Shaedes of Gray: A Shaede Assassin Novel

“And I told him to stay out of matters that don’t concern him,” Xander interjected.

“Darian is my business,” Ty said, gripping my hand a little too tight.

“No more than she is mine,” Xander shot back.

“You’re the reason she’s in this mess,” Tyler hollered.

“If you were more adept at protecting her, this never would have happened!” Xander yelled.

“Both of you shut up.” I wanted to yell too. But I couldn’t muster the energy; it only sounded weak. “You know, Xander, for immortal creatures, we sure are easy to kill, aren’t we?”

I sensed his chagrin, but I didn’t care. I’d been lied to. I had no clue what my true limitations were, the extent of my invincibility, and the actual length of my life. He could suck it up for a while and come clean.

“We’ll talk,” he said. “But not while the Jinn is here.”

“I have a name, asshole,” Tyler said.

“Stop it!” My voice had a little more to it that time. Good. I needed to kick my ass into gear. “Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of Tyler.”

Gloat rolled off Tyler like a soft wave. Xander tensed, and I sensed another row about to begin. Jesus. I couldn’t take the testosterone anymore.

“Tyler,” I sighed. “Could you give us a few minutes?”

Hazel eyes widened and then narrowed. His body straightened, and I sensed the hardening of his form, his hurt at being asked to leave.

“Come on, Ty. Don’t be like that.” I wasn’t strong enough to worry about his ego right now. “I don’t have it in me to sit through another pissing contest. Just a few minutes.”

He stood, his body still tense with anger, and he walked to the lift without a word. The gate slammed down in front of him and he left.

Xander relaxed beside me and smiled. Great. Hurt one; encourage another. Not exactly what I was going for. “Listen, Xander,” I said. “This doesn’t mean I like you better. In fact, you’re at the top of my shit list. Just say whatever you need to say and get the hell out.”

His smile grew. I really hated the way my anger encouraged him. He was a no-means-yes kind of guy all the way around.

“I hate to burst your bubble, Darian,” Xander said, “but invincibility is a concept best left to comic books. There is nothing in the natural world that is unkillable. Including you. We heal incredibly fast; therefore, most injuries that would be fatal to another creature do not affect us in the same way. We don’t succumb to illness, though as you can plainly see, toxins can weaken us and make us vulnerable. We hold dominion over one another when bonded by love, magic, or blood. Therefore, no matter the hour or the circumstances, we have the power to send one of our own forever into shadow. And we can live for generations, ages. Is that what you want to hear, Darian? Is this what you’re so bitter about? The fact that it’s not laid out for you in simple terms, black and white?”

“The natural world,” I scoffed. “Do you really think we’re a part of the natural world?”

“Yes.” His answer was simple, definite, final.

Xander smiled and stood. No matter how much I hated him, I couldn’t deny he was something to look at. His blond hair had been pulled neatly back and secured with a band at the nape of his neck. And his eyes sparkled against the darker backdrop of his face, which was angular and strong, a kingly face if I ever saw one. I wondered at his outfit—a silk T-shirt and slacks, both black. Hmm. An homage? Or maybe just a somber color for the somber tone of his visit. Oh yeah, he was something to look at all right, but he was Azriel’s father, for chrissake, and my own personal tormentor. At the moment, I didn’t think the line between love and hate was fine enough for me to feel anything for him but insufferable frustration, and no amount of beauty was going to change that fact.

“I suppose I’ll leave,” Xander said, as if leaving was the last thing he wanted to do. “Your slave is no doubt pacing the sidewalk right now and is eager to see to your care.”

My slave? Laughable. “He’s anything but a slave, Xander.”

He raised a challenging brow. “Oh no?”

“What do you know about him?” I asked, my suspicions aroused.

“The Jinn has bound himself to you, Darian.” He almost sounded sorry for Tyler. “Everything, even his own life, comes second to your wishes.”

“Well, I never asked him to do that,” I said, defending myself for something that wasn’t my fault. “I don’t need a genie.”

“Oh no?” Xander said again, daring me to contradict him. “Don’t be so sure. Heal quickly, little assassin. I need you.”

The last traces of gray light must have been swallowed up by dark night, because Xander passed into shadow and disappeared from my presence.

Chapter 16

Xander’s comments about Tyler left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn’t want to think that by binding himself to me, Ty had given up his free will. It made me sick to think of anyone giving themselves over in that way, so completely, without reservation. I’d done that a century or so ago when I’d given my life over to Azriel, and look where that decision landed me. Slave. The word was degrading, disgusting, weak. Tyler wasn’t weak. He was shrewd, handsome, and loyal. He didn’t have to be flashy about his power; you could see it in his eyes. Tyler may have looked like a harmless sidekick, but only because that’s what he wanted people to see. He wasn’t weak—not by a long shot. And he was no slave.

I couldn’t understand why Tyler had chosen this path. He’d known me for years. My personality hadn’t changed in that short time; I wasn’t charming or sweet or even remotely lovable. Why had he done this seemingly undoable thing? I didn’t even truly know how to break the bond. And if I could, would I want to? Tyler’s presence had begun to grow on me. I was tired of being alone, and he made me feel warm, protected, and almost normal. He’d sworn to keep me safe, but could I do the same for him? I was up to my eyeballs in danger, and I didn’t want him anywhere near it.

I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d hidden his true nature from me all this time. Did he think I’d care for him more as a hapless human? Had he worried that if I knew the truth, I’d send him away, or leave myself? I wouldn’t have—left him, that is—no matter what. Now I wondered which one of us had been enslaved.

Daybreak brought with it a drizzling, somber gray. Storm clouds hovered low over the cityscape, brushing the tops of the taller buildings, hiding them like tall turrets in a medieval kingdom. I closed the drapes over my picture window. A kingdom in any form was a grating reminder of the harsh new reality of my existence.

Raif showed up just in time to make an already bad morning worse. Dressed to blend in, he wore a pair of khaki slacks and a dress shirt. He looked ridiculous. I was so used to seeing him in his elfin getup that to me he seemed more out of place than ever. I snorted into my coffee cup and took a seat at the dining table.

“How are you feeling?” he asked as he took a seat across from me.

“I’m not dead,” I said in a flat, toneless way.

“No, you’re certainly not that,” he said. “But you are feeling . . . better?”

I shrugged.

“You are to report to the king’s estate at sundown,” Raif said. “Not a minute later.”

I resisted the urge to douse his face with the hot beverage in my hand. Ty had it easy. I was the slave. “What for?”

“It doesn’t matter what for,” Raif said with a sneer. He tossed a thick manila envelope across the table. It spun twice, coming to rest by my cup. “Double your fee. I believe those were your terms. I think you’ve been paid enough now. And Alexander wants you for some . . . freelance work.”

I guessed by his attitude that Raif wasn’t exactly a morning person. I lifted a hand to my forehead and gave a crisp salute. “Yes, sir.” I would have clicked my heels together, but that would have required standing up.

Raif didn’t stick around to chitchat, but instead headed straight for the lift. “Darian,” he said as he pulled the gate shut. “Dress appropriately.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I yelled as the lift disappeared below the floor.