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“Second,” Riven continued, “she would kill Nikolai in a matter of seconds.”

Nikolai’s reflection shrugged. “Fair enough.”

“And I doubt I have enough luck to evade her a third time. I held my own in Cereliath, but her skill is greater.”

You bet it is, I thought.

“She would not best me,” the female voice boasted. I heard the clang of steel as she unsheathed some weapon.

“Syrra.” Riven’s voice was softer than before. “You may be willing to gamble with your life, but I’m not.”

“Then we are at an impasse, my friend,” the female voice, Syrra, replied. “I do not trust someone who has spent her life killing Half-lings to charm her king.” I bit my lip to keep from cursing. Maybe theyshouldsend this Syrra after me. I would enjoy teaching her just how charming I could be.

“I don’t like it either,” Riven said. “But if her offer is genuine, we have a better chance succeeding with the Blade than without her.”

“How can we trust her?” Syrra pushed.

“We can’t.” It was Nikolai who answered, seemingly done eating. “We can speak in circles all night, but the truth is—she has us cornered. We played right into her hand. There’s no denying that now—”

“Which is exactly why we cannot—” Syrra started but Nikolai cut her off.

“Which is exactly why weneedher. She has direct access to the king and the Shades. She’s the head of the entire Arsenal. She clearly has a talent for strategy and the king doesn’t know she’s switched allegiances.”

“Ifshe’s switched sides,” Syrra mumbled. I bit the inside of my cheek.

“Just because we’re allies doesn’t mean we have to tell hereverything,” Nikolai said, almost too quietly for me to hear. I stilled. The rain pattered against my neck as I lowered my head to hear better.

“What are you suggesting, Nik?” Riven asked. He took a step forward and I could glimpse the profile of his tall frame in the glass.

“Do you reckon she has told you everything?” Nikolai asked. “Or that she plans to?”

Of course I haven’t. Riven would be a fool to think I had.

“I doubt it,” Riven said. Good. I hated working with idiots.

“Exactly.” Nikolai nodded. “Agree to the alliance, but only if she agrees that we keep some level of autonomy.” I shivered against the cold rain. My cloak was soaked, it pulled at my shoulders.

“And if she betrays us?” Riven asked, his reflection walking toward the hearth. I was jealous of the dry warmth that glowed against his legs.

“Then you and Syrra will have your chance to murder her after all,” Nikolai replied casually, as if he was talking about what they planned to make for dinner. I took that as my cue. I didn’t want to give them any more time to reinvent their plan and try to kill me after all.

I gripped the edge of the roof and flipped my body into the open window. The glass smashed against the wall. I landed in the middle of the floor in a soft crouch wearing a smirk.

“Oh, Nikolai,” I said as I stood up, brandishing my sword. I gave him a teasing wink. “And here I thought we were going to be friends.”

NIKOLAI STOOD UP SOfast his chair fell over. The person beside him had deep brown skin and black hair that fell down her back, laced with intricate braids. She crouched holding two circular blades—one in each hand. I eyed the weapons, my stomach fluttering with curiosity.

Riven leaned against the mantel of the fireplace, his eyes hardened into thin slits. He didn’t even unsheathe the sword on his back.

“Stand down, you two,” he commanded. “If she wanted us dead, you already would be.”

I cocked a brow in response.

“One Halfling taking on the three of us?” Nikolai took out a small knife from his belt. It was puny. Even if he did stab me with it, his aim would need to be precise for his cut to be lethal. “I don’t think so.” He waved his little weapon.

I sliced the air with my sword, twirling it over my wrist. “You didn’t know I was here until I came through that window. I could’ve killed you before you even had the chance to scream.”

Nikolai dropped his arm. His eyes flicked to Riven, who nodded.