["hood\t of\t her\t cloak\t over\t her\t head\t as\t she\t slipped\t out\t the\t door\t and\t into\t the\t night beyond. It\t was\t nearing\t eleven\t when\t Celaena\t unlocked\t the\t door\t to\t her\t apartment, breathing\tin\t the\talready\tfamiliar\tscents\tof\thome.\tShe\u2019d\tspent\tmuch\t of\t the\t past month\t furnishing\t the\t spacious\t apartment\u2014hidden\t on\t the\t upper\t floor\t of\t a warehouse\tin\tthe\tslums\u2014that\tshe\tnow\tshared\twith\tSam. He\u2019d\toffered\tagain\tand\tagain\tto\tpay\tfor\thalf\tof\tthe\tapartment,\tbut\teach\ttime, she\tignored\thim.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tbecause\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\this\tmoney\u2014though\tshe\ttruly didn\u2019t\u2014but\trather\tbecause,\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tever,\tthis\twas\ta\tplace\tthat\twas\thers. And\tthough\tshe\tcared\tdeeply\tfor\tSam,\tshe\twanted\tto\tkeep\tit\tthat\tway. She\t slipped\t inside,\t taking\t in\t the\t great\t room\t that\t greeted\t her:\t to\t the\t left,\t a shining\toak\tdining\ttable\tlarge\tenough\tto\tfit\teight\tupholstered\tchairs\taround\tit;\tto her\tright,\ta\tplush\tred\tcouch,\ttwo\tarmchairs,\tand\ta\tlow-lying\ttable\tset\tbefore\tthe darkened\tfireplace. The\tcold\tfireplace\ttold\ther\tenough.\tSam\twasn\u2019t\thome. Celaena\t might\t have\t gone\t into\t the\t adjacent\t kitchen\t to\t devour\t the\t remaining half\t of\t the\t berry\t tart\t Sam\t hadn\u2019t\t finished\t at\t lunch\u2014might\t have\t kicked\t off\t her boots\t and\t reclined\t before\t the\t floor-to-ceiling\t window\t to\t take\t in\t the\t stunning nighttime\tview\tof\tthe\tcapital.\tShe\tmight\thave\tdone\tany\tnumber\tof\tthings\thad\tshe not\tspied\tthe\tnote\tatop\tthe\tsmall\ttable\tbeside\tthe\tfront\tdoor. I\u2019ve\tgone\tout,\tit\tsaid\tin\tSam\u2019s\thandwriting.\tDon\u2019t\twait\tup. Celaena\t crumpled\t the\t note\t in\t her\t fist.\t She\t knew\t exactly\t where\t he\u2019d\t gone\u2014 and\texactly\twhy\the\tdidn\u2019t\twant\ther\tto\twait\tup. Because\t if\t she\t were\t asleep,\t then\t she\t most\t likely\t wouldn\u2019t\t see\t the\t blood\t and bruises\ton\thim\twhen\the\tstaggered\tin. Swearing\t viciously,\t Celaena\t threw\t the\t crumpled\t note\t on\t the\t ground\t and stalked\tout\tof\tthe\tapartment,\tslamming\tthe\tdoor\tshut\tbehind\ther. If\tthere\twas\ta\tplace\tin\tRifthold\twhere\tthe\tscum\tof\tthe\tcapital\tcould\talways\tbe found,\tit\twas\tthe\tVaults. On\t a\t relatively\t quiet\t street\t of\t the\t slums,\t Celaena\t flashed\t her\t money\t to\t the thugs\tstanding\toutside\tthe\tiron\tdoor\tand\tentered\tthe\tpleasure\thall.\tThe\theat\tand reek\thit\ther\talmost\timmediately,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tit\tcrack\ther\tmask\tof\tcold\tcalm","as\t she\t descended\t into\t a\t warren\t of\t subterranean\t chambers.\t She\t took\t one\t look down\t at\t the\t teeming\t crowd\t around\t the\t main\t fighting\t pit\t and\t knew\t exactly\t who was\tcausing\tthem\tto\tcheer. She\t swaggered\t down\t the\t stone\t steps,\t her\t hands\t in\t easy\t reach\t of\t the\t swords and\t daggers\t sheathed\t at\t the\t belt\t slung\t low\t over\t her\t hips.\t Most\t people\t would have\t opted\t to\t wear\t even\t more\t weapons\t to\t the\t Vaults\u2014but\t Celaena\t had\t been here\t often\t enough\t to\t anticipate\t the\t threats\t the\t usual\t clientele\t posed,\t and\t she knew\tshe\tcould\tlook\tafter\therself\tjust\tfine.\tStill,\tshe\tkept\ther\thood\tover\ther\thead, concealing\tmost\tof\ther\tface\tin\tshadow.\tBeing\ta\tyoung\twoman\tin\ta\tplace\tlike\tthis wasn\u2019t\twithout\tits\tobstacles\u2014especially\twhen\ta\tgood\tnumber\tof\tmen\tcame\there for\tthe\tother\tentertainment\toffered\tby\tthe\tVaults. As\tshe\treached\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tnarrow\tstairs,\tthe\treek\tof\tunwashed\tbodies, stale\tale,\tand\tworse\tthings\thit\ther\tfull-on.\tIt\twas\tenough\tto\tturn\ther\tstomach,\tand she\twas\tgrateful\tthat\tshe\thadn\u2019t\teaten\tanything\trecently. She\tslipped\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd\tpacked\taround\tthe\tmain\tpit,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tlook to\t the\t exposed\t rooms\t on\t either\t side\u2014to\t the\t girls\t and\t women\t who\t weren\u2019t fortunate\t enough\t to\t be\t sold\t into\t an\t upper-class\t brothel\t like\t Lysandra. Sometimes,\t when\t Celaena\t was\t feeling\t particularly\t inclined\t to\t make\t herself miserable,\t she\u2019d\t wonder\t if\t their\t fate\t would\t have\t been\t hers\t had\t Arobynn\t not taken\ther\tin.\tShe\u2019d\twonder\tif\tshe\u2019d\tgaze\tinto\ttheir\teyes\tand\tsee\tsome\tversion\tof herself\tstaring\tback. So\tit\twas\teasier\tnot\tto\tlook. Celaena\t pushed\t past\t the\t men\t and\t women\t assembled\t around\t the\t sunken\t pit, keeping\talert\tfor\tgrasping\thands\teager\tto\tpart\ther\tfrom\ther\tmoney\u2014or\tone\tof\ther exquisite\tblades. She\tleaned\tagainst\ta\twooden\tpillar\tand\tstared\tinto\tthe\tpit. Sam\t moved\t so\t fast\t the\t hulking\t man\t in\t front\t of\t him\t didn\u2019t\t stand\t a\t chance, dodging\t each\t knockout\t blow\t with\t power\t and\t grace\u2014some\t of\t it\t natural,\t some learned\t from\t years\t of\t training\t at\t the\t Assassins\u2019\t Keep.\t Both\t of\t them\t were shirtless,\t and\t Sam\u2019s\t toned\t chest\t gleamed\t with\t sweat\t and\t blood.\t Not\t his\t blood, she\tnoticed\u2014the\tonly\tinjuries\tshe\tcould\tsee\twere\this\tsplit\tlip\tand\ta\tbruise\ton\this cheek. His\t opponent\t lunged,\t trying\t to\t tackle\t Sam\t to\t the\t sandy\t floor.\t But\t Sam whirled,\t and\t as\t the\t giant\t stumbled\t past,\t Sam\t drove\t his\t bare\t foot\t into\t his\t back. The\tman\thit\tthe\tsand\twith\ta\tthud\tthat\tCelaena\tfelt\tthrough\tthe\tfilthy\tstone\tfloor. The\tcrowd\tcheered. Sam\tcould\thave\trendered\tthe\tman\tunconscious\tin\ta\theartbeat.\tHe\tcould\thave snapped\this\tneck\tjust\tnow,\tor\tended\tthe\tfight\tany\tnumber\tof\tways.\tBut\tfrom\tthe","half-wild,\tself-satisfied\tgleam\tin\tSam\u2019s\teyes,\tCelaena\tknew\the\twas\tplaying\twith his\topponent.\tThe\tinjuries\ton\this\tface\thad\tprobably\tbeen\tintentional\tmistakes\u2014 to\tmake\tit\tlook\tlike\ta\tsomewhat\teven\tfight. Fighting\tin\tthe\tVaults\twasn\u2019t\tonly\tabout\tknocking\tout\tyour\topponent\u2014it\twas about\t making\t a\t show\t out\t of\t it.\t The\t crowd\t near\t savage\t with\t elation,\t Sam probably\t had\t been\t giving\t them\t one\t hell\t of\t a\t performance.\t And,\t judging\t by\t the blood\t on\t Sam,\t it\t seemed\t like\t this\t performance\t was\t probably\t one\t of\t several encores. A\t low\t growl\t rippled\t through\t her.\t There\t was\t only\t one\t rule\t in\t the\t Vaults:\t no weapons,\tjust\tfists.\tBut\tyou\tcould\tstill\tget\thorribly\thurt. His\topponent\tstaggered\tto\this\tfeet,\tbut\tSam\thad\tfinished\twaiting. The\t poor\t brute\t didn\u2019t\t even\t have\t time\t to\t raise\t his\t hands\t as\t Sam\t lashed\t out with\t a\t roundhouse\t kick.\t His\t foot\t slammed\t into\t the\t man\u2019s\t face\t hard\t enough\t for the\timpact\tto\tsound\tover\tthe\tshouts\tof\tthe\tcrowd. The\t opponent\t reeled\t sideways,\t blood\t spurting\t from\t his\t mouth.\t Sam\t struck again,\ta\tpunch\tto\tthe\tgut.\tThe\tman\tdoubled\tover,\tonly\tto\tmeet\tSam\u2019s\tknee\tto\this nose.\tHis\thead\tsnapped\tskyward,\tand\the\tstumbled\tback,\tback,\tback\u2014 The\t crowd\t screamed\t its\t triumph\t as\t Sam\u2019s\t fist,\t coated\t in\t blood\t and\t sand, connected\t with\t the\t man\u2019s\t exposed\t face.\t Even\t before\t he\t finished\t swinging, Celaena\tknew\tit\twas\ta\tknockout\tpunch. The\tman\thit\tthe\tsand\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tmove. Panting,\tSam\tlifted\this\tbloodied\tarms\tto\tthe\tsurrounding\tcrowd. Celaena\u2019s\tears\tnearly\tshattered\tat\tthe\tanswering\troar.\tShe\tgritted\ther\tteeth\tas the\tmaster\tof\tceremonies\tstrode\tonto\tthe\tsand,\tproclaiming\tSam\tthe\tvictor. It\t wasn\u2019t\t fair,\t really.\t No\t matter\t what\t opponents\t they\t threw\t his\t way,\t any person\tthat\twent\tup\tagainst\tSam\twould\tlose. Celaena\thad\thalf\ta\tmind\tto\thop\tinto\tthe\tpit\tand\tchallenge\tSam\therself. That\twould\tbe\ta\tperformance\tthe\tVaults\twould\tnever\tforget. She\tgripped\ther\tarms.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\thad\ta\tcontract\tin\tthe\tmonth\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tleft Arobynn,\tand\tthough\tshe\tand\tSam\tcontinued\ttraining\tas\tbest\tthey\tcould\t\u2026\tOh, the\t urge\t to\t jump\t into\t that\t pit\t and\t take\t them\t all\t down\t was\t overwhelming.\t A wicked\t smile\t spread\t across\t her\t face.\t If\t they\t thought\t Sam\t was\t good,\t then\t she\u2019d really\tgive\tthe\tcrowd\tsomething\tto\tscream\tfor. Sam\t spotted\t her\t leaning\t against\t the\t pillar.\t His\t triumphant\t grin\t remained,\t but she\tsaw\ta\tglimmer\tof\tdispleasure\tflash\tin\this\tbrown\teyes. She\t inclined\t her\t head\t toward\t the\t exit.\t The\t gesture\t told\t him\t all\t he\t needed\t to know:\tunless\the\twanted\ther\tto\tget\tinto\tthe\tpit\twith\thim,\the\twas\tdone\tfor\ttonight, and\tshe\u2019d\tmeet\thim\ton\tthe\tstreet\twhen\the\thad\tcollected\this\tearnings.","And\tthen\tthe\treal\tfight\twould\tbegin. \u201cShould\tI\tbe\trelieved\tor\tworried\tthat\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tsaid\tanything?\u201d\tSam\tasked her\t as\t they\t strode\t through\t the\t backstreets\t of\t the\t capital,\t weaving\t their\t way home. Celaena\tdodged\ta\tpuddle\tthat\tcould\thave\tbeen\teither\trainwater\tor\turine.\t\u201cI\u2019ve been\tthinking\tof\tways\tto\tbegin\tthat\tdon\u2019t\tinvolve\tscreaming.\u201d Sam\t snorted,\t and\t she\t ground\t her\t teeth.\t A\t bag\t of\t coins\t jangled\t at\t his\t waist. Although\t the\t hood\t of\t his\t cloak\t was\t pulled\t up\t over\t his\t head,\t she\t could\t still clearly\tsee\this\tsplit\tlip. She\tfisted\ther\thands.\t\u201cYou\tpromised\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\tgo\tback\tthere.\u201d Sam\t kept\t his\t eyes\t on\t the\t narrow\t alley\t ahead\t of\t them,\t always\t alert,\t always watching\tfor\tany\tsource\tof\tdanger.\t\u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tpromise.\tI\tsaid\tI\u2019d\tthink\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cPeople\t die\t in\t the\t Vaults!\u201d\t She\t said\t it\t louder\t than\t she\t meant\t to,\t her\t words echoing\toff\tthe\talley\twalls. \u201cPeople\t die\t because\t they\u2019re\t fools\t in\t search\t of\t glory.\t They\u2019re\t not\t trained assassins.\u201d \u201cAccidents\tstill\thappen.\tAny\tof\tthose\tmen\tcould\thave\tsnuck\tin\ta\tblade.