A Sword of Shadows and Light: Dare Valari Book 2

by Devyn Jayse

  "But she's my sister."

  "It's information that's not privy for me to discuss with others unless you decide to take me up on my offer."

  "To join you?"

  "Yes." He watched me seriously. "Only then can I see them entrusting you with those kinds of details."

  "So my only options would be to turn into a spy or be left in the dark?"

  "It's not as bad as you make it out to be. Consider it." He reached a hand out to touch my arm. "I'm glad you're safe. I don't have time now, but I'll be back to hear what transpired today."

  I watched him leave then turned back. Blaze was waiting at the table with a new hot cloth there. I ignored it.

  "Well?" I asked.

  "Well what?"

  "Where's my share?" I raised an eyebrow.

  Blaze looked at the cloth. I growled and picked it up and put it on my knee.

  He slid over his napkin. I picked up a corner and saw a silver glint beneath. And what is that? A gold piece. I ogled it. "How many did they give you?"

  "Enough that giving one to you won't hurt."

  I scowled at him. "I should be getting all the coin since I'm the one who knocked him out."

  "Ah, but Ragum and I came and saved you."

  "Saved me?" I raised an eyebrow. "From an unconscious man?"

  "He isn't unconscious in our version of the story."

  "I see that's how the story will be. I suppose it won't help your fearful reputation for the truth to come out--that you burst into a room with me standing over a still body."

  "Just you wait until you hear our version of the capture of the Blights killer." Blaze grinned at me.

  I shook my head and hid my smile.

  30

  "Dare!"

  I let out a huff when I was engulfed in a hug as I stepped outside the Rebel Hare the next morning.

  I winced at the pain. "Penny, I don't know if they told you, but I was injured."

  She let go of me immediately, letting out a stream of chatter. "Oh, I'm sorry! Blaze did tell me! And he told me not to let you walk long distances. I'm sorry! I was just so glad to see you. I can't believe you caught him! I'm so glad you're all right!"

  "Thank you. I'm glad I'm all right as well." I lowered myself on the bench. "Would it be all right if I didn't walk you to school today? I could use some rest. I just came outside to tell you."

  "I'm not allowed to ask you to walk me to school. I just came by to say hello before I went. And Kay wanted to say thanks." She gestured at the girl behind her. Only then did I notice Kay standing there. I had gotten so used to Penny being followed by people that I didn't realize a girl was behind her instead of a man.

  "Hello, Dare." Kay said, a little awkward. "Thank you so much for finding my mother's killer."

  My lips twisted in a rueful smile. I was happy I had managed to keep my word to both Penny and Kay. "Don't mention it. I'm glad he was caught."

  "I'm glad to hear he will be punished though I had hoped for his death," Kay said, her voice fierce. "I am glad you managed to catch him, all the same."

  I shifted on the bench, feeling uncomfortable. I wondered if he would be punished or too valuable to be kept in his cell when his skills were needed. I didn't know where Kay thought he was being kept, but I couldn't have her knowing that he might be allowed out after all the atrocities he'd committed.

  "If you need anything at all, let me know. I'm forever in your debt," Kay said.

  "You don't owe me anything," I protested.

  Penny and Kay looked at me.

  "You owe it to yourself to grow from this and learn all you can at the shelter so you can make a better life for yourself. For your mother's sake."

  Kay nodded. "I will." She thanked me once more, to my discomfort, and left with Penny.

  "I'll come by later and see how you're doing," Penny called out over her shoulder as she walked away.

  I waved at her and sat down to consider my decision.

  Five days later, I found myself giving Garren the details of what had happened that night while we sat in the tavern. "And that's how Blaze and Ragum found me."

  "Standing over the man?"

  "Yes, I thought the innkeeper's heart would stop."

  A corner of Garren's mouth lifted. "I can imagine."

  "Then they took him away, and Ragum and I went to the inn to send you a message. All the rest you know." I had told him the story in a low voice so others couldn't overhear. We were in a corner without people nearby, so the risk was less, but one couldn't be too certain.

  "Yes. Thank you again for talking them out of killing him. It helped that I had a live body to take back to the castle."

  "That was pure chance. I had no idea, when I dropped the vial on him, if I had used a fatal dose or not. I just wanted to incapacitate him. And besides, you know my reasons for not wanting him dead. It isn't purely for the king."

  "Still, I'm glad it worked out the way it did. I think death is too final. It leaves a lot of unanswered questions," Garren said.

  Like Tobin. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts away.

  "What about you?" I asked. "What's happened since you took him away? Does the king know all that's happened?"

  "I believe so," Garren said.

  He didn't say more. I supposed he couldn't. Garren didn't ask me what I had decided, regarding the offer he'd given me. He waited patiently in silence.

  Since I had left him at the door five days before, I had been thinking about my decision. I hadn't expected him to take so long to return to see me and ask about what had happened, but I supposed he didn't need to ask me when he could simply ask Dr. Reddington to tell him about our encounter.

  I had so many questions I wanted to ask Garren, but I knew he couldn't answer most of them: Did the king know about all that'd happened? Did Garren report straight to the king or to someone else?

  I had been debating a decision for the past few days. I thought I had chosen my answer, but when I opened my mouth, the words that came out were, "If your offer is still open, I'd like to join you."

  I hadn't planned to do it, but I realized how right it felt. I had to know what plans those people had for my sister's child. I was certain she had no idea what was being plotted behind her back. I wasn't as certain if my father knew or not, but I wouldn't put it past him.

  The only way I could protect my sister and her child was by working with the people who were coming up with the plans for their future.

  I had to join them.

  "You want to work with us?" Garren's eyes searched mine.

  "Yes." My voice was certain.

  I would do anything to protect my sister.

  Garren gave me a formal nod. "I'll let them know, and I'll be in touch."

  I hoped I wasn't making a mistake in deciding to become a spy for the king.

  I guessed I would find out.

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  Thank You For Reading

  Thank you for reading A Sword of Shadows and Light. What did you think of the book? Please let other readers know by leaving a review.

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  Acknowledgments

  This book couldn’t have been completed without the help of my very good friend, Alanoud. Thank you for keeping me company on this wonderful journey.

  I’d also like to thank my parents and brothers, in addition to my friends Noura, Faye, and Shareefa for their continued support. Dina, we still haven’t had our meeting but I’ve enjoyed all our talks.

  Thank you Lynn and L. Kelly Reed at Red Adept Editing. Any errors found within this book are my own.

  Thank you Natasha Snow for the great cover.

  And finally, I’d like to thank you all for reading this story and following Dare’s adventures. Be part of my Readers Group click here and join the fun.

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