by Aron Lewes
“He is,” Vala said, ramming a finger into Wilhelm's shoulder.
“What? No!” Wilhelm cried. “You're better than I am,Vala. You've always been better than I am!”
Larien cleared his throat and shared an eye roll with Abelard. Sighing, he said, “While it's very charming to hear you compliment each other, you need to give me an answer. Who is the better assassin?”
Vala said, “You know it's you, Wilhelm... if only because I'm a bit more reckless. I get myself into trouble. I'm too hotheaded. I—”
The prince interrupted, “That settles it. Besides, it's not hard to believe the man might be better. Sorry, darling.”
Vala's fist tightened when she heard the prince's nickname for her. Darling was more aggravating than believing she was inferior to Wilhelm.
Larien's face wore no expression as he explained his plans for them. “One of you will stay behind, imprisoned in the castle. The other assassin will have the honor of murdering my uncle.” Pointing at Wilhelm, he asked, “Will you tell me your name?”
“Wilhelm,” he said, attaching a growl to his answer.
“Wilhelm, if you want to see your friend alive and free, you will do as I ask.” Larien's thin lips flicked into a false smile, which disappeared as quickly as it came. “Do you understand what I'm asking you to do?”
“Of course.” Wilhelm's voice was flat and gravelly. “You want me to kill your uncle.”
“Precisely.” Larien finished the rest of his wine and slammed his empty cup on the table. “When the task is complete, I'll release her. What is your name, my lady?”
She croaked her reply. “Vala.”
“Thank you. That's a lovely name. Abelard, if you would, please fetch the boy.” After his knight made a swift exit, Larien continued, “You shouldn't have unlimited time to complete the task, so... I'll give you one week.”
“And what happens if I don't return in a week?” Wilhelm asked.
“Well... I guess I'll have to kill her, won't I?” Larien smiled at Vala. It was an inappropriate smile, fit for a compliment, not a threat. “She looks like an interesting lady, so I would hate to snuff her out.”
A moment later, Abelard returned with “the boy.” Thin and olive-skinned, he was no older than nineteen or twenty. He had sharp eyes, full lips, and a kind face that was somehow reassuring, despite the tense circumstances. His pitch black hair was half-hidden under a hood.
“This is Esha,” said the prince. “Yes, he works for me, but try not to hold that against him. He's a good lad, and he'll be joining you on your mission.”
Wilhelm's lip curled at the thought. “What if I don't want him to join me?”
“That's not an option,” Larien said. “Esha is a telepath... one of only three in existence. While you're on your mission, Esha will be in constant communication with me. Every hour, he will be reporting your progress to me. If you quit your mission, I'll know it. If you stall, I'll know it. If you take a shit, I'll know it. If you do anything that is even remotely suspect, I will know it.” Larien threw a glance in Esha's direction and finished with a grin, “And, of course, if I stop hearing from him... I'll assume you killed him, and I will immediately execute Vala.”
When Esha stepped forward to introduce himself, Abelard pulled him backward and mumbled, “Don't get too close. The assassins might try to take you hostage.”
“I'm not afraid of them,” Esha said, his voice soft and gentle. “They share a benevolent aura. I know that's surprising, given their occupation, but I don't think they intend to hurt me.”
Wilhelm raised an eyebrow. He didn't think there was anything benevolent about him.
“Well then... you know your mission,” Larien said. “And just so we're clear, you won't be getting paid for this. Vala's life is your only reward. Good luck.”
Chapter Six
WILHELM AND ESHA LEFT the castle on horseback and trotted through an empty marketplace, packed with vacant stalls. It was just after dawn, so early in the morning that sellers and buyers had yet to leave their beds.
“I understand you're supposed to report our progress to the prince, but I would like to return to my ship, if you'll allow it,” Wilhelm said. “I assume we'll be on this journey for quite awhile, so I'd like to gather a few things before we go.”
Esha didn't reply, nor did his face convey attentiveness. The boy's lips were an unwavering line, and his eyes stuck to the cobbled road.
“Well... to hell with you, then. I'm heading to the ship, whether you like it or not,” Wilhelm declared. “If the prince has a problem with it, he can kiss my arse.”
