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

in the room. “Don’t you think it’s an odd coincidence that the offer came from Fumiko’s homeland? And it was through her that the Empire found out about the Dark Avenyts. Can we really trust her? She has that tracking charm on her.”

Zofie took her time considering. “I’m not sure. She did save our lives this morning. And before that, she resisted the Dark Avenyts controlling her to pass on a hint about unlocking Abhulengulus.” She paused. “Without that, I’d be dead.” Zofie looked off into the distance. “It is a strange coincidence though. Then again, where your curse is concerned, coincidences seem to happen a lot.”

Zofie was referring to the ability of my curse to affect luck. Maybe even fate itself. The curse did it to protect me, but it could have tragic consequences for those not under its protection. My father had been one of those victims.

She straightened and gave me a weak smile. “For now, I intend to trust her. Fumiko will be a valuable guide should we decide to accept the emperor’s offer.”

“But what about the tracking curse?”

She sighed. “We’ll have Master Rourke examine her in the morning. Hopefully, he can figure out how to take it off.”

Suddenly Spraggel’s book and papers fell to the floor. We jerked in his direction and saw that he was fast asleep.

And snoring.

I smiled. “I guess I better get Spraggel to his room before he drools all over your chair.”

“Here, I’ll help.”

I shook my head. “No, I’ve got this. It’s late, and you have a letter to finish before bed. You need your sleep too.”

She looked at me sheepishly. “I am tired. I’ll leave Spraggel to you then.”

While Zofie went to her writing desk, I woke my old master and led him to his room. He was asleep before I got him covered with a blanket. I shook my head. We’d all been pushing so hard to get things right in the kingdom.

As I headed back, I happened to see a light under the door to Fumiko’s bed-chamber. It was only two rooms down from Zofie’s. Fumiko had insisted she be close to the princess should she be needed.

I stopped in front of her door. I couldn’t help but wonder what Fumiko knew about this Advisor Yonge, and why hadn’t she mentioned it before? Then again, she had also been deeply troubled by the visit.

I thought about knocking. I had considered Fumiko a friend when I first met her. I had found her easy to speak with and marveled at her depth of perception. But she had been under the control of a Dark Avenyts and betrayed us. I knew the woman I had come to know, and the one now, were different. However, I couldn’t shake this nagging doubt—had she betrayed us again?

Suddenly Fumiko’s door flung open, startling me. She stood on the threshold with a dagger held ready. Seeing it was me, she relaxed and lowered the weapon.

“Coren, what are you doing out so late?” She leaned into the corridor and looked both ways to make sure no one else was there. “Is something wrong?”

I shook my head. “I was walking by and noticed your light was still on.”

Fumiko leaned against the doorframe. “There is no way I can sleep now.” She looked down at the dagger in her hand. “Too much has happened today.”

My eyes were drawn to her dagger, which was of a type I had not seen before, finely made and looking extremely sharp. But its finish was unusual—a dark gray that almost seemed to absorb the light. I wondered where she had gotten it. Since coming into Zofie’s service, I couldn’t recall a time she had even touched a weapon.

“The dreams again?” I asked.

She nodded, still examining her weapon. She was silent for a moment before speaking. “You’d think I would be used to them by now. Bad dreams visit so frequently.” She turned the blade over in her hand and said more softly. “But now my worst nightmare has come for me.” She seemed to catch herself and looked up at me in panic. She straightened and bowed her head. “I’m sorry to cause you worry. Our visitor today took me by surprise. And the fact he’s been watching me...” She shivered.

Despite my fears of being betrayed again, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She was either an excellent actress or had truly been through something terrible.

“Is there anything I can do?”

She gave me a considering look. “I was going to ask you in the morning, but since you’re here, would you look at something for me? With Abhulengulus’s new abilities, you might be able to help me.”

She turned and went deeper into her room. But I stood frozen at the threshold. Stepping into a young woman’s room late at night might not be the best thing to do. The staff were forever watching. Rumors could start.

She saw my hesitation and blushed. “I’m sorry. I guess it is improper for one of your station.”

I stepped inside. “We’ll just leave the door open.”

She nodded and turned to face me. She took a deep breath. “Somewhere on me I have a concealed charm. I was hoping you could find it and remove it like you did when the princess was dying from an Abeyance charm.”

Removing Zofie’s charm had been the first thing I had done after unlocking Abe’s hidden abilities. It had been a desperate act to save my beloved princess. I didn’t understand what I had done and hadn’t had a chance to practice my new skills yet.

“You could just go to Master Rourke in the morning. He’s more experienced with this than I am.”

Fumiko looked down and blushed. “I’d rather not. He makes me uncomfortable.”

“You know he likes you. He probably wouldn’t even mind if you went to