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

toward the horizon. I felt drained—empty. All the aches from my recent fights began to pain me.

“And what, Granddaughter, should I do with this information? How will it save us?” I think he already knew, but he wanted to be sure of my intentions.

“Reveal the existence of the Emperor’s Butterflies to the other lords. Show them the tattoo on Jiaying’s body and the training grounds at Master Xiao’s house. This will arouse the other lords, and Yonge will be revealed for what he is. Then show them how Lord Luoyangei really died. Point to the poison in his system and then lead them to Master Xiao’s house, where you will find an ample supply of the same poison and several more marked with the same tattoo. They will all recognize the work of the emperor’s tattooist. Once all is revealed, Yonge will lose the backing of the other lords. He may be all-powerful, but he is nothing should they decide not to follow. They will demand his butterflies be disbanded, robbing him of one of his primary tools. He will not dare make a move against you for fear of further angering the lords. He will have no choice but to vindicate our family.”

Grandfather nodded. He called one of his servants over to him and issued quick instructions. The man’s eyes widened as he listened, and he left at a run.

The elder looked at me sadly. “And what of you, granddaughter? Yonge will not forget this betrayal. And I do not have the forces to protect you. You will be cleaned out with the rest of the assassins.”

I stood, my head down and my fists clenched. I honestly hadn’t thought that far. My first impulse had been to protect my family... and my mother.

He leaned slowly out of his chair and picked up my sword. He inspected its dark blade and then held it out for me. “You could take the warrior’s way,” he offered.

Ritual suicide. It was the only path of honor. And it would be the easiest road.

I took the sword from him and looked at it. I had killed so many. I had even led my first love to his death and killed my only friend. My soul was so tainted it was black.

As I gazed at the sword, it seemed to talk to me in Jiaying’s voice. “Death isn’t good enough for you,” it seemed to say.

I had to pay. I had to atone.

I slowly shook my head. “No,” I said, my voice cracking. “I am not worthy.”

He nodded. “Then you must leave at once. And you can never return. I’m sure Yonge will put a price on your head.”

I nodded and turned away. I had not taken two steps when he spoke to my back. “I will make sure your mother is kept safe.”

I blinked back a tear.

It’s the best I could hope for. And I swore I would atone for my sins. Somewhere in this world, there had to be someone that I could do good for.

Someone that would give me a chance and wouldn’t hate me.

I jerked as I came out of the memory. Fumiko had not moved away, but now she wore the expression of resignation like she was waiting for the ax to fall.

“What happened next?” I asked.

She blinked in surprise at my question. She had obviously expected me to say something else. “I... I left the empire. I had a few more encounters with Advisor Yonge’s henchmen, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Then from there, I traveled aimlessly, doing odd jobs here and there to earn a meal or perhaps a bed. I was in shock.” She smiled warmly. “It was in the fall of that year, in a city far from here that I ran into Master Tormaigh. I had taken to disguising myself as a boy since it avoided unwanted advances. Not that they could beat me, but I got tired of the hassle. And he really was shouting at the top of his lungs for someone to help him. Unfortunately, it was in Ellish, and no one could understand him.” She sighed, and I felt her breath caress my cheek. “When I revealed I could speak Ellish, he hired me on the spot.” She thought for a moment. “Although I don’t believe he ever paid me anything.”

I chuckled. “Sounds like something Spraggel would do.”

“It does.” She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and gazed at me. She seemed to be waiting for something. But I didn’t know what to say. “Thank you for sharing your secrets with me,” I finally said. “I feel better armed against Yonge now.”

She looked puzzled. “Why don’t you hate me? I expected you to draw away, or at least be uncomfortable around me, but you haven’t. Why not?”

I chuckled. “Well, I can’t say I approve of what you’ve done, but you’ve saved my life several times. That has to count for something.” I took her hand and squeezed it. “Listen, I can’t give you forgiveness for everything you’ve done. That’s between you and the Creator. But I realize you were under duress when that happened. And you’re definitely trying to be a better person. Regardless, I still count you as a friend.”

Her lower lip began to tremble. She pulled me into a tight hug. “Thank you. I swear to you I will atone for what I have done. You have been so kind to me. You and Zofie both.”

She continued to hold me, and when she didn’t immediately let go, I became a little uncomfortable. “Ah, Fumiko.”

She pulled back. “Sorry. I was being selfish.”

We looked at each other a moment more. “I better get back to Zofie. Is it all right to leave?”

She smiled. “Yes, but we have an audience.”

“Audience?”

Fumiko pointed over my shoulder. I turned to