“Mister Donnely his choice of one fragrance for his assistance.”
“Why, thank you!” Dee gushed, pressing a hand to his chest and beaming in delight.
“My pleasure.” She flashed him a smile and went back though the door, motioning for Fenly to follow. The guard cast Dee a longing glance before closing the door firmly behind him.
Dee breathed easier.
“Now then, you said your friend didn’t care for floral scents…” The proprietress guided Dee toward a row of shelves. “Let’s see which of these you like.”
A quarter of an hour later, Dee left the shop reeking of a dozen different perfumes, a tiny bottle of sultry musk tucked in his pocket. Unhurriedly, he worked his way back to the apartment, stopping twice in different shops to make sure he wasn’t being followed.
“Good gods!” Mya exclaimed as he came in, waving her hand in front of her face. “Did you bathe in perfume?”
“I had to sample some.” Dee removed his coat and hung it gently on a chair back, brushing out the wrinkles. He pulled the bottle of fragrance from the pocket and handed it over. “For my fussy friend. A gentleman searching for just the right fragrance is bound to try them out. A scent in the bottle is nothing like a scent on the skin.”
“Yeah, well, you’re going right into the tub and wash that stink off. Wait!” Mya snatched up a piece of parchment and a pencil, “first sketch the layout of the shop and whatever you saw while it’s still fresh in your mind. I’ll draw you a bath.”
Once Dee was done with the drawing, he went to the bathroom, stripped off his uncomfortable clothing, and sunk gratefully into the cool water. Mya kicked the reeking clothes into a pile and sat tub-side, sketch in hand, and started peppering him with questions.
“Only one salesperson?”
“Yes, the shop’s not very large.”
“The drapes were closed when I was there. Are there shutters?”
“No, just the drapes. But the windows were barred. Fancy wrought-iron painted white.”
“Did the guard downstairs have a chair?”
“He was standing.”
“But did he have a chair?”
“Uh, I didn’t see one, but then, I only had a quick glance.”
It always fascinated Dee to watch her mind at work. No detail was too minor for her to consider. No wonder she was such a great Hunter. And the more she asked, the more he realized just how much he had actually observed.
Finally she lurched up from the chair and began pacing the small room, her gaze distant. After several minutes of contemplative silence, she stopped and nodded. “Okay, I’ve got a plan. We’ll go see Clemson and Noncey once it’s dark.”
“We?” So far, it seemed like Mya had been avoiding being seen with Dee. They’d each visited the masters separately, but not yet together. He brightened at the thought that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t ashamed of him.
“Yes, ‘we’. We’ll take a few Enforcers and Blades with us to the perfumery, of course, but the core of this operation will be you and me.”
“Me?” Dee’s mood plummeted. She can’t be serious. “You’ll want more than just me.”
“No, I won’t.” Mya tapped his drawing. “You said the stairs were narrow. That means tight quarters, probably with narrow halls and small rooms below. More will just get in our way. We’ll use Blades or Enforcers for backup, keeping the workers quiet, and keeping watch.”
Why me? Dee grasped at straws. “Clemson and Noncey won’t like you going. You’re Grandmaster.”
“And that means I get to make the rules. I’m faster and stronger than anyone else, so why not use that to our advantage? Besides, why should the journeymen have all the fun?”
“But, Mya—”
“No, Dee, two is perfect. I’ll take point and you watch my back. You know how I work and you’ve gotten pretty good with those little crossbows of yours.”
Dee swept his fingers through his bath and watched the water swirl. It had been years since he participated in any kind of raid—Hoseph’s unexpected attacks didn’t count—and Mya had dozens of Blades and Enforcers at her beck and call. It didn’t make sense for her to want him at her back.
He looked her in the eye. “Really Mya, tell me the truth. Why me?”
Mya looked at him sidelong and fingered the mended hole in her shirt. “Who else can I trust to watch my back and not put a dagger or crossbow bolt into it?”
“Ah.” It figures… She didn’t want him watching her back because he was a good assassin, but because he wasn’t likely to betray her. It was probably the only reason he was sharing her bed, too.
