BloodLust (Rise of the Iliri Book 1)

by Auryn Hadley

  Yeah, and the stick is still poking my ass.

  Oh kitten. Yer a tease, ya know that?

  She didn't indulge him with a response. Instead, she made her way to Arden, listening to each sound while she moved. Reaching her mare, she checked Cyno's position and swung into the saddle, clicking for Raven to follow. If any attack came, she'd look like a lone rider, trailing an extra horse. As she led the animals to Cyno's tree, the woods around them remained peaceful.

  It's clear down here, she said.

  Up here too. Comin' down.

  She heard the rustle of bark when he descended, then he suddenly appeared at Raven's side. Together, they moved on, their horses carefully picking their way through the underbrush. Keeping their conversation in their minds, they chatted about anything that caught their attention while they meandered the two kilometers to the edge of the forest. Just inside the tree line, the pair looked down on the outpost below.

  That's a lot more military than LT spected, Cyno thought.

  You still up for this?

  Yeh, but I'm na as eager as I'd be alone, I gotta say. I think that's why he stuck us together.

  Probably, Blaec does things like that. Look, if we make it down that ridge, Sal thought, pointing, we can keep to the trees until the wall. Park the mares in there – doesn't look like there's a lot of traffic – and scale the wall after dark.

  Na bad. Yeh, that looks like it'll work, Cyno said, following the path she laid out. It'll put us farther from the gates, but Raven'll come when I call her, and Arden should follow. If na, my girl can carry two until we catch yer spotted mule.

  Leave her spots out of this. Sal tossed a smile at him, teasing. It means some back tracking, but I think it's safer than showing pale skin or our blacks.

  Cyno agreed, and together they began the long trip back through the woods. The sun hung a finger length above the horizon when they reached the pocket of trees Sal had chosen. They secured their horses, checked their weapons, and Sal reminded Cyno to dull his new blade. With time left before darkness gave them the cover they needed, they sat in an awkward silence.

  Ok, you're killing me, Jase, She told him. Are you as nervous about this as I am?

  Nah, we'll be in and out of there with a few more notches on our belts. It will na be hard.

  I didn't mean the job.

  Yeh, the after? He kept his eyes on the ground.

  She nodded.

  It's a bit 'a both. Part of me wants it ta hit. It's so intense, there's nothing else like it. Part of me is worried about ya.

  Me?

  Yeh. It's nothing. Ferget I said anything.

  You still have time, you might as well get it out there, she pointed out.

  K. It's like this. I know one of us will get the lust tonight. Prolly, both. Can na see how we both will na get a kill in there. I'm pretty sure we can make it out before we start tearing at each other, but then what? What happens the next morning?

  You mean Blaec? she asked.

  Nah, I'm good with him. It's you. Will ya still respect me in the morning. That kinda thing.

  Jase? she asked, her mental voice conveying her amusement. Are you saying you're worried you won't be good enough?

  Something like that. Yeh.

  Your only concern, minutes before we're supposed to sneak into a fully manned military outpost, is if you'll be good in bed?

  I knew ya would na understand.

  Trying to keep from laughing, with guards possibly meters away from them on the other side of the wall, she kissed him. Jase leaned into it, his hand reaching up to her face. When their lips separated, he looked in her icy eyes.

  It's time, kitten.

  Together, they made their way to the three meter high wall. Cyno found a handhold and began scaling it like a spider. When he reached the top, he paused, his black leathers nearly invisible in the deep twilight. Sal pulled her hood over her hair and followed, moving slower and more cautiously. She reached the top and crouched beside him. Together, they mentally mapped their path to the Broch. From the wall to the roofs, Cyno's natural agility made Sal feel awkward. She focused on each step and was able to keep pace with him, barely.

  Crouched on a rooftop, he pointed out the rough spot in their path. A gap longer than her own body lay before them. Can ya make it?

  I can make it, but I can't promise to do it silently, she admitted.

  K. Just follow me, kitten. When ya hit the other side, roll with it. Spread yer weight out and it will na be as loud.

  I can do that. Just be ready to move if we need to.