Esha didn't protest, so they continued in the direction of the port. After a few more minutes of silence, Wilhelm tried again. “You're a quiet one, aren't you? You aren't Silenced, are you?”
Esha answered solemnly, “No, I'm not a Silenced. I'm not speaking because Prince Larien told me to refrain from too much friendly conversation.”
“He sounds delightful,” Wilhelm joked. “Is he as much of a prick as he seems, or was he saving his worst behavior for me?”
Esha's eyes, sleepy and frustrated, wandered to Wilhelm. “You tried to kill him,” Esha reminded him. “Do you expect the prince to like you after something like that?”
“Of course. He should have wined and dined me!”
“Was that sarcasm?” Esha's eyes narrowed as he tried to read his companion's face. “I can't tell if you're joking or not.”
“I was halfway serious. The quickest way to disarm an assassin is to befriend him. If he offered me a bottle of his royal wine, I'm sure I'd have a more favorable opinion of him.” Wilhelm was being sarcastic, and he showed it with a wink. “So, boy, how old are you? You look like you should be suckling a teet.”
“I'm nineteen,” Esha answered without inflection. “In other words... I'm a bit too old to be nursing.”
“Are you sure about that?” Wilhelm stifled a chuckle in his hand. “So... you're not a breast man, then?”
The boy's answer surprised him. “I'm not. A lady's breasts should be treated with much more respect than they are. They were made for nursing... nothing more. Humans have turned them into something lustful and lewd, when in fact, they are beautiful. Nature is beautiful. I wish they understood that.”
Wilhelm chuckled again. “It's nice that you're talking now, but... you sound like a joyless, humorless twat. I think I preferred you when you were quiet.”
“By all means, let us bless each other with silence,” Esha suggested.
Neither man uttered another word until they reached the port, where tall masts and fluttering sails filled a fading orange sky. As they trotted up the gangplank, Wilhelm asked the young man if he wanted breakfast. Esha declined.
“Are you sure? I can make a decent omelet,” Wilhelm boasted, but Esha wasn't enticed. He was determined, as promised, to bless the other man with silence. “Well, I think we should stay for breakfast. I shouldn't leave without saying a proper goodbye to Kylin.”
“Who's Kylin?”
Esha's question was answered a few seconds later, when the pretty kitsune passed them on the ship's deck. She stopped, clutched her chest, and gasped for air. At the same time, Esha doubled over.
As she recovered from the blast of energy that shuddered through her, Kylin cried, “The... Resonance?”
Esha wanted to reply, but his lungs were deflated. The sensation left him so breathless, he could only nod.
“H-How?” Kylin asked. “How is that possible? I thought...”
Esha pulled back his hood, solving the mystery for the young lady in front of him. Like her, he had two tall ears, tipped with orange fur.
“Aw, shit.” Wilhelm groaned. “You're a kitsune?”
Esha, paler than usual, answered with another nod. He closed the distance between Kylin and himself, getting a better look at his soul mate.
“You're... my Chosen,” he stated. “Your name is Kylin?”
“Y-Yes.” Her eyes, wide with awe, absorbed the face of her
fated partner. “And you are...?”
“Esha.” Glancing around the deck, he added, “I have to say, I'm shocked to find another kitsune on this ship. It was the last thing I expected.”
“And I'm even more shocked than you,” Kylin claimed. She dared to glance at Wilhelm, who had wandered a few paces away from them. His hands were in his pockets, and his eyes were on the deck. “I'm still confused. I thought Wilhelm was my Chosen.”
“That man?” Esha laughed, as if she had said something absurd. “He's a human. You know, it's very rare for a kitsune to be matched with a human.”
“I know, but I still thought...” Her brow was pinched, perplexed. “You definitely felt it too?”
“Absolutely,” Esha said. “I've been waiting so long to meet my Chosen, I stopped believing it would ever happen.”
“Me too!” Kylin cried—but she hated to sound too enthusiastic while Wilhelm lingered in the background.
“But... it was worth the wait,” Esha said. “You're very beautiful, you know. I'm very lucky.”
Kylin's eyelashes fluttered, and she fussed with her hair. “Um... th-thank you.”
