Secrets of the Crown Assassins

32

INDIGO

Nineteen punches. Thirteen hurtled objects. Seven attempted stabs. Three knives to the throat. One gun to the head.

I don't know how I managed to escape the mob of angry Rebels alive, but I had. Perhaps it was only because Wolf or Laine or any of the leaders didn't join the mob. But they didn't stop the crowd either.

Not even Nydia.

I cursed as I ran my fingers over the multiple bruises forming. A long gash ran the entire length of my arm from where someone's knife cut my shirt—yet another scar to add.

I walked over to my shattered mirror, ignoring the shouts outside my room. A bruise formed just above my chin. Another one sat upon my shoulder. My lip was split, blood dried.

The door shook with the force of a dozen people pounding against it. The lock would hold. Prison cells always did.

A shout resounded through the hall, and the pounding faded to silence. There was a knock.

"Indigo," Wolf said. "It's me."

I hesitated.

"Please open the door."

I sighed. I couldn't run forever. I turned the lock and stepped back. Wolf opened the door.

He stepped inside and shut the door behind him, locking the door, before leaning back on it. His shoulders sagged, and for the first time, he looked tired. We stared at each other in silence, waiting for the other to speak. Finally, Wolf cleared his throat.

"How are you doing?"

I don't even know.

"Are you going to arrest me again?"

Wolf shook his head. "No."

"Kill me?"

"They can try, but I'm not going to."

I tilted my head, confused. "But I broke your trust."

"Did you?" he said as he took a few steps forward. He was standing right next to one of the dozen white rose paintings that I couldn't fix. "Did you try to kill anyone? Give me away to the Crowns? Sabotage my plans?"

"No."

"Then you didn't break my trust."

I shook my head. "But I didn't tell you about my mother's affair."

"Good. Means I didn't recruit a fool."

I took a step back. I couldn't tell if he was being truthful or trying to test me.

"I'm not trying to trick you, Indigo," Wolf said. "I mean it. You had a dozen opportunities to stab us in the back, and you didn't. I can see it in your eyes. You want the Crowns gone. And maybe you're not loyal to the Rebels, but as long as our interests align, you're on our side."

"The Ravens want the Crowns gone too. How do you know I'm not working for them? How do you know I'm not the murderer?"

"I don't. It's a risk I'm willing to take. So," he held up his hand, "let's make a pact. No matter what, we will trust each other until we get through this. Deal?"

I hesitated. He just blindly put his faith in someone who lied to his face. How could I ever trust him to make the right choices?

You already do.

I clasped his hand and he squeezed it before letting go.

"So, if you weren't here to kill me, why are you here?"