\u201d He\tlet\tout\ta\tquick,\tharsh\tlaugh,\tfull\tof\tpure\tmale\tarrogance.\t\u201cYou\treally\tthink so\tlittle\tof\tmy\tabilities?\u201d They\tturned\tdown\tanother\tstreet,\twhere\ta\tgroup\tof\tpeople\twere\tsmoking\tpipes outside\t a\t dimly\t lit\t tavern.\t Celaena\t waited\t until\t they\t were\t past\t them\t before speaking.\t\u201cRisking\tyourself\tfor\ta\tfew\tcoins\tis\tabsurd.\u201d \u201cWe\tneed\twhatever\tmoney\twe\tcan\tget,\u201d\tSam\tsaid\tquietly. She\ttensed.\t\u201cWe\thave\tmoney.\u201d\tSome\tmoney,\tless\tand\tless\teach\tday. \u201cIt\t won\u2019t\t last\t forever.\t Not\t when\t we\t haven\u2019t\t been\t able\t to\t get\t any\t other contracts.\tAnd\tespecially\tnot\twith\tyour\tlifestyle.\u201d \u201cMy\t lifestyle!\u201d\t she\t hissed.\t But\t it\t was\t true.\t She\t could\t rough\t it,\t but\t her\t heart lay\t in\t luxury\u2014in\t fine\t clothes\t and\t delicious\t food\t and\t exquisite\t furnishings. She\u2019d\t taken\t for\t granted\t how\t much\t of\t that\t had\t been\t provided\t for\t her\t at\t the Assassins\u2019\t Keep.\t Arobynn\t might\t have\t kept\t a\t detailed\t list\t of\t the\t expenses\t she owed\thim,\tbut\the\u2019d\tnever\tcharged\tthem\tfor\ttheir\tfood,\tor\ttheir\tservants,\tor\ttheir carriages.\tAnd\tnow\tthat\tshe\twas\ton\ther\town\t\u2026 \u201cThe\t Vaults\t are\t easy\t fights,\u201d\t Sam\t said.\t \u201cTwo\t hours\t there,\t and\t I\t can\t make decent\tmoney.\u201d \u201cThe\tVaults\tare\ta\tfestering\tpile\tof\tshit,\u201d\tshe\tsnapped.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tbetter\tthan\tthat.","We\t can\t make\t our\t money\t elsewhere.\u201d\t She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t where,\t or\t how,\t exactly, but\tshe\tcould\tfind\tsomething\tbetter\tthan\tfighting\tin\tthe\tVaults. Sam\t grabbed\t her\t arm,\t making\t her\t stop\t to\t face\t him.\t \u201cThen\t what\t if\t we\t left Rifthold?\u201d\t Though\t her\t own\t hood\t covered\t most\t of\t her\t features,\t she\t raised\t her brows\tat\thim.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tkeeping\tus\there?\u201d Nothing.\tEverything. Unable\tto\tanswer\thim,\tCelaena\tshook\toff\this\tgrasp\tand\tcontinued\twalking. It\twas\tan\tabsurd\tidea,\treally.\tLeaving\tRifthold.\tWhere\twould\tthey\teven\tgo? They\treached\tthe\twarehouse\tand\twere\tquickly\tup\tthe\trickety\twooden\tstairs\tat the\tback,\tthen\tinside\tthe\tapartment\ton\tthe\tsecond\tfloor. She\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tto\thim\tas\tshe\ttossed\toff\ther\tcloak\tand\tboots,\tlit\tsome candles,\t and\t went\t into\t the\t kitchen\t to\t down\t a\t piece\t of\t bread\t slathered\t in\t butter. And\t he\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything\t as\t he\t strode\t into\t the\t bathing\t room\t and\t washed himself.\tThe\trunning\twater\twas\ta\tluxury\tthe\tprevious\towner\thad\tspent\ta\tfortune on\u2014and\t had\t been\t the\t biggest\t priority\t for\t Celaena\t when\t she\t was\t looking\t for places\tto\tlive. Benefits\t like\t running\t water\t were\t plentiful\t in\t the\t capital,\t but\t not\t widespread elsewhere.\t If\t they\t left\t Rifthold,\t what\t sorts\t of\t things\t would\t she\t have\t to\t go without? She\twas\tstill\tcontemplating\tthat\twhen\tSam\tpadded\tinto\tthe\tkitchen,\tall\ttraces of\tblood\tand\tsand\twashed\taway.\tHis\tbottom\tlip\twas\tstill\tswollen,\tand\the\thad\ta bruise\ton\this\tcheek,\tnot\tto\tmention\this\traw\tknuckles,\tbut\the\tlooked\tto\tbe\tin\tone piece. Sam\tslid\tinto\tone\tof\tthe\tchairs\tat\tthe\tkitchen\ttable\tand\tcut\thimself\ta\tpiece\tof bread.\tBuying\tfood\tfor\tthe\thouse\ttook\tup\tmore\ttime\tthan\tshe\u2019d\trealized\tit\twould, and\t she\u2019d\t been\t debating\t hiring\t a\t housekeeper,\t but\t \u2026\t that\u2019d\t cost\t money. Everything\tcost\tmoney. Sam\ttook\ta\tbite,\tpoured\ta\tglass\tof\twater\tfrom\tthe\tewer\tshe\u2019d\tleft\tsitting\ton\tthe oak\ttable,\tand\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tchair.\tBehind\thim,\tthe\twindow\tabove\tthe\tsink revealed\t the\t glittering\t sprawl\t of\t the\t capital\t and\t the\t illuminated\t glass\t castle towering\tover\tthem\tall. \u201cAre\tyou\tjust\tnot\tgoing\tto\tspeak\tto\tme\tever\tagain?\u201d She\tshot\thim\ta\tglare.\t\u201cMoving\tis\texpensive.\tIf\twe\twere\tto\tleave\tRifthold,\tthen we\u2019d\tneed\ta\tlittle\tmore\tmoney\tso\twe\tcould\thave\tsomething\tto\tfall\tback\ton\tif\twe can\u2019t\tget\twork\tright\taway.\u201d\tCelaena\tcontemplated\tit.\t\u201cOne\tmore\tcontract\teach,\u201d she\t said.\t \u201cI\t might\t not\t be\t Arobynn\u2019s\t prot\u00e9g\u00e9e\t anymore,\t but\t I\u2019m\t still\t Adarlan\u2019s Assassin,\tand\tyou\u2019re\t\u2026\twell,\tyou\u2019re\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tgave\ther\ta\tdark\tlook,\tand,\tdespite herself,\t Celaena\t grinned.\t \u201cOne\t more\t contract,\u201d\t she\t repeated,\t \u201cand\t we\t could","move.\tIt\u2019d\thelp\twith\tthe\texpenses\u2014give\tus\tenough\tof\ta\tcushion.\u201d \u201cOr\twe\tcould\tsay\tto\thell\twith\tit\tand\tgo.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tgiving\tup\teverything\tjust\tto\tslum\tit\tsomewhere.\tIf\twe\tleave,\twe\u2019ll\tdo it\tmy\tway.\u201d Sam\tcrossed\this\tarms.\t\u201cYou\tkeep\tsaying\tif\u2014but\twhat\telse\tis\tthere\tto\tdecide?\u201d Again:\tnothing.\tEverything. She\t took\t a\t long\t breath.\t \u201cHow\t will\t we\t establish\t ourselves\t in\t a\t new\t city without\tArobynn\u2019s\tsupport?\u201d Triumph\t flashed\t in\t Sam\u2019s\t eyes.\t She\t leashed\t her\t irritation.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t said outright\t that\t she\t was\t agreeing\t to\t move,\t but\t her\t question\t was\t confirmation enough\tfor\tboth\tof\tthem. Before\t he\t could\t answer,\t she\t went\t on:\t \u201cWe\u2019ve\t grown\t up\t here,\t and\t yet\t in\t the past\t month,\t we\t haven\u2019t\t been\t able\t to\t get\t any\t hires.\t Arobynn\t always\t handled those\tthings.\u201d \u201cIntentionally,\u201d\t Sam\t growled.\t \u201cAnd\t we\u2019d\t do\t just\t fine,\t I\t think.\t We\u2019re\t not going\tto\tneed\this\tsupport.\tWhen\twe\tmove,\twe\u2019re\tleaving\tthe\tGuild,\ttoo.\tI\tdon\u2019t want\t to\t be\t paying\t dues\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t my\t life,\t and\t I\t don\u2019t\t want\t anything\t to\t do with\tthat\tconniving\tbastard\tever\tagain.\u201d \u201cYes,\t but\t you\t know\t that\t we\t need\t his\t blessing.\t We\t need\t to\t make\t \u2026\t amends. And\tneed\thim\tto\tagree\tto\tlet\tus\tleave\tthe\tGuild\tpeacefully.\u201d\tShe\talmost\tchoked on\tit,\tbut\tmanaged\tto\tget\tthe\twords\tout. Sam\t shot\t out\t of\t his\t seat.\t \u201cDo\t I\t need\t to\t remind\t you\t what\t he\t did\t to\t us?\t What he\u2019s\t done\t to\t you?\t You\t know\t that\t the\t reason\t we\t can\u2019t\t find\t any\t hires\t is\t because Arobynn\tmade\tsure\tword\tgot\tout\tthat\twe\tweren\u2019t\tto\tbe\tapproached.\u201d \u201cExactly.\t And\t it\t will\t only\t get\t worse.\t The\t Assassins\u2019\t Guild\t would\t punish\t us for\tbeginning\tour\town\testablishment\telsewhere\twithout\tArobynn\u2019s\tapproval.\u201d Which\t was\t true.\t While\t they\u2019d\t paid\t their\t debts\t to\t Arobynn,\t they\t were\t still members\t of\t the\t Guild,\t and\t still\t obligated\t to\t pay\t them\t dues\t every\t year.\t Every assassin\t in\t the\t Guild\t answered\t to\t Arobynn.\t Obeyed\t him.\t Celaena\t and\t Sam\t had both\t been\t dispatched\t more\t than\t once\t to\t hunt\t down\t Guild\t members\t who\t had gone\t rogue,\t refused\t to\t pay\t their\t dues,\t or\t broken\t some\t sacred\t Guild\t rule.\t Those assassins\t had\t tried\t to\t hide,\t but\t it\t had\t only\t been\t a\t matter\t of\t time\t before\t they\u2019d been\tfound.\tAnd\tthe\tconsequences\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tpleasant. Celaena\t and\t Sam\t had\t brought\t Arobynn\t and\t the\t Guild\t a\t lot\t of\t money\t and earned\t them\t a\t fair\t amount\t of\t notoriety,\t so\t their\t decisions\t and\t careers\t had\t been closely\t monitored.\t Even\t with\t their\t debts\t paid,\t they\u2019d\t be\t asked\t to\t pay\t a\t parting fee,\tif\tthey\twere\tlucky.\tIf\tnot\t\u2026\twell,\tit\u2019d\tbe\ta\tvery\tdangerous\trequest\tto\tmake. \u201cSo,\u201d\tshe\twent\ton,\t\u201cunless\tyou\twant\tto\twind\tup\twith\tyour\tthroat\tcut,\twe\tneed","to\t get\t Arobynn\u2019s\t approval\t to\t break\t from\t the\t Guild\t before\t we\t leave.\t And\t since you\tseem\tin\tsuch\ta\thurry\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthe\tcapital,\twe\u2019ll\tgo\tsee\thim\ttomorrow.\u201d Sam\tpursed\this\tlips.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tgrovel.\tNot\tto\thim.\u201d \u201cNeither\t am\t I.\u201d\t She\t stalked\t to\t the\t kitchen\t sink,\t bracing\t her\t hands\t on\t either side\t of\t it\t as\t she\t looked\t out\t the\t window.\t Rifthold.\t Could\t she\t truly\t leave\t it behind?\tShe\tmight\thate\tit\tat\ttimes,\tbut\t\u2026\tthis\twas\ther\tcity.\tLeaving\tthat,\tstarting over\tin\ta\tnew\tcity\tsomewhere\ton\tthe\tcontinent\t\u2026\tCould\tshe\tdo\tit? Footsteps\tthudded\ton\tthe\twooden\tfloor,\ta\twarm\tbreath\tcaressed\ther\tneck,\tand then\tSam\u2019s\tarms\tslipped\taround\ther\twaist\tfrom\tbehind.\tHe\trested\this\tchin\ton\tthe crook\tbetween\ther\tshoulder\tand\tneck. \u201cI\tjust\twant\tto\tbe\twith\tyou,\u201d\the\tmurmured.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\twhere\twe\tgo.\tThat\u2019s all\tI\twant.\u201d She\t closed\t her\t eyes,\t and\t leaned\t her\t head\t against\t his.\t He\t smelled\t of\t her lavender\t soap\u2014her\t expensive\t lavender\t soap\t that\t she\u2019d\t once\t warned\t him\t to never\t use\t again.\t He\t probably\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t soap\t she\u2019d\t even\t been\t scolding him\t about.\t She\u2019d\t have\t to\t start\t hiding\t her\t beloved\t toiletries\t and\t leave\t out something\t inexpensive\t for\t him.\t Sam\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t able\t to\t tell\t the\t difference, anyway. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tI\twent\tto\tthe\tVaults,\u201d\the\tsaid\tonto\ther\tskin,\tplanting\ta\tkiss\tbeneath her\tear. A\t shiver\t went\t down\t her\t spine.\t Though\t they\u2019d\t been\t sharing\t the\t bedroom\t for the\t past\t month,\t they\t hadn\u2019t\t yet\t crossed\t that\t final\t threshold\t of\t intimacy.\t She wanted\t to\u2014and\t he\t certainly\t wanted\t to\u2014but\t so\t much\t had\t changed\t so\t quickly. Something\tthat\tmonumental\tcould\twait\ta\twhile\tlonger.