Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) (27 page)
Read Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) Online
Authors: Jennifer Anne Davis
“What’s that?” Marek asked. He set his bread on the seat and leaned out the window. Jarvik also stuck his head out, looking for potential threats.
Renlek yelled down, “Someone’s coming up mighty fast behind us on horseback.”
Allyssa nudged Prince Odar awake while unsheathing a dagger from her boot.
“Only one?” Jarvik hollered up.
“I only see one.”
“Stay on course but be ready to fight,” Jarvik answered.
“Why not stop and face him?” Allyssa asked.
“It might only be a messenger heading from one town to another. If we stop, we’ll gain his attention and if he’s later questioned, he’ll probably remember our actions as being strange and mention it. If we act normally, he won’t recall us at all.”
Marek nodded. “I agree. Remember, don’t use names and don’t look guilty.”
She nodded, clutching her dagger next to her thigh.
“The rider is nearing,” Jarvik muttered. “His cape doesn’t have any visible markings.”
“Still only one horse?” Marek asked, bending over and unsheathing his sword from the scabbard below the seat.
“Yes.”
Horse hooves pounded on the dirt road behind them as the rider neared. Allyssa prayed he’d fly past without paying them any heed.
A body fell alongside her window, an arrow protruding from Renlek’s back. He tumbled to the ground. Allyssa screamed. The carriage veered to the right, almost tipping. She caught sight of the man nocking an arrow and shooting at Dromar. The second driver toppled to the ground.
“It’s him!” Allyssa said. “The assassin!”
Marek climbed out of the window, trying to reach the perch in order to gain control of the spooked horses. Allyssa wanted to order him to stay put, but Jarvik yelled at her to be prepared to fight. Clutching onto her knife, she readied herself. The carriage slowed, and the rider caught up to them.
The sound of metal clinking echoed as Marek fought the assassin. There was an odd shift. She realized Jarvik had exited the carriage and cut the ropes to the horses so they wouldn’t crash. The assassin swung his sword, knocking Marek off the carriage. He landed on the dirt road with a thud.
“Let’s go,” Allyssa said to Prince Odar. He nodded and followed her as she climbed out of the carriage on the opposite side of where the assassin was. Glancing back, she saw Jarvik fighting the assassin with his sword.
“Let’s run to the cover of the nearby trees,” Prince Odar whispered.
She shook her head. They couldn’t go to the forest and leave Marek lying on the ground. Not even hesitating, Odar sprinted toward the trees, not once looking back. She wanted to yell at him but, instead, she knelt next to her friend. His chest moved as he breathed. He was alive then. There was a large gash on his forehead, but it wasn’t deep.
Grabbing Marek’s arm, she started dragging his body toward the trees, which were a good thirty feet away. Prince Odar had almost reached the cover of the forest. There was a slight hiss and then a thud. An arrow embedded into the back of Prince Odar, his brown shirt turning red with blood. He fell to the ground, not moving. Allyssa released Marek, stifling her scream. When she spun around, the assassin stood there, smiling at her. Jarvik was at his side, forced onto his knees, a sword to his chest. The squire’s eyes were wide with horror at the sight of Odar’s body.
“Don’t move,” the assassin said to Jarvik.
“You killed him,” Allyssa said with disbelief. Prince Odar lay lifeless on the ground. How was she supposed to save her kingdom if the prince was dead? Emperion would never receive the soldiers they needed. She glanced at the squire, wondering why he didn’t attempt to fight. He reached up, touching his right shoulder. His hand came away bloody.
“I said not to move.” The assassin backhanded Jarvik across the face.
What happened to her knife? She must have dropped it when she climbed out of the carriage. She should still have another dagger in her left boot. If she could snatch it, she could kill the assassin.
“Get up,” he said to Jarvik. The squire tried to stand, but his leg gave out. His thigh had a gouge in it, blood running down his leg. With the assassin’s focus off her, Allyssa reached down and grabbed her dagger. The assassin whipped his head around to face her. She aimed for his chest and threw. He ducked, the knife narrowly missing him. She spun and kicked toward his chest. He blocked the blow and swung, punching her in the stomach. Stars exploded in her vision, and she hunched over from pain.
“Stop your attack,” the assassin demanded. “Or I’ll kill your friend this minute.” He had the sword on Jarvik’s chest again. She knew not to trust the word of an assassin. She tried to stand, but her stomach cramped. The assassin hit Jarvik across the head, and he passed out. If his wounds weren’t tended to, he would die.
