Gavin took a deep breath and let it out. “I’ll do what I have to then.”
“What does that mean to you?”
Gavin looked over and held Gaspar’s gaze. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“To get yourself to safety?”
“Just myself? Is that what you think of me?”
“I don’t know what to think of you. Like I said, I can’t get a read on you. Most men like you, most assassins, think only of themselves. That’s what I suspect in your case, but maybe not.”
“You’ll have to wait and find out then,” Gavin said.
They carried the woman into the forest and said nothing else. Every so often, Gaspar looked over at him with a question lingering in his eyes, but he didn’t ask it. Gavin didn’t offer any more information either.
He couldn’t shake the heart of the question Gaspar had asked, though.
What would happen if this went wrong?
Given what they’d gone through, and given what Gavin had done, it was all too likely that it would go sideways somehow. He just had to prepare for that possibility and prepare for what he might do—only, Gavin wasn’t sure what that would be. When it came to Cyran and how complex this situation seemed to be, Gavin simply didn’t know.
Chapter Twenty-One
The narrow street in this section of the city was dark, and there was little movement along it. Buildings lined either side of the street; most of them shops long since shuttered. Fading signs didn’t catch much of the streetlight or any of the moonlight. No windows glowed in any of the storefronts, though some candles were lit on the upper levels where the shop owners lived.
Gavin stalked forward carefully. Any noise might change what they hoped to accomplish. He needed to be careful, but he also needed to be convincing. He glanced to the far side of the street. Even though he couldn’t see Gaspar, Gavin knew he was there, trailing him. The old thief had proven quite adept at navigating through the street without being seen.
There was still no sign of Hamish. It was almost as if he wasn’t concerned about completing the job, which, as much as Gavin hated to acknowledge it, might be true. There was the possibility that Hamish had only wanted him to complete a job on Cyran’s behalf to keep him preoccupied.
He didn’t think that was likely though. More likely was that the job had been intended to remove Anna from the house so that Cyran could go after the Shard. Now that he had the Shard, it was possible that Cyran didn’t care what happened to Anna.
Their plan counted on the fact that Cyran did care about what happened to Gavin. As far as Cyran knew, he was dead. He hoped to use that to lure Cyran to come after him so he could recover the Shard.
Moving in the darkness like this reminded him of the many nights he’d spent planning jobs and applying what he’d learned through his training with Tristan in his own way. Here he’d begun to believe that Cyran had moved away from that, but instead he’d gone a different way altogether.
There was a shimmer of movement. He stiffened, though he didn’t step out of the darkness. The fabric was the most prominent feature, a distinct pale yellow velvet. It swirled outward, creating the appearance that Hamish wore a dress rather than heavy robes. Each time Gavin saw him, he seemed to be dressed even more ridiculous than the last.
How could a man like that go unnoticed?
And yet, in the time Gavin had been in Yoran, trying to find Hamish, he’d never managed to hear any word of him. It was almost as if the garish clothing hid him even better. Maybe Gavin needed to try the same strategy and dress the same way.
Hamish wasn’t a powerful man, as far as Gavin knew, but he was well-connected. Something kept him safe and tied him to their mutual employer.
What exactly did Hamish know?
Gavin needed answers, and he planned to follow Hamish to their employer.
“Do you see anything?” Gavin whispered.
“Nothing. Keep moving,” Gaspar said.
With Gaspar now wearing the enchantment, it gave Gavin a different confidence moving on the street. Wrenlow could provide intelligence, but Gaspar could provide information based on direct observation. Gavin wished he had an enchantment that allowed him to speak to both of them simultaneously. Somewhere out in the night, Imogen also stood guard. She and Gaspar would keep an eye on Gavin from afar and would warn him if Cyran appeared.
He started forward, trying to look as casual as he could as he headed toward Hamish. He wasn’t surprised when Hamish turned as he approached, almost as if anticipating Gavin’s arrival.
“I didn’t think you were going to come,” Gavin said.
“And I would make the same claim,” Hamish said.
“The job is done.”
Hamish frowned. “Which job?”
“What do you mean ‘which job’? You hired me to remove the woman as a threat. I finished it.” He hesitated, not wanting to get too close.
Hamish watched him, and there was something in his eyes that warned Gavin. “I need proof. Since you drew so much notice at her home, it’s difficult for me to obtain the proof I would have otherwise.”
“I can show you the body,” Gavin said.
Hamish’s eyes widened. “You have it?”
“I had to take it from the priests attempting to preserve it.” He smiled, resting one hand near the El’aras dagger in case he needed to reach for it. He didn’t know what Hamish would do if he did though. “I can lead you to her.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Hamish said.
“You said you needed proof. I can take you to it.”
“If you tell me where it is, I will find it. If our employer is satisfied, you will receive your payment.”
“How is our employer, anyway?”
Hamish looked over at him, frowning. “The same as always. Wanting anonymity, as you know.”
“I’m sure. I just thought I would ask.”
“If you’re concerned about jobs disappearing, you needn’t worry. You have proven yourself. You can be effective, even if you are somewhat careless.”
