Page 50 of The Secrets of Jane: Reborn

The only regret of leaving this city is that I won’t be able to visit the Silver District. There’s something permanent in this feeling of us departing, like even if I came back, would it be too dangerous for me? Would people recognize and ransom me?

That’s if I even survive.

Gooseflesh rises on my arms again as I’m so nervous for what has yet to happen that it makes me sick.

Faint echoes of many moving people make their way to this hallway, and that’s when Rorge faces us to deliver an approved nod.

“So, remember,” Donna says, walking ahead of me and speaking over her shoulder. “You are toneverbe alone. Either myself, Rorge, Bones, or Anya should be with you, or your father or Soren. Preferably a mixture of us all.” She looks back ahead, her black hair half braided at the top, the rest still down. “I’m sure those ruby earrings will help keep Cypress alerted as well, wherever she is.”

My heart pounds when we reach the end of the rest, the area alight with a need to move, to pack, toprepare. The sound of heavy armor makes this all sink in—so far I’ve only really seen reinforced leathers, maybe some armored pieces here or there.

At least three dozen are covered in metal.

There’s a rotation as Anya is placed on ‘keep track of Jane’ duty while Donna secures arrangements, Rorge standing near to keep an eye on everyone. I pad my body with layers and weapons, and ensure my laces are tied extra tight before placing my back against a wall.

It’s apparently imperative that I don’t leave theentiretyof me open, if possible.

When it’s far too quiet between Anya and me, even the area itself is loud, I say, “So, a skin shifter.” I glance over at Anya, who is wearing her usual attire with some metal shoulder plates, metal on her thighs, and thicker vambraces.

“Not as useful of a skill now that your father has outed me,” she remarks, her arms crossed while her dark eyes scan the open area. Her slicked-black hair is fuller than normal, the few strands in her face now brushing past her nose.

“How many times have I interacted with you and didn’t know it?” I joke, leaning into the cold stone behind me. I don’t know what to do with my hands as an energy of utter nervousness floods me.

“Only once.” Her lips curve into the faintest smirk.

My jaw drops, not thinking she actually did. “Wait, who was it?”

“That’sruining the fun in it,” she replies smoothly. Her usual serious expression shifts to something more contemplative. “Did you find Bones useful? I hope you gained a skill or two while I was gone.”

“Not sure I’d call ituseful. Couldn’t hit him to save my life.”

Her smile sharpens, an approved chuckle confusing me. “You know, the time you kicked him in the nose is one of the first direct hits he’s had in years.”

“What?”

“It’s true. There are many people in this city who would pay a lot of money to spar with him. I don’t know what the hells to call his magic, if he even has it, but he’s damn near impossible to hit. Unusually difficult. Evenhethinks it’s hilarious.”

I furrow my brows, trying to recall back to when I kicked him in the face. “Really?”

“Iwas going to do some sparring with you, but Bones insisted the time was best spent trying to hit him. If you’re training to attack an unhittable target, you’re more likely to land a strike against a normal man. Especially since very few are as skilled as Soren or Bones.” She reaches up, absentmindedly rubbing one of her earlobes, a small speck of gold barely existing as an earringthere. “It’s actually how he used to make his money before Soren. He was either training people, or hired as an assassin.”

It never once crossed my mind to wonder how these people all met.

“Well, how did he meet Soren?”

Her faint but unmistakable smirk returns. “Someone paid him to kill Soren.”

My breath catches. “What?”

“Bones tried, but met his match because Soren always saw every strike coming. Soren couldn’t land a single hit on Bones, either. So, after what I’m told was an unreasonably long stalemate of trying to kill one another, they both agreed to take a break. Soren then offered to double what he was being paid, and Bones just loved that. Now, he’s more loyal than a dog.”

I smile widely, despite myself. “Why are you telling me all of this?”

There’s a pause, and she looks me in the eye. “Because you shouldn’t judge your skill against Bones. Not even Soren can stab him. Nick him, maybe. But that’s it. You might be inexperienced, but it’s not like you haven’t been in a fight. You know how to recover. You know how to handle pain. Don’t forget that.”

Oh. I glance down, not sure what to do with that sincerity. “Well, thanks. That does help.” I know it’s a bold question, but now I can’t stop wondering, “How didyoumeet Soren?”

Glancing back at her, I notice the corner of her mouth tightens. “Through necessity. But that’s a story for another time.”