This is Rachel Rossano posting for Charissa (Kristy). She sent this to me on Thursday. Enjoy and comment. I will try to pass your comments on to her.

CHAPTER 20 – AFTER EFFECTS

AIDEN

At the very end of my release I felt a sharp pull on my cloak and the dagger moved in its vector. I gasped and watched as my prey fell to the ground, at the same time pushing the older man out of the way. I had missed. I heard the sound of my dagger embedding itself into the wall behind them.

Cursing, I turned to find the girl behind me, still holding my cloak and looking at me with eyes that said everything, but so little. Growling in my throat, I raised my fist to knock her off of me.
“Aiden,” her voice called my name right before I struck.

Kristalyn. Her name came rushing back to me as did the knowledge that I couldn’t hurt her.
Instead of punching her out cold, I spun her around and pushed hard. She stumbled in front of me and then picked herself up and took of running. I followed quickly. Within seconds after the attack we were out of the alley. Neither of us stopped nor spoke until we reached the tavern and our rooms.

Kristalyn had her hand on her doorknob before she spoke in a voice hardly above a whisper, “I had too, Aiden.”

I stared at my own door instead of at her. If I looked at her I couldn’t guarantee my reaction. “He lived.” I finally gave her the information I knew she really wanted. Why I couldn’t be sure, since I hadn’t planned on telling her for days at least.

I could almost feel the relief radiating off of her. She nodded her head, a move I caught out of the corner of my eye, and then entered her room. The door clicked softly behind her. I entered my own room and stared ahead of me, unsure of what to do or think.
I had failed. I was not free. Kristalyn…

Unconsciously, I tore of my clothes as I stumbled to my bed and fell across it. The two phrases and one name running through my fogged mind. They would do so for the rest of the night.

***

I had no idea how long I had lain awake. It could have been minutes, but it was probably more like hours. Had I even slept at all? I had no idea and no way to tell. It was so unusual for me not to sleep, normally it didn’t matter what had happened during the day I could always crash at night…. except for that brief period of time so long ago. I must have gone for a month or so before I had truly slept after the spilt up. Not that it really mattered anymore. My problem was why I hadn’t slept last night.

I didn’t recall thinking during the night. However, the events of the failed assassination were still as clear as the top of a pond in my memory. I had come so close to killing the Hunter, so close to achieving my freedom from Ricald and being able to move on. Kristalyn had stopped me and then I had almost killed her.

For some reason that was like the final straw I couldn’t handle. The mission was to gain the strength I needed to kill Duard. The Hunter stood in the way of that, so he had to go. Kristalyn was just a bystander. I didn’t kill innocents, especially women and children, or at least, I hadn’t yet.

I thought about that one for another second. Not that Kristalyn could be considered an innocent bystander. I wasn’t sure what to call her or for that matter how to handle her. It was a problem I would have to deal with before I made my next move against the Hunter. She couldn’t be allowed to interfere again.

Her actions had not only saved the Hunter’s life, but had alerted him to the presence of an assassin. He would be on high alert now and my surprise element was missing, as was my favorite dagger. I had never failed in a mission before, so I had never lost the dagger. With this failure, I wasn’t able to retrieve it from the dead man’s body. Thankfully, it was of my own design and had no markings that could be linked back to me. It would be a dead end for the Hunter.

I allowed my thoughts to continue to follow the Hunter’s possible line of thought. If he couldn’t identify the assassin, he would try to figure out who I worked for. The question was would he be able to link me back to Ricald? I wavered for a moment, and then decided it didn’t matter. If anything, it would only be a guess and might distract him more.

I would need him to be as distracted as possible before I made my next move. I should have ignored Kristalyn and finished it that night. It had been stupid of me to turn to her, but I hadn’t known who as behind me and it could have been a more dangerous fight.

