Page 59

Shadows & Secrets

Book One in The Fatebreaker Trilogy

I f I had a gold coin for every man who’s begged me for mercy, I could retire to a vineyard and drink myself to death in luxury.

But, alas, life is cruel, and I remain tragically underfunded.

Instead of lounging in a sprawling countryside estate, I’m here, in some nobleman’s overly perfumed manor, watching Cristoff Angerella Marsten try very hard to escape his own assassination.

One thing I’ve learned through the years is that if you’re going to kill someone, you should at least understand who you’re killing.

And I do understand Cristoff, or Froggy as I’ve affectionately nicknamed him.

I’ve spent weeks following him in and out of dingy brothels and gambling dens.

I know which business partners he’s screwed over, which nobles he’s blackmailed, and which women he’s hurt.

I even know he likes his wine watered down, which is frankly the most offensive thing about him.

The point is, Froggy and I have been in a one-sided relationship for quite some time now. But tonight, it all comes to an end.

He hobbles forward, one hand dragging along the tacky wallpaper of his manor house, leaving a streak of blood over the delicate painted roses.

"Please," he sobs, voice wet and frantic. "You have the wrong man!"

I let out a slow, dramatic sigh, twirling my knife between my fingers. "Froggy, we’ve been over this. I don't get the wrong man. You, however, are a man who made all the wrong choices."

"That's not my name!"

I grin. There it is. I’ve been itching to explain why I gave him that nickname.

“It should be." I tilt my head, studying him as he stumbles, his wide, panicked eyes darting around like he’s about to sprout wings and make a grand escape.

I first noticed the resemblance at a tavern a few weeks back, while I watched him flirt with the barkeep. It’s something about how wide his smile is, how his mouth stretches a little too much. A full set of teeth, a little too slimy, a little too eager. It makes him look positively amphibian.

"Really, Froggy, the resemblance is uncanny."

His mouth opens, presumably to protest, but he catches himself and clamps it shut.

I snap my fingers. "See? You’re doing it right now."

His leg finally gives out, and he collapses onto the marble floor with a thud. I sigh.

“Honestly? I have to admit that I’m impressed. I didn’t think you’d make it this far after I broke your ankle.”

The first time I broke my ankle at eight summers, I spent a week crying in bed and demanding Kristona bring me every sweet in the market. It was the worst pain my little mind could have imagined.

Granted, I’ve experienced far worse pain since then. I’ve lived through punches, cuts, broken bones, and even a few awful head traumas.

For Froggy, though, this is probably the first time anyone has ever hit him, let alone broken a bone. So, you know, good for him for putting on a decent show in his final moments.

I step forward, planting my boot firmly between his shoulder blades. “Unfortunately,” I continue, “this is where we part ways.”

"Please," he chokes out, voice hoarse with desperation. "I can pay you."

I roll my eyes. They always say that. "With what, exactly? The money you stole from Kristona Roschoff?"

He stiffens. The name alone makes his body go rigid.

Kristona Roschoff, the most infamous assassin in all the Mortal Kingdoms. Just his name is enough to send nobles into a cold sweat.

Froggy’s eyes flick to my neck, searching for Kristona’s mark. His eyes darken as he notices the tattoo inked into my skin. KR . The initials that brand me as one of Kristona’s acolytes.

And that’s when it happens. That final moment of clarity. The sudden awareness, and acceptance, of what’s about to happen.

His lips part, and he stammers, "You’re her, aren’t you?"

Ah. My reputation precedes me.

“I—I’m sorry,” he sighs.

His shoulders sag, his breathing goes ragged, and he stops fighting. That’s the thing about death—you can’t beg your way out of it.

My blade flashes.

And it’s over.

***

Shadows & Secrets

Coming 2026