Page 102 of The Shadows Between Us
What the devils?
Kallias practically pushes me toward the exit. We squeeze pastmore of Dawson’s patrons before finally getting out into the empty hallway.
“Are you all right?” I ask, placing a hand over my throbbing hip.
But Kallias is staring down at his gloved hands.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I can’t call on my shadows.”
CHAPTER
22
Kallias has the two of us sprinting for the exit. He hits the main floor and flings open the doors to the outside. Then he barks orders at the stable boy to bring our horses.
“That stumble in there was no accident. They meant to knock me over. To overwhelm me. I didn’t see who touched me. Too many tried to help me to my feet.”
“I think the girl you gave your rose to might be involved. She ran into us once, do you remember? I think… someone was trying to force us to touch.”
Kallias spreads the fingers of his right hand in front of him, and shadows swirl about his hand. “It wasn’t you. I can still use them around you. We were lucky with that head bash, but—”
“Now you’re a target. Whoever sent that assassin will try again. Now that they know you are corporeal in their presence.”
The horses finally come around, and Kallias throws me onto mine before taking his own, not even bothering to tip the boy before we take off into the night.
When we’re some distance from Dawson’s, Kallias finally slows his horse’s gallop, and I pull up alongside him.
“I was right,” Kallias says at last. “It was no servant who killed my parents. Who wants me dead. Only a nobleman could have gained access to that club. I didn’t see anyone I recognized from court. Did you?”
“No. They could have been in disguise, as we were.”
Kallias pulls the wig and facial hair from his face before dropping them onto the stones at our horses’ feet. “Not that they did us any good. Whoever our contact was, he spotted us anyway.” He sighs. “I should have listened to you. We never should have gone. I’ll be dead within the week.”
“Oh, hush,” I snap. “Perfectly normal andmortalkings live to ripe old ages. You’re just used to protecting yourself. All you need is to take precautions. More guards stationed in the palace. And you hire for yourself a personal guard of only the best soldiers to follow you wherever you go.”
“That didn’t save my father.”
“Your father didn’t know to look for danger within his own court. You do. When we get back to the palace, you will make the proper arrangements. And don’t let Kaiser select the men. If he’s in on it, he will not pick the best candidates for your protection. You find the best men for the job yourself.”
Kallias doesn’t say anything in response.
“I don’t want to hear any more talk of youresigningyourself to death. Yes, you’re a target. That’s part of being born a royal. But you’re not stupid, and you’renot dying on me.Do you understand?”
A grin has replaced his solemn expression. “If you command it.”
“I do.”
“Well, a lady must always get what she wants.”
When we reach the palace, Kallias walks me to my room. He promises to make arrangements for his safety as soon as he leaves me.
“See that you do,” I say. “I have no intention of losing my best friend.”
Kallias opens his mouth. Shuts it again. Then, “You and I are playing a very dangerous game.”
I pull off my wig, letting it dangle from my fingers as I shake out my real hair. “It was only a little bit of dress-up. And a small fall. Hardly dangerous,” I assure him, offering a smile.