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tstop\tthem\tfrom enjoying\teach\tother,\tthough. Sam\t kissed\t her\t ear,\t his\t teeth\t grazing\t her\t earlobe,\t and\t her\t heart\t stumbled\t a beat. \u201cDon\u2019t\t use\t kissing\t to\t swindle\t me\t into\t accepting\t your\t apology,\u201d\t she\t got\t out, even\tas\tshe\ttilted\ther\thead\tto\tthe\tside\tto\tallow\thim\tbetter\taccess. He\tchuckled,\this\tbreath\tcaressing\ther\tneck.\t\u201cIt\twas\tworth\ta\tshot.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\tgo\tto\tthe\tVaults\tagain,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tas\the\tnibbled\ton\ther\tear,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\thop\tin and\tbeat\tyou\tunconscious\tmyself.\u201d She\tfelt\thim\tsmile\tagainst\ther\tskin.\t\u201cYou\tcould\ttry.\u201d\tHe\tbit\ther\tear\u2014not\thard enough\tto\thurt,\tbut\tenough\tto\ttell\ther\tthat\the\u2019d\tnow\tstopped\tlistening. She\twhirled\tin\this\tarms,\tglaring\tup\tat\thim,\tat\this\tbeautiful\tface\tilluminated\tby the\t glow\t of\t the\t city,\t at\t his\t eyes,\t so\t dark\t and\t rich.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t used\t my\t lavender soap.\tDon\u2019t\tever\tdo\tthat\u2014\u201d But\tthen\tSam\u2019s\tlips\tfound\thers,\tand\tCelaena\tstopped\ttalking\tfor\ta\tgood\twhile","after\tthat. Yet\tas\tthey\tstood\tthere,\ttheir\tbodies\ttwining\taround\teach\tother,\tthere\twas\tstill one\tquestion\tthat\tremained\tunasked\u2014one\tquestion\tneither\tof\tthem\tdared\tvoice. Would\tArobynn\tHamel\tlet\tthem\tleave?","CHAPTER 2 When\tCelaena\tand\tSam\tentered\tthe\tAssassins\u2019\tKeep\tthe\tnext\tday,\tit\twas\tas\tif nothing\thad\tchanged.\tThe\tsame\ttrembling\thousekeeper\tgreeted\tthem\tat\tthe\tdoor before\t scuttling\t away,\t and\t Wesley,\t Arobynn\u2019s\t bodyguard,\t was\t standing\t in\t his familiar\tposition\toutside\tthe\tKing\tof\tthe\tAssassins\u2019\tstudy. They\t strode\t right\t up\t to\t the\t door,\t Celaena\t using\t every\t step,\t every\t breath,\t to take\t in\t details.\t Two\t blades\t strapped\t to\t Wesley\u2019s\t back,\t one\t at\t his\t side,\t two daggers\tsheathed\tat\this\twaist,\tthe\tglint\tof\tone\tshining\tin\this\tboot\u2014probably\tone more\thidden\tin\tthe\tother\tboot,\ttoo.\tWesley\u2019s\teyes\twere\talert,\tkeen\u2014not\ta\tsign\tof exhaustion\tor\tsickness\tor\tanything\tthat\tshe\tcould\tuse\tto\ther\tadvantage\tif\tit\tcame to\ta\tfight. But\tSam\tjust\tstrolled\tright\tup\tto\tWesley,\tand\tdespite\thow\tquiet\the\u2019d\tbeen\ton their\t long\t walk\t over\t here,\t he\t held\t out\t a\t hand\t and\t said,\t \u201cGood\t to\t see\t you, Wesley.\u201d Wesley\t shook\t Sam\u2019s\t hand\t and\t gave\t a\t half\t smile.\t \u201cI\u2019d\t say\t you\t look\t good, boyo,\tbut\tthat\tbruise\tsays\totherwise.\u201d\tWesley\tlooked\tat\tCelaena,\twho\tlifted\ther chin\tand\thuffed.\t\u201cYou\tlook\tmore\tor\tless\tthe\tsame,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ta\tchallenging\tgleam in\this\teyes.\tHe\u2019d\tnever\tliked\ther\u2014never\tbothered\tto\tbe\tnice.\tAs\tif\the\u2019d\talways known\tthat\tshe\tand\tArobynn\twould\twind\tup\ton\topposite\tsides,\tand\tthat\the\u2019d\tbe the\tfirst\tline\tof\tdefense. She\tstrode\tright\tpast\thim.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\tstill\tlook\tlike\ta\tjackass,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsweetly, and\topened\tthe\tdoors\tto\tthe\tstudy.\tSam\tmuttered\tan\tapology\tas\tCelaena\tentered the\troom\tand\tfound\tArobynn\twaiting\tfor\tthem. The\t King\t of\t the\t Assassins\t watched\t them\t with\t a\t smile,\t his\t hands\t steepled\t on the\t desk\t in\t front\t of\t him.\t Wesley\t shut\t the\t door\t behind\t Sam,\t and\t they\t silently took\tseats\tin\tthe\ttwo\tchairs\tbefore\tArobynn\u2019s\tmassive\toak\tdesk. One\t glance\t at\t Sam\u2019s\t drawn\t face\t told\t her\t that\t he,\t too,\t was\t remembering\t the last\t time\t the\t two\t of\t them\t had\t been\t in\t here\t together.\t That\t night\t had\t ended\t with both\tof\tthem\tbeaten\tinto\tunconsciousness\tat\tArobynn\u2019s\thands.\tThat\thad\tbeen\tthe night\t that\t Sam\u2019s\t loyalty\t had\t switched\u2014when\t he\u2019d\t threatened\t to\t kill\t Arobynn","for\thurting\ther.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tthe\tnight\tthat\tchanged\teverything. Arobynn\u2019s\t smile\t grew,\t a\t practiced,\t elegant\t expression\t disguised\t as benevolence.\t \u201cAs\t overjoyed\t as\t I\t am\t to\t see\t you\t in\t good\t health,\u201d\t he\t said,\t \u201cdo\t I even\twant\tto\tknow\twhat\tbrings\tthe\ttwo\tof\tyou\tback\thome?\u201d\tHome\u2014this\twasn\u2019t her\thome\tnow,\tand\tArobynn\tknew\tit.\tThe\tword\twas\tjust\tanother\tweapon. Sam\t bristled,\t but\t Celaena\t leaned\t forward.\t They\u2019d\t agreed\t that\t she\t would\t do the\t talking,\t since\t Sam\t was\t more\t likely\t to\t lose\t his\t temper\t when\t Arobynn\t was involved. \u201cWe\thave\ta\tproposal\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tkeeping\tperfectly\tstill.\tComing\tface- to-face\t with\t Arobynn,\t after\t all\t his\t betrayals,\t made\t her\t stomach\t twist.\t When she\u2019d\twalked\tout\tof\tthis\toffice\ta\tmonth\tago,\tshe\u2019d\tsworn\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tkill\thim\tif\the bothered\ther\tagain.\tAnd\tArobynn,\tsurprisingly,\thad\tkept\this\tdistance. \u201cOh?\u201d\tArobynn\tleaned\tback\tin\this\tchair. \u201cWe\u2019re\t leaving\t Rifthold,\u201d\t she\t said,\t her\t voice\t cool\t and\t calm.\t \u201cAnd\t we\u2019d\t like to\tleave\tthe\tGuild,\ttoo.\tIdeally,\twe\u2019d\testablish\tour\town\tbusiness\tin\tanother\tcity on\tthe\tcontinent.\tNothing\tthat\twould\trival\tthe\tGuild,\u201d\tshe\tadded\tsmoothly,\t\u201cjust a\t private\t business\t for\t us\t to\t make\t ends\t meet.\u201d\t She\t might\t need\t his\t approval,\t but she\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tgrovel. Arobynn\t looked\t from\t Celaena\t to\t Sam.\t His\t silver\t eyes\t narrowed\t on\t Sam\u2019s split\tlip.\t\u201cLovers\u2019\tquarrel?\u201d \u201cA\tmisunderstanding,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid\tbefore\tSam\tcould\tsnap\ta\tretort.\tOf\tcourse Arobynn\t would\t refuse\t to\t immediately\t give\t them\t an\t answer.\t Sam\t gripped\t the wooden\tarms\tof\this\tchair. \u201cAh,\u201d\t Arobynn\t replied,\t still\t smiling.\t Still\t calm,\t and\t graceful,\t and\t deadly. \u201cAnd\t where,\t exactly,\t are\t you\t living\t now?\t Somewhere\t nice,\t I\t hope.\t It\t wouldn\u2019t do\tto\thave\tmy\tbest\tassassins\tliving\tin\tsqualor.\u201d He\u2019d\t make\t them\t play\t this\t game\t of\t exchanging\t niceties\t until\t he\t wanted\t to answer\t their\t question.\t Beside\t her,\t Sam\t was\t rigid\t in\t his\t seat.\t She\t could practically\t feel\t the\t hot\t rage\t rippling\t off\t of\t him\t as\t Arobynn\t said\t my\t assassins. Another\trazor-sharp\tuse\tof\twords.\tShe\tbit\tdown\ton\ther\town\trising\tanger. \u201cYou\t look\t well,\t Arobynn,\u201d\t she\t said.\t If\t he\t didn\u2019t\t answer\t her\t questions,\t then she\t certainly\t wouldn\u2019t\t answer\t his.\t Especially\t ones\t about\t their\t current\t location, though\the\tprobably\talready\tknew. Arobynn\twaved\ta\thand,\tleaning\tback\tin\this\tseat.\t\u201cThis\tKeep\tfeels\ttoo\tempty without\tyou\tboth.\u201d He\t said\t it\t with\t such\t conviction\u2014as\t if\t they\u2019d\t left\t just\t to\t spite\t him\u2014that\t she wondered\t if\t he\t meant\t it,\t if\t he\u2019d\t somehow\t forgotten\t what\t he\u2019d\t done\t to\t her\t and how\the\u2019d\ttreated\tSam.","\u201cAnd\tnow\tthat\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tof\tmoving\taway\tfrom\tthe\tcapital\tand\tleaving\tthe Guild\t\u2026\u201d\tArobynn\u2019s\tface\twas\tunreadable.\tShe\tkept\ther\tbreathing\teven,\tkept\ther heartbeat\tfrom\tracing.\tA\tnonanswer\tto\ther\tquestion. She\tkept\ther\tchin\thigh.\t\u201cThen\tis\tit\tacceptable\tto\tthe\tGuild\tif\twe\tleave?\u201d\tEvery word\tbalanced\ton\tthe\tedge\tof\ta\tblade. Arobynn\u2019s\t eyes\t glittered.\t \u201cYou\t are\t free\t to\t move\t away.\u201d\t Move\t away.\t He hadn\u2019t\tsaid\tanything\tabout\tleaving\tthe\tGuild. Celaena\topened\ther\tmouth\tto\tdemand\ta\tclearer\tstatement,\tbut\tthen\u2014 \u201cGive\t us\t a\t damned\t answer.\u201d\t Sam\u2019s\t teeth\t were\t bared,\t his\t face\t white\t with anger. Arobynn\t looked\t at\t Sam,\t his\t smile\t so\t deadly\t that\t Celaena\t fought\t the\t urge\t to reach\tfor\ta\tdagger.\t\u201cI\tjust\tdid.\tYou\ttwo\tare\tfree\tto\tdo\twhatever\tyou\twant.\u201d She\t had\t seconds,\t perhaps,\t before\t Sam\t truly\t exploded\u2014before\t he\u2019d\t start\t a brawl\t that\t would\t ruin\t everything.\t Arobynn\u2019s\t smile\t grew,\t and\t Sam\u2019s\t hands casually\t dropped\t to\t his\t sides\u2014his\t fingers\t so,\t so\t near\t the\t hilts\t of\t his\t sword\t and dagger. Shit. \u201cWe\u2019re\t willing\t to\t offer\t this\t much\t to\t leave\t the\t Guild,\u201d\t Celaena\t interrupted, desperate\tfor\tanything\tto\tget\tthem\tfrom\tcoming\tto\tblows.\tGods\tabove,\tshe\twas aching\t for\t a\t fight,\t but\t not\t this\t one\u2014not\t with\t Arobynn.\t Thankfully,\t both Arobynn\tand\tSam\tturned\tto\ther\tas\tshe\tnamed\tthe\tsum.\t\u201cThat\tprice\tis\tmore\tthan satisfactory\tfor\tus\tto\tleave\tand\tset\tup\tour\town\tbusiness\telsewhere.\u201d Arobynn\t looked\t at\t her\t for\t a\t too-long\t moment\t before\t he\t made\t her\t a counteroffer. Sam\tshot\tto\this\tfeet.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tinsane?\u201d Celaena\t was\t too\t stunned\t to\t move.\t That\t much\t money\t \u2026\t He\t had\t to\t know, somehow,\t how\t much\t she\t had\t left\t in\t the\t bank.\t Because\t paying\t him\t what\t he asked\t would\t wipe\t it\t out\t entirely.\t The\t only\t money\t they\u2019d\t have\t would\t be\t Sam\u2019s meager\t savings,\t and\t whatever\t she\t could\t get\t from\t the\t apartment\u2014which\t might be\thard\tto\tsell,\tgiven\tits\tlocation\tand\tunusual\tlayout. She\tcountered\this\toffer\twith\tanother,\tbut\the\tjust\tshook\this\thead\tand\tstared\tup at\t Sam.\t \u201cYou\t two\t are\t my\t best,\u201d\t Arobynn\t said\t with\t maddening\t calm.\t \u201cIf\t you leave,\t then\t the\t respect\t and\t the\t money\t you\u2019d\t provide\t the\t Guild\t would\t be\t lost.\t I have\tto\taccount\tfor\tthat.\tThis\tprice\tis\tgenerous.\u201d \u201cGenerous,\u201d\tSam\thissed. But\t Celaena,\t her\t stomach\t churning,\t lifted\t her\t chin.\t She\t could\t keep\t throwing figures\t at\t him\t until\t she\t was\t blue\t in\t the\t face,\t but\t he\u2019d\t obviously\t picked\t this number\tfor\ta\treason.\tHe\twould\tnot\tbudge.\tIt\twas\tone\tlast\tslap\tin\tthe\tface\u2014one","final\ttwist\tof\tthe\tknife\tmeant\tonly\tto\tpunish\ther. \u201cI\taccept,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tgiving\thim\ta\tbland\tsmile.\tSam\twhipped\this\thead\taround, but\tshe\tkept\ther\teyes\ton\tArobynn\u2019s\telegant\tface.