Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Jessie Eaker (best reads txt) 📖

a while now. In fact, we might need to execute the entire Zhangjunen family. Saying they were behind Luoyangei’s assassination would be more than enough justification.”

“But they had nothing to do with this,” I protested.

“Oh, really? The report I received was that a young woman from the Zhangjunen family went into Lord Luoyangei’s chambers alone. And later, when the staff checked on him, they found him dead with some type of ceremonial knife in his throat. And no sign of that young woman.”

“But Jiaying’s body...”

“There was no second body reported.” I could hear the smile. “And we have no knowledge of this one called Jiaying.”

With a sinking heart, realization struck me. I had been manipulated. Played right into his hands. I had not just lured Lord Luoyangei to his death, but I had given the emperor an excuse to execute all of the Zhangjunen family. Those lords aligned with my family were all that kept the emperor from moving against us. But with this overwhelming evidence, none of those lords would be able to raise a finger to help, lest they too fall under the sword.

I frowned, a growing pit of frustration in my stomach. I hated my father, but I also realized he could not have set this up. Someone else must have moved all the pieces on the board.

It had to be Yonge.

“So you see, my dear. You were supposed to be killed with Lord Luoyangei. A tragedy of the lord killing his attacker as he defended himself. When that failed, you were supposed to be killed on your way here by my humble servants. But you survived that too. Which brings us to now. There really is only one outcome.” He paused. “You have to die. If you give up this madness, I will give you a quick and quiet death.” He chuckled. “I warned your grandfather many years ago that he would pay for opposing us. And while it’s been a struggle, I always get my way.”

I stared at the butterfly and considered my options. Surrender quietly, or have my revenge and get the entire Zhangjunen family executed. Neither was much of a choice. I had been outmaneuvered. There was only one move left on the board.

The butterfly continued. “Who knows, your family may still be able to salvage something from this. Your sister is of age, and with the right marriage, your family might be able to regain a little of their prestige. I hear the new Lord Longwei is looking for a bride.”

I frowned. I had killed the senior Longwei two years ago. He had been a cruel and despicable man. I had shed no tears for him. But his successor was by far much worse. He had tortured his last wife to death for spilling his tea.

“Of course,” Yonge continued. “I might be able to recommend someone of higher status if you don’t continue to dirty your family’s name.” He chuckled. “So you see, my dear. You have no choice but to surrender. Just give your sword to Master Xiao, and I’ll let you walk to your very public execution where you will die in disgrace. I will even spare the rest of your family since the spectacle will make them lose credibility. None of the other lords will trust them again.” He paused, the butterfly wings calmly going back and forth.

I was frozen in place. My heart pounded loud in my head. Yonge had arranged everything so carefully.

My hands tightened on my sword and began to shake. To die, or to cause the death of those I cared about. The choices were clear.

For some strange reason, I thought back to when Jiaying and I had fought at the sorting. It had been a similar choice. My friend or me. And just like then—

I chose neither.

Yonge continued. “So what say you...”

With one quick swing of my sword, I sliced the butterfly in two, its severed pieces flying across the room.

Master Xiao stared at me in horror. “What are you doing? Advisor Yonge always gets his way.”

I stared at him. “Not this time, he doesn’t.”

I turned and walked away. My mind was already racing ahead. I couldn’t beat Yonge. He was too strong a player, and he held all the pieces in this game against my family. But he forgot one vital thing.

I didn’t have to play by his rules.

Concealing myself using the early morning shadows and making sure no one saw me, I ran to my grandfather’s house. I slipped inside, finding him sitting on a back porch overlooking the small garden. I had not seen him in many years, and I was startled at how old he looked.

When I appeared in front of him, blood-spattered and dirty, he seemed surprised. He was drinking tea, but I smelled a more potent beverage from the empty mug beside him. He barked a command and dismissed all the servants. Eyeing my sword, they scurried out of sight.

Grandfather took a sip of his tea while looking off into the distance. “So are you here to kill me too? I’ve heard you’ve created quite the stir. You’ve no doubt been a helpless pawn, but your actions have doomed our family.”

I knelt beside him and laid my sword at his feet. “No, Grandfather. I have come for a different reason. I bring salvation.”

He looked at me skeptically. “And how so? I fear we are far beyond that.”

I shook my head and began to speak. The words just poured out of me. I told him all about the Emperor’s Butterflies, about Advisor Yonge’s intentions, the location of Master Xiao’s house, how to determine what really killed Lord Luoyangei, and where to find Jiaying’s body. He listened carefully the whole time, unmoving, and digesting everything I said.

When I ran out of things to say, the sun had moved an hour’s breadth