****
What about you? The question echoed in his brain. Maybe it was the residual pleasure from the dance they’d shared or the intimacy of the dwelling, but for the first time, he wanted to share.
“I was six when my parents were brutally murdered in front of me.”
Jamaeh’s breath caught. “I’m so sorry. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
For a woman who’d faced such hardships, her heart was still soft and open. “It was a long time ago. Your loss is more recent.”
“My mother was sickly all my life, but losing her was still unexpected. I guess I thought she’d keep on living as she’d always done, but one morning she didn’t wake.”
“I’m sorry.” He wanted to go to her, to offer comfort. He tilted his head back and stared unseeing at the ceiling. “My father was larger than life. He fought the dozen men that fell upon them. Told my mother and my sister and me to run. They caught my mother, but my sister and I managed to evade them.” The bloodcurdling panic, the sheer desperation had his heart racing even now. The taste of blood and death seemed to linger in his mouth. His parents’ yells echoed in his ears. No wonder he’d blocked it.
“You have a sister?”
He swallowed heavily and nodded. “I have two—Delphi and Sass. Delphi is my twin.” Who was likely thinking about wringing his neck right about now. He really should contact her, but he didn’t want to risk communicating unless absolutely necessary. On his ship, he could be assured of total security. He had no idea of the technological capabilities of his prey and didn’t want to risk it out here in the open.
“And Sass?” The blanket rustled as she tugged it more securely around her. With the sun gone down for hours, the air had a slight chill.
“We adopted her into our family. We were raised by the same person who plucked us off the streets.”
“That’s good, right?”
“We thought so, at first.” The memories came rushing back. “Artemis was persuasive, a charismatic woman who promised we’d be safe and fed and educated. And we were. But we were also virtual prisoners. Our purpose was to train and become assassins. She pointed us wherever she chose and we went and killed.”
Jamaeh was silent but for the harsh sound of her breathing. What did she think of him now?
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” The understanding in her voice almost broke him, compelling him to explain even further.
“We were always sent alone. When I went, my sisters were left behind. I went knowing if I failed or hesitated, they’d pay the price. If I tried to run, they’d be killed. It was the same for all of us.”
The blanket was tossed back and Jamaeh came to his side. She didn’t touch him, but sat beside him. Her green eyes were glassy with unshed tears. For him? He stroked his hand over her face, surprised when she didn’t flinch. “I’m not worth your tears.”
She caught his hand and brought it to her lips. “You are very worthy.” One droplet slipped down her cheek. He caught it on his fingertip.
“More precious than titansteel.” He sipped the salty liquid. “That was my life until recently. We are all of us free now. Or almost. Killing Helldrick is the final mission, the key to putting the past behind me and starting anew.”
She lowered her head and nodded. “I understand.”
“Do you? I will kill him. Nothing will stop me.”
Her laughter was tinged with bitterness. “You think I haven’t wanted to kill him? Helldrick is a stranger, one who has done nothing but made my life misery. If not for my coloring, I’m not sure he’d even know me if our paths crossed. He’s interested in my brother, in molding him in his image. That I will not allow. If you don’t kill him, I will.”
She was fierce in defense of her brother. Her love, bottled up inside her for so long, had condensed and become even stronger because she loved so few.
I want her love.
It was a need clawing up from the dark recesses of his soul. If she could love him, maybe there was hope for him, for the future. He slammed the door shut on that. She said one thing, but who knows how she’d feel when it came down to it.
“You need to rest.” He was done with turning himself inside out, churning up the past. The angst and anger and pain of it was sharp and real.
Instead of going back to bed, she settled in beside him, back against the wall, legs extended.
“You’d be more comfortable on the bed,” he needlessly pointed out. It was almost a compulsion to drive her away because he wanted her beside him so badly.
“I’d rather be here.” The softly spoken words soothed the pain eating at him. For once, he wasn’t alone on a mission. She yawned again. “Wake me in a few hours and I’ll keep watch.”
The still of the night settled around them. The muted sounds from outside lessened as people sought shelter for the night. His eyes adjusted to the dark, his ears attuned to every noise. He could doze and still be alert, but he wasn’t ready to sleep, even though his body craved rest.
The light sound of Jamaeh’s breathing was punctuated by the occasional sniff. After about fifteen minutes, her body tilted toward him, her head nestling against his shoulder. She sighed and her body went limp.
The trust in that small action was like a body blow. No one besides his sisters had ever trusted him as much. He reached out and tucked several thin braids over her shoulder. Her face was cloaked in darkness, her features little more than an outline.
“I will keep you safe.” The promise was not one made lightly. It was the vow of the man, the assassin.
And if you’re wrong about her? the voice in his head mocked.
He closed his eyes and evened out his breathing, releasing all stress. If he was wrong, he’d do what he always did, he’d fight. The only one he wouldn’t be able to harm was her. If he did, something inside him would break and there would be no going back. Better to die a man he was proud of than become one he couldn’t look at in the mirror.
Decision made, he let sleep take him, dozing in and out until his eyes snapped open several hours later. He listened intently, not moving a muscle. What had awakened him?
The air was still and quiet, but he remained alert. A few minutes later, he heard it again, the slightest scrape of something against the door.
Leaning down, he eased his hand over Jamaeh’s mouth and whispered in her ear. “We have company.”
She came awake in a heartbeat and made a small sound, muffled by his hand. She jerked her head toward him, her eyes wide. Then she looked toward the door and back at him. He nodded and rolled to his feet, taking the best defensive position. With his cloak shoved back, he had easy access to his weapons.
Jamaeh pushed to her feet and put her back to the wall, blaster drawn and ready.
He frowned, fear nibbling at his guts. She wasn’t wearing a battlesuit, had no protection. He motioned to her to get down, but she ignored him, her gaze intent on the door.
He caught a sound near the window before something was lobbed inside. Zaxe threw himself on top of the small explosive, knowing his body armor would protect him. The blast was loud. Pain shot through him as he was lifted and tossed aside. A loud ringing echoed in his ears. He shook his head to try to clear it.