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\thave\tthe\tfunds\ttransferred to\tyour\taccount\timmediately.\tAnd\tonce\tthat\u2019s\tdone,\twe\u2019re\tleaving\u2014and\tI\texpect to\tnever\tbe\tbothered\tby\tyou\tor\tthe\tGuild\tagain.\tUnderstood?\u201d Celaena\trose\tto\ther\tfeet.\tShe\thad\tto\tget\tfar\taway\tfrom\there.\tComing\tback\thad been\t a\t mistake.\t She\t shoved\t her\t hands\t in\t her\t pockets\t to\t hide\t how\t they\t were starting\tto\ttremble. Arobynn\tgrinned\tat\ther,\tand\tshe\trealized\the\talready\tknew.\t\u201cUnderstood.\u201d \u201cYou\thad\tno\tright\tto\taccept\this\toffer,\u201d\tSam\traged,\this\tface\tset\twith\tsuch\tfury that\t people\t along\t the\t broad\t city\t avenue\t practically\t jumped\t out\t of\t his\t way.\t \u201cNo right\tto\tdo\tthat\twithout\tconsulting\tme.\tYou\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tbargain!\u201d Celaena\t peered\t into\t the\t shop\t windows\t as\t she\t walked\t by.\t She\t loved\t the shopping\tdistrict\tin\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tcapital\u2014the\tclean\tsidewalks\tlined\twith\ttrees, the\t main\t avenue\t leading\t right\t up\t to\t the\t marble\t steps\t of\t the\t Royal\t Theater,\t the way\tshe\tcould\tfind\tanything\tfrom\tshoes\tto\tperfumes\tto\tjewelry\tto\tfine\tweapons. \u201cIf\twe\tpay\tthat,\tthen\twe\tdefinitely\tneed\tto\tfind\ta\tcontract\tbefore\twe\tleave!\u201d If\twe\tpay\tthat.\tShe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tam\tpaying\tthat.\u201d \u201cLike\thell\tyou\tare.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tmy\tmoney,\tand\tI\tcan\tdo\twhat\tI\twant\twith\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\t paid\t for\t your\t debt\t and\t mine\t already\u2014I\u2019m\t not\t letting\t you\t give\t him another\tcopper.\tWe\tcan\tfind\tsome\tway\taround\tpaying\tthis\tparting\tfee.\u201d They\t walked\t past\t the\t crowded\t entrance\t of\t a\t popular\t tea\t court,\t where\t finely dressed\twomen\twere\tchatting\twith\teach\tother\tin\tthe\twarm\tautumn\tsun. \u201cIs\tthe\tissue\tthat\the\tdemanded\tso\tmuch\tmoney,\tor\tthat\tI\u2019m\tpaying\tit?\u201d Sam\t pulled\t up\t short,\t and\t though\t he\t didn\u2019t\t look\t twice\t at\t the\t tea\t court\t ladies, they\t certainly\t looked\t at\t him.\t Even\t with\t anger\t rolling\t off\t him,\t Sam\t was beautiful.\tAnd\ttoo\tangry\tto\tnotice\tthat\tthis\twas\tnot\tthe\tspot\tto\targue. Celaena\tgrabbed\this\tarm,\tyanking\thim\talong.\tShe\tfelt\tthe\teyes\tof\tthe\tladies\ton her\t as\t she\t did\t so.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t a\t flicker\t of\t smugness\t as\t they\t took\t in\t her dark\tblue\ttunic\twith\tits\texquisite\tgold\tembroidery\talong\tthe\tlapels\tand\tcuffs,\ther fitted\tivory\tpants,\tand\ther\tknee-high\tbrown\tboots,\tmade\twith\tbutter-soft\tleather. While\tmost\twomen\u2014especially\tthe\twealthy\tor\tnoble-born\tones\u2014opted\tto\twear dresses\t and\t miserable\t corsets,\t pants\t and\t tunics\t were\t common\t enough\t that\t her fine\t clothing\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t escaped\t the\t appreciation\t of\t the\t women\t idling","outside\tthe\ttea\tcourts. \u201cThe\t issue,\u201d\t Sam\t said\t through\t his\t teeth,\t \u201cis\t that\t I\u2019m\t sick\t of\t playing\t his games,\tand\tI\u2019d\tjust\tas\tsoon\tcut\this\tthroat\tas\tpay\tthat\tmoney.\u201d \u201cThen\tyou\u2019re\ta\tfool.\tIf\twe\tleave\tRifthold\ton\tbad\tterms,\twe\u2019ll\tnever\tbe\table\tto settle\tanywhere\u2014not\tif\twe\twant\tto\tkeep\tour\tcurrent\toccupation.\tAnd\teven\tif\twe decided\tto\tfind\thonest\tprofessions\tinstead,\tI\u2019d\talways\twonder\tif\the\tor\tthe\tGuild would\tshow\tup\tone\tday\tand\tdemand\tthat\tmoney.\tSo\tif\tI\thave\tto\tgive\thim\tevery last\tcopper\tin\tmy\tbank\taccount\tto\tensure\tthat\tI\tcan\tsleep\tin\tpeace\tfor\tthe\trest\tof my\tlife,\tso\tbe\tit.\u201d They\t reached\t the\t enormous\t intersection\t at\t the\t heart\t of\t the\t shopping\t district, where\t the\t domed\t Royal\t Theater\t rose\t above\t streets\t packed\t with\t horses\t and wagons\tand\tpeople. \u201cWhere\t do\t we\t draw\t the\t line?\u201d\t Sam\t asked\t her\t quietly.\t \u201cWhen\t do\t we\t say enough?\u201d \u201cThis\tis\tthe\tlast\ttime.\u201d He\tlet\tout\ta\tderisive\tsnort.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tit\tis.\u201d\tHe\tturned\tdown\tone\tof\tthe\tavenues \u2014in\tthe\topposite\tdirection\tfrom\thome. \u201cWhere\tare\tyou\tgoing?\u201d He\tlooked\tover\this\tshoulder.\t\u201cI\tneed\tto\tclear\tmy\thead.\tI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\tat\thome.\u201d She\twatched\thim\tcross\tthe\tbusy\tavenue,\twatched\tuntil\the\twas\tswallowed\tup\tby the\thustle\tof\tthe\tcapital. Celaena\t began\t walking,\t too,\t wherever\t her\t feet\t took\t her.\t She\t passed\t by\t the steps\t of\t the\t Royal\t Theater\t and\t kept\t walking,\t the\t shops\t and\t vendors\t blurring together.\t The\t day\t was\t blossoming\t into\t a\t truly\t lovely\t example\t of\t autumn\u2014the air\twas\tcrisp,\tbut\tthe\tsun\twas\twarm. In\t some\t ways,\t Sam\t was\t right.\t But\t she\u2019d\t dragged\t him\t into\t this\t mess\u2014she\u2019d been\tthe\tone\twho\thad\tstarted\tthings\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\tThough\the\tclaimed\tto\thave been\t in\t love\t with\t her\t for\t years,\t if\t she\u2019d\t only\t kept\t her\t distance\t these\t past\t few months,\the\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tin\tthis\tsituation.\tPerhaps,\tif\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tsmart,\tshe\twould have\t just\t broken\t his\t heart\t and\t let\t him\t remain\t with\t Arobynn.\t Having\t him\t hate her\t was\t easier\t than\t this.\t She\t was\t \u2026\t responsible\t for\t him\t now.\t And\t that\t was terrifying. She\t cared\t for\t him\t more\t than\t she\u2019d\t ever\t cared\t for\t anyone.\t Now\t that\t she\u2019d ruined\tthe\tcareer\the\u2019d\tworked\tfor\this\twhole\tlife,\tshe\u2019d\thand\tover\tall\ther\tmoney to\tmake\tsure\tthat\the\tcould\tat\tleast\tbe\tfree.\tBut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tjust\texplain\tthat\tshe paid\tfor\teverything\tbecause\tshe\tfelt\tguilty.\tHe\u2019d\tresent\tthat. Celaena\t paused\t her\t walking\t and\t found\t herself\t at\t the\t other\t end\t of\t the\t broad avenue,\t across\t the\t street\t from\t the\t gates\t to\t the\t glass\t castle.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t realized","she\u2019d\t walked\t so\t far\u2014or\t been\t so\t lost\t in\t her\t thoughts.\t She\t usually\t avoided coming\tthis\tclose\tto\tthe\tcastle. The\theavily\tguarded\tiron\tgates\tled\tto\ta\tlong,\ttree-lined\tpath\tthat\tsnaked\tup\tto the\tinfamous\tbuilding\titself.\tShe\tcraned\ther\thead\tback\tto\ttake\tin\tthe\ttowers\tthat brushed\t the\t sky,\t the\t turrets\t sparkling\t in\t the\t midmorning\t sun.\t It\t had\t been\t built atop\t the\t original\t stone\t castle,\t and\t was\t the\t crowning\t achievement\t in\t Adarlan\u2019s empire. She\thated\tit. Even\t from\t the\t street,\t she\t could\t see\t people\t milling\t about\t the\t distant\t castle grounds\u2014uniformed\t guards,\t ladies\t in\t voluminous\t dresses,\t servants\t clad\t in\t the clothes\t of\t their\t station\t \u2026\t What\t sort\t of\t lives\t did\t they\t lead,\t dwelling\t within\t the shadow\tof\tthe\tking? Her\t eyes\t rose\t to\t the\t highest\t gray\t stone\t tower,\t where\t a\t small\t balcony\t jutted out,\tcovered\twith\tcreeping\tivy.\tIt\twas\tso\teasy\tto\timagine\tthat\tthe\tpeople\twithin had\tnothing\tto\tworry\tabout. But\t inside\t that\t shining\t building,\t decisions\t were\t made\t daily\t that\t altered\t the course\t of\t Erilea.\t Inside\t that\t building,\t it\t had\t been\t decreed\t that\t magic\t was outlawed,\t and\t that\t labor\t camps\t like\t Calaculla\t and\t Endovier\t were\t to\t be established.\tInside\tthat\tbuilding,\tthe\tmurderer\twho\tcalled\thimself\tking\tdwelled, the\t man\t she\t feared\t above\t all\t others.\t If\t the\t Vaults\t were\t the\t heart\t of\t Rifthold\u2019s underworld,\tthen\tthe\tglass\tcastle\twas\tthe\tsoul\tof\tAdarlan\u2019s\tempire. She\tfelt\tlike\tit\twatched\ther,\ta\tgiant\tbeast\tof\tglass\tand\tstone\tand\tiron.\tStaring at\tit\tmade\ther\tproblems\twith\tSam\tand\tArobynn\tfeel\tinconsequential\u2014like\tgnats buzzing\tbefore\tthe\tgaping\tmaw\tof\ta\tcreature\tpoised\tto\tdevour\tthe\tworld. A\t chill\t wind\t blew\t past,\t ripping\t strands\t of\t hair\t from\t her\t braid.\t She\t shouldn\u2019t have\t let\t herself\t walk\t so\t close,\t even\t if\t the\t odds\t of\t ever\t encountering\t the\t king were\t next\t to\t none.\t Just\t the\t thought\t of\t him\t sent\t a\t wretched\t fear\t splintering through\ther. Her\t only\t consolation\t was\t that\t most\t people\t from\t the\t kingdoms\t conquered\t by the\t king\t probably\t felt\t the\t same\t way.\t When\t he\u2019d\t marched\t into\t Terrasen\t nine years\t ago,\t his\t invasion\t had\t been\t swift\t and\t brutal\u2014so\t brutal\t that\t it\t made\t even Celaena\t sick\t to\t recall\t some\t of\t the\t atrocities\t that\t had\t been\t committed\t to\t secure his\trule. Shuddering,\tshe\tturned\ton\ther\theel\tand\theaded\thome. Sam\tdidn\u2019t\treturn\tuntil\tdinner.","Celaena\twas\tsprawled\ton\tthe\tcouch\tbefore\tthe\troaring\tfireplace,\tbook\tin\thand, when\tSam\tstrode\tinto\tthe\tapartment.\tHis\thood\tstill\tcovered\thalf\tof\this\tface,\tand the\thilt\tof\tthe\tsword\tstrapped\tto\this\tback\tglinted\tin\tthe\torange\tlight\tof\tthe\troom. As\t he\t locked\t the\t door\t behind\t him,\t she\t caught\t the\t dull\t gleam\t of\t the\t gauntlets strapped\t to\t his\t forearms\u2014thick,\t embroidered\t leather\t that\t concealed\t hidden daggers.\t He\t moved\t with\t such\t precise\t efficiency\t and\t controlled\t power\t that\t she blinked.\t Sometimes\t it\t was\t so\t easy\t to\t forget\t that\t the\t young\t man\t she\t shared\t the apartment\twith\twas\talso\ta\ttrained,\truthless\tkiller. \u201cI\t found\t a\t client.\u201d\t He\t pulled\t off\t his\t hood\t and\t leaned\t against\t the\t door,\t his arms\tcrossed\tover\this\tbroad\tchest. Celaena\t shut\t the\t book\t she\u2019d\t been\t gobbling\t down\t and\t set\t it\t on\t the\t couch. \u201cOh?\u201d His\tbrown\teyes\twere\tbright,\tthough\this\tface\twas\tunreadable.\t\u201cThey\u2019ll\tpay.\tA lot.\tAnd\tthey\twant\tto\tkeep\tit\tfrom\treaching\tthe\tAssassins\u2019\tGuild\u2019s\tears.\tThere\u2019s even\ta\tcontract\tin\tit\tfor\tyou.\u201d \u201cWho\u2019s\tthe\tclient?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t The\t man\t I\t spoke\t to\t had\t the\t usual\t disguises\u2014hood, unremarkable\tclothing.\tHe\tcould\thave\tbeen\tacting\ton\tbehalf\tof\tsomeone\telse.