside down, like a mutated fruit bat, the Lyhtan clung with its feet to the terrace above me. My enemy swung its elongated body, releasing its hold on the iron railing, and dropped. God, I hoped it was one of the Lyhtans that had attacked me. Gripping the handle of the katana until it felt like it was a natural part of my hand, the blade an extension of my arm, I waited.

“The Enphigmalé will see to the end of your kind,” myriad voices said as the Lyhtan straightened to its full height. “Tell your king that.”

“Come a little closer and tell him yourself,” I whispered. “You’ll only have to get through me to do it. Or are you afraid to face me in the gray hour, Lyhtan?”

A sharp and mournful shriek rent the peaceful morning. Poised and ready to fight, the Lyhtan dangled a jagged blade, rusty and neglected, unworthy of battle, from its hand.

I glanced at the sky, hoping I had enough time to kill my enemy before the sun crested the horizon. Bad timing, but I couldn’t help but wonder where the hell I’d put the bottled shadows Raif had given me. Too late now.

“What’s your name?” I asked the creature, which wiped at a trail of saliva running steadily down its chin.

“Why do you need it?” the Lyhtan said in its many voices.

“So I can engrave it into the blade of my sword after I kill you.” It was big talk, but I needed something to hike up my confidence level. Memories of lying in bed, covered in welts and raw, seeping wounds didn’t help bolster my courage. I had to win; I had to kill this thing before it could get to Xander. My pride demanded it.

“All you need to know, Shaede, is that I am Death.”

The Lyhtan lunged at me, teeth bared and sword at the ready. I parried the thrust and swung the katana wide toward the creature’s head, missing by mere inches. Its cackling laughter only served to increase my determination, and I swung again, using all my weight as I came around, this time swiping at its knees. It jumped, easily avoiding the blade, threw its head back, and howled into the ever-brightening sky.

I’d never faced an opponent this way. An assassin doesn’t go into battle or fight one-on-one. An assassin relies on her stealth and cunning and takes her victim’s life before he is ever aware danger is present. My heart pounded against my rib cage, and though I tried to control my breathing, the air came into my aching lungs in heavy drafts. I needed a clear and level head. I needed to keep it together. I needed to focus.

It came after me and covered the space between us in one long stride. Swinging with wild abandon, it aimed for my waist and then my throat, slicing through the air with the jagged and rusty blade. The Lyhtan growled in frustration and swiped a clawed hand at my face. I pulled back just before its talonlike nails could dig into my flesh.

With preternatural speed and precision, it attacked. As fast as me, if not a little faster, its blade rang out against mine over and over as I parried each thrust or cut. The serrated metal made a clean break difficult. More than once I became hung up on the rusty barbs and had to move too close for my comfort in order to free the katana. I gave silent thanks to Raif and my training as I fought, glad to have the stamina required to stand against this much stronger foe. It hissed and uttered unintelligible words as it struck over and over again, hungry for blood and intent on my death.

I sensed a movement from inside the room, and my eyes darted to the side. The Lyhtan followed suit and looked toward the open window. The sky reflected off the glass, almost blue with hints of muted orange washing over it like watercolor. I used the opportunity and took a quick step forward, bringing the blade down with all I was worth. It sliced into the Lyhtan’s chest and the creature screamed and thrashed, clutching at the wound. I pulled back and swung full circle, the blade singing as it cleaved the air, cutting across the creature’s throat and severing its squealing head.

The vile thing rolled and came to a stop at my feet while the Lyhtan’s body convulsed in a macabre display before falling over the railing. I heard it land with a thump, followed by utter silence. My sword hung limp at my side, covered with the rusty orange blood of my enemy. I turned toward the east and watched as an explosion of light was born out of the gray morning, coloring the sky with a brilliance that caused me to shield my eyes. The Lyhtan’s head, which rested still at my feet, shimmered like it had been covered with a thin layer of early-winter frost. The effect intensified, and soon the disjointed orb glittered in a golden-red light and disappeared.

“It has gone into the light,” said a voice from behind me.

I turned to find Xander standing in the doorway. He had a reverent expression on his face, and he bowed his head. If you ask me, not very fitting for a king. But I didn’t bother to point it out as he paid me respect for services rendered.

The sound of frantic footsteps came rushing up the stairs, and Raif burst into Xander’s room at a full run. He skidded to a halt just feet from his brother and looked from me to him and back again before sheathing his sword.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

“Yes,” Xander said. “The fight was over before I even knew it had begun. She’s a credit to your training, Raif.”

Raif smiled and inclined his head to his brother. Moments later, several Shaedes entered the king’s suite, many of them dressed in the weird ancient costume that Raif was fond of. Anya came a few minutes after that, and in the commotion, Xander was led from the room, leaving a trail of nervous worshippers behind him. Only Raif and I were left to watch the sun rise to a giant yellow orb in the sky.

“Were you scared?” he asked me.

“Shitless,” I said.

“Good. Fear is what keeps you alive in a fight. Was it alone?” he asked, looking over the balcony to where the Lyhtan’s body had landed.

“As far as I know,” I said, joining him at the railing. “I felt the presence of only one.”

Raif raised a curious brow and then looked away. “You are full of surprises, Darian.”

I didn’t ask him to explain what he meant. He’d probably give me enigmatic answers anyway. “Raif, what’s an En-fig-mal-ae?” I said, enunciating the word the Lyhtan had spoken.

“Some say they’re an order of humans with too much time on their hands, but I’m not so sure. I haven’t heard the name in centuries. The Enphigmalé are a legend, a rumor without detail started to incite paranoia among conspiracy theorists.” Raif said with disdain. “Why?”

“The Lyhtan said the Enphigmalé will see to the end of our kind. What did it mean?”

Raif shook his head and looked away. “I don’t know.” He turned and strode back into the room. “I’m taking a team out to secure the perimeter. We need to make sure this place is locked down tight. I don’t need another security breach like this one. Also, one of our point men didn’t check in this morning. I’m afraid there may be a casualty. Will you be all right if I leave you here?”