Damian FINUCANE's Arc

Chapter 31 of 57

Damian stood over the dead man in the empty court. The poison darts lay scattered on the stone. His master crossed the yard and touched his arm. "His guards will return soon," she said. "They left to search the walls. When they find him, they will hunt us through the city." Rolo was already at the gate, checking the street. Damian sheathed his blade. The killing was done, but the danger had only shifted. "We ride," Damian said. "Now." But Rolo shook her head from the doorway. She pointed down the lane. Three of the man's guards stood at a smoothie shop, drinking from bright cups. Damian knew the place. He had killed Parker there weeks ago. He had killed the tower mastermind there too. The cheerful sign hung above the window like a bad joke. "They haven't found him yet," Rolo whispered. "They think he's still inside, counting his gold." She grinned, quick and sharp. "We walk past them slow. We don't run. Running is what they watch for." Damian pulled his cloak over the gemmed sword. His master lowered her hood. They stepped into the lane and walked toward the shop. One guard glanced up from his cup. He was young. His eyes moved over Damian, then away, bored. The three of them leaned against the shop counter, waiting for a master who would never call them again. Damian's heart pounded. His hand itched for the blade. But he kept his pace even, the way he kept his mind clear in a match. Rolo hummed a soft tune, careless, like a girl on an errand. They passed within an arm's reach of the guards. Milk-white smoothie foam clung to the young one's lip. He said something to the others. They laughed. None of them turned. Then the young guard set down his cup. "Hey," he called. Damian stopped. His fingers found the sword hilt under the cloak. The guard walked toward them, hand raised. "You dropped this." He held out a small iron token. It had fallen from Damian's coat, taken from a dead man long ago. Damian took it. "Thanks," he said. His voice held steady. The guard nodded and went back to his cup. Damian, Rolo, and his master turned the corner and were gone from the lane. They did not stop until the shop was far behind. Rolo let out a long breath. "That was too close," she said. His master watched the road behind them. "They will find the body within the hour," she said. "By nightfall every marked man in this city will know your face." Damian looked at the iron token in his palm. The killing was over. But the men who took the dead man's coin still lived, and now they had a reason to come for him. He closed his fist around the token and started walking east, toward the temple.