“Careless?” Gavin asked.
“Yes. You have done little to shield your presence. I think that makes you careless. Regardless of whether our employer is satisfied by your work, I am not.”
Gavin smiled, meeting Hamish’s eyes. “It’s a good thing he’s the employer and not you.”
“He?”
“I assumed. Perhaps she.”
Hamish watched him for a moment. “Where is the body?”
“There’s a place deep in the forest. It will involve a bit of a walk, but I didn’t figure you’d be too upset by that. Sometimes it’s nice to get out of the city.”
Hamish glared at him. “Where in the forest?”
“Like I said, not far. It won’t take you long. There’s a trail that leads from the outer edge of the city. All you have to do his head toward Byron Street and veer off of that.”
Gavin watched Hamish, looking for any recognition of the name. If the man had been to Cyran’s shop on Byron Street, he wasn’t giving any indication—not that Gavin really expected Hamish to do so. If nothing else, he’d proven himself incredibly adept at maintaining a neutral expression.
“I’m familiar with the street,” Hamish said.
“Good. It winds into the forest. It’s not the easiest place to reach, but I figure you won’t have much difficulty. I doubt you’re all that eager to leave the city though. To be honest, I’m not either. I don’t really know what we might encounter there, but…”
“But what?”
“But it was the easiest place to dispose of the body and not deal with the attackers. They were from Sumter. Did you know that?”
Gavin figured it made sense to give Hamish something. He also hoped that by mentioning Sumter, he could find out if Hamish knew anything about it.
Hamish nodded slowly. “There have been rumors of men from Sumter moving through the city. A vile place with equally vile men.”
Gavin nodded. “Unfortunatel
y for the constables throughout the city, I’ve removed quite a few of them. There have been bodies left behind. I don’t know that the constables will be pleased with me.”
“I can take care of that.”
“Our employer has those kinds of contacts?”
“Like I said, I will take care of it.”
Gavin nodded again as he continued watching Hamish closely. “If that’s the case, then you can find the body about an hour into the forest.”
“Why an hour?”
“It took me a while to get away from the Sumter attackers. They chased me, but they chased her as well. It was the strangest thing.” Gavin flashed a smile, shrugging. “Regardless, they are a threat no more. And the constables might appreciate that there are fewer Sumter attackers in the city.”
Hamish studied him for a long moment. “If the body is there as you say, then you will be reimbursed. If not…”
“If not, I can’t take the blame. There are wolves and werin and all sorts of other creatures there. None of that would be my fault.”
Hamish stared at him and finally shook his head. “The body. Otherwise you will not be paid.” He started to back away, and Gavin made no effort to move. He needed Hamish to see him still standing there.
“He’s going,” he whispered.
“I see him,” Gaspar said.
Gavin followed Hamish at a distance so Hamish didn’t think he was being pursued. He found the man hurrying down one of the side streets and used the swish of the bright yellow fabric as his guide. Hamish turned another corner, disappearing from view.
“Gaspar?”
“Still on it.”
Maybe this was an assignment Gavin should’ve done himself, but he’d seen how quickly and quietly Gaspar could move. He was certainly quieter than Gavin, whose training wasn’t in stealth and thieving.
He turned a corner and found a sign of Hamish in the distance, much further ahead than he would’ve expected. Strange, that. It was almost as if Hamish had his own enchantments, though nothing about him had ever suggested he was magically enhanced. Perhaps Gavin should’ve pulled out the El’aras dagger to check. Instead he’d been more curious about what Hamish would say and how he’d react when he heard where they were sending him.
“Are you able to keep up with him?” Gavin asked.
“Is this what the kid is like for you?”
Gavin started laughing. “Maybe.”
“I can see why you get so annoyed with him.”
“I don’t get annoyed with him. It’s more that he just chirps in my ear the entire time I’m trying to work. I need some quiet when I’m taking on my jobs, though I figured an old-timer like you wouldn’t need that. You probably enjoy the conversation, what with you being as lonely as you are. You know, I—”
“Enough,” Gaspar said.
Gavin chuckled again. “Which way is he going?”
“The opposite way of where you told him to go.”
Gavin hadn’t expected Hamish to head straight toward the forest. That wasn’t a task to do in the middle of the night. It was one he’d need to do when he had enough rest, daylight, and others with him for support. He doubted Hamish would risk himself by heading into the forest like this.
He turned a corner and didn’t see anything. He continued to listen for an update from Gaspar, but there was no sound from the other side of enchantment to suggest he was even there.
Had he muted it?
Gavin rounded another corner, and a figure moved in the distance. Small but fast. He started after them.
He thought it was Imogen, though he wasn’t entirely sure. As he hurried after her, she moved more quickly than he could keep up with. Maybe he still wasn’t fully recovered. He focused on his core strength, and energy flowed through him.
He raced forward after the figure in the distance, who didn’t appear to know he was in pursuit. He darted after her and turned another corner.