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdo\tthey\twant\tto\tavoid\tusing\tthe\tGuild?\u201d\tShe\tmoved\tto\tperch\ton\tthe\tarm of\t the\t couch.\t The\t distance\t between\t her\t and\t Sam\t felt\t too\t large,\t too\t full\t of lightning. \u201cBecause\t they\t want\t me\t to\t kill\t Ioan\t Jayne\t and\t his\t second-in-command, Rourke\tFarran.\u201d Celaena\tstared\tat\thim.\t\u201cIoan\tJayne.\u201d\tThe\tbiggest\tCrime\tLord\tin\tRifthold. Sam\tnodded. A\t roaring\t filled\t her\t ears.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t too\t well-guarded,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t Farran\t \u2026 That\tman\tis\ta\tpsychopath.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tsadist.\u201d Sam\tapproached\ther.\t\u201cYou\tsaid\tthat\tin\torder\tto\tmove\tto\tanother\tcity,\twe\tneed money.\tAnd\tsince\tyou\u2019re\tinsisting\ton\tpaying\toff\tthe\tGuild,\tthen\twe\treally\tneed money.\tSo\tunless\tyou\twant\tto\twind\tup\tas\tthieves,\tI\tsuggest\twe\ttake\tit.\u201d She\thad\tto\ttilt\ther\thead\tback\tto\tlook\tat\thim.\t\u201cJayne\tis\tdangerous.\u201d \u201cThen\tit\u2019s\tgood\tthat\twe\u2019re\tthe\tbest,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d\tThough\the\tgave\ther\ta\tlazy\tsmile, she\tcould\tsee\tthe\ttension\tin\this\tshoulders. \u201cWe\tshould\tfind\tanother\tcontract.\tThere\u2019s\tbound\tto\tbe\tsomeone\telse.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tthat.\tAnd\tno\tone\telse\twould\tpay\tthis\tmuch.\u201d\tHe\tnamed\tthe figure,\t and\t Celaena\u2019s\t brows\t rose.\t They\u2019d\t be\t very\t comfortable\t after\t that.\t They could\tlive\tanywhere. \u201cYou\u2019re\tsure\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twho\tthe\tclient\tis?\u201d","\u201cAre\tyou\tlooking\tfor\texcuses\tto\tsay\tno?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t trying\t to\t make\t sure\t that\t we\u2019re\t safe,\u201d\t she\t snapped.\t \u201cDo\t you\t know\t how many\t people\t have\t tried\t to\t take\t out\t Jayne\t and\t Farran?\t Do\t you\t know\t how\t many of\tthem\tare\tstill\talive?\u201d Sam\tran\ta\thand\tthrough\this\thair.\t\u201cDo\tyou\twant\tto\tbe\twith\tme?\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\twant\tto\tbe\twith\tme?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d\tRight\tnow,\tthat\twas\tall\tshe\twanted. A\t half\t smile\t tugged\t at\t one\t corner\t of\t his\t lips.\t \u201cThen\t we\u2019ll\t do\t this,\t and\t we\u2019ll have\t enough\t money\t to\t tie\t up\t our\t loose\t ends\t in\t Rifthold\t and\t set\t ourselves\t up somewhere\t else\t on\t the\t continent.\t If\t you\t asked,\t I\u2019d\t still\t leave\t tonight\t without giving\tArobynn\tor\tthe\tGuild\ta\tcopper,\tbut\tyou\u2019re\tright:\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tspend\tthe rest\t of\t our\t lives\t looking\t over\t our\t shoulders.\t It\t should\t be\t a\t clean\t break.\t I\t want that\tfor\tus.\u201d\tHer\tthroat\ttightened,\tand\tshe\tlooked\ttoward\tthe\tfire.\tSam\thooked\ta finger\tunder\ther\tchin\tand\ttilted\ther\thead\tup\tto\thim\tagain.\t\u201cSo\twill\tyou\tgo\tafter Jayne\tand\tFarran\twith\tme?\u201d He\t was\t so\t beautiful\u2014so\t full\t of\t all\t the\t things\t that\t she\t wanted,\t all\t that\t she hoped\tfor.\tHow\thad\tshe\tnever\tnoticed\tthat\tuntil\tthis\tyear?\tHow\thad\tshe\tspent\tso long\thating\thim? \u201cI\u2019ll\tthink\tabout\tit,\u201d\tshe\trasped.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tjust\tbravado.\tShe\tdid\tneed\tto\tthink about\tit.\tEspecially\tif\ttheir\ttargets\twere\tJayne\tand\tFarran. Sam\u2019s\t smile\t grew\t and\t he\t leaned\t down\t to\t brush\t a\t kiss\t to\t her\t temple.\t \u201cBetter than\ta\tno.\u201d Their\tbreath\tmingled.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tfor\twhat\tI\tsaid\tearlier\ttoday.\u201d \u201cAn\t apology\t from\t Celaena\t Sardothien?\u201d\t His\t eyes\t danced\t with\t light.\t \u201cDo\t I dream?\u201d She\t scowled,\t but\t Sam\t kissed\t her.\t She\t wrapped\t her\t arms\t around\t his\t neck, opening\t her\t mouth\t to\t his,\t and\t a\t low\t growl\t escaped\t from\t him\t as\t their\t tongues met.\tHer\thands\ttangled\tin\tthe\tstrap\tthat\theld\this\tsword\tagainst\this\tback,\tand\tshe withdrew\tlong\tenough\tto\tunclasp\tthe\tscabbard\tbuckle\tacross\this\tchest. His\t sword\t clattered\t to\t the\t wooden\t floor\t behind\t them.\t Sam\t looked\t her\t in\t the eyes\t again,\t and\t it\t was\t enough\t for\t her\t to\t grab\t him\t closer.\t He\t kissed\t her thoroughly,\tlazily,\tas\tif\the\thad\ta\tlifetime\tof\tkisses\tto\tlook\tforward\tto. She\tliked\tthat.\tA\tlot. He\tslid\tone\tarm\t around\ther\tback\tand\tthe\tother\tbeneath\ther\tknees,\tsweeping her\t up\t in\t a\t fluid,\t graceful\t movement.\t Though\t she\u2019d\t never\t tell\t him,\t she practically\tswooned. He\t carried\t her\t from\t the\t living\t room\t and\t into\t the\t bedroom,\t gently\t setting\t her","down\ton\tthe\tbed.\tHe\twithdrew\tonly\tlong\tenough\tto\tremove\tthe\tdeadly\tgauntlets from\this\twrists,\tfollowed\tby\this\tboots,\tcloak,\tjerkin,\tand\tshirt\tbeneath.\tShe\ttook in\t his\t golden\t skin\t and\t muscled\t chest,\t the\t slender\t scars\t that\t peppered\t his\t torso, her\theart\tbeating\tso\tfast\tshe\tcould\thardly\tbreathe. He\twas\thers.\tThis\tmagnificent,\tpowerful\tcreature\twas\thers. Sam\u2019s\tmouth\tfound\thers\tagain,\tand\the\teased\ther\tfarther\tonto\tthe\tbed.\tDown, down,\this\tclever\thands\texploring\tevery\tinch\tof\ther\tuntil\tshe\twas\ton\ther\tback\tand he\tbraced\thimself\ton\this\tforearms\tto\thover\tover\ther.\tHe\tkissed\ther\tneck,\tand\tshe arched\tup\tinto\thim\tas\the\tran\this\thand\tdown\tthe\tplane\tof\ther\ttorso,\tunbuttoning her\ttunic\tas\the\twent.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow\twhere\the\thad\tlearned\tto\tdo\tthese things.\tBecause\tif\tshe\tever\tlearned\tthe\tnames\tof\tthose\tgirls\t\u2026 Her\t breath\t hitched\t as\t he\t reached\t the\t last\t button\t and\t pulled\t her\t out\t of\t the jacket.\tHe\tlooked\tdown\tat\ther\tbody,\this\tbreathing\tragged.\tThey\thad\tgone\tfurther than\t this\t before,\t but\t there\t was\t a\t question\t in\t his\t eyes\u2014a\t question\t written\t over every\tinch\tof\this\tbody. \u201cNot\ttonight,\u201d\tshe\twhispered,\ther\tcheeks\tflaring\twith\theat.\t\u201cNot\tyet.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tin\tno\trush,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tbending\tdown\tto\tgraze\this\tnose\talong\ther\tshoulder. \u201cIt\u2019s\t just\t \u2026\u201d\t Gods\t above,\t she\t should\t stop\t talking.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t owe\t him\t an explanation,\tand\the\tdidn\u2019t\tpush\tit\twith\ther,\tbut\t\u2026\t\u201cIf\tI\u2019m\tonly\tgoing\tto\tdo\tthis once,\tthen\tI\twant\tto\tenjoy\tevery\tstep.\u201d\tHe\tunderstood\twhat\tshe\tmeant\tby\tthis\u2014 this\t relationship\t between\t them,\t this\t bond\t that\t was\t forming,\t so\t unbreakable\t and unyielding\t that\t it\t made\t the\t entire\t axis\t of\t her\t world\t shift\t toward\t him.\t That terrified\ther\tmore\tthan\tanything. \u201cI\tcan\twait,\u201d\the\tsaid\tthickly,\tkissing\ther\tcollarbone.\t\u201cWe\thave\tall\tthe\ttime\tin the\tworld.\u201d Maybe\the\twas\tright.\tAnd\tspending\tall\tthe\ttime\tin\tthe\tworld\twith\tSam\t\u2026 That\twas\ta\ttreasure\tworth\tpaying\tanything\tfor.","CHAPTER 3 Dawn\t crept\t into\t their\t room,\t filling\t it\t with\t golden\t light\t that\t caught\t in\t Sam\u2019s hair\tand\tmade\tit\tshine\tlike\tbronze. Propped\ton\tone\telbow,\tCelaena\twatched\thim\tsleep. His\tbare\ttorso\twas\tstill\tgloriously\ttanned\tfrom\tthe\tsummer\u2014suggesting\tdays spent\t training\t in\t one\t of\t the\t courtyards\t of\t the\t Keep,\t or\t maybe\t lounging\t on\t the banks\tof\tthe\tAvery.\tScars\tof\tvarying\tlengths\twere\tscattered\tacross\this\tback\tand shoulders\u2014some\tof\tthem\tslender\tand\teven,\tsome\tof\tthem\tthicker\tand\tjagged.\tA life\tspent\ttraining\tand\tbattling\t\u2026\tHis\tbody\twas\ta\tmap\tof\this\tadventures,\tor\tproof of\twhat\tgrowing\tup\twith\tArobynn\tHamel\twas\tlike. She\tran\ta\tfinger\tdown\tthe\tgroove\tof\this\tspine.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tsee\tanother scar\tadded\tto\this\tflesh.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tthis\tlife\tfor\thim.\tHe\twas\tbetter\tthan\tthat. Deserved\tbetter. When\tthey\tmoved,\tmaybe\tthey\tcouldn\u2019t\tleave\tbehind\tdeath\tand\tkilling\tand\tall that\tcame\twith\tit\u2014not\tat\tfirst,\tbut\tsomeday,\tfar\tin\tthe\tfuture,\tperhaps\t\u2026 She\tbrushed\tthe\thair\tfrom\this\teyes.\tSomeday,\tthey\twould\tboth\tlay\tdown\ttheir swords\tand\tdaggers\tand\tarrows.\tAnd\tby\tleaving\tRifthold,\tby\tleaving\tthe\tGuild, they\u2019d\t take\t the\t first\t step\t toward\t that\t day,\t even\t if\t they\t had\t to\t keep\t working\t as assassins\tfor\ta\tfew\tmore\tyears\tat\tleast. Sam\u2019s\t eyes\t opened,\t and,\t finding\t her\t watching\t him,\t he\t gave\t her\t a\t sleepy smile. It\t hit\t her\t like\t a\t punch\t to\t the\t gut.\t Yes\u2014for\t him,\t she\t could\t someday\t give\t up being\tAdarlan\u2019s\tAssassin,\tgive\tup\tthe\tnotoriety\tand\tfortune. He\t pulled\t her\t down,\t wrapping\t an\t arm\t around\t her\t bare\t waist\t and\t tucking\t her in\tclose\tto\thim.\tHis\tnose\tgrazed\ther\tneck,\tand\the\tbreathed\ther\tin\tdeeply. \u201cLet\u2019s\ttake\tdown\tJayne\tand\tFarran,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsoftly. Sam\tpurred\ta\tresponse\tonto\ther\tskin\tthat\ttold\ther\the\twas\tonly\thalfawake\u2014and that\this\tmind\twas\ton\tanything\tbut\tJayne\tand\tFarran. She\t dug\ther\t nails\t into\this\t back,\t and\the\tgrunted\this\t annoyance,\tbut\tmade\t no move\tto\tawaken.","\u201cWe\u2019ll\t eliminate\t Farran\t first\u2014to\t weaken\t the\t chain\t of\t command.\t It\u2019d\t be\t too risky\tto\ttake\tthem\tboth\tout\tat\tonce\u2014too\tmany\tthings\tcould\tgo\twrong.\tBut\tif\twe take\tout\tFarran\tfirst,\teven\tif\tit\tmeans\tJayne\u2019s\tguards\twill\tbe\ton\talert,\tthey\u2019ll\tstill be\tin\ttotal\tchaos.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhen\twe\u2019ll\tdispatch\tJayne.\u201d\tIt\twas\ta\tsolid\tplan.\tShe liked\t this\t plan.\t They\t merely\t needed\t a\t few\t days\t to\t figure\t out\t Farran\u2019s\t defenses and\thow\tto\tget\taround\tthem. Sam\t mumbled\t another\t response\t that\t sounded\t like\t anything\t you\t want,\t just\t go back\tto\tsleep. Celaena\tlooked\tup\tat\tthe\tceiling\tand\tsmiled. After\t breakfast,\t and\t after\t she\u2019d\t gone\t to\t the\t bank\t to\t transfer\t a\t huge\t sum\t of money\t to\t Arobynn\u2019s\t account\t (an\t event\t that\t left\t both\t Celaena\t and\t Sam\t rather miserable\tand\ton\tedge),\tthey\tspent\tthe\tday\tgathering\tinformation\ton\tIoan\tJayne. As\t the\t biggest\t Crime\t Lord\t in\t Rifthold,\t Jayne\t was\t well-protected,\t and\t his minions\t were\t everywhere:\t orphan\t spies\t in\t the\t streets,\t harlots\t working\t in\t the Vaults,\tbarkeeps\tand\tmerchants\tand\teven\tsome\tcity\tguards. Everyone\t knew\t where\t his\t house\t was:\t a\t sprawling\t three-s\t tory\t building\t of white\t stone\t on\t one\t of\t the\t nicest\t streets\t in\t Rifthold.