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

she knows more than she’s telling us. Maybe apply some motivation to help her remember.”

“Motivation?” I asked.

“Nothing that would kill her, just make it uncomfortable.” There was a coldness to her voice I did not like.

“You mean torture her?” I shook my head. “While I have no love for the Dark Avenyts inside her, the girl is just that—an innocent girl. Torturing one, tortures the other.” I glanced out the window. “Besides, she didn’t give even a hint she knew anything more. I’m not opposed to questioning her again, but torture is out of the question.”

She gazed at me a moment longer. “You’re too trusting.”

I thought she might pursue the argument, but she hugged her legs tighter and nodded toward the paper I held.

“Is that a note from Lady Merrick?” she asked. “I thought I saw her slip something into your pocket.”

I nodded, surprised she had noticed while I had not. “Apparently, Lilith is anticipating our next move and waiting for us in Iron Landing. We’ll have to be careful we don’t run into her.”

Fumiko gazed at me without speaking. I couldn’t help but feel I was being assessed.

“Lady Merrick was right,” Fumiko said. “You can’t protect Zofie against her.”

I considered her a moment before answering. “I know. I practice every day, and I am getting better, but my skills are nowhere near what would be required to beat her. It could be years before I’m good enough, if ever.”

She watched me quietly for a moment. And then she surprised me with her question. “How far would you go to protect Zofie?”

I shrugged. “I would give my life for her.”

Again the long pause. She glanced out the window and then returned her eyes to me, fixing my gaze with hers. “Dying is easy. Living with a tainted soul can be quite difficult.” She paused. “Would you be willing to taint your soul for her?”

I leaned forward. “I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.”

“Would you?” she asked, her expression cold. “Would you even be willing to get your hands dirty? To do those things that must be done no matter how distasteful? Would you be willing to give up even the one thing in the world you truly love?”

I didn’t like this turn in the conversation. “Of course, I would protect Zofie,” I said a little more harshly than I meant to. “I’d do whatever it takes.”

She continued to hold my gaze. Uncomfortably long. I sensed she was dissatisfied with my answer.

She finally looked away and put her forehead back on her knees. “Coren, I will help you as best I can. But at some point, you’re going to have to decide exactly what you’re protecting and how much you’re willing to give up to do it.”

She paused. I crossed my arms and looked out the window. I thought she was done.

But Fumiko had one last thing to say.

“Living with a tainted soul can be more painful than you can ever imagine.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Interrogation

 

When we arrived back at the castle, it was nearly dark. A cold rain had settled over us and had just begun to turn freezing. Snow, I didn’t mind. It was beautiful to look at and brought pleasant memories of playing in it with my father. But I hated it when the rain turned to ice. My curse had frequently used it to make some calamity happen. Evidently, slippery surfaces were perfect for recharging my luck.

As we passed through the castle’s doors, I had intended to head straight for Zofie’s room, but Fumiko stopped me just inside the entrance.

“Let’s go to the kitchens and get something to eat,” she said. “We missed our midday meal.”

I shook my head. “I’m going to pass. Instead, I think I’ll check on Zofie.”

She frowned. “Did you even have any breakfast?”

I hadn’t. “I’m not hungry,” I explained. I looked up the stairs just inside the door. “My stomach is in knots. There is no way I can eat now.”

I could sense her disapproval, but she changed topics. “We should update the rest of the council on our failed mission this evening.”

I nodded. “Yes, we should. Let’s meet in Zofie’s study in an hour. Hopefully, Spraggel and Rourke have been more successful in digging up clues than we have.”

Fumiko gave a slight bow and turned to leave. “Agreed. That will give me time to let the others know.” She quickly walked away and headed down a side corridor.

Something struck me as odd as I watched her head off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I shrugged.

I went straight to Zofie’s room. The guard at the door admitted me with no hesitation. And when I saw her, my heart broke all over again.

The princess was sitting in her chair close to the fire with her hands in her lap. Vidonia had dressed her for the day and done up her hair in an elaborate coiled braid. She looked beautiful. But she still wore the blank expression I was coming to loathe.

Vidonia looked up from her needlework as I entered. She had drawn up her chair next to Zofie’s with a small myst lantern between them.

“Any change?” I asked.

She shook her head sadly.

I knelt before Zofie and took her hand, raising it to my lips for a brief kiss. I missed her so much.

“The finder didn’t work,” I told Zofie. “The others are coming later to figure out what to do.” I kissed her hand again. “I’m sorry.”

I laid my head in her lap, just feeling her warmth. What I would give to feel her fingers running through my hair.

Vidonia stood up and stretched her back. “Since you’re here, Sir Coren, do you mind if I fetch the lady something to