Page 5

They rushed me—again.

They truly,neverlearn.

I spun between them, dropping low to the floor as my silver hair fanned out behind me. The first man’s blade sliced through empty air—where I had just been standing—as I threw my arms out to the side. I felt the tearing of flesh as my blades ripped through skin and muscle on the backs of their thighs, tendons catching and snapping on the curved tips of my knives. Collapsing to the ground, they crawled away from me as I stood, slowly rising to my full height. They pawed at their fresh wounds as the unmistakable scent of blood flooded my senses.

“I’ll kill you for this,” the second man spat as I closed my eyes, sucking in a deep breath as the tavern fell silent around me.

I took a step forward, opening my eyes as I began to circle around the men, watching them writhe on the floor in pain.

“You couldn’t kill me if you had a thousand lifetimes to try,” I sang with a sharpness that could have sliced through bone.

Their eyes widened as I took another step closer, crouching down beside the man I had started this fight with and tracing the tip of my karambit along his stubble-covered jawline, drawing a thin crimson line.

He whimpered pathetically.

Typical.

These men were nothing but frightened little animals.

“You thought you could take what you wanted, hurt who you wanted, and no one would stop you?” I asked, my voice low and menacing.

“Please,” he whispered, his eyes frantic, finally realizing his place. “Have mercy.”

I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. “Mercy? Like the mercy you showed those women when they begged you to stop?”

“Stupid bitch, you know nothing, cannot prove anything,” his friend spat as I turned toward him.

I watched as he tried to crawl toward the door.

In a second I was on him, my knee pressed into his chest as I held the point of my blade against his throat. He froze, barely daring to breathe.

“I knowexactlywhat you’ve done,” I hissed. “I have seen the scars you’ve left, heard the cries and the horror stories of the women whose lives you’ve shattered.”

I leaned in close, locking my gaze on his fear-dilated eyes.

“If youeverlay a hand on another woman,” I whispered, “I will find you. And I will end you. Slowly. Painfully. Untilyoubegmefor the mercy of death.”

Releasing him, I stood, watching dispassionately as both men struggled to their feet, clutching their wounds. They backed away, keeping their eyes locked on mine, then scurried into the silent, crowded room.

“What?” I snapped at the faces staring up at me in horror. The space broke into motion; the sound of feet scuffling against floorboards and tankards clanking against each other echoed throughout the room as drunkards began to scatter.

“Ataliia,” a voice called from behind me and I rolled my eyes at the sound.

I dragged a blood-stained hand down my face, groaning as I turned to see Elric, the captain of the king’s guard, standing with two of his men flanking each side of him. They both looked so small standing next to Elric’s tall frame and broad shoulders.

He was the picture of order and perfection, like always—as put together as a man could be. His tight black curls were cropped close to his scalp on the sides, his golden armour glowing against the black and emerald leathers that popped against his melanated skin. His thick dark brows pulled together as he glared at me with deep hazel eyes.

It was always a look of worry with him, as if we were seconds away from invasion.

“Hello, Captain,” I drawled, tilting my head as I grinned at him. “How can I assist you on this beautiful night?” I asked, sliding my blades back into their sheaths as I shoved past his men, moving toward the tavern’s entrance. I stepped into the open air and sucked in a deep breath, bringing my fingers to the cheek that had already begun to swell.

That will definitely turn black, I thought to myself as I began my walk back to the castle.

“Ataliia!” Elric shouted, his pace quickening as he rushed to my side. “We need to talk. You cannot be doing this night after night.”

I stopped, turning to face him. “Are you going to arrest me?” I asked, annoyance rising.

“Ishould, but—”