If he harmed Grevik, she’d kill him.
“Sit,” he ordered, pointing to the sagging bed cot.
“What do you want from me?” she asked as she took a seat.
“Information.”
“What kind?” Allyssa tried to look scared—which wasn’t hard since she was terrified.
He took one step toward her. The carefully planned, threatening movement sent a chill down her spine, making her lean away from him.
“I need to know when the royal family will be out of the castle.”
“So you can kill them?”
“That is not your concern.”
“I don’t have access to their daily schedules.”
“You seem resourceful. I’ve watched you fight with thieves. I saw you a few moments ago threaten that patron downstairs. I have no doubt you’ll be able to acquire the information.”
She almost laughed. It was absurd. He was here to assassinate her. Only, he didn’t know it. She sat there, violently shaking, unable to make herself stop. Blimey. She needed to gain control of herself before he saw through her disguise and realized who she was.
“Very well,” she said. “Once I provide the information, will you release Grevik unharmed?” she asked, trying to determine if the assassin actually had him or not.
“I will release your friend,” he said. “Meet me back here tomorrow night.”
She noticed he never said unharmed. Her heart pounded, and a rushing sound filled her ears. Grevik couldn’t be hurt—he just couldn’t. “It may take me longer than a day to find out when the royal family will be out of the castle.”
“Meet me back here tomorrow night, or your friend dies.”
“Fine,” she snapped, jumping to her feet and exiting the room. The low-life assassin had no idea who he was dealing with. If Grevik was harmed in any way, she would be sure the assassin paid dearly for his crimes.
She exited the tavern, knowing the assassin was somehow watching her. Searching the rooftops, she didn’t see anything amiss. Pulling her cloak tight around her body, she hurried along the street.
Up ahead, a man stood near the entrance to the alley. It had to be Jarvik. Shaking her head infinitesimally, she indicated for him to stay away from her. Passing by as if she didn’t know him, she went straight toward the castle to the army’s private entrance, where she waited for Jarvik and his men to catch up. Blimey. What was she going to do? The assassin had Grevik.
“You’re shaking,” Jarvik said by way of greeting.
“I want to go inside. Now.”
His men were suddenly there. As a group, they were granted entrance at the gate. The soldiers swayed on their feet, singing and hanging on to one another as if they were drunk. Allyssa tried to play along, but it was difficult with Grevik’s life dependent upon her.
They went up the servants’ stairwell and into the prince’s chambers. Prince Odar wasn’t in the sitting room. Jarvik ordered the soldiers to go to their bedchambers, and they all obliged. Going over to the fireplace, the squire threw a few more logs onto the fire, warming up the room. Allyssa sat on the ground next to the hearth, staring at the flames, trying to figure out what to do.
Jarvik sat next to her. “Tell me everything,” he gently said.
She hesitated, remembering the conversation she’d overheard between the squire and the prince. However, Allyssa needed help in order to save her friend, and she had no doubt Jarvik was more than qualified to concoct a way to undermine the assassin. She quickly explained the note the serving wench had given her, what happened when she went in the room, and everything the assassin said.
“I think we should tell your father what’s going on.”
She’d been wondering the same thing, too. However, her father’s priority would be protecting Rema and Allyssa, not saving Grevik’s life. “Before we say anything, I’d like to figure out who sent the assassin.” That would give her time to rescue Grevik.
“Can’t we assume it was the king of Russek?” Jarvik asked.
She had been considering that option while walking back to the castle. “I don’t think it is.” Wrapping her arms around her legs, she rested her head on her knees. “King Drenton wants war. There’s no way he’d send a lone assassin here now. He would’ve sent one before he mobilized his soldiers.” The fire crackled in the hearth.
“You know, you’re not at all what I thought you’d be,” Jarvik said, leaning back on his hands and stretching out his legs. The glow from the fire radiated off the squire’s face, softening his features.
“I should be getting back to my bedchamber,” Allyssa said, jumping to her feet. “I need to figure out how to help Grevik.” Her friend was in mortal danger while she was safe inside a castle, talking to a man she thought she hated.