The assassin reached down, grabbed Allyssa by her cape, and dragged her closer to the carriage. He took out some rope, fastened her wrists together, and tied her to the wheel. He jumped on his horse and took off in the direction the other two horses had gone after Jarvik cut them loose.
She wished she could reach Jarvik to wrap a bandage around his wounds to stop the bleeding. Marek moaned and rolled over.
“Marek,” she frantically whispered. “Run for help.”
He grabbed his head as he tried to stand. “I have to save you,” he said.
“No,” she said with determination. “I order you to save yourself. Go and find help. Now.”
“I can’t leave you here. The assassin will be back any minute.”
“If he wanted to kill me, he would have already done it. We’ll never make it out of here together, but he might not notice if you’re gone.”
Marek stood on shaky legs. “Let’s at least try to make it to the forest,” he said, his eyes filled with desperation.
Steeling her resolve, Allyssa said, “No. He’ll just track us, and when he finds you, he’ll be sure to kill you this time. If you want to save me, I order you to go and seek help right now. It’s the only way.”
He looked at her with a torn expression. “I promise to rescue you.” He turned and sprinted into the woods. Allyssa watched him until she could no longer see him. Even if help never came, at least Marek was safe.
Jarvik still hadn’t stirred. A black bird crowed overhead, and the sky darkened as a storm approached. A few minutes later, the assassin returned with her two horses tethered together behind him.
He dismounted and went toward Jarvik.
“What do you plan to do with him?” she demanded.
“The same thing I am going to do with you.” The assassin lifted Jarvik and threw him over one of the horses, securing his arms around the animal.
She thought she was going to vomit. “Which is?” This was the man who had killed Grevik and now Jarvik’s life was in his hands. She would find a way to save the squire.
“I’m taking you to Russek. There’s someone there very interested in the two of you.”
“I don’t know who you think I am, but you have made a mistake.”
The assassin chuckled. “I don’t think so, Princess.” He came over and untied her from the carriage. Picking her up, he threw her on the other horse, securing her arms around the animal’s neck as he’d done to Jarvik to ensure she didn’t escape.
“All of Emperion will be after you. There won’t be a safe place you can hide. Especially now that you’ve killed Prince Odar. Fren will descend upon you for revenge.”
The assassin mounted. “I see the decoy has even fooled you,” he mused. His eyes darted to Jarvik and then back to her. “I have exactly who I want—Princess Allyssa and Prince Odar—and I’m taking you to Russek.”
End of Book 1
This book would not exist without some key people. I would like to thank Allyssa, Stacie, and Debi for reading (more than once) a rough draft of Cage of Deceit and offering invaluable feedback. This book would not be what it is today without the three of you. I’d also like to thank Beckie for believing in this story from the beginning and encouraging me all along. Your advice on adding more “evil” to the story was just what it needed. Thank you for taking me on as an author. I truly appreciate it.
Writing a book is an enormous undertaking. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband and three beautiful children who know and understand my obsession with reading and writing. Thank you for allowing me to do something I’m passionate about, and encouraging me every step of the way. My eldest son, Nathan, insisted that I specifically acknowledge him for his help and contribution in all things martial arts related. So, Nathan, thank you.
My wonderful sister, Jessica, and my mom, Shirley, have been my own personal cheerleaders throughout the entire process. I love you both dearly.
To everyone at Clean Teen Publishing—I can’t thank you for believing in me and bringing this new series to life. I am proud to be a part of your team. You truly are publishing ninjas! Also, a special thanks to Cynthia Shepp for doing a fantastic job with editing, as always.
I’d also like to thank Leah, Rebecca, Kim, Jan, Mary, Dvora, Jen, Elizabeth, Peggy, Angelle, Cheer, Mary, and Kristy. Your support, encouragement, and advice keep me going.
I need to say a special thanks to two very special people for helping name the book and the series. I appreciate your genius ideas! Mayra, thank you for your help and for allowing me to name a character after you. Teri, thank you for your input and allowing me to use your daughter’s name, Madelin, as a token of my appreciation.
I also want to thank Sarah for our weekly writing meetings. It’s nice to get out of the house and talk about my characters like they’re real people. You’ve made this journey much more enjoyable. Thank you for everything.
Last, but not least, I need to thank all of my readers. When I first started out as a writer, I had no idea how my stories would touch other people’s lives. To receive your fan mail and messages saying how much you love my stories truly warms my heart and keeps me going. Thank you!
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she finally married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.
Visit Jennifer online at
