Jarvik had warned her this might happen. Taking a few deep breaths, she attempted to remain calm and not answer right away. She didn’t want the assassin to know she’d do anything to save Grevik.
After counting to twenty like Jarvik had suggested, she said, “I overheard the empress talking to the princess. They are going to the local shelter to feed the poor.”
“When?”
“In four days.”
“Is the emperor going with them?”
“They didn’t say if he was going.”
The assassin nodded. “I deem your information worthy. I will allow you to see your friend.”
Her shoulders relaxed. Now all that had to happen was for Jarvik and his men to follow the assassin as he took her to Grevik. Then they’d storm in, killing the assassin while she rescued her friend.
“Obviously, he isn’t here. I’ll need to take you to where I’m keeping him.” He moved to the corner of the room. “You don’t have a problem being blindfolded, do you?”
Allyssa had expected him to take her somewhere else, but she hadn’t anticipated being blindfolded. When they left the building, patrons would notice such a thing. Which meant they weren’t leaving out the front door.
“Of course I do,” she said, trying to control her temper. “You’re an assassin here to kill the royal family and you’ve kidnapped my friend.” She needed to watch her language—make sure she didn’t speak too formally. “I’ll go with you, but there’s no need to cover my eyes.”
He laughed, the sound harsh and menacing. “I haven’t managed to stay alive so long by being stupid. If you want to see your friend, you’ll go blindfolded. It’s up to you.”
Blimey. Her heart pounded in her chest. What should she do? She needed to know that Grevik was alive and well. Jarvik had told her he had men watching all the exits, so even if she went out the side, one of the Fren soldiers would notice and follow. Just because she wouldn’t be able to see didn’t mean Jarvik wouldn’t.
“Very well,” she said. “After I visit my friend, you’ll release me?”
He nodded. “I’ll bring you back to this inn.”
If Marek were here, he’d be screaming at her not to go anywhere with an assassin. He’d say that this was a terrible idea and she shouldn’t risk her life. Jarvik, on the other hand, had sparred with her and taught her how to pick a lock in order to prepare her for this. He understood that her friendship with Grevik wasn’t something she could easily dismiss. Grevik was in this mess because of her, and she planned to make sure he was freed and returned safely to his mother. Allyssa remembered how devastated Grevik’s mum had been when his father was murdered. She knew his mother would never be able to handle the death of her only child.
The assassin ripped off a strip of fabric from the blanket on the cot. He came up behind Allyssa, and she removed her hood. The assassin slid the fabric around her eyes and secured it at the back of her head.
“Let’s go,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist, making her jump.
The door was to her left. However, he led her in the opposite direction. There weren’t any other exits in the room, nor were there any windows. She lifted her hands to remove the blindfold, and he pinned her arms down.
“Leave it alone,” he ordered.
“Where are we going?” she demanded.
“If I wanted you to know, you wouldn’t be blindfolded.”
The sound of wood creaking echoed through the room. Was the assassin removing some floorboards? He shoved her down into something.
“You’ll need to crawl,” he said. “And keep your head down.”
Reaching out, she felt wood right above her. The sound of clanking mugs and people talking was directly below her. She had to be in between the ceiling of the first level and the floor of the second level. This must be how the assassin was entering and exiting the inn without Jarvik’s men knowing.
Pulling herself along in the cramped space, Allyssa felt a splinter dig into her palm.
“Stop,” the assassin said. It sounded as if a wooden door creaked open, and then cool air brushed past her skin. “Turn around and lower your feet until you hit a ladder. Then climb down.”
Allyssa did as he said, sliding outside the opened door on the side of the building, praying she didn’t fall. She lowered her legs, fumbling for the first rung of the ladder. Her foot connected with it, and she started climbing down to the street.
When she reached solid ground, the assassin pulled her hood lower over her face, probably making sure no one on the street would see her blindfold. Linking his arm with hers, they started walking. It took some getting used to—being led along the streets, unable to see. She tried memorizing each turn, but he took so many that she couldn’t keep track. At times, it seemed as if they walked around the same block multiple times to ensure she didn’t have her bearings. To keep from losing her temper and screaming, she kept picturing Grevik’s face. It was enough to keep her going.