I played the scene in my head over again for somewhere close to the millionth time. The Hunter and Jaedon had fallen to the ground. Normally, I would have used the seconds it took for them to recover to throw my second dagger. That would have ended for good if I hadn’t been distracted. The Hunter would know that same thing. What did the Hunter think of those few seconds? He had to be curious why I didn’t finish my move when I had the advantage. Did he guess something had happened or maybe he thought I was playing games with him? He would have checked the direction of my attack and found nothing. So, with little knowledge, what would his next action be?

I smiled as I realized he had so little to go on there was not much he could do, except to keep a sharper eye out. If that was the case, I could relax. I would have to attack again soon, especially if things with the war were going to escalate, but I still had time, a full week or two maybe. The stress of knowing I could identify his secrets and he knew nothing about me or when I would next strike would wear him down.

Maybe last night’s efforts hadn’t been a total waste. I could observe the effects the waiting would have on my target. Perhaps if I liked the results I would use the same tactic on Duard, but I doubted it. I was too anxious for that kill.

Biding my time meant I now had time to spare. A large breakfast sounded just about right. Then I would take a trip out to Maglynar. I was overdue for a visit and I didn’t want him any more anxious than normal. Who knew, a visit to the overly active griffin might do me some good as well. Perhaps I could figure out how to tame a totally different species.

***

KRISTALYN

Aiden had been gone for almost two days now. He had informed me he was going out to visit Maglynar at breakfast and by lunch he had disappeared. It was strange not having him there to follow. But what had me concerned were his motives.

He had left me in the city, alone, and unprotected. Why did he not assume I would run to the Hunter with all the information I had as soon as I was given the chance? He was under no illusions about my intentions to protect the Hunter. I had foiled his first attempt quite well. The memory of it was still unsettling. I had come to close to failure that evening.

So, why when I succeeded did Aiden finally leave me alone in the city? He had to have something up his sleeve. Maybe he hadn’t really gone to see Maglynar, but was waiting to see what I would do. If that was the case I had two options. One was to prove that I was trustworthy and the second was to do what I wanted and warn Tray that the assassin was still around.

I had failed to warn him earlier and it had almost gotten him killed. I had to make sure I didn’t repeat that mistake. Of course, any message I did get to him would have to be vague, because I couldn’t let my brother know I was in the city. He’d be more upset over that fact than anything else, and he didn’t need the added distraction.

I laughed softly to myself. It seemed I was going with option number two. Quickly, I pulled out the piece of parchment and writing coal I always kept with me. I would have to word it just right.

What? Egan asked from his perch on my window sill.

“I have to get a message to Tray and warn him that Aiden will try again,” she asked again.

Already knows.

“No, he doesn’t, though he may assume it. In all honesty this is probably more for my own conscious than anything else. I feel like I’ve lost my connection to my brother, that I’ve betrayed him with Aiden. Perhaps this will help to ease my conscious if nothing else,” I explained to the task driven dragon.

Poor.

I snorted. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Egan.”

Free.

“Freely given, huh? Well, aren’t I lucky? Are you going to keep talking or can I finish this?”
The dragon huffed at being dismissed and as was typical promptly put his nose in the air as if to say, “no big deal.”

I stared at the parchment. Simple would work best.

Carefully, to disguise my handwriting, I wrote, “Skilled assassin remains and waiting to kill. Very persistent. Be on guard.”

Already knows.

Apparently, the dragon was more interested than he wanted me to think. “I realize that, Egan. But the permanent reminder might help him stay focused on the fact. I don’t want him to get complacent and not realize it.”

I folded the note and stood. “Stay here, Egan. I’ll be right back.”

The walk took me very little time as I was now so familiar with it. It also helped me to keep my mind off what I was doing. For some reason that I could not figure out, that was important right now. The fact that the streets were more crowded than usual helped too. I frowned and listened in on conversations as I walked by. It didn’t take long to realize that the king and prince of the Wild Men were leaving along with their contingent. That could only mean that with the engagement established they were heading out to build up their army. That was very bad news for Aerilya. I sent up a quick prayer that my mother had gotten all of the information we knew to King Jaeger.

