Cage of Deceit(83)
“Your Highness,” Marek interrupted. “Don’t you think the assassin is anticipating you doing this?”
She raised her eyebrows, ready to respond, when Jarvik’s chair scraped backwards and he abruptly stood. “Your Highness,” he said. “I have an idea.” He looked pointedly at her, reminding Allyssa of her promise to him last night.
“Very well,” she responded. “Let’s hear it.”
“I’d like to put a decoy in your place. Send her to the inn. We can have soldiers in plain clothing already stationed there as well as along the alleyway where the secret exit is located.”
“He’ll know it’s not me,” she said.
He nodded.
“He’ll probably kill the decoy,” she said.
“Not necessarily.”
“A decoy won’t be adequately equipped to deal with the assassin,” she said. “It has to be me.”
“There are women who can fight,” Marek said.
“Please, think this through,” Jarvik added. “You can’t make choices with your emotions.”
Bloody hell. He was right, and they both knew it.
“I know you’re angry,” Jarvik continued. “I am too. If we’re careful about this, we can get the revenge you seek.”
She slowly nodded, reason setting in. “Very well. Can I count on you to organize this?”
“It would be my honor,” Jarvik replied. “In return, I need your promise that your father’s plan will be put in place—whether Grevik is rescued or not.”
She glanced at Marek. He nodded, indicating he agreed with Jarvik.
“I promise.”
She stood facing a young girl of similar age, height, and build. They both wore the same outfit—brown pants, boots, tunic, and cape.
“It’s an honor, Your Highness,” the girl said.
“What’s your name?” Allyssa inquired.
“Bri,” she replied.
“Do you know how to fight?”
“My father and brother are both in the army. I can fight.”
Allyssa studied Bri for a moment. She stood with her feet shoulder-width apart, leaning slightly forward as if she was ready to pounce if need be. There were also a few small scars on her hands, indicating she’d been in some scrapes.
“Very well,” Allyssa said, approving of the girl. “The first thing he’ll do is remove your weapons.”
“I know,” Bri replied. “Your men have gone over what to expect and what to do. You can count on me. I promise.”
Jarvik knocked and entered the room. “It’s time,” he said. “The decoy will leave with Marek and a handful of guards—just as you would have done. We’ll wait a few minutes and then follow them.”
Marek turned to Allyssa. “Stay with Jarvik and do exactly as he says. I can’t do my job if I’m worrying about you.”
“I promise,” she said.
“As soon as the assassin has Bri, I’ll wait for you and Jarvik to follow them, and then I’ll trail you guys.”
“Be safe,” she added.
He nodded and took the decoy, leaving with half a dozen guards.
Jarvik strapped two daggers to his forearms. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider? We can do this without you.”
“I want to be there,” Allyssa answered.
“I know, and I understand why. Sometimes, though, you have to allow others to help you. You have to be able to trust other people.”
Sliding two additional daggers in her boots, she said, “You mean like you do?” She adjusted the hood of her cape.
“It was worth a shot,” he grumbled. “Fine, let’s go.”
As they traveled through the city, Jarvik’s eyes roamed over every inch of the streets, searching for threats. “You know, I almost locked you in the dungeon tonight.”
“Why?”
“For your own safety while I rescued Grevik. Then I realized that if something happened, and your friend got hurt or died, you’d order my execution.” He shrugged. “You’d probably kill me yourself. So I decided against it.”
She chuckled.
“You think it’s funny?”
“No. I like the way you think,” she said. “I must say, you’ve surprised me.”
“The feeling is quite mutual.”
They turned onto a street a block away from the inn. Slowing their pace, Jarvik’s eyes darted to the rooftops.
“Something’s off,” he quietly mumbled. “Hide in the nearby doorway.”
Pulling out one of her daggers, Allyssa did as he requested. While she leaned against the door, Jarvik stood a few feet in front of her, observing the rooftop across the street.