“I didn't want to stay for breakfast, but... we should take a moment to get to know each other,” Esha said. “That fellow was going to make omelets. Perhaps I should take him up on his offer?”
“Wilhelm...” As she whispered the name of her false Chosen, she sidestepped Esha and approached the man behind him. “Wilhelm, I—”
“You don't have to say anything, love. I'm happy for you.” Wilhelm cracked a smile, but it faded in an instant. “I did say you probably have another Chosen out there, didn't I?”
“But...” Kylin reached for Wilhelm's arm. He sidled away, as subtly as he could. “I swear I felt the Resonance before as well! I was sure of it. I—”
“Like I said before, it was probably a bit of gas... or a panic attack, maybe.” A low rumble, a bit like a growl, rose from Wilhelm's throat. “If that boy felt what you felt, I think you're safe to strike me from the list. I'm not your Chosen.”
Kylin's voice dropped to a whisper. She didn't want her true Chosen to hear her exchange with Wilhelm. “But... that sounds so harsh. I really did like you, you know. I did! So much! I'll be eternally grateful for everything you did for me. Wilhelm...”
“You did like me.” Wilhelm chuckled and shook his head. “You're already putting me in the past, I see. That was fast.”
“It sounds like you're dismissing me as well!” Kylin cried. “You told me to strike you from the list!”
“And you didn't seem to have a problem with it.” Wilhelm suppressed a sigh as he turned away from her. “I don't blame you, though. If he's your Chosen, he's your Chosen, so... to hell with me. Go be with your boy, Kylin. Have breakfast with him. I'll even make you some eggs.”
Chapter Seven
ESHA STILL HAD EGGS on his plate when he reached across the table to grasp his Chosen's hand. Kylin, discomfited by his touch, pulled back her hand and faked a smile. Hand-on-hand contact was intimate to her people, but holding a Chosen's hand was expected and accepted.
“Marry me,” Esha said. “Let's make it official. Will you marry me, Kylin?”
Kylin was so taken aback by his proposal, she dropped her fork. As it clattered across her plate, she whispered, “I... don't know.”
Though he chuckled at her uncertain response, Esha's face was hurt. “You know, in the entire history of our species, no one has ever rejected their Chosen.”
“I know. And please don't think I'm rejecting you!” Kylin cried. “Perhaps... I just need some time to get to know you better?”
“Very well, ask me some questions. I have nothing to hide from you.”
Kylin wasn't as curious as she expected to be. Her mind kept jumping to Wilhelm, and how easily he stepped aside when Esha arrived. Did he have no feelings for her whatsoever?
Esha's eyes were expectant, so she forced herself to ask a question. “How did you end up in a human city?”
“I met Prince Larien when I was five years old,” Esha explained. “My village was attacked by slavers, and I was clapped in irons. My sister and I were rescued by Larien himself. He has little tolerance for slavers.”
“My village was attacked by slavers too!” Kylin exclaimed. “Apparently, it's not so uncommon.”
“It's not, unfortunately. Many humans think of kitsune as pretty pets. Larien is the exception. He was always kind to me, and he always, always treated me with respect. He gave me a job in the castle. He raised me, basically. He even helped me hone my talents as a telepath. I'm sure your friend doesn't like him, but I assure you, Larien is a good man.”
Kylin asked, “Why doesn't Wilhelm like him?” Esha had boarded the ship less than a half-hour ago. Kylin had yet to understand the tension between Wilhelm and Esha.
“Larien, he... he imprisoned Vala,” Esha confessed. “It sounds cruel, but I understand why he did it. He needed some leverage.”
Kylin was going to respond, but her brother's voice stopped her.
“Vala's been captured?” Rai squawked. “That's what Wilhelm said, but I didn't want to believe him. Why aren't we going to save her?”
Kylin started her answer with a sigh. “That wouldn't be easy, Rai. We would have to storm a castle, and—”
“So? Let's do it!” Rai punched the air, demonstrating his enthusiasm. “I think we could take it. You summon a storm, and at the same time, I can use wind magic. I know you don't believe me, but my powers have gotten a lot stronger. If anyone tries to attack us, I can send them flying!”
