Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel) (12 page)

People bumped and elbowed each other, trying to get a better view of the tussling women. Jade lifted her head just in time to catch sight of the larger woman pressing both feet against her combatant’s rear end. With a guttural yell, she shoved. The smaller woman’s grip slipped free of the mutton and she careened toward Jade. Luc spun, protecting her body with his, which cast her into a low dip. The woman bounced off him and toppled into the crowd.

Luc made no attempt to right her, instead still cradling her in his arms. His arms lingered around her waist and his eyes traveled across her face, down her throat, and leveled on her breasts that were mere inches from his mouth. Her breathing quickened at the look of desire on his face. Spiders of anticipation skittered across her chest. Her nipples tightened against his warm breath. All the things her body should not be doing for Luc Le Daun—it did.

The crowd faded around them. Awareness of how their stomachs and legs molded together made the warmth in Jade’s chest spread to her lower regions. Her eyes locked with his. Was he going to kiss her?

Seconds ticked by. She should move, but her body seemed incapable of obeying her mental command. Luc spread his fingers against her back and slid his hand lower, coming to rest against the upper curve of her rear end.

Her eyes grew wide when he drew her toward him. Logic screamed for her to get away, but her body went willingly, turning to clay in his hands.
Curse his beautiful blue eyes
. Instead of kissing her, he helped her to her feet, but his gaze remained locked on her face. Very slowly, he lowered his hands and took a step back.

Words clogged her throat. “Thank you.”

He gave a quick nod. “The market can be dangerous.”

Funny, but everything seemed a bit more dangerous when Luc was around, including her treacherous thoughts about the man she was supposed to despise.

The hefty woman waved the haunch of mutton in the air like a triumphant. Ducats were exchanged by the betting onlookers, and the crowd began to disperse, clearing a path for them.

He held out his arm. “After you.”

“There’s a shop on a side street that sells material.” She concentrated on their mission, trying to take on a business-like tone, trying to ignore the lingering feel of his hand on her back. “I’ve done business with the woman before and she’s never cheated me.”

He nodded, indicating she should lead the way.

Jade squeezed through the crowd, inching her way to the far side of the street. More hagglers blocked her way, but she skirted the patrons, glancing over her shoulder to see if she’d lost Luc in the crowd. No. He towered over nearly everyone and easily followed her path.

She rethought her plan. The fabric shop and the curiosity shop, where she’d sold the book, were situated side-by-side on the narrow street. Maybe she’d be able to slip into the shop and question the owner about the book while Luc paid for the goods at the fabric seller. It wasn’t a great plan, but it might work.

The whining strains of several street musicians wafted around the marketplace, blending into a single disjointed song. Canvas tents billowed in the late morning breeze. Bugs were minimal today, not swarming the way they did on hot, still days.

As they approached the side road where the shops were located, the faintest tingle skittered up her arms. She barely had time to register the sensation before somebody knocked into her. Instantly on alert, Jade crammed her hands inside her pocket, hoping what little money she possessed hadn’t been pickpocketed. Her fingers touched a crumbled piece of paper. She glanced around, but the note’s deliverer had skillfully melted into the crowd.

Luc followed a length behind her, slowed by the steady stream of people crossing his path. As inconspicuously as possible, Jade unfolded the paper.

The church. Tonight.

She glanced around again, but saw nobody. The message was from Rell.

Jade wadded the paper and clenched it in her fist. As she passed a small shrine to the
Forgotten Gods,
she tossed the note into the burning brazier. Best not to leave any clue that Rell had contacted her.

She turned, looking for Luc. He was still behind her, but his interest was now trained on a dark-haired Splinter dancing near a pub. Jade fished in her pocket and pulled out the note she’d written to her sister. With a glance at Luc, she tossed it into the fire. The dry parchment instantly caught fire and was consumed by the flames in seconds. Her only concern would be getting away from the ship tonight.

It would be her one chance to find out what Rell knew. Jade’s stomach twisted in a knot. And then what? What if Rell had always known they were Bringers but had never told her? What if she didn’t know but started asking questions?

