Death and Honor: Book 2 of 2 (13 page)

Xander took the healer’s seat and studied his partner. Anika looked pale but otherwise fine, her breathing steady and deep. He rolled his shoulders, trying to work the stiffness out. A few minutes later a boy arrived with his food which Xander accepted along with a mug of ale. He’d finished half his meal when Anika opened her eyes.

Xander swallowed a mouth full of fish stew. “Good morning. How are you?”

“I’ll live.” Anika winced when she sat up. “Thanks to you. Why did you do it? No one would have thought less of you if you left me behind.”

“We’re partners.” Xander smiled. “Where you go I go, remember? I was going to the beach so that’s where you went.”

“We’re only partners until they split us up. We have no say.”

“I deal with the world as it is not how it might be tomorrow. We’re partners and until that changes you can count on a ride out of trouble whenever you need it. Do you want some stew? It’s very good.”

They shared the rest of Xander’s stew then Anika slept again. A little later the healer arrived and changed her bandage. The next three days passed much the same, Xander spent the day sitting with Anika as she healed and regained her strength. When she was strong enough they went for short walks out on deck.

They were out walking one night, the stars glittering, the wind blowing in their faces. Anika was paying more attention to the sky than her feet and she stumbled. Xander caught her before she hit the deck.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah, but I think I’ve had enough exercise for tonight.”

Xander helped her down to her room. He turned to leave and she put a hand on his shoulder and spun him around. Before he could speak she kissed him.

When he woke Xander had a moment of dislocation before Anika move beside him. He groaned. What had he done? They were partners and made a good team, but now… He grinned. They were more than partners now. He hoped they could still work together. He let his concerns float away. Done was done and he wouldn’t trade last night for anything.

When they reached port several days later a young man waited with a pair of horses. Xander frowned. “We should send for a wagon, you’re in no shape to ride.”

“I can handle it.” Anika sounded confident, so he bit his tongue. “You could help me up.”

He did as she asked then mounted his own horse. He nodded his thanks to the boy when he accepted the reins. Anika looked strong as they rode through the city and turned toward the mountain. When they reached the foothills a grimace creased her face. Halfway to the mountain she leaned to the left. Xander just caught her before she fell out of her saddle.

“Are you okay?”

Anika nodded, obviously not trusting herself to speak. Xander sighed at the woman’s stubbornness. He did what he could to keep her in her saddle. They had about another mile to reach the pasture. She could make, he hoped.

They kept the horses at a walk the rest of the way as he couldn’t steady Anika at anything faster. When the pasture came into view Xander didn’t know when he’d been so relieved. The old man hurried out of his little cabin and opened the corral gate for them. Xander leapt down and helped Anika who slumped into his arms. He carried her to the door which opened without the usual security rigmarole.

He made his way through the twisting paths through the mountain and soon reached Anika’s room. She hadn’t locked the door so he kicked it open. Xander laid his unconscious partner on her bed and looked her over. Her wound hadn’t torn open which was good. The exertion of the ride must have been too much for her. To be safe he’d send a healer over to check on her later. For now he had to report to Sorren then check on Grandfather, he hadn’t liked the sound of the old man’s cough the last time he’d seen him.

Xander went to see Sorren first since he knew his superior would expect it and it would save an argument later. He found the door to Sorren’s suite locked, so he knocked.

Sorren opened the door a moment later. “Xander, welcome back. I trust your mission went well.” He frowned. “Where’s Anika?”

“She was wounded on the mission, sir and is resting.”

“Serious?”

“The ship’s healer says not, but I’ll feel better when one of our people has a look at her.”

Sorren nodded. “Let’s hear your report.”

Xander told him everything up to the moment of the trap. “The old man said his son-in-law, Michael Orrin, warned him we were coming. I’m curious how this fellow found out about it. My first thought is he must be the one that took out the contract.”

“Possible, I’ll look into it.”

“If it turns out this man hired us to set up a trap I’d like to talk to him. I don’t care for getting set up.”

“We’ll see. Continue your report.”

Xander did as instructed and when he finished Sorren said, “You really carried her all the way back to the beach?”

“Anika was in no shape to walk and I wasn’t leaving my partner behind.”

Sorren smiled and shook his head. “Remarkable. I expect you’ll want to rest. When your partner has recovered I’ll have another mission for you.”