Chapter XI
Mya gripped Dee’s arm and tried to walk properly. Swing, but not too much. More bounce in the legs, less in the chest. More rotation of the shoulders… This was one disguise she’d never done before. Ladies and prostitutes, boys and bargemen, maids and beggars, yes, but never a dandy.
“Don’t overdo it,” Dee whispered as they neared the perfumery.
“Too much?”
“Just a little. Less ‘I’m for sale’ and more ‘I’m just so pretty I can’t stand myself.’”
She smirked, but knew what he meant and altered her gait. “Better?”
He smiled at her and patted her hand on his arm. “Fabulous, dear.”
He does that just a bit too well. She couldn’t complain about the disguise he’d put together, however. The frilly shirt and waistcoat fit beautifully over her tightly bound breasts, and the deep-purple jacket with lavender brocade broadened her shoulders, with plenty of room for daggers. Mya could have done with less padding in the codpiece, however; it felt like she had a coconut in her crotch. Lace cuffs dangled gracefully from her sleeves, long enough to cover her smaller hands…and the Grandmaster’s ring. He’d even styled her hair in a swoopy confusion of short curls that bounced when she walked. The assassins were looking for Mya, the woman, not an affluent young fop out strolling with his gentleman friend. Also, she could move more freely in this outfit than in a dress. She had no doubt there would be a fight before the day was done.
The lowering afternoon sun lit the last shoppers of the day in rosy hues. Picking up their final purchases before the stores closed, they were already discussing where to dine or what to wear to the theater. Half a block ahead, she spotted the hulking Jolee and two more solid Enforcers. Uniformed in the livery of Noncey’s private security firm, they didn’t seem at all out of place in this swanky neighborhood, just a few more bodyguards loitering outside while their employers shopped. The Blades, assigned to watch the perfumery and prevent Inquisitors from escaping, she didn’t spot at all, which was either very good or very bad. Stop being paranoid, Mya. They are there! Once betrayed, it was hard to dispel the pervasive sense of doubt.
“Here we go,” whispered Dee as he opened the perfumery door and ushered her through. More loudly, he said, “After you, dear!”
“You’re so sweet.” The lilting masculine intonation came easier than the walk. Mya swept the shop with a glance and beamed. They’d gotten lucky. There were no customers, just a woman behind a counter jotting a note in a ledger. “What a lovely little shop!”
The proprietress looked up. “May I help you, si—” Her professional smile widened in genuine pleasure at the sight of Dee. “Mister Donnely! Lovely to see you again!” She hurried forward. Taking Dee’s hand, she smiled slyly as she looked at Mya. “And is this the friend you spoke of?”
“Yes it is!” Dee shook her hand daintily and waved his handkerchief at Mya. “Ursila, let me introduce you to Maurice.”
“Wonderful to meet you.” Ursila smiled and shook Mya’s hand.
“Delighted!” Mya shook the woman’s hand carefully to ensure that the fluffy lace cuff of her shirt adequately hid the ring on her finger. They’d painted the Grandmaster’s ring gold to disguise it. Ursila might not be an assassin, but there was no sense in taking chances. “Thank you so much for helping Terrence pick out my gift. I love the fragrance.”
Ursila leaned forward and sniffed in the vicinity of Mya’s neck. “It’s perfect for you.”
Mya tensed, but managed to keep from killing the woman. “Oh, thank you, dear. Terry, you’re so right; she is sweet!”
“Maurice insisted that we come right back here so he could pick out a gift for me.” Dee batted his eyes at Mya and squeezed her arm. “He spoils me something terrible!”
“I’m sure we can find something you both like.” Ursila turned to peruse the shelves. “Maybe something—”
Mya brought the edge of her hand down at the juncture of the woman’s neck and shoulder, hard enough to send Ursila reeling into unconsciousness, but not hard enough to snap her neck. Dee caught her before she hit the floor.
“Take care of her. I’ll get the drapes,” Mya said.
“Right.”
As Dee dragged the comatose woman behind the counter, Mya strode to the windows. Flipping loose the ties restricting the curtains, she pulled them shut. The lamps had already been lit, so she turned down the ones near the door so light wouldn’t blaze out from around the curtains. A soft knock sounded, and she opened the door to admit the Enforcers led by Jolee. A quick glance up and down the street before she closed the door confirmed few people were about. Nobody seemed to take notice that the perfumery was closing a bit early.