\t The\t place\t was\t so\t well- watched\t that\t it\t was\t too\t risky\t to\t do\t more\t than\t walk\t past.\t Even\t stopping\t to observe\t for\t a\t few\t minutes\t might\t spark\t the\t interest\t of\t one\t of\t the\t disguised henchmen\tloitering\ton\tthe\tstreet. It\tseemed\tabsurd\tthat\tJayne\twould\thave\this\thouse\ton\tthis\tstreet.\tHis\tneighbors were\twell-off\tmerchants\tand\tminor\tnobility.\tDid\tthey\tknow\twho\tlived\tnext\tdoor and\twhat\tsort\tof\tevil\twent\ton\tbeneath\tthe\temerald-tiled\troof? They\thad\ta\tstroke\tof\tgood\tluck\tas\tthey\tmeandered\tpast\tthe\thouse,\tlooking\tfor all\t the\t world\t like\t a\t well-dressed,\t handsome\t couple\t on\t a\t morning\t walk\t through the\tcapital.\tJust\tas\tthey\twere\tpassing\tby,\tFarran,\tJayne\u2019s\tSecond,\tswaggered\tout the\tdoor,\theading\tfor\tthe\tblack\tcarriage\tparked\tout\tfront. Celaena\t felt\t Sam\u2019s\t arm\t tense\t under\t her\t hand.\t He\t kept\t looking\t ahead,\t not daring\t to\t stare\t at\t Farran\t for\t too\t long\t in\t case\t someone\t noticed.\t But\t Celaena, pretending\t that\t she\u2019d\t discovered\t a\t pull\t in\t her\t forest-green\t tunic,\t was\t able\t to glance\tover\ta\tfew\ttimes. She\u2019d\theard\tabout\tFarran.\tMost\teveryone\thad.\tIf\tshe\thad\ta\trival\tfor\tnotoriety, it\twas\thim. Tall,\t broad-shouldered,\t and\t in\t his\t late\t twenties,\t Farran\t had\t been\t born\t and abandoned\tin\tthe\tstreets\tof\tRifthold.\tHe\u2019d\tbegun\tworking\tfor\tJayne\tas\tone\tof\this","orphan\t spies,\t and\t over\t the\t years\t had\t clawed\t his\t way\t up\t the\t ranks\t of\t Jayne\u2019s twisted\t court,\t leaving\t a\t trail\t of\t bodies\t in\t his\t wake\t until\t he\t was\t appointed Second.\tLooking\tat\thim\tnow,\twith\this\tfine\tgray\tclothes\tand\this\tgleaming\tblack hair\tslicked\tinto\tsubmission,\tit\twas\timpossible\tto\ttell\tthat\the\u2019d\tonce\tbeen\tone\tof the\tvicious\tlittle\tbeasts\tthat\troamed\tthe\tslums\tin\tferal\tpacks. As\t he\t walked\t down\t the\t stairs\t to\t the\t carriage\t that\t awaited\t him\t in\t the\t private drive,\t Farran\u2019s\t steps\t were\t smooth,\t calculated\u2014his\t body\t rippling\t with\t barely restrained\t power.\t Even\t from\t across\t the\t street,\t Celaena\t could\t see\t how\t his\t dark eyes\tshone,\this\tpale\tface\tset\tin\ta\tsmile\tthat\tmade\ta\tshiver\tgo\tdown\ther\tspine. The\t bodies\t Farran\t had\t left\t in\t his\t wake,\t she\t knew,\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t left\t in\t one piece.\t Somewhere\t in\t the\t years\t he\u2019d\t spent\t rising\t from\t orphan\t to\t Second,\t Farran had\t developed\t a\t taste\t for\t sadistic\t torture.\t It\t had\t earned\t him\t his\t spot\t at\t Jayne\u2019s side\u2014and\tkept\this\trivals\tfrom\tchallenging\thim. Farran\t slung\t himself\t into\t the\t carriage.\t The\t movement\t was\t so\t easy\t that\t his well-tailored\t clothes\t barely\t shifted\t out\t of\t place.\t The\t carriage\t started\t down\t the driveway,\tturned\tonto\tthe\tstreet,\tand\tCelaena\tlooked\tup\tas\tit\tambled\tpast. Only\tto\tsee\tFarran\tlooking\tout\tthe\twindow\u2014staring\tright\tat\ther. Sam\t pretended\t not\t to\t notice.\t Celaena\t kept\t her\t face\t utterly\t blank\u2014the disinterest\tof\ta\twell-bred\tlady\twho\thad\tno\tidea\tthat\tthe\tperson\tstaring\tat\ther\tlike a\tcat\twatching\ta\tmouse\twas\tactually\tone\tof\tthe\tmost\ttwisted\tmen\tin\tthe\tempire. Farran\tgave\ther\ta\tsmile.\tThere\twas\tnothing\thuman\tin\tit. And\t that\t was\t why\t their\t client\t had\t offered\t a\t kingdom\u2019s\t ransom\t for\t Farran\u2019s and\tJayne\u2019s\tdeaths. She\tbobbed\ther\thead\tin\ta\tdemure\tdeflection\tof\this\tattention,\tand\tFarran\u2019s\tgrin only\tgrew\tbefore\tthe\tcarriage\tcontinued\tpast\tand\twas\tswallowed\tup\tin\tthe\tflow of\tcity\ttraffic. Sam\tloosed\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad\twe\u2019re\ttaking\thim\tout\tfirst.\u201d A\t dark,\t wicked\t part\t of\t her\t wished\t the\t opposite\t \u2026\t wished\t she\t could\t see\t that feline\t grin\t vanish\t when\t Farran\t found\t out\t that\t Celaena\t Sardothien\t had\t killed Jayne.\t But\t Sam\t was\t right.\t She\t wouldn\u2019t\t sleep\t one\t wink\t if\t they\t took\t out\t Jayne first,\tknowing\tFarran\twould\texpend\tall\this\tresources\thunting\tthem\tdown. They\tmade\ta\tlong,\tslow\tcircle\taround\tthe\tstreets\tsurrounding\tJayne\u2019s\thouse. \u201cIt\u2019d\t be\t easier\t to\t catch\t Farran\t on\t his\t way\t somewhere,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t all\t too aware\tof\thow\tmany\teyes\twere\ttracking\tthem\ton\tthese\tstreets.\t\u201cThe\thouse\tis\ttoo well-guarded.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tprobably\tneed\ttwo\tdays\tto\tfigure\tit\tout,\u201d\tSam\tsaid. \u201cYou\u2019ll\tneed?\u201d \u201cI\tfigured\tyou\u2019d\twant\tthe\tglory\tof\ttaking\tout\tJayne.\tSo\tI\u2019ll\tdispatch\tFarran.\u201d","\u201cWhy\tnot\twork\ttogether?\u201d His\t smile\t faded.\t \u201cBecause\t I\t want\t you\t to\t stay\t out\t of\t this\t for\t as\t long\t as possible.\u201d \u201cJust\t because\t we\u2019re\t together\t doesn\u2019t\t mean\t I\u2019ve\t become\t some\t weakling ninny.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tsaying\tthat.\tBut\tcan\tyou\tblame\tme\tfor\twanting\tto\tkeep\tthe\tgirl\tI\tlove away\t from\t someone\t like\t Farran?\t And\t before\t you\t begin\t to\t rattle\t off\t your accomplishments,\tlet\tme\ttell\tyou\tthat\tI\tdo\tknow\thow\tmany\tpeople\tyou\u2019ve\tkilled and\t the\t scrapes\t you\u2019ve\t gotten\t out\t of.\t But\t I\t found\t this\t client,\t so\t we\u2019re\t doing\t it my\tway.\u201d If\t there\t hadn\u2019t\t still\t been\t eyes\t on\t every\t corner,\t Celaena\t might\t have\t hit\t him. \u201cHow\tdare\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cFarran\t is\t a\t monster,\u201d\t Sam\t said,\t not\t looking\t at\t her.\t \u201cYou\t said\t so\t yourself. And\tif\tanything\tgoes\twrong,\tthe\tlast\tplace\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tbe\tis\tin\this\thands.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019d\tbe\tsafer\tif\twe\tworked\ttogether.\u201d A\t muscle\t feathered\t in\t his\t jaw.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t need\t you\t looking\t out\t for\t me, Celaena.\u201d \u201cIs\tthis\tbecause\tof\tthe\tmoney?\tBecause\tI\u2019m\tpaying\tfor\tthings?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t because\t I\u2019m\t responsible\t for\t this\t hire,\t and\t because\t you\t don\u2019t\t always\t get to\tmake\tthe\trules.\u201d \u201cAt\tleast\tlet\tme\tdo\tsome\taerial\tspotting\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tShe\tcould\tlet\tSam take\t on\t Farran\u2014she\t could\t become\t secondary\t for\t this\t mission.\t Hadn\u2019t\t she\t just accepted\t that\t she\t could\t someday\t let\t go\t of\t being\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin?\t He\t could have\tthe\tspotlight. \u201cNo\taerial\tspotting,\u201d\tSam\tsaid\tsharply.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tbe\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tcity \u2014far\taway\tfrom\tthis.\u201d \u201cYou\tknow\thow\tridiculous\tthat\tis,\tdon\u2019t\tyou?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\thad\tjust\tas\tmuch\ttraining\tas\tyou,\tCelaena.\u201d She\tmight\thave\tpushed\tit\u2014might\thave\tkept\targuing\tuntil\the\tgave\tin\u2014but\tshe caught\t the\t flicker\t of\t bitterness\t in\t his\t eyes.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t that\t bitterness\t in months,\t not\t since\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t when\t they\u2019d\t been\t all\t but\t enemies.\t Sam\t had always\tbeen\tforced\tto\twatch\twhile\tglory\twas\theaped\tupon\ther,\tand\talways\ttaken whatever\t missions\t she\t didn\u2019t\t deign\t to\t accept.\t Which\t was\t absurd,\t really,\t given how\ttalented\the\twas. If\tdeath-dealing\tcould\tbe\tcalled\ta\ttalent. And\twhile\tshe\tloved\tstrutting\taround,\tcalling\therself\tAdarlan\u2019s\tAssassin,\twith Sam\tthat\tsort\tof\tarrogance\tnow\tsometimes\tfelt\tlike\tcruelty. So\t though\t it\t killed\t a\t part\t of\t her\t to\t say\t it,\t and\t though\t it\t went\t against\t all\t her","training\tto\tagree,\tCelaena\tnudged\thim\twith\ta\tshoulder\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cFine.\tYou\ttake down\t Farran\t by\t yourself.\t But\t I\t get\t to\t dispatch\t Jayne\u2014and\t then\t we\u2019ll\t do\t it\t my way.\u201d Celaena\t had\t her\t weekly\t dancing\t lesson\t with\t Madame\t Florine,\t who\t also trained\t all\t of\t the\t dancers\t at\t the\t Royal\t Theater,\t so\t she\t left\t Sam\t to\t finish\t his scouting\tas\tshe\theaded\tto\tthe\told\twoman\u2019s\tprivate\tstudio. Four\thours\tlater,\tsweaty\tand\taching\tand\tutterly\tspent,\tCelaena\tmade\ther\tway back\thome\tacross\tthe\tcity.\tShe\u2019d\tknown\tthe\tstern\tMadame\tFlorine\tsince\tshe\twas a\t child:\t she\t taught\t all\t of\t Arobynn\u2019s\t assassins\t the\t latest\t popular\t dances.\t But Celaena\t liked\t to\t take\t extra\t lessons\t because\t of\t the\t flexibility\t and\t grace\t the classical\tdances\tinstilled.\tShe\u2019d\talways\tsuspected\tthe\tterse\tinstructor\thad\tbarely tolerated\t her\u2014but\t to\t her\t surprise,\t Madame\t Florine\t had\t refused\t to\t take\t any\t pay for\tlessons\tnow\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tleft\tArobynn. She\u2019d\thave\tto\tfind\tanother\tdance\tinstructor\tonce\tthey\tmoved.\tMore\tthan\tthat, a\tstudio\twith\ta\tdecent\tpianoforte\tplayer. And\tthe\tcity\twould\thave\tto\thave\ta\tlibrary,\ttoo.\tA\tgreat,\twonderful\tlibrary.\tOr a\t bookshop\t with\t a\t knowledgeable\t owner\t who\t could\t make\t sure\t her\t thirst\t for books\twas\talways\tsated. And\ta\tgood\tclothier.\tAnd\tperfumer.\tAnd\tjeweler.\tAnd\tconfectionary. Her\t feet\t dragged\t as\t she\t walked\t up\t the\t wooden\t steps\t to\t her\t apartment\t above the\t warehouse.\t She\t blamed\t it\t on\t the\t lesson.\t Madame\t Florine\t was\t a\t brutal taskmistress\u2014she\tdidn\u2019t\taccept\tlimp\twrists\tor\tsloppy\tposture\tor\tanything\texcept Celaena\u2019s\t very\t best.