Hamish was ahead, trying to outrun her. He hurried, but she was even faster. She caught Hamish and stabbed him with her small blade. The man dropped to the ground.
Gavin skidded to a stop as she ran off, disappearing along the street.
What the hell just happened?
He reached for the El’aras dagger and found it glowing. He raced forward and paused near Hamish. Blood coated the cobblestones.
Was the injury fatal?
He crouched down next to him. “What happened?” he asked Hamish.
The other man looked up at him, his eyes starting to glaze. Gavin frowned and rolled Hamish’s head to the side. Wait. Not Hamish. It looked like him, and it was dressed like him, but the nose and the eyes weren’t quite right.
What had Hamish done? More importantly, what had Imogen done?
He quickly searched the body of the fallen man, looking for anything that might provide any answers. Nothing.
Gavin left him and chased Imogen. As he held onto that core energy, he knew it wouldn’t last. He thought he caught sight of her as he darted around a corner. She was turning away, disappearing again.
He paused, tapping on the enchantment. Gaspar had to be there. “Do you know where Imogen went?” He was surprised when he heard an answer.
“Why?” Gaspar said, his voice a little breathless.
“She just killed a Hamish look-alike.”
“She just did what?”
“There was a man dressed like Hamish,” Gavin explained. “The same robes, moving along the street. Imogen slid a blade into his back before running off. I’m curious as to why.”
“She wouldn’t have done that.”
“I was there. I was only a step or two behind her.”
“Show me,” Gaspar said.
“You’re supposed to be after Hamish.”
“I’m aware, but he disappeared.”
Gavin shook his head.
What was happening here? They were supposed to tail Hamish, and now they were going to lose him?
The whole situation troubled him. More than that, it angered him.
He looked at his surroundings. “It was by Tiller Street.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
Gavin raced back toward where he’d seen the Hamish look-alike. The body was gone. Blood still stained the cobblestones, but there was no sign of the man. He lingered there and waited for Gaspar, and he thought he heard the sound of movement but didn’t see a sign of the old thief.
Gavin slipped across the street to hide in the shadows.
Where was Gaspar? What happened to the body Imogen had left?
He wouldn’t have expected someone to come through and remove the body already.
Was the man still alive?
He hadn’t thought so, but maybe that was possible.
A shadow from along the street caught his attention. “Is that you coming?” he whispered.
“Who else would it be?” Gaspar said.
“I don’t know. The body is gone.”
“What do you mean that the body is gone?”
“That’s exactly what I mean,” Gavin said.
He stepped forward and looked across the street, searching for any clue as to where the body had disappeared to. There wasn’t even a trail of blood. It was almost as if whoever had been here had simply vanished.
He met Gaspar in the middle of the street and pointed to the pool of blood. Gaspar crouched down and traced his finger through it. “What do you think?”
Gavin shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not accustomed to people who’ve been stabbed in the back getting up and walking away so easily.”
“Who said this was easy?” Gaspar asked.
“Fine. Getting up and walking away at all.”
“Are you always so difficult?”
He crouched down next to Gaspar and studied the pool of blood, which seemed to be drying already. Gaspar kept his finger in it and traced something through it, then brought his finger up to his nose.
“It doesn’t smell quite right,” Gaspar said.
/> “I’m not so sure what to make of that.”
“Nothing more than that it just doesn’t smell quite right. What do you think of it?”
“It’s blood,” Gavin said.
“Sure.”
“You don’t think so? I saw him get stabbed.”
“Are you sure about that?” Gaspar asked.
“I’m pretty sure.”
Gaspar smiled at him. “That’s not the same. Not at all.”
Gavin rolled his eyes. “Are you always this difficult?”
Gaspar stood and wiped his hands on his pants. He looked at the surrounding area. “I know you thought you saw Imogen, but it wasn’t her.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she was near me. If it was her, she would’ve had to slip away without me knowing.” He shook his head. “That wouldn’t be possible.”
Gavin sighed. “I don’t know what it was then. I was sure I saw Imogen.”
“Maybe you saw somebody who looked like her, the same way you saw somebody who looked like Hamish.”
Gavin didn’t know if that was what it was. Either way, everything about this was strange. Here he thought that he’d been the one to trick Hamish. Maybe it was the other way around.
“We’ve lost him for tonight, so we might as well get into position for the other part of this,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s going to work the way you think it will.”
Gavin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “At this point, I’m not sure about anything. Not anymore.”
Gaspar grunted. “At least that makes two of us.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The forest was quiet around them. Gavin listened to the sounds, and he could hear something making a soft scratching sound in the forest. Gaspar stood across from him on the opposite side of the small clearing and wore the enchantment again.
It was strange to admit, but having Gaspar on the other end of the enchantment was actually helpful. He could not only listen but act—something Wrenlow wasn’t able to do.
Gavin knew Wrenlow was disappointed, having to remain at the Dragon and being unable to help. But if all of this went well and they got through it, then Gavin was determined to ask Anna to help with another enchantment.
The Chain Breaker: Books 1-3 Page 23