Jade bit her lip. What in the Saints’ names was she trying to do? She needed a plan, and—she glanced at her palm—a pair of gloves.

She walked past the shrine and eased her back against the side of the building to wait for Luc. He’d stopped, his gaze intent on the dancer. Jade knew that look, had seen it in many men before. It was the insidious talent of the Splinter to entice men until they could think of nothing else. Families, fortunes, and lives had been lost to these women. An entranced man would pay any price for the mere possibility of winning a Splinter’s affection. Their magic was said to be one of the many dark branches of earth magic.

Better not let Luc fall too deep into the siren’s melodic trance. Jade placed her little fingers between her lips, rolled her tongue, and blew. The shrill whistle caused heads to turn and the music to falter. It was enough to break his interest. He turned, scanning the crowd for her. When his search settled on her face, she raised her hands in a silent,
Are you finished?

Without waiting, she pushed through the crowd, confident he’d follow her. After all, she’d made him look like a brainless puppet. Which she realized he wasn’t, but she’d never let him know that. Heavy steps slowed behind her.

His energy tickled the back of her neck, making her hair prickle and stand on end. Like a voice she recognized without seeing the face, she would have known it was Luc without turning to look. His wide body blocked what little sun streamed through the narrow cracks between the buildings.

Jade continued down the street, breathing deeply and struggling to close off the tiny tendrils of Luc Le Daun that were trying to wiggle through her defenses.

She stepped inside the fabric shop and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. Bright swaths of expensive material hung for customers to admire. She caressed a length of nearly transparent, yellow fabric.

“You like?” A thin, rat-faced woman approached wearing an oily grin. “With that hair.” She waved a gnarled hand at Jade’s head. “And this material, you’ll look like walking sunshine.”

“It’s not for me.” Jade glanced at Luc, whose attention was elsewhere, and quickly back to the old woman. “I’m in need of something more durable, less—bright?”

“I got cotton.” She scooted behind a table, pulling out a drab length of gray material from under it. “Good for hard work.”

“That’s hideous,” Luc said. The owner scowled at him. “Have you anything else?”

Though extremely blunt, Jade was glad he’d said something. Gray was the color of servants. To present Delphina with such fabric would be an insult.

“Yes, perhaps in blue or dark red? Our friend has recently lost everything in a fire,” she lied.

To her surprise the woman’s wily look melted into one of compassion. “The fire from last night?”

Luc shifted next to her. She forced herself not to look at him and nodded.

“So sad,” the woman continued. “So many beautiful trees lost. Bless the Sainted Ones that nobody died.”

“Yes, a tragedy. People should learn to be more careful with their campfires.” She couldn’t resist the chance to plant a barb. She prodded the old woman for more information. “Were many homes lost?”

“I thought none until you told me of your friend. Life is tough enough. Here now.” She dug into a large trunk and extracted several bolts of serviceable material. Red, blue, there was even light lavender. “How about these?”

“They’re perfect. I will take three lengths of each.”

“Wonderful, wonderful,” the old woman chimed. “And I’ll include two needles and a spool of thread at no extra cost.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Jade said.

The owner shrugged. “What’s the point in having all this if I can’t share a little of my good fortune.”

Jade scrutinized the shop and the woman’s inventory. Certainly it was no king’s ransom, but what the shopkeeper had was hers. That was more than Jade could say for herself. She turned to Luc as the owner began measuring and cutting the lengths of material.

“I need to go to the shop next door. I will meet you outside.”

“Why?”

Jade cleared her throat and lowered her voice. “Gloves.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. She did need gloves to cover the tattoos. It was just unlikely the curiosity shop carried them. Her excuse seemed to placate him.

“Don’t be long.”

She gritted her teeth and gave him a strained smile. Why the man thought he could tell her what to do confounded her, but this was not a battle she wished to engage in. More important matters pressed.

With a quick nod, she pivoted and headed to the door. The bright sun momentarily blinded her when she stepped onto the street, turning the clay wall running along the street a stark white.

Jade shielded her eyes and approached the low, open door of the curiosity shop. The smell of dust, leather, and oiled wood greeted her.