  Cyno waited for a moment, listening to the natural sounds around him, and leapt when a wagon passed a few streets over. He landed on the far roof, rolling gently, and Sal barely heard anything out of the ordinary. He turned to her and nodded.

  She listened, and luck smiled on her. A group of mounted soldiers passed on the other side of her building, their horses' shoes ringing against the stones in the street. She rushed forward, leaping at the last second, and sailed across the gap. As she landed, she tucked her shoulder, felt the jarring impact, and allowed herself to roll. She made her way to her toes, squatting with her hands against the thatch roof, and glanced at Cyno. He smiled at her proudly, allowing his sharp teeth to show.

  'Bout as good as I coulda asked for. I think I'll keep ya.

  As the streets grew quiet again, the couple crept over the roof, skipped across another, and found themselves standing in the shadow of the Broch wall.

  Not too smart, letting the buildings stand so close like this, Sal thought.

  Yeh, but who'd be dumb enough ta scale a Broch? he asked. C'mon. We gotta get ta the third floor. Keep yer hair covered, or change it, but do na let it catch the light.

  Yes, sir, she replied.

  Ya got me confused with yer other man, I think. I am na yer "sir."

  Shut up and climb. It's the only time I get to appreciate your ass without you noticing, she snapped back.

  Grinning, he started up the wall. Sal made sure to place her hands and feet in the same places Cyno chose. When they reached the base of the third story window, they waited, listening for voices and the sounds of movement before sliding through the opening. Cyno went in first. Sal counted to three before following. Finding themselves in a dark and dusty room, they took the chance to rub out tired muscles and catch their breath.

  Ya feeling it yet? Cyno asked.

  Nah. This isn't anything more than a training exercise. Takes more than this to get me going. Sorry.

  Jus' checking, since we have a nice room all ta ourselves. Ready?

  She nodded and followed him into the hall. They slid along the walls, keeping to the shadows between lanterns, and made their way to the balcony over the great room. Below, a group of men sat at a table, the tone of their voices suggesting they argued about something. Carefully, Cyno slipped over the balcony wall, onto a cross beam that spanned the room. Sal moved to the other side, making a last check of her weapons before doing the same. They crept over the heads of the men below and paused, listening to the conversation.

  "The Emperor swears he can supply us with over one hundred swords each," a large man said, slamming his fist on the table. "That's a hundred metal swords, not ceramic, not resin, but metal swords. I can't pass that up."

  "Damn it, Dejan," another said, "What are you willing to give up for that? What does that bastard want for that much true steel?"

  "He wants to take the Conglomerate," Dejan answered. "Swears there's more under one of their military bases.

  A third man added his voice to the debate. "I'm with Dejan. Metal is worth more than some ancient covenant our ancestors created."

  "Vilko's with me. Who else?" Dejan demanded. "The Emperor is bringing in Anglia next. If they take the steel he's sending, he won't need any of us. This isn't something we can wait to decide!"

  "If he's after Anglia, why does he need us?" one man demanded.

  "It takes a while to get across the continent," Vilko said. "The
shipment's just heading to the Escean Pass, now. Means six months, maybe more before Anglia can help. The Emperor doesn't like to wait."

  "Ok, I'm with ya."

  "I figured ya would be, Rok. Jurij, you can't be scared of the Westerners, are ya?" Dejan taunted.

  The second man answered violently. "I'm the only one of us on the border! It's pretty easy for you to make agreements, get paid in steel, and leave me to defend your territory. I want no part in this!" Jurij shoved away from the table, his wine spilling, and stormed from the room. "Keep your damned steel. It won't do me any good if I don't have a province left."

  Which province does Jurij lord over? Sal asked.

  Jurica, actually. They've been suing for peace for months now. I think, after this, they jus' might get it.

  I count six left. Sal said.

  That's what I got.

  How do you want to play this, Jase?

  That's three each, but each's a damned Warlord. Let's go safe. I'll take this side, you take that. Lemme in yer head, Sal, jus' in case.

