Page 26 of Veil of Web and Ruin
But it still doesn’t erase the qualmishness that threatens to cause me to empty my stomach where I stand.
Unable to stay here a moment longer, I turn to move, only to recall the entire purpose of this ordeal.
‘Kay?’ I ask. ‘Her job. That was the deal.’
With a grunt, Rula turns back to look at me. ‘Bring her to me tomorrow morning at seven. Make sure she’s not late. I won’t get her another job if she fucks this up.’
‘She won’t,’ I promise. ‘Not a chance.’
Chapter 11
My mind is a mess as I head back into the slums. I should be pleased. Happy that Kay might finally have security. Food. A chance at a future.
I am, but the cost … what of the cost? The death of a rapist.
The very presence of the man made my skin crawl, and I don’t doubt he deserved what was coming to him, but judgement should be left to the Gods.
But then again … maybe they forced Rula’s hand with this one.
After all, if they truly cared, so many things that happened would have been very different. The king would surely have seen through his son’s lies, and we would still be safe in the High Hold.
Trying to push my actions behind me, I have just reached the market square when a figure steps out of the shadows.
I can’t deal with some drunkard’s bullshit, I think as I keep my pace steady, only to realise it’s not just some drunkard. It’s the worst of them.
‘Heard you were out late doing a special job for Rula. Makes sense. You are a special little flower, aren’t you? You and that sister of yours.’
My body turns rigid as Tella reaches me. Immediately, his hand trails upward to my hair, but I twist away.
‘It’s been a long night, Tella,’ I tell him, hoping he’ll get the hint, but he doesn’t. Instead, he goes for my hair again. This time, I bat him away more forcefully.
‘Why did you do that?’ he hisses, grabbing me by the wrist. ‘I only want to be friends with you. We’d be great friends, you and me. Don’t you think,LadyKultavaris?’
His breath reeks of alcohol, and I grimace against the smell and proximity of his body; it’s enough to make my skin crawl.
I’ve got to get away from him, and I know there are two ways of doing it: the way that descends into violence with at least one of us getting hurt, or the more subtle way, where I manage to get home without escalating the matter.
As I try to decide which to pursue, something glints at his waistband – the hilt of a knife.
That puts paid to my initial plan of a sharp knee straight to his groin. Even if I were to get the blade off him, there’s nothing to say he hasn’t got another.
Something about Tella makes me believe he’s the type of man to carry more than one weapon, and he probably enjoys using them far more than any sane person should, too.
‘I need to get back home.’ I try to keep my voice even. ‘Rula’s coming back to mine. She’d hate to hear how you delayed me.’
‘Is that right?’ He tilts his head to the side and presses his nose against my neck, drawing in a long inhale. Bile rises up the back of my throat. ‘Why don’t I walk back with you? I could keep you warm.’
My pulse hitches higher as I know he won’t take kindly to rejection, but there’s no way this ends with me accepting his offer.
As I try to keep my breathing steady, my eyes fall again on the knife. It wouldn’t matter if he’s got another, not if I was quickenough. One strike, centre of his chest. He won’t be coming after me if I manage that.
‘I’m onto big things, Flower.’ His words are slurred against my ear. ‘Rula doesn’t know it yet, but I’m onto big things. And when it happens, when I do it, there’ll be those who are on my side, and those who are against me. Which do you want to be, Flower? With me or against me?’
His eyes meet mine, but rather than giving me room to even think, he draws his thumb clumsily along my bottom lip. As the bitter taste of dirt and drink swarms my senses, my rational thinking takes a back seat.
‘I want to be as far away from you as possible,’ I spit. In one spin, I reach out and grab the hilt of the knife. After all, if I can’t fight off one slum thug, I’ll stand no chance if a Retterheld is actually called.
My fingers curl around the metal as I slip it out of his waistband, but before I can get it fully free, his elbow slams into me.
