Page 6 of Fire to the Stars

He’s here to kill it.

Somewhere along the line, he ceased his research.

Why?

I clench the moondagger’s hilt. Considering the damage to his reputation, it’s possible that he’s onlypretendingto return to his slayer duties. That way, the Slayers Guild can’t ban him from using their resources to identify victims of the curse.

The safest route for me is to lie until I can coax the truth from him.

I avert my gaze in a faux display of shame. “To be honest, I don’t knowthedragon that attacked Bourlin. Justadragon. And I don’t know the dragon’s name.”

He tips his head back and groans. “Noctu, end me now.”

“I’m sorry for deceiving you.” I sniffle. “It’s just that I’ve been looking for you for so long. I needed you to stay.”

“Me?” He frowns. “Why me, specifically?”

“Your kill record is perfectly serviceable for my purposes,” I say, deflecting the question, then dare to ask: “Or are you still attempting to cure dragons?”

His jaw tightens, and he looks away. Not a word passes between us. No indication of whether his brother is alive and well or dead in the form of dragon bones. Frustration fights to make it to my face, but I maintain my neutral expression.

If he doesn’t want to talk about the cure right now, that’s fine. I’ll gain his trust, then see if he deserves mine.

I try a new angle. “I don’t have enough coin for anyone else.”

“You assume I come cheap.”

“Don’t you?”

He rubs the space between his eyebrows. “Yes. I do. Explain, please. I’m here to help.”

I resist the twitch that pulls at the corner of my lips. Help? That’s how he’s framing it? Very well. I’ll give the cute boy with the gentleman’s moral compass the damsel he wants.

I lower my gaze and hunch my shoulders, revealing a deeper view of the scar tracing the curve of my breast. A tiny change to feign vulnerability, with a touch of seduction to chip at his logic. The trick is not to overdo it.

“About six months ago, a dragon killed my papa. It slashed at me before it burned down my village.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Which village?”

“Sellecastel.” I allow myself a small, sad smile. The best part about this act? I don’t even have to lie. “My hometown.”

“You’re certain the dragon wasn’t slain?”

I nod. “That’s why I approached you last night.”

“The way you acted suggested you hadothermotives.”

“I’m sorry. I was drunk and desperate to keep your attention.” I give him a sharp stare of my own. “I’ll do anything to put that dragon’s head on a spike.”

He tilts his head. “Most people report dragons to the Gendarmerie.”

“That’s why I’ve been stealing.” I play the pity card. “Can you blame me? You slayers might as well be mercenaries with the prices you charge. There’s no Gendarmerie left in Sellecastel to prepare a bounty. I’m the only survivor.”

His fingers curl toward the hint of a spare dagger in his boot. “You’re thesolesurvivor?”

My heartbeat quickens. He could’ve cut himself free, but he didn’t.

“Don’t look at me like that. Just because I survived doesn’t meanI’mthe dragon,” I snap. “My papa was the best horse trainer in the kingdom. He taught me everything I know. Controlling a spooking horse well enough to escape was all in a day’s work for me.”