  She opened her mind, his anticipation mingling across to meet with hers. Glancing up, she found him watching her with a feral smile. Then she made her way to the far side of her beam, looking down a few paces behind where the men sat. Balancing carefully, she stood and saw Cyno do the same across from her. One last check of her weapons, the primary blades sheathed at her waist, and she looked across the distance, finding Cyno still watching her. The first rush of excitement hit. Cyno's lips curled, his eyes glinting in the shadows.

  Together, yet so far apart, they stepped into nothingness and dropped.

  Chapter 31

  Both black-clad figures plummeted from the ceiling, landing softly. Crouched on one knee, their offhands a point of balance, they moved liked one. Their main hand slid a blade from a sheath when they stood. The man across the table from Sal gasped, pointing at her, and the man before her called out, seeing Cyno. Calmly, too calmly, she stepped behind him, her eyes on her partner, and wrapped her fingers in the old warrior's hair, pulling his head back as she slid her blade – the steel one she earned in her first assassination – across his throat. On the other side of the room, Cyno mirrored her actions, their minds dancing harmoniously.

  She felt the blood on her hand. Warm. Sticky. Her heart beat faster and her lips parted. The room smelled so sweet. It had begun.

  The four remaining captains realized they were under attack and panicked. To her right, a large man reached for his sword. Her bloodlust slowed the world around her, making the giant move as though mired in time. He swung the heavy weapon over his head, intending to cleave her in two. Sal ducked beneath his hands, stepping as close to him as a lover, and buried her dagger in his chest once, twice, and finally a third time. Each plunge of the blade reminded her of a man thrusting into her body, a subtle revenge.

  The warrior collapsed, his hands pulling the hood from her head. Her pale hair gleamed in the lantern light. There were only two left. Both were focused on her, thinking her the weaker target. She moved to the table, using a now-empty chair for a step, and leapt over a slash from Dejan. To her left, Vilko scrambled for the sword laying on the ground. Cyno rushed to help, and she turned, feeling a glass shatter beneath her boot. She bent, ducking another wild swing from Dejan, and a flick of her wrist sent the steel singing through the air. She watched the blade spin before it buried itself in Vilko's chest.

  Sal grabbed another knife from her belt and calmly stepped toward Dejan, the veteran's eyes wide in fear. His mouth moved, but her mind refused to accept the sound of his voice. She just wanted him to die.

  Beside her, Cyno also stalked him. Blood splattered across his face, his left hand red to the elbow, and the smile still played at his lips. She could feel his arousal. It matched her own.

  Dejan made a wild swing at Cyno but he dodged the slash with ease, grabbing the human's arm and pinning it to the wall behind him. She stepped in, her ceramic blade held at her waist. With all her might, she thrust upwards. The knife pierced Dejan's leathers and slid easily through his skin. She watched his face as the pain hit, feeling his heartbeat reverberate through the blade.

  Cyno's hand covered hers, and together they pulled the weapon up, feeling the flesh part beneath its edge. The Warlord's blood spilled out, rushing over their joined fingers. When the blade stopped against bone, Cyno guided her hand out, the knife still held between them, and she turned to him. Meeting his eyes, she thrust again. Together, they plunged the weapon deep, feeling the stone of the wall snap the tip on the other side. Dejan gasped one last time and sagged.

  Sal looked to the last man, Vilko, blood pooling from the steel in his chest, then back to her partner. She could feel Cyno's heart pounding in her mind, his need so intense he had to release it. He grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her to him, his lips crushing hers, a soft growl in his throat. Her skin felt like it burned and the taste on his lips made her want more. She forced herself away from him, grabbing his wrist to haul him toward the last man. Cyno moaned in ecstasy.

  He's yers, kitten, he thought. Yer kill.

  She pulled her eyes from his and leaned over the body, placing a foot beside her knife before she pulled her steel blade from his chest. Vilko looked up at her, his eyes pleading, and tried to struggle. Dropping a knee on one arm, she let him thrash, smiling as she pushed his jaw up, exposing his throat. His free hand pulled at her arm, trying to pry her away, but he was too weak from blood loss. Sal licked her lips again and pulled the steel across his neck. His body arched off the floor, violently, making his last thrashes in vain. As the man died before them, Sal pulled Cyno to her, claiming his mouth with her own.