“Get the rest of the lamps,” she ordered in a whisper, securing the door with the heavy dead bolt.
By the time she turned around, the lamps in the shop had all been turned low, lending a inappropriately romantic atmosphere to the situation.
“Ready?” Mya asked Dee as she joined him at the door to the back. He had shucked off his brocade jacket and donned the long black jacket that Jolee had brought for him.
“I’m ready.” Dee nodded firmly, but his voice quavered just a bit. “Stay out of sight. If Fenly’s on guard, he should recognize me and I’ll be able to get close for a shot. If not, I may need help.”
Mya nodded. This was the tricky part of the plan. If the guard at the top of the stairs shouted a warning, they’d have a pitched fight on their hands against a ready foe. If they could take him out quietly, they might be able to pull this off without casualties. At least, casualties on our side.
Dee drew one of his crossbows and checked the bolt, then held it back beside one leg so it was hidden by the folds of the long jacket. Mya had watched Dee practice for days, and Noncey had assured her that the anesthetic toxin on the bolts would drop a victim quickly, but relying on another’s prowess came hard to her. Lad had been the only person whose skills she’d never questioned.
She drew a dagger and shifted nervously. “Don’t miss.”
“I won’t miss, Mya.” Dee stood with his left hand on the door latch and took a deep breath. He exhaled, assumed a friendly grin, opened the door, and flounced forth. “Fenly! Ursila said you were on duty.”
“Mister Donnely!” The voice lilted with surprise and pleasure, not alarm.
“She’s just closing up, but said I could pop back here to say hello. Actually, if I’m not being too bold, I wondered if you’d be interested in coming out with me for a—”
Crack!
Mya lunged through the door, dagger at the ready, but the guard was already reeling, a dart jutting from his thigh. Dee tried to catch him, but Fenly outweighed him by a lot. He did manage to cushion the man’s fall so he slipped quietly to the floor.
“…little drink. No?” Dee motioned the others forward while Mya helped move Fenly out of the way. “Well, perhaps another time then. Ta ta!”
Jolee dashed past them, surprisingly light on her feet, despite her bulk. She pulled the door to the workroom closed and secured it by jamming a spike into the lintel and tying a stout cord from it to the handle. By the time muffled voices called out in surprise, she had already spiked the office door and secured it. Pressing her shoulder to the back door, she pushed until something crunched and it gave way. Opening the door a crack, Jolee glanced out into the alley, then stuck her thick thumb in the air. Their exit route was clear.
The second Enforcer joined Mya and Dee at the stairs. He would hold the stairs while Mya and Dee went down. Clemson had assured Mya that this man was one of her most trustworthy.
A quick glance down the stairs confirmed one guard standing against the far wall at the bottom, corridors branching left and right. Mya raised an eyebrows at Dee, who nodded and drew his other crossbow. Her heart pounding in anticipation, she lifted her fingers one at a time: one…two…three!
Mya hopped over the balustrade and landed three feet in front of the guard. His eyes widened, his mouth opened, and he raised the crossbow, but she reached him before he could shout or fire. Cracking the pommel of her dagger into the side of his head hard enough to spin him around like a top, she grabbed both the crossbow and his body before they crashed to the floor.
“Hey!”
To Mya’s left, perhaps twenty feet away, a man stood in front of the door that terminated the corridor. He was already raising his crossbow.
Shit! Mya threw her dagger at the same moment he fired.
The bolt and dagger passed each other as they hurtled toward their targets. Mya twisted sideways, and the bolt zipped harmlessly by. The guard was not so quick. Her dagger plunged into his stomach and he folded over with a loud cry.
“Damn!” So much for the element of surprise. Mya looked left and right. Two doors; the guarded one would lead to the Tessifus boy.
Just then, both doors opened, assassins in each. As Dee pelted down the stairs behind her, they raised crossbows, fixed Mya in their sights, and fired.
