Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) by Jessie Eaker (best novels in english TXT) 📕

She finally shook her head. “I cannot help you. I do not possess this artifact. And even if I were to agree to hand it over, I would have to find it first. And honestly, I have my own set of priorities at the moment. I really can’t spare the people.”

The firefly paused. “We are prepared to offer compensation.”

“Compensation?” asked Zofie.

“We have heard your kingdom is suffering from the neglect of your brother, and proper preparations were not made for winter. We can offer assistance. Even enough food to last your kingdom until Spring.”

Zofie’s eyes widened, and she slowly stood erect. “That is a very generous offer.” She frowned. “What makes you think this Griffin’s Key is in my kingdom?”

The firefly bobbed for a moment before answering. “Two things point to it being here. For one, legend has it that the King Xernow of that time gave us this most important item but kept the key.”

“And the other?”

“You were approached about it by a Dark Avenyts this morning. This is why the hasty audience.”

Zofie’s eyes narrowed. “How did you come to find that out? Only my trusted advisors know it was a Dark Avenyts. What is your source of information?”

The voice laughed. “It was quite unintentional, but we have been keeping an eye on someone in your court. We learned through them.”

“So, you’re admitting you have a spy?”

The voice laughed again. “Not hardly. This person will be most displeased to find this out.”

“And who is this person,” Zofie asked.

Fumiko slammed her fist into the table. “How dare you!” she yelled.

We all stared in disbelief at Fumiko’s outburst.

The firefly calmly bobbed. “Hello, Fumiko—daughter of Yanmei of the Zhangjunen family, who is also the twenty-fourth concubine to his Lightness. Did you actually think we would not keep an eye on you? We were quite surprised to find you had taken refuge in this foreign kingdom—but the fates never cease to amaze. Long before you left us, we snuck a charm on you to notify us whenever you used your myst. It seemed prudent considering your skills. We were just surprised it went this long.”

Fumiko’s face turned red in anger. She clenched both her fists and almost shook with rage.

The firefly bobbed silently as the two regarded each other. Finally, the firefly spoke. “Your father wishes to see you.”

Fumiko raised her chin defiantly. “I have no father.”

The firefly bobbed gently up and down. “Do as you will but disobey at your peril. Your father is getting old, and once he is gone, so will be the protections he may have offered.”

She shook her head. “But he banished me and put a price on my head. My life is forfeit should I return.”

“What you say is true. The banishment is still in force. But for one of your skills, it should be of little consequence.”

Fumiko picked up her knife from the table and threw it at the firefly. It landed solidly in the woodwork of the far wall. “I refuse!”

The firefly remained unfazed. “Such a volatile temper. It’s what got you in trouble to begin with.” The voice behind the firefly paused and then sighed. It turned its attention back to us. “Princess Zophia Xernow, please forgive me speaking with her. In case you haven’t discerned it, she was the source of our information, although unwillingly. She is known to us, and we feel it is time to have her back.” The firefly paused. “So what say you, Princess? Will you accept our offer?”

Zofie thought for a moment. “How long do I have to consider it?”

“Take as long as you need. But time is short. We fear agents of the Dark Avenyts are already on their way to the empire. We also fear there will be other attempts to learn the whereabouts of the key.” He paused dramatically. “Of which you may not survive.”

Zofie considered the insect. “How do I contact you?”

The voice from the firefly laughed. “Have Fumiko use her myst. We will know. And should you accept, please allow her to come with you. She will be a valuable guide. Plus, it will allow her to see her father.”

“I won’t do it!” Fumiko yelled.

The firefly began to circle toward the floor—its motions becoming erratic. “Such a temper. Don’t forget your mother and your sister are still in the emperor’s court. Your failure to appear may displease him and put their lives in danger. Don’t be a fool.”

Fumiko shook with rage.

The firefly landed on the floor. “We will await your answer Princess Zophia Xernow.”

It gave one last flicker of glow and then went out.

Fumiko went to where the bug had fallen. She glared down at it for a moment before stomping on it, bringing her foot down again and again. “I... will... not... go...!” punctuating each word with a blow of her foot.

Zofie and I watched our normally calm as ice Fumiko take out her fury on the bug. She looked up at us with tears in her eyes. “I can’t.”

She ran out of the room, leaving Zofie and I to look at each other in puzzlement.

What the hell just happened?

CHAPTER THREE

Fumiko’s

Charm

Late that evening, the door to Zofie’s study opened unexpectedly. I jumped to my feet and immediately drew my sword. The princess jerked up from her writing desk, the small knife she kept on its surface, suddenly appearing in her hand.

Spraggel shuffled in the door bleary-eyed, and his hair mussed. Quite the contrast from his morning exuberance. He eyed the blades pointed at him and then looked up at us in surprise. “What?”

“Spraggel!” I scolded. “Knock before entering. One of these days, I’m going to strike before I see it’s you.”

He gave me a tired