I snuck into the alley across from Tray’s house and waited for a moment. There was no sound or activity coming from it. It would only take a moment for me to slip the note under the door. It was a primitive means of communicating with Tray, but better than nothing. I was pretty sure that Tray and Jaeger were out watching the Wild Men leave the city. It had sounded like they would be making a grand exit through town.

Glancing down the street both ways and once more at the house, I left my hiding spot and quickly raced up to the door. Within seconds the deed was done. Oddly, I felt very little relief at having warned my brother again. I slipped back into the alley and pulled up short, my breath leaving in one flush. Standing before me, arms crossed, was Aiden.

“Do you feel better having betrayed me?” He asked, in his low voice.

“Betrayed you or honored my…” I paused and he raised an eyebrow. “friend?” I finished lamely. “Why aren’t you with Maglynar? Did you lie to me again?” I changed the subject quickly.

He laughed softly. “Did I have too? It didn’t take very long for you to run to your Hunter with news, though little good it did you.”

What did he mean by that? I wanted to ask, but I was afraid of the answer, so instead I simply stayed silent.

A small cockily smile graced his face. “Tell me, Kristalyn, what did you write to your dear Hunter friend?” He stressed the last word.

It wouldn’t do any harm in answering that, at least, none that I could see. “That a persistent assassin is still in the area and to be on guard.”

He cocked an eyebrow at me. “That’s all?”

I nodded, slightly confused. What did he want me to tell him?

Aiden took a step closer to me. I could actually feel his presence. “Why didn’t you tell him more?” His voice was too soft for comfort now.

I swallowed. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You could have told him anything you wanted. Who I work for, why I didn’t finish the attack, what my style is, when I might strike next, what I look like… the list goes on, Kristalyn. Yet all you chose to tell him were things he already knew. Why?”

That was a very good question. I could have told Tray any of those things, and I didn’t. In fact, most of those things hadn’t even crossed my mind. Why? I was much better than this and we both knew it. Why was I holding back? I didn’t understand. But I knew enough to be furious with myself. How stupid could I be letting myself become so simple? What a complete fool!

“You couldn’t, could you?” Aiden’s voice cut through my harsh thoughts.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“You couldn’t let yourself tell him anything else.” His cocky grin was back in place.

“What?” I asked again, feeling more foolish by the second.

He laughed and stepped even closer. I wanted to step back, but he already had the dominate position here, I couldn’t give him anymore ground.

“Admit it, Kristalyn. You couldn’t betray me even when you did have the chance.”

“You were watching me,” I breathed.

“Oh, I went out to see Maglynar. I knew you wouldn’t make a move for a few days at least. When I returned, it was to find you heading out.”

“How…”

He lifted a hand and placed it under my chin to raise it just a little higher. It was only then that I realized my heart was beating much fast than it was supposed to be.

“Because like it or not, I can read you very well. You can’t hide anything from me.”

Well, that wasn’t true. He still didn’t know Tray was my brother, but as for the rest. I shifted uncomfortably. He was getting to close to the truth for comfort. When did this start to happen? How had he learned to read me? And why?

His thumb stroked my cheek. He was making me uncomfortable on purpose. I could tell by the look in his eyes he was enjoying it. But I couldn’t seem to break out of whatever spell he was using either. And I had a feeling he knew that too.

“It’s written all over your face. You don’t feel any better having written the Hunter and you still can’t tell why.”

How in all of the earth could he possible know that? He had never, not ever, been able to read me so well. In fact, last I could remember, he was trying to figure me out. So, what had happened to change so drastically and completely? I wanted to scream I was so frustrated.
“It would be easier on you if you would just admit you want me.”

He spoke, but it was a few minutes later that my brain actually processed his words. When they finally became clear I stared at him in shock. His steel gray blue eyes held his amusement. I yanked my chin away from him and punched hard. He blocked most of it, but I still managed to hit his stomach. He looked at me amused, but didn’t make another comment.

