The Offer

"Robert Hart hired you?" I hissed. "What interest does he have in attacking Soren?"

Lyon placed a calming hand on my shoulder. "Think about it, Saph. Hart basically runs the entire Slums and the work Soren does there improves that side of the city. It's pretty bad for Hart's business if the people of the Slums become strong enough to fight back."

Soren groaned from the bed. "He wants me dead for doing a few good deeds? He's that threatened by me?"

I huffed and poked Malcolm in the chest. "Hart must be pretty vulnerable right now if he's worried about Soren."

Malcolm shrugged. "I didn't ask questions I just took the crowns and the job."

"Wait," Zierra spun the chair around to face her, "Robert Hart hardly ever comes out of hiding. What made you special enough to meet him in person."

I almost forgot she wants Hart dead. I thought as I rested my elbows on Malcolm's head, making him growl in annoyance. "You didn't actually meet him in person did you?"

"Never said I did," he huffed. "I said he's the one who hired me but I met with a middle man. Sorry to burst your bubble sweat heart."

I smacked the back of his head. "Watch how you talk to her, kid."

Zierra tried to hide a smile but Lyon nudged me in the ribs and gave me a teasing look. I shot him a warning glance and he raised his hands in surrender before turning his attention to our captive again. "Anything else you can tell us?"

"Nothing that comes to mind really. He wanted Soren dead and got me the invite to his party. The only other thing I was told was that you would be here."

"You said you were hoping to fight me," I nudged him with my foot. "Why?"

"You're well known amongst assassins, you and your buddy over there," he jerked his head in Lyon's direction. "You're supposed to be the best but I wanted to prove that even you could be brought down."

"Didn't work out well for you did it," Kari mused from her place by the door. "They're the best for a reason."

"Considering I'm tied to a chair I would say that I figured that out on my own," he sighed and leaned his head back to look at me. "Look I gave you the information you wanted. Now hold up your end of the deal."

I shared a look with Lyon and Kari and they both nodded. I sighed and pulled my dagger out but Zierra grabbed my hand before I could complete what I was asked. When I looked at her, her green eyes stared back at me in concern. "You're really going to kill him?"

"He asked me to."

"Would you kill me if I asked you too?"

"Why would you ask that? Of course I wouldn't!"

"So why kill him just because he asked you too?"

I groaned. "If I don't then Hart or one of his men will find him then they'll kill him and they won't make it quick. He's asking for a merciful death. I can't just keep him alive when he tried to kill a friend of mine."

"I knew you cared darling!" Soren slurred from the bed.

I rolled my eyes at him. "If I don't kill him what do you suggest? Turning him over to the police wouldn't stop Hart's gang from getting to him."

"No but the Den might," she suggested. "You have a basement right? Couldn't you turn part of it into a cell? Maybe we can help him, show that assassins can use their skills for good things."

"We do have that cage in the corner that we use for storage," Kari tapped her lips as she thought. "If we clear it out then it could probably work as a cell for him. He'd have to be watched though."

"We could take turns," Lyon shrugged. "If Zierra wished to help of course."

"It was my idea of course I would help," she crossed her arms over her chest, acting like she was offended.

"Do I get a say in this?" Malcolm asked.

"No you don't," I sheathed my dagger and forced him to face me again. "This is us giving you a second shot. You're talented, I won't deny you that, and we could use skills like yours to help better the city but the second any of us suspect you will turn on us or you refuse to follow the rules we've laid out then we'll grant your wish for death and we won't make it merciful."

My threat left him pale and instead of speaking he simply nodded. I pinched the bridge of my nose with a sigh as Lyon cut him free and Kari bound his arms behind him. Zierra gave me a soft smile and mouthed a thank you to me.

"Don't make me regret this," I mouthed back and turned my attention to Soren. "Alright Soren your assailant has be apprehended and you are completely sloshed. You should call this party a close."

He shot out of the bed with more energy than he should have had. "Nonsense! Now that I don't have to fear for my life this party can really begin! I may no longer require your assistance, darling, but I do still wish you would enjoy the night. You don't get many to yourself these days."

I shook my head. "Thank you but I should get Malcolm to his new home in the Wolf's Den's basement."

Lyon held his hand up. "Kari and I can take him," Kari nodded as she triple checked her knots in his binds. "Soren's right, you don't get many days to yourself and who knows how many you'll get after this. You should take this time to relax," he shifted his eyes in Zierra's direction while she was locked in conversation with Soren. "Use this time to get to know her a little better."

"Lyon," I warned, "there's nothing going on with me and Zierra."

"So you say," he shrugged, unconvinced, "but I can tell you that she didn't get dressed up like this for herself, and neither did you."

Zierra and I walked them to the front door and waved them off before turning back inside and staring at the groups of nobles who were continuing on with their night like an attempted murder was just another day for them, and for some it might be. Soren had disappeared into his crowd, leaving us alone, and I felt a sudden awkward air around us.

"You know I never really got along with nobles much either," Zierra nudged my side, trying to start conversation. "Despite technically being one myself I always found them to be rather full of themselves. I always found a way to sneak off during gatherings like this after I satisfied my mother by greeting everyone."

I perked up as she gave me an idea. "I think I actually know a spot where we could go. Most of the guest stay down here so the upper floors are usually empty and Soren's house is a maze if you don't know how to get through it."

"Let me guess, you know how to get through it?"

I gave her a smirk. "Of course I do. I helped him build it!" I grabbed her wrist and began dragging her up the stairs. "Follow me!"