Xander nodded. “We’ll be ready.”

He left Sorren and went to Grandfather’s room. Xander knocked on the door then stuck his head in. “Grandfather?”

“Xander, come in.”

He could barely discern the old man where he sat surrounded by pillows. Grandfather’s face looked more sunken than when he left. He didn’t say anything, but he was more than a touch worried about his friend.

“So how’d it go?” Grandfather was always eager to hear about Xander’s missions

“We took care of the mark though we ran into some difficulties.” He told the old man everything, including some details he hadn’t shared with Sorren concerning the change in his relationship with Anika. Before he got to the ride up the mountain Grandfather started coughing. He sounded worse. His whole body shook as he hacked.

“Are you all right?”

Grandfather waved off his concern. “I’m an old man. As far as I know there’s no cure for that. See to your partner. I must rest.”

“I’ll check on you latter tonight.” The way the old man was coughing Xander hoped he’d make it to tonight.

A
nika walked
through the halls on her way to meet Sorren. She flexed her hip and though it still hurt she had her full range of movement back. Thanks to twice daily workouts with Xander she’d regained most of her strength. She sighed and shook her head at the thought of Xander. He confused her on almost every level. In one hand when necessary he was the coldest killer she ever met, never hesitating to eliminate anyone between him and a mark. On the other hand despite his skill as an assassin he didn’t seem to enjoy killing, in fact he seemed happier training or even better lying in bed with her. There it was, since their first meeting their relationship had changed a great deal, going from partners to lovers in a couple years. Did she love him? Anika wasn’t sure.

She sighed again. Maybe she loved him and maybe she didn’t, but she trusted him without reservation. Xander saved her life and made it clear he’d do so again. Anika believed him, not that she wanted to put that belief to the test anytime soon. Anika shook her head. She was over thinking again. Father always said that was her biggest weakness. She’d take the relationship as it came and enjoy every minute. In this line of work you never knew which moment would be your last.

Anika arrived at the intersection where Sorren said to meet him, but of the man himself she saw no sign. Anika couldn’t imagine why he’d want to meet in such an out of the way corridor instead of in the lounge or Sorren’s suite. She respected Sorren as her superior, but sometimes the man’s paranoia got out of control.

Sorren must have been watching for her because he came down the hall seconds after her. “Thanks for coming.”

“You told me to. Where’s Xander? Isn’t he joining us?”

“No.” Sorren took a furtive look around. “This is a private meeting. That’s why I chose such an out of the way place.”

Anika frowned, not liking the direction the conversation had taken. Her first thought had been a sensitive mission, but now she wasn’t sure. “So what is it?”

“I’ve learned some interesting news. The council plans to offer Xander an elite position.”

She looked at him, waiting for the rest of his news. Sorren said nothing more. He’d called her here for that? “I’ll have to congratulate him.”

“The council hasn’t made an official announcement yet so you shouldn’t say anything. Besides there’s something else we need to discuss.”

Here it comes. “Yes?”

“Did you know I was a friend of your father?”

Anika didn’t recall ever seeing the two of them together, not that that meant anything since her father spent so much time away. “No, I didn’t.”

“I’m not surprised. We kept our friendship quiet. When I heard the council’s plan I was reminded of it. I didn’t think it was fair to elevate a newcomer that joined to gain access to our spies over the daughter of a loyal member.”

“Xander’s better than me. It hurts my pride to admit it, but it’s the truth.”

“It may be true.” Sorren looked around again. “But that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. If you kill Xander I can arrange for you to get the opportunity he’s been promised.”

“You want me to kill him?” Anika couldn’t believe what she’d heard.

“Not so loud. Understand this as long as Xander lives you have two choices to rise above him: improve your skills to surpass his or kill him. No offense, but I don’t see you becoming more skilled than Xander.”

“He saved my life.” Sorren was right about Xander. She’d never be as strong or fast as him, but to kill him? She didn’t know if she could. Before her father died she swore she’d be the best, but killing Xander to get there seemed too much.

“That’s why you’re the perfect one to do it, he trusts you. You can catch him off guard in a way no one else can.”

“I can’t…”

Sorren patted her shoulder. “Think about it. You’ll make the correct decision, for yourself and your father’s memory.”

He slunk off leaving Anika alone with her thoughts. She wandered aimlessly through the halls, one thought rattling through her head. Could she kill her lover?