“You know nothing about me, Aiden. Do not pretend too. You will regret it,” cold fury suppressed my voice. “You don’t know what I really put in that letter, only what I told you. Watch yourself, Aiden. This isn’t over.”

Spinning around, I walked right onto Tray’s street and moved down back towards the tavern. If Tray came back and saw me I was sunk, but at this point I was so mad I didn’t care. I had a major problem. Aiden was reading me too well. He wasn’t as good as he thought he was, but he was getting to close. Or perhaps I was letting him get to close. The only thing I could be sure about was that when it came to Aiden I was all confusion and it was going to get me or Tray killed. The last wasn’t an option. It was time I did what I should have long ago. It was time to go to Deus on my knees.

When I reached my room, that was exactly what I did and it was a long time before I rose.

***

AIDEN

It never ceased to amaze me how much fun it was to get reactions out of her. I followed slowly behind her and figured once we reached the main street I would lose sight of her, but I knew where she was headed, so I wasn’t that concerned.

The idea of leaving her in the city alone had come to me sometime during breakfast and for some reason I had enjoyed the thought of confusing her completely. She had actually gone with me to see Maglynar and Kuroiden, however, I didn’t tell her I was planning on staying with them until we had already arrived. Without supplies, she had been forced to go back.

It had been instinct alone that had told me she wouldn’t try to contact the Hunter for a few days. It had been a type of test, but one I knew she would fail. She would need that much time to try and figure out what I was up too. Her own feelings were as confused as mine. I had been lying to her when I said I could read her so well she couldn’t hide anything from me, well mostly lying. It was her actions that confused me the most often, but her thoughts, voice, and emotions, were becoming second nature to my own. I just wasn’t sure why.

I had always been good at reading the family I once had. I often surprised them by stating their thoughts out loud before they could. But Kristalyn was not my sibling and I hadn’t grown up with her. Why did I have this connection with her?

It was confusing and if I was smart it would have worried me more, but I was far too intrigued by it. It was also proving to be useful in getting information out of her. I was learning the right things to say to get her to speak and by being able to read her I could tell when she was lying, telling the truth, or hiding something from me. Though lately, it didn’t seem like she was hiding a whole lot. I could only think of two major things. One was her relationship to the Hunter and the second was who had died in this city. Why both were so important for me to know I wasn’t sure. But I had a feeling that when I found out, it would change a whole lot and the thought made me unease. I never did like unknowns during missions.

My path of thought was cut off as I entered the pompous fray of the King and Prince of the Wild Men leaving the city. The two sat atop of some of the largest stallions I had ever seen. The amount of men they had brought with them wasn’t huge, but they men themselves were and they completely blocked the street. Lined up on both sides of the streets to the gate, was every man, woman, and child that the city had to offer. Almost to a person, they wore looks of amazement, though a few men carried looks of disgust, and some women looks of horror. With the Wild men leaving, the city would soon be reading itself for the attack on Aerilya. After that, the Wild Men would be back to join them. If the other Wild Men looked like these did, Aerilya did not stand a chance. If that was the case, it wouldn’t matter if I killed the Hunter or not.

I smiled as I caught sight of the man himself. Dressed finely as the merchant Cormac, he and Jaedon sat atop their own horses watching the spectacle. Neither looked happy. Jaedon looked around often as if watching for an invisible assassin. I chuckled at the thought. Little did he know I was standing only a few feet away watching him. Cormac, or Tancred, looked only a little bit better. He kept his eyes on the King and Prince, but he did have Jaedon watching everything else for him.

“Feel safe while you can, Hunter. It won’t last long. A few more days I think, maybe more,” I muttered under my breath.

A loud crash startled some of the horses in the road, though Tancred and Jaedon kept control of theirs. Both men turned to watch the commotion and then looked at each other, before leaving the events. I grinned. They were both nervous. A little bit longer and I would have them right were I wanted them. Looking over their shoulder at much smaller noises and not knowing when I would hit. All I needed to do now was decided when and where I wanted to attack. They would do the rest for me.

***