\t Though\t she\t did\t always\t turn\t a\t blind\t eye\t to\t the\t last\t twenty minutes\t of\t their\t lesson,\t when\t she\t allowed\t Celaena\t to\t tell\t the\t student\t on\t the pianoforte\t to\t play\t her\t favorite\t music\t and\t set\t herself\t loose,\t dancing\t with\t wild abandon.\tAnd\tnow\tthat\tCelaena\thad\tno\tpianoforte\tof\ther\town\tin\tthe\tapartment, Madame\tFlorine\teven\tlet\ther\tremain\tafter\tthe\tlesson\tto\tpractice. Celaena\tfound\therself\tatop\tthe\tstair\tlanding,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tsilvery-green\tdoor. She\t could\t leave\t Rifthold.\t If\t it\t meant\t being\t free\t from\t Arobynn,\t she\t could leave\tbehind\tall\tthese\tthings\tshe\tloved.\tOther\tcities\ton\tthe\tcontinent\thad\tlibraries and\t bookshops\t and\t fine\t outfitters.\t Perhaps\t not\t as\t wonderful\t as\t Rifthold\u2019s,\t and perhaps\tthe\tcity\u2019s\theart\twouldn\u2019t\tbeat\twith\tthe\tfamiliar\trhythm\tthat\tshe\tadored, but\t\u2026\tfor\tSam,\tshe\tcould\tleave. Sighing,\tCelaena\tunlocked\tthe\tdoor\tand\twalked\tinto\tthe\tapartment. Arobynn\tHamel\twas\tsitting\ton\tthe\tcouch.","\u201cHello,\tdarling,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tsmiled.","CHAPTER 4 Alone\t in\t the\t kitchen,\t Celaena\t poured\t herself\t a\t cup\t of\t tea,\t trying\t to\t keep\t her hands\t from\t shaking.\t He\u2019d\t probably\t gotten\t the\t address\t from\t the\t servants\t who had\thelped\tbring\tover\ther\tthings.\tTo\tfind\thim\there,\thaving\tbroken\tinto\ther\thome \u2026\tHow\tlong\thad\the\tbeen\tsitting\tinside?\tHad\the\tgone\tthrough\ther\tthings? She\t poured\t another\t cup\t of\t tea\t for\t Arobynn.\t Cups\t and\t saucers\t in\t hand,\t she walked\t back\t into\t the\t living\t room.\t He\t had\t his\t legs\t crossed,\t one\t arm\t sprawled across\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tsofa,\tand\tseemed\tto\thave\tmade\thimself\tquite\tat\thome. She\t said\t nothing\t as\t she\t gave\t him\t the\t cup\t and\t then\t took\t a\t seat\t in\t one\t of\t the armchairs.\t The\t hearth\t was\t dark,\t and\t the\t day\t had\t been\t warm\t enough\t that\t Sam had\t left\t one\t of\t the\t living\t room\t windows\t open.\t A\t briny\t breeze\t off\t the\t Avery flowed\t into\t the\t apartment,\t rustling\t the\t crimson\t velvet\t curtains\t and\t teasing through\ther\thair.\tShe\u2019d\tmiss\tthat\tsmell,\ttoo. Arobynn\t took\t a\t sip,\t then\t peered\t into\t his\t teacup\t to\t look\t at\t the\t amber\t liquid inside.\t\u201cWho\tcan\tI\tthank\tfor\tthe\timpeccable\ttaste\tin\ttea?\u201d \u201cMe.\tBut\tyou\talready\tknow\tthat.\u201d \u201cHmm.\u201d\t Arobynn\t took\t another\t sip.\t \u201cYou\t know,\t I\t did\t know\t that.\u201d\t The afternoon\t light\t caught\t in\t his\t gray\t eyes,\t turning\t them\t to\t quicksilver.\t \u201cWhat\t I don\u2019t\tknow\tis\twhy\tyou\tand\tSam\tthink\tit\u2019s\ta\tgood\tidea\tto\tdispatch\tIoan\tJayne\tand Rourke\tFarran.\u201d Of\tcourse\the\tknew.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnone\tof\tyour\tbusiness.\tOur\tclient\twanted\tto\toperate outside\tof\tthe\tGuild,\tand\tnow\tthat\tI\u2019ve\ttransferred\tit\tthe\tmoney\tto\tyour\taccount, Sam\tand\tI\tare\tno\tlonger\ta\tpart\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cIoan\tJayne,\u201d\tArobynn\trepeated,\tas\tif\tshe\tsomehow\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twho\the\twas. \u201cIoan\tJayne.\tAre\tyou\tinsane?\u201d She\tclenched\ther\tjaw.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twhy\tI\tshould\ttrust\tyour\tadvice.\u201d \u201cEven\t I\t wouldn\u2019t\t take\t on\t Jayne.\u201d\t Arobynn\u2019s\t gaze\t burned.\t \u201cAnd\t I\u2019m\t saying that\t as\t someone\t who\t has\t spent\t years\t thinking\t of\t ways\t to\t put\t that\t man\t in\t a grave.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tplaying\tanother\tone\tof\tyour\tmind\tgames.\u201d\tShe\tset\tdown\ther\ttea\tand","rose\tfrom\ther\tseat.\t\u201cGet\tout\tof\tmy\thouse.\u201d Arobynn\t just\t stared\t up\t at\t her\t as\t if\t she\t were\t a\t sullen\t child.\t \u201cJayne\t is\t the undisputed\tCrime\tLord\tin\tRifthold\tfor\ta\treason.\tAnd\tFarran\tis\this\tSecond\tfor\ta damn\t good\t reason,\t too.\t You\t might\t be\t excellent,\t Celaena,\t but\t you\u2019re\t not invincible.\u201d She\t crossed\t her\t arms.\t \u201cMaybe\t you\u2019re\t trying\t to\t dissuade\t me\t because\t you\u2019re worried\tthat\twhen\tI\tkill\thim,\tI\twill\thave\ttruly\tsurpassed\tyou.\u201d Arobynn\t shot\t to\t his\t feet,\t towering\t over\t her.\t \u201cThe\t reason\t I\u2019m\t trying\t to dissuade\tyou,\tyou\tstupid,\tungrateful\tgirl,\tis\tbecause\tJayne\tand\tFarran\tare\tlethal. If\ta\tclient\toffered\tme\tthe\tglass\tcastle\titself,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\ttouch\tan\toffer\tlike\tthat!\u201d She\tfelt\ther\tnostrils\tflare.\t\u201cAfter\tall\tthat\tyou\u2019ve\tdone,\thow\tcan\tyou\texpect\tme to\tbelieve\ta\tword\tthat\tcomes\tout\tof\tyour\tmouth?\u201d\tHer\thand\thad\tstarted\tdrifting toward\tthe\tdagger\tat\ther\twaist.\tArobynn\u2019s\teyes\tremained\ton\ther\tface,\tbut\the\twas aware\u2014he\tknew\tevery\tmovement\ther\thands\tmade\tand\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tlook\tat\ther to\ttrack\tthem.\t\u201cGet\tout\tof\tmy\thouse,\u201d\tshe\tgrowled. Arobynn\t gave\t her\t a\t half\t smile\t and\t looked\t around\t the\t apartment\t with deliberate\tcare.\t\u201cTell\tme\tsomething,\tCelaena:\tdo\tyou\ttrust\tSam?\u201d \u201cWhat\tsort\tof\ta\tquestion\tis\tthat?\u201d Arobynn\tcasually\tslid\this\thands\tinto\tthe\tpockets\tof\this\tsilver\ttunic.\t\u201cHave\tyou told\thim\tthe\ttruth\tabout\twhere\tyou\tcame\tfrom?\tI\thave\ta\tfeeling\tthat\u2019s\tsomething he\u2019d\tlike\tto\tknow.\tPerhaps\tbefore\the\tdedicates\this\tlife\tto\tyou.\u201d She\t focused\t on\t keeping\t her\t breathing\t even,\t and\t pointed\t at\t the\t door\t again. \u201cGo.\u201d Arobynn\t shrugged,\t waving\t a\t hand\t as\t if\t to\t dismiss\t the\t questions\t he\u2019d\t raised, and\t walked\t toward\t the\t front\t door.\t She\t watched\t his\t every\t move,\t took\t in\t every step\tand\tshift\tof\this\tshoulders,\tnoted\twhat\the\tlooked\tat.\tHe\treached\tfor\tthe\tbrass doorknob,\t but\t turned\t to\t her.\t His\t eyes\u2014those\t silver\t eyes\t that\t would\t probably haunt\ther\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\ther\tlife\u2014were\tbright. \u201cNo\tmatter\twhat\tI\thave\tdone,\tI\treally\tdo\tlove\tyou,\tCelaena.\u201d The\t word\t hit\t her\t like\t a\t stone\t to\t the\t head.\t He\u2019d\t never\t said\t that\t word\t to\t her before.\tEver. A\tlong\tsilence\tfell\tbetween\tthem. Arobynn\u2019s\t neck\t shifted\t as\t he\t swallowed.\t \u201cI\t do\t the\t things\t that\t I\t do\t because I\u2019m\tafraid\t\u2026\tand\tbecause\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\texpress\twhat\tI\tfeel.\u201d\tHe\tsaid\tit\tso quietly\t that\t she\t barely\t heard\t it.\t \u201cI\t did\t all\t of\t those\t things\t because\t I\t was\t angry with\tyou\tfor\tpicking\tSam.\u201d Was\t it\t the\t King\t of\t the\t Assassins\t who\t spoke,\t or\t the\t father,\t or\t the\t lover\t who had\tnever\tmanifested\thimself?","Arobynn\u2019s\t carefully\t cultivated\t mask\t fell,\t and\t the\t wound\t she\u2019d\t given\t him flickered\t in\t those\t magnificent\t eyes.\t \u201cStay\t with\t me,\u201d\t he\t whispered.\t \u201cStay\t in Rifthold.\u201d She\tswallowed,\tand\tfound\tit\tparticularly\thard\tto\tdo\tso.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgoing.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid\tsoftly.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tgo.\u201d No. That\t was\t what\t she\u2019d\t said\t to\t him\t that\t night\t he\u2019d\t beaten\t her,\t in\t the\t moment before\the\u2019d\tstruck\ther,\twhen\tshe\tthought\the\twas\tgoing\tto\thurt\tSam\tinstead.\tAnd then\t he\u2019d\t beaten\t her\t so\t badly\t she\u2019d\t been\t knocked\t unconscious.\t Then\t he\u2019d beaten\tSam,\ttoo. Don\u2019t. That\twas\twhat\tAnsel\thad\tsaid\tto\ther\tin\tthe\tdesert,\twhen\tCelaena\thad\tpressed the\t sword\t into\t the\t back\t of\t her\t neck,\t when\t the\t agony\t of\t Ansel\u2019s\t betrayal\t had been\talmost\tenough\tto\tmake\tCelaena\tkill\tthe\tgirl\tshe\u2019d\tcalled\ta\tfriend.\tBut\tthat betrayal\t still\t paled\t in\t comparison\t to\t what\t Arobynn\t had\t done\t to\t her\t when\t he\u2019d tricked\ther\tinto\tkilling\tDoneval,\ta\tman\twho\tcould\thave\tfreed\tcountless\tslaves. He\t was\t using\t words\t as\t chains\t to\t bind\t her\t again.\t He\u2019d\t had\t so\t many\t chances over\tthe\tyears\tto\ttell\ther\tthat\the\tloved\ther\u2014he\u2019d\tknown\thow\tmuch\tshe\u2019d\tcraved those\twords.\tBut\the\thadn\u2019t\tspoken\tthem\tuntil\the\tneeded\tto\tuse\tthem\tas\tweapons. And\t now\t that\t she\t had\t Sam,\t Sam\t who\t said\t those\t words\t without\t expecting anything\t in\t return,\t Sam\t who\t loved\t her\t for\t reasons\t she\t would\t never\t understand \u2026 Celaena\ttilted\ther\thead\tto\tthe\tside,\tthe\tonly\twarning\tshe\tgave\tthat\tshe\twas\tstill ready\tto\tattack\thim.\t\u201cGet\tout\tof\tmy\thouse.\u201d Arobynn\tjust\tnodded\tslowly\tand\tleft. The\t Black\t Cygnet\t tavern\t was\t packed\t wall-to-wall,\t as\t it\t was\t most\t nights. Seated\t with\t Sam\t at\t a\t table\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t busy\t room,\t Celaena\t didn\u2019t particularly\t feel\t like\t eating\t the\t beef\t stew\t in\t front\t of\t her.\t Or\t like\t talking,\t even though\t Sam\t had\t told\t her\t all\t about\t the\t information\t he\u2019d\t gathered\t on\t Farran\t and Jayne.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tmentioned\tArobynn\u2019s\tsurprise\tvisit. A\tcluster\tof\tgiggling\tyoung\twomen\tsat\tnearby,\ttittering\tabout\thow\tthe\tCrown Prince\t was\t gone\t on\t a\t holiday\t to\t the\t Surian\t coast,\t and\t how\t they\t wished\t they could\t join\t the\t prince\t and\t his\t dashing\t friends,\t and\t on\t and\t on\t until\t Celaena contemplated\tchucking\ther\tspoon\tat\tthem. But\tthe\tBlack\tCygnet\twasn\u2019t\ta\tviolent\ttavern.\tIt\tcatered\tto\ta\tcrowd\twho\tcame","to\t enjoy\t good\t food,\t good\t music,\t and\t good\t company.\t There\t were\t no\t brawls,\t no dark\t dealings,\t and\t certainly\t no\t prostitutes\t milling\t about.\t Perhaps\t that\t was\t what brought\ther\tand\tSam\tback\there\tfor\tdinner\tmost\tnights\u2014it\tfelt\tso\tnormal. It\twas\tanother\tplace\tshe\u2019d\tmiss. When\tthey\tarrived\thome\tafter\tdinner,\tthe\tapartment\tfeeling\tstrangely\tnot\thers now\tthat\tArobynn\thad\tbroken\tin,\tCelaena\twent\tstraight\tto\tthe\tbedroom\tand\tlit\ta few\tcandles.\tShe\twas\tready\tfor\tthis\tday\tto\tbe\tover.\tReady\tto\tdispatch\tJayne\tand Farran,\tand\tthen\tleave. Sam\tappeared\tin\tthe\tdoorway.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tyou\tso\tquiet,\u201d\the\tsaid. She\tlooked\tat\therself\tin\tthe\tmirror\tabove\tthe\tdresser.