X
ander finished
his workout and went to finish the chess match he’d started with Grandfather yesterday. For the past few weeks he’d trained with Anika to help her get her strength back, but she still couldn’t manage a full session. He smiled. They’d gotten even closer since returning from their last mission. Anika shared his room in all but name. He worried their close relationship might get in the way on a mission, but not enough to stop seeing her. Xander hadn’t been this happy since before Hakim killed Sophia.

He made his way through the halls, nodding to the occasional familiar face. When he reached Grandfather’s door he found it unlocked. Xander knocked and entered. He found the chess board sitting as they’d left it. Grandfather was too weak now to manage a full game in one sitting. Though he kept his thoughts to himself Xander feared the old man had little time left.

“Hello Grandfather.” Xander carried the chessboard over to the old man sat amongst his pillows.

“You’ve been training.” Grandfather sat up and studied the board. Weak as he was Grandfather still beat him eight out of ten games.

Xander took a couple sniffs and winced. “I didn’t bother to wash up. Sorry.”

“Nonsense, that’s the smell of hard work and dedication. I wish more of our people worked as hard as you.” Grandfather made a move and Xander countered. “Your patience needs work. Learn to study your opponent before you act. Once you master that you’ll be unstoppable.”

“I’ll do my best, Grandfather, but patience was never my strong suit.” He’d lost track of how many times the old man scolded him for acting too fast.

Grandfather chuckled and took Xander’s bishop. “We all have our weaknesses. Dealing with them is what makes life interesting.”

Xander studied the board and considered Grandfather’s advice. Telling him to have more patience was simple enough, but it was execution that counted. Xander frowned. Grandfather had mate in seven moves. The frown smoothed when he realized he could get two of his opponent’s pieces, but it’d cut the duration of the game by half. When in doubt Xander attacked.

When they finished Grandfather said, “You shortened the game by attacking.”

“When we first started playing you told me chess was like life. If that’s true then when I saw I couldn’t win I chose to hurt my enemy as much as possible before I fell. In real life that’s how I would want go.”

Grandfather laughed then coughed until his body shook. When he got himself under control he said. “I wish we had more people like you, my boy. I need to rest now.”

“Of course, Grandfather. Do you need anything before I go?”

The old man smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

Grandfather was lying, but Xander had too much respect for him to say anything.

Xander spent the rest of the day in the library studying strategy and philosophy. He sometimes found it hard to sit still, but at moments like this he remembered their little library at home, sitting with Gabriel and Mother. She’d loved to lounge in the sun for hours reading. Xander clenched his fist. She’d done nothing to anyone and she was dead. His nails cut into his palm. Soon, somehow, he’d find out who was behind the attack.

Xander’s stomach growled and he figured it was time to meet Anika for dinner. He replaced his books, left the library, and returned to his room to clean up. When he finished and came out of his small washroom Xander found a rolled up scroll on his bed. He snatched it up; annoyed that someone would sneak into his room. He unrolled the scroll and froze. It said Anika intended to murder him tonight.

His throat tightened. Impossible, Anika would never betray him. They were partners, he’d saved her life. Xander read the scroll twice more as though the warning might change. It didn’t and he couldn’t mistake the stylized G at the bottom of the page. That was Grandfather’s sigil and the old man had no reason to lie. Even worse, he seldom made mistakes. Xander tossed the scroll into the charcoal brazier in the corner of the room. Grandfather made a mistake this time. He had to have. Xander started toward the door then turned the small chest of drawers that held his few possessions. He took a thin bladed dagger from the weapons’ drawer and slipped it between the mattress and frame on his side of the bed.

A
nika picked at her food
. Xander saw something bothered her; she usually had a better appetite than him. The silence dragged between them. Unable to stand it any longer Xander asked, “What’s wrong?”

She forced a smile. “Nothing, I’ve been cooped up too long. I’m anxious for a new mission.”

Xander nodded, not believing a word of it. She seemed afraid to meet his eyes. He grimaced. Grandfather’s warning had him seeing ghosts. “I’m sure Sorren will have something for us before long.” He thought her eyes widened when he said Sorren’s name, but wasn’t sure.

“I’m not very hungry. Let’s go back to your room.”

Xander grinned. “Sounds good.”