  I want you so bad, she thought.

  Soon, he promised. We need ta leave. Now.

  She nodded, and looked to her blade. For a moment, all she could think of was licking it clean. As she raised it to her mouth, Cyno caught her wrist.

  Do na do that, he thought. Do na taste them. It makes it harder ta stop.

  Shocked, she slid her blade into its sheath, and climbed to her feet. She wanted to ask what he meant, but there wasn't time. Glancing above, she took a step over, placing herself under one of the beams. Cyno cupped his hands and she leapt into them, feeling him propel her higher. The wood rushed at her and she grabbed it, throwing her chest over it before sliding astride as though mounting a horse. With one leg on either side, she lay against the beam, reaching her hand out for her partner.

  He stepped back, then jogged toward the wall, jumping at the last minute, using the impact to bounce him higher. His wrist slapped into her hand and she swung him up behind her. Together, they stood. Rushing across the beam, the pair hopped over the balcony wall and retreated to the dusty room they'd started in.

  The door was barely closed before Cyno was against her, their desire more than either could control. She bit his lip, drawing blood, and smiled when she heard him suck in a breath.

  Back the way we came? she asked, pulling herself away.

  Yeh, but when we hit the roof, we need ta make it ta the ground.

  Got it.

  She moved to the window, holding her breath to listen for sounds below. Hearing only silence, she slipped over the edge. Her feet found the gaps in the stones and her hands closed securely on the rocks, leaving bloody prints behind. Careful to test each step before she committed to it, Sal found herself stepping onto the thatch roof faster than she expected. She looked up and saw Cyno only a body length above her.

  At the side of the smaller building, she crouched against the roof line and listened again. Before Cyno could reach her, she hopped over the edge, landing on her toes, her offhand securing her balance. He dropped beside her, and together they raced through the streets of the outpost, sticking close to the walls, using shadows for their cover.

  How long do we have? she asked.

  Dunno, but would rather we are na here ta find out, he replied, ducking around a corner ahead of her.

  They judged their path by the
trees outside the outpost wall and aimed for a spot close to the cluster their mares hid behind. They reached it with the Broch behind them still silent. Sharing a look, they scaled the wall together, each trying to reach the top first. Cyno's hand grabbed a stone on the lip, but when he pulled himself up, it broke free. He struggled to retain his grip, and both assassins listened as the rock clattered loudly beneath them.

  Move, he thought. Now!

  Sal swung over the top of the wall and rushed the three steps to the far side, then slipped over without checking. Beside her, Cyno matched her for each step and hold. She hopped the last meter to the ground and hurried into the trees.

  Her night vision allowed her to see the mares easily, both munching on the leaves around them, their reins still tight about their necks. The Broch was still quiet.

  Cyno grabbed her, biting hard into her neck. She turned to him, their kiss both passionate and rushed before they had to go. Glancing over her horse once, she swung up into the saddle, finding her stirrups while Cyno pushed his mare further into cover. Each rustle in the underbrush screamed in their ears, but they didn't dare slow their mounts to make less noise.

  When they were away from the outpost wall, Cyno smiled over his shoulder at her and thought, I can na take much more of this. Let's get outta here.

  Sal agreed, so they nudged their horses into an easy canter, letting the mares pick their paths in the darkness while keeping them beneath the trees. They set a quick pace, slowing the horses to a walk only enough to catch their breath and stay fresh before pushing on. Well over three kilometers from the Broch, they came to the meadow that marked the border to the Conglomerate.

  Grinning at each other, knowing they would be safe on the other side, they kicked the horses into a run, the darkness of night hiding their flight across the open ground. Their iliran sight assured them they would see an enemy before they were seen. When they burst back under trees, they pulled the mares in, sitting deep in the saddle to stay astride.

  Follow me, kitten, he thought, turning Raven into the woods.