“Rai...” Kylin's head shook at her brother's recklessness. “You shouldn't even consider such a thing. It's way too dangerous!”
Rai's lips sputtered at her answer. “It's not that dangerous. You're just not brave enough. Wilhelm's good with a sword, and my magic is second to none. No one could touch me! I could send the prince's guards flying, and—”
Kylin interrupted, “Please, Rai... don't even consider it. As much as I would like to rescue Vala, it's foolish to think we could do it on your own!”
“Like I said, you're a coward!” Rai stamped a foot and turned his back on her. “Vala's helped us a lot. She saved me! She gives me sweets when I'm sad. If we were captured, I know she would come for us... because that's the sort of person she is! And if you're not going to help, I'll do it myself!”
Rai stomped away before his sister could reply.
THE FIERY SPIRITS BURNED their way down Wilhelm's throat, and with a hiss, he slammed his glass on the table. Three shots ago, he lost track of how much he drank, but his head felt light and puffy. Compared to the dull ache in his heart, it was a pleasant feeling.
As Kylin tiptoed into the room, he greeted her with an obvious groan. His eyes rolled, his fists clenched, and he barked, “What do you want?”
“You're angry with me,” she said. “I don't know why, but you are. It isn't as if I wanted Esha to come!”
“I'm not angry. Why would I be angry? I said I was happy for you.” His answer was contradicted by his behavior. He scowled, poured another shot, and tossed it down his throat.
“You're really not angry? If I was you, I'd be angry. All this time, I kept saying you were my Chosen, but I—”
“I... don't... care,” Wilhelm interrupted, over-pronouncing every world. “Why don't you leave me alone?”
“Are you upset about Vala? Is that why you're so grumpy?” A moment later, Kylin added, “Of course that's why you're upset. It was foolish to think your bad mood had anything to do with me.”
“Or... it might have something to do with you,” he corrected her. “You play with a man's heart, make him care for you, then you toss him aside so quickly. All those times I helped you... why did I even do it? You batted your eyelashes, charmed me into a fool, and then you dragged me along with promises of kisses that never came. When a better option shows up, you throw me away. But, of course, that has nothing to do with my bad mood. It's all Vala, right? I couldn't ca
re less about having my heart crushed by a little girl I shouldn't have cared about in the first place.”
“Wilhelm...” Kylin whispered his name. “I had no idea you felt that way, I...”
Wickedness danced in his eyes as he glowered at the girl in front of him. “I thought I told you to leave?”
“You usually aren't as cruel as this!” Kylin cried. “Is it the drink? Esha proposed to me, you know. He proposed, and I—”
“Leave!” Wilhelm popped out of his chair, overturning the table as he rose. His bottle of spirits hit the floor and rolled. “Wash your hands of me. Be with your real Chosen. I know that's what you want to do.”
When Kylin fled, he immediately regretted his actions. He made himself look pitiful, and he pushed her further away. He already lost her to Esha—he understood and accepted that fact. Kylin would want to be with her real soul mate. She wouldn't want the gruff, human imposter.
Wilhelm left the room, left the ship, and grumbled curses to himself. He shouldn't have gone anywhere while alcohol swam in his blood, but it was easy to ignore reason when he was in an altered state. His senses were compromised; his interaction with Kylin had proven that.
Wilhelm headed toward Kate Klaussen's house, checking his pocket watch every minute. “I should have left hours ago,” he mumbled to himself. Saving Vala should have been his priority, but he had surrendered to his desire for drink instead.
Wilhelm reached his destination and pounded Kate's door, much louder than necessary. When she greeted her guest, she practically purred.
“Ooo! I didn't think you'd actually come,” Kate said. “You certainly look handsome tod—”
Wilhelm pushed her into the house, shoved her against a wall, and clamped a hand around her neck. “ You sold us out, didn't you?” he growled. “You told the prince we were coming. That's why he was waiting to ambush us.”
“What? I don't understand!” Kate whined. “I've never spoken to the prince in all my life! I'm just a maid. Why would he listen to me?”
Wilhelm's hand tightened slightly. His voice was raspy and sinister. “I don't believe you.”