X
ander laid
awake in the dark, mind whirling. Something was wrong with Anika. When they got back to his room she’d been over eager, almost frantic, to get into bed. Not that Xander was bashful, but tonight she had a desperation to her he’d never experienced before. He closed his eyes. Tomorrow he’d try to get her to tell him the problem.

A few minutes later Anika shifted beside him. He almost spoke, but something, instinct perhaps, stopped him. There was little light from the smoldering brazier, but after years of training he followed her movements by sound and feel. Inch by inch Xander eased his hand over the side of the bed and to the hilt of the dagger.

Roll over and go back to sleep. Xander tightened his grip. Please, go back to sleep.

Next came an intimately familiar sound, steel on leather. She drew a weapon from its sheath. Xander eased the dagger out from its hiding place. Put it away, please.

She shifted again. He had to act or die.

He acted.

Xander drove the dagger up into Anika’s chest. Warm blood ran down his hand. Anika moaned and fell to the side. He pushed her body aside and scrambled out of bed. Xander threw a couple chunks of coal into the brazier and after a moment they flared to life. Anika lay in a pool of blood, a stiletto clenched in her fist.

He threw on a robe and fled, unable to share the same space with her cooling body. Xander needed to talk to Grandfather. He’d know what to do.

Barefoot and bloody handed, Xander ran through the maze of tunnels to Grandfather’s room. Had he met anyone they’d have believed him a mad man. His luck held and he reached Grandfather’s room without encountering another soul. The door wasn’t locked. He went in without knocking.

“I’m sorry, my boy.”

Xander about jumped out of his skin. He hadn’t expected to find Grandfather awake at this hour. The sound of his voice soothed Xander and his heart rate slowed. “You were right. She had a stiletto with her tonight. If not for your warning…”

“There are times I’d prefer to be wrong. I know how much she meant to you.”

Xander nodded in dull silence. He’d thought his capacity to absorb pain maxed out after Sophia’s murder. He was wrong. After a few minutes he asked, “How did you know?”

“First you have to understand not everyone in the guild is pleased with my leadership. Some think I’m too old and others want my power and influence for themselves. One of my enemies is your master, Sorren. He has yet to make an overt move against me, but he works to undermine me whenever he imagines he can get away with it. Given that I keep him under near constant surveillance. One of my people over heard him trying to convince Anika to kill you.”

“That bastard. I’ll kill him.”

“An excellent idea, but I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything.”

“I need you to wait.” Xander scowled and Grandfather hurried on. “Not for long, a few weeks at most. When the time is right he’s yours.”

It seemed his revenge always had to wait. “I will do as you ask, of course, but can you tell me why?”

“A member of the Council of Eight has died. Soon there will be a vote to decide on his replacement. I’ve arranged for Sorren to win that vote. Once he’s on the council you can kill him and take his place. I lose an enemy and gain an ally on the council.”

Xander hated politics, but could find no fault with Grandfather’s reasoning. “What about Anika? Not to mention my bed looks like a war zone.”

“Have no fear. My people are cleaning it up as we speak. We’ll give them an hour then you can go back.”

“What about tomorrow? How do I look Sorren in the eye and not shove a foot of steel through his guts?”

“Strangle him in your mind while you smile and nod like a good assassin. An important skill for you to master is the ability to look your mark in the eye and give no indication you mean to kill him. Use this as training. One last thing, he’ll ask about Anika, Tell him you parted company last night and you haven’t seen her since. Understand?”

Xander nodded, but he had no idea how he’d manage.

Xander returned to his room, but got no sleep. He laid there staring into the dark and thinking about love. It wasn’t healthy for him to love, not for those he loved at any rate. When he got up and for the rest of the week he resembled a zombie more than a person. He saw Sorren twice and managed on both occasions not to murder him on the spot by the narrowest of margins. Servants discovered Anika’s body two days after he killed her. Grandfather’s people made it look like a suicide. Sorren appeared to accept that she preferred to kill herself rather than Xander.

Nine days after Anika’s death Sorren called Xander to his suite. When he arrived he found Sorren strutting around in a strange, shimmering black cloak. He motioned Xander to sit and then joined him.

“You’ve been out of sorts since losing your partner,” Sorren said. “I have news that will cheer you up. I have been elected to the council, due in no small part to your efforts. As a reward you are to be elevated to elite status. You need to complete a final solo mission. With your skill I have doubt about your success. As your superior I will go along to observe and evaluate.”