“Hello?”

Nobody responded. Shelves crammed with strange items lined the wall and filled the small area in the center. She picked up a large conch shell and held it up to her ear. Muffled tones ebbed and she could almost imagine she was listening to the ocean.

She replaced the shell and wove her way to the back of the store, stopping to examine a two-headed snake floating in a jar, a heavy piece of glass shaped like an egg, and a brass kaleidoscope. Pointing the tub toward the door, she spun the wheel at the end. Colors and shapes toppled together, forming and breaking apart in a brilliant burst that reminded her of a blossoming flower.

“May I help you?”

Jade jumped, nearly dropping the kaleidoscope. “Oh, uh, yes.” She replaced the toy. “I don’t know if you remember me, but I was here last month.”

The old man squinted and lifted a monocle to peer through a milky eye at her. His skin was tan and wrinkled like old boot leather and his fingernails were long and filed to sharp points. “You look familiar.” He lowered his monocle. “What can I do for you?”

She glanced over her shoulder, hoping Luc was still occupied next door. “I sold you a book.”

“I buy many books, my lady.” He pushed aside the edge of his coat and slid his eyepiece into a small pocket at the breast of his vest. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

Jade lowered her voice. “It contained symbols and markings.”

The old man’s bushy brows furrowed into hard lines of concentration. Suddenly, his face brightened. “Ah, yes, a very lovely item.”

“What item would that be?” said a deep voice behind her.

Jade cringed, her heart leaping to her throat. How could a man so big move so quietly? “Nothing.”

“The young lady sold me a very rare book last month,” the shopkeeper said.

“Really?” Luc leaned an elbow on the counter and slanted her a suspicious look. “Tell me about this lovely book.”

“Just a book.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “Nothing special.”

The old man laughed. “Oh, not just a book. The symbols and markings were the likes of which I’ve never seen. The man I sold it to was very pleased to get it.”

“Symbols?” Luc slowly straightened.

Her defensive stance melted. “You sold it?”

“Indeed. A wealthy gentleman purchased it. He often sends his man in here to buy or trade items.” He pointed a trembling finger at Jade and smiled, his mouth only partially filled with teeth. “And he was very interested in you. Asked a lot of questions.”

“Me? Why would he want to know about me?”

“He probably wanted to know if you owned more,” Luc said. “As do I.”

“Yes.” The old man nodded his head. “He said he was a collector. Wanted to know where he could find you.” He rubbed his hands together greedily. “Do you have more books you wish to sell?”

“No, I only had one.” Her gaze darted between the two men. “I found it in an abandoned church.”

Her explanation seemed to placate Luc. He gave a single nod of understanding, but asked no more questions.

The old man’s shoulders slumped. “A shame. I would have given you a good price for more.”

Luc continued to stare at her, not speaking.

“What?” she said. “I’m telling the truth.”

“Can you describe the man who bought the book?” Luc said to the shopkeeper.

“Yes, yes.” The shopkeeper licked his lips, as if tasting something wonderful. “He was wealthy. The worth of his robes totaled more than my entire store.”

“Did he give you a name?” Jade said.

“No.” The owner leaned forward. “And you never told me yours.”

She couldn’t remember what she had and hadn’t said during their haggling. “Nor will I now.”

The smile slid from the old man’s face.

“How long ago did you sell it?” Luc said.

“Two weeks, maybe.” The shopkeeper scowled. “He sold me a dagger on that same day. A lovely piece.”

He opened a rickety drawer and pulled out a gleaming dagger. Luc’s stance stiffened. She glanced at him, but his eyes remained riveted on the knife in the man’s hand.

She followed his gaze. The weapon was beautiful, a true work of art. Three smooth ropes of gold were braided together to create the handle. A dragon in flight was embossed on the small guard that was meant to prevent the dagger user’s hand from slipping up the blade. What looked like an extremely thin sharp blade delicately balanced the weapon.

The old man laid the dagger on the counter and smiled again as if sensing Luc’s interest. “A real beauty.” His voice was full of pride. “It is my belief that I got the better end of the trade.”