Mya flung out a hand to stop Dee’s descent as she flipped up and back. She evaded one bolt, but the other transfixed her calf. As she landed, the assassin who had shot her yelped in pain. The bolt she’d evaded had struck him in the arm. The wounded man stumbled into the room behind him and slammed the door closed.
“Watch right!” she shouted to Dee, dashing down the left-hand hall.
Dee’s crossbows cracked in quick succession.
I hope he hit something, she thought as she smashed into the door at full speed.
The iron-banded oak proved solid enough to stay in one piece, but the latch and hinges gave way. The door crashed into the wounded assassin, sending him sprawling. He skidded to a stop and lay still, dead or unconscious. There were two more in the tidy little room, a woman pointing a crossbow at Mya, and a man lunging toward a bed with a dagger. Upon the bed lay a groggy-looking boy.
Decisions, decisions…
The dagger descended toward the boy.
Mya threw her own dagger into the man’s back and dodged, but too late. The crossbow bolt caught her in the arm. She looked at the shaft transfixing her bicep, the blood already staining the silk brocade, and cursed. Jerking the bolt free, she advanced on the woman. “You ruined my jacket!”
The assassin dropped the crossbow and reached for a dagger, but Mya reached her first. Her kick smashed into the woman’s chest hard enough to send her crashing into a cabinet. She crumpled to the floor and lay still. From down the corridor came a cry and a thump. Mya tensed, but the voice hadn’t been Dee’s, so she recovered her daggers and dragged the dead assassin off the bed.
“Who…” The boy blinked at her with glazed eyes.
Drugged.
Another shout, but it still wasn’t Dee, so Mya ignored it. The boy’s wrist was secured to the bed frame by a steel manacle. She didn’t have time to pick the lock, so she grasped the manacle, braced her foot against the bed frame, and pulled. The thin metal hasp bent, then the fragile lock gave way with a crack.
“Who…are…” The boy stared at her in vague surprise. Barely a boy, really, almost a young man.
“Can you walk?”
“I…” He tried to sit up and failed.
“I guess that’s a no.” Mya jerked him up off the bed and tossed him over her shoulder, ignoring his yelp of surprise. Striding for the door, she halted abruptly as a crossbow bolt zipped thro
ugh the opening and stuck in the far wall. “Dee? You okay?”
“Oh, just peachy!” He sounded more angry than hurt, which was good.
Mya peeked around the door jamb. Three figures lay slumped in a pile in the far doorway, and a fourth leaned around the sill, taking aim. Dee leaned out from the stairwell and fired at the woman, jerking back as her shot careened off the corner of the wall near his head. Dee’s bolt quivered in the door frame, and the woman ducked back into the room.
“How many left?” Mya asked, gauging the distance. She could easily make the stairs in the time it would take a single assassin to reload. But if there was someone waiting with a ready weapon…
“How am I supposed to know?” Dee complained as he reloaded.
At least two, Mya reckoned as a man leaned out to shoot. Before he could fire, the assassin dropped with a tiny bolt in his shoulder. Dee flashed Mya a grin as he ducked back to reload.
The female assassin leaned out again, her crossbow braced on the door frame, waiting for Dee to reappear. Then she saw Mya peering from around the other doorway, changed her aim, and fired.
Mya ducked back and the bolt shot past where her eye had been.
Another look revealed no one visible in the far doorway. Chancing that meant that only one opponent left was busy reloading, she dashed for the stairs, the boy’s limbs flailing against her. Dee saw her coming and leaned out with his crossbows to provide cover. She ducked into the stairwell just as the assassin leaned out for another shot. Dee fired, but she didn’t see if he hit anything or not.
“Come on!” She started up the stairs two at a time, grateful to see the Enforcer still on station at the top. She shouted, “Go!”
They went.
Jolee flung open the back door, looked around, and waved them through. Mya hurried down the corridor, Dee still at her back, the Enforcer from the front room pounding after them. A carriage waited in the alley. By the time Mya got to it, Jolee had the door open.
“Thanks!” She hoisted the boy through the narrow doorway and climbed aboard. Dee followed her in. Jolee slammed the door shut, and the carriage lurched into motion before he even sat down.
Weapon of Pain (Weapon of Flesh Series Book 5) Page 17