\tThe\tscar\tfrom\ther\tfight with\t Ansel\t had\t faded\t from\t her\t cheek,\t and\t the\t one\t on\t her\t neck\t was\t well\t on\t its way\tto\tdisappearing,\ttoo. \u201cI\u2019m\t tired,\u201d\t she\t said.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t lie.\t She\t began\t unbuttoning\t her\t tunic,\t her hands\t feeling\t strangely\t clumsy.\t Was\t this\t why\t Arobynn\t had\t visited?\t Because he\u2019d\t known\t he\u2019d\t impact\t her\t like\t this?\t She\t straightened,\t hating\t the\t thought\t so much\tthat\tshe\twanted\tto\tshatter\tthe\tmirror\tin\tfront\tof\ther. \u201cDid\tsomething\thappen?\u201d She\t reached\t the\t final\t button\t of\t her\t tunic,\t but\t didn\u2019t\t take\t it\t off.\t She\t turned\t to face\thim,\tlooking\thim\tup\tand\tdown.\tCould\tshe\tever\ttell\thim\teverything? \u201cTalk\t to\t me,\u201d\t he\t said,\t his\t brown\t eyes\t holding\t only\t concern.\t No\t twisted agendas,\tno\tmind\tgames\t\u2026 \u201cTell\tme\tyour\tdeepest\tsecret,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tsoftly. Sam\u2019s\t eyes\t narrowed,\t but\t he\t pushed\t off\t the\t threshold\t and\t took\t a\t seat\t on\t the edge\t of\t the\t bed.\t He\t ran\t a\t hand\t through\t his\t hair,\t setting\t the\t ends\t sticking\t up\t at odd\tangles. After\t a\t long\t moment,\t he\t spoke.\t \u201cThe\t only\t secret\t I\u2019ve\t borne\t my\t entire\t life\t is that\tI\tlove\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tgave\ther\ta\tslight\tsmile.\t\u201cIt\twas\tthe\tone\tthing\tI\tbelieved\tI\u2019d go\t to\t the\t grave\t without\t voicing.\u201d\t His\t eyes\t were\t so\t full\t of\t light\t that\t it\t almost stopped\ther\theart. She\tfound\therself\twalking\ttoward\thim,\tthen\tplacing\tone\thand\talong\this\tcheek and\tthreading\tthe\tother\tthrough\this\thair.\tHe\tturned\this\thead\tto\tkiss\ther\tpalm,\tas if\t the\t phantom\t blood\t that\t coated\t her\t hands\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t him.\t His\t eyes\t found hers\tagain.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tyours,\tthen?\u201d The\t room\t felt\t too\t small,\t the\t air\t too\t thick.\t She\t closed\t her\t eyes.\t It\t took\t her\t a minute,\t and\t more\t nerve\t than\t she\t realized,\t but\t the\t answer\t finally\t came.\t It\t had always\t been\t there\u2014whispering\t to\t her\t in\t her\t sleep,\t behind\t every\t breath,\t a\t dark weight\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tever\tescape. \u201cDeep\tdown,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019m\ta\tcoward.\u201d","His\tbrows\trose. \u201cI\u2019m\t a\t coward,\u201d\t she\t repeated.\t \u201cAnd\t I\u2019m\t scared.\t I\u2019m\t scared\t all\t the\t time. Always.\u201d He\t removed\t her\t hand\t from\t his\t cheek\t to\t kiss\t the\t tips\t of\t her\t fingers.\t \u201cI\t get scared,\t too,\u201d\t he\t murmured\t onto\t her\t skin.\t \u201cYou\t want\t to\t hear\t something ridiculous?\tWhenever\tI\u2019m\tscared\tout\tof\tmy\twits,\tI\ttell\tmyself:\tMy\tname\tis\tSam Cortland\t\u2026\tand\tI\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tdoing\tit\tfor\tyears.\u201d It\twas\ther\tturn\tto\traise\ther\tbrows.\t\u201cAnd\tthat\tactually\tworks?\u201d He\tlaughed\tonto\ther\tfingers.\t\u201cSometimes\tit\tdoes,\tsometimes\tit\tdoesn\u2019t.\tBut\tit usually\tmakes\tme\tfeel\tbetter\tto\tsome\tdegree.\tOr\tit\tjust\tmakes\tme\tlaugh\tat\tmyself a\tbit.\u201d It\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tsort\tof\tfear\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\ttalking\tabout,\tbut\t\u2026 \u201cI\tlike\tthat,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. He\t laced\t his\t fingers\t with\t hers\t and\t pulled\t her\t onto\t his\t lap.\t \u201cI\t like\t you,\u201d\t he murmured,\t and\t Celaena\t let\t him\t kiss\t her\t until\t she\u2019d\t again\t forgotten\t the\t dark burden\tthat\twould\talways\thaunt\ther.","CHAPTER 5 Rourke\tFarran\twas\ta\tbusy,\tbusy\tman.\tCelaena\tand\tSam\twere\twaiting\ta\tblock away\t from\t Jayne\u2019s\t house\t before\t dawn\t the\t next\t morning,\t both\t of\t them\t wearing nondescript\t clothing\t and\t cloaks\t with\t hoods\t deep\t enough\t to\t cover\t most\t of\t their features\twithout\tgiving\talarm.\tFarran\twas\tout\tand\tabout\tbefore\tthe\tsun\thad\tfully risen.\t They\t trailed\t his\t carriage\t through\t the\t city,\t observing\t him\t at\t each\t stop.\t It was\t a\t wonder\t he\t even\t had\t time\t to\t indulge\t in\t his\t sadistic\t delights,\t because Jayne\u2019s\tbusiness\tcertainly\ttook\tup\tplenty\tof\this\tday. He\t took\t the\t same\t black\t carriage\t everywhere\u2014more\t proof\t of\t his\t arrogance, since\tit\tmade\thim\tan\teasily\tmarked\ttarget.\tUnlike\tDoneval,\twho\twas\tconstantly guarded,\tFarran\tseemed\tto\tdeliberately\tgo\twithout\tguards,\tdaring\tanyone\tto\ttake him\ton. They\t followed\t him\t to\t the\t bank,\t to\t the\t dining\t rooms\t and\t taverns\t owned\t by Jayne,\t to\t the\t brothels\t and\t the\t black-market\t stalls\t hidden\t in\t crumbling\t alleys, then\tback\tto\tthe\tbank\tagain.\tHe\tmade\tseveral\tstops\tat\tJayne\u2019s\thouse\tin\tbetween, too.\t And\t then\t he\t surprised\t Celaena\t once\t by\t going\t into\t a\t bookshop\u2014not\t to threaten\tthe\towner\tor\tcollect\tdues,\tbut\tto\tbuy\tbooks. She\u2019d\t hated\t that,\t for\t some\t reason.\t Especially\t when,\t despite\t Sam\u2019s\t protests, she\u2019d\tquickly\tsnuck\tin\twhile\tthe\tbookseller\twas\tin\tthe\tback\tand\tspied\tthe\treceipt ledger\t behind\t the\t desk.\t Farran\t hadn\u2019t\t bought\t books\t about\t torture\t or\t death\t or anything\t wicked.\t Oh,\t no.\t They\u2019d\t been\t adventure\t novels.\t Novels\t that\t she\t had read\t and\t enjoyed.\t The\t idea\t of\t Farran\t reading\t them\t too\t felt\t like\t a\t violation, somehow. The\tday\tslipped\tby,\tand\tthey\tlearned\tlittle\texcept\tfor\thow\tbrazenly\the\ttraveled about.\tSam\tshould\thave\tno\ttrouble\tdispatching\thim\ttomorrow\tnight. When\t the\t sun\t was\t shifting\t into\t the\t golden\t hues\t of\t late\t afternoon,\t Farran pulled\tup\tat\tthe\tnondescript\tiron\tdoor\tthat\tled\tdown\tinto\tthe\tVaults. At\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tstreet,\tCelaena\tand\tSam\twatched\thim\tas\tthey\tpretended\tto\tbe washing\tdung\toff\ttheir\tboots\tat\ta\tpublic\tspigot. \u201cIt\t seems\t fitting\t that\t Jayne\t owns\t the\t Vaults,\u201d\t Sam\t said\t quietly\t over\t the","gushing\twater. Celaena\tgave\thim\ta\tglare\u2014or\tshe\twould\thave,\tif\tthe\thood\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tin\tthe way.\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\tI\tgot\tso\tmad\tabout\tyou\tfighting\tthere?\tIf\tyou\tever\tgot into\t any\t trouble\t with\t the\t people\t at\t the\t Vaults,\t ever\t pissed\t them\t off,\t you\u2019re significant\tenough\tthat\tFarran\thimself\twould\tcome\tto\tpunish\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\thandle\tFarran.\u201d She\t rolled\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t expect\t him\t actually\t to\t make\t a\t visit,\t though. Seems\ttoo\tdirty\there,\teven\tfor\thim.\u201d \u201cShould\twe\ttake\ta\tlook?\u201d\tThe\tstreet\twas\tquiet.\tThe\tVaults\tcame\talive\tat\tnight, but\t during\t the\t day,\t there\t wasn\u2019t\t anyone\t in\t the\t alley\t except\t for\t a\t few\t stumbling drunks\tand\tthe\thalf-dozen\tguards\talways\tposted\toutside. It\t was\t a\t risk,\t she\t supposed\u2014going\t into\t the\t Vaults\t after\t Farran\u2014but\t \u2026\t If Farran\t truly\t rivaled\t her\t for\t notoriety,\t it\t would\t be\t interesting\t to\t get\t a\t sense\t of what\t he\t was\t really\t like\t before\t Sam\t ended\t his\t life\t tomorrow\t night.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t go,\u201d she\tsaid. They\t flashed\t silver\t at\t the\t guards\t outside,\t then\t tossed\t it\t to\t the\t guards\t inside, and\tthey\twere\tin.\tThe\tthugs\tasked\tno\tquestions,\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tdemand\tthey\tremove their\t weapons\t or\t their\t hoods.\t Their\t usual\t clientele\t wanted\t discretion\t while partaking\tin\tthe\ttwisted\tdelights\tof\tthe\tVaults. From\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tstairs\tjust\tinside\tthe\tfront\tdoor,\tCelaena\tinstantly\tspotted Farran\tsitting\tat\tone\tof\tthe\tscarred\tand\tburned\twooden\ttables\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe room,\t talking\t to\t a\t man\t she\t recognized\t as\t Helmson,\t the\t master\t of\t ceremonies during\t the\t fights.\t A\t small\t lunchtime\t crowd\t had\t gathered\t at\t the\t other\t tables, though\t they\u2019d\t all\t cleared\t a\t ring\t around\t Farran.\t At\t the\t back\t of\t the\t chamber,\t the pits\twere\tdark\tand\tquiet,\tslaves\tworking\tto\tscrape\toff\tthe\tblood\tand\tgore\tbefore the\tnight\u2019s\trevelries. Celaena\t tried\t not\t to\t look\t too\t long\t at\t the\t shackles\t and\t broken\t posture\t of\t the slaves.\t It\t was\t impossible\t to\t tell\t where\t they\u2019d\t come\t from\u2014if\t they\u2019d\t begun\t as prisoners\tof\twar\tor\thad\tjust\tbeen\tstolen\tfrom\ttheir\tkingdoms.\tShe\twondered\tif\tit was\t better\t to\t wind\t up\t as\t a\t slave\t here,\t or\t a\t prisoner\t in\t a\t brutal\t labor\t camp\t like Endovier.\tBoth\tseemed\tlike\tsimilar\tversions\tof\ta\tliving\thell. Compared\t to\t the\t teeming\t crowds\t the\t other\t night,\t the\t Vaults\t were\t practically deserted\t today.\t Even\t the\t prostitutes\t in\t the\t exposed\t chambers\t flanking\t the\t sides of\tthe\tcavernous\tspace\twere\tresting\twhile\tthey\tcould.\tMany\tof\tthe\tgirls\tslept\tin tangled\t heaps\t on\t the\t narrow\t cots,\t barely\t hidden\t from\t view\t by\t the\t shabby","curtains\tdesigned\tto\tgive\tthe\tillusion\tof\tprivacy. She\twanted\tto\tburn\tthis\tplace\tinto\tnothing\t but\tashes.\tAnd\tthen\tlet\t everyone know\t that\t this\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t sort\t of\t thing\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin\t stood\t for.\t Perhaps after\tthey\u2019d\ttaken\tout\tFarran\tand\tJayne,\tshe\u2019d\tdo\tjust\tthat.\tOne\tfinal\tbit\tof\tglory and\t retribution\t from\t Celaena\t Sardothien\u2014one\t last\t chance\t to\t make\t them remember\ther\tforever\tbefore\tshe\tleft. Sam\tkept\tclose\tto\ther\tas\tthey\treached\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tstairs\tand\tstrode\tto\tthe bar\t tucked\t into\t the\t shadows\t beneath.\t A\t wisp\t of\t a\t man\t stood\t behind\t it, pretending\t to\t wipe\t down\t the\t wooden\t surface\t while\t his\t watery\t blue\t eyes\t stayed fixed\ton\tFarran. \u201cTwo\t ales,\u201d\t Sam\t growled.\t Celaena\t thumped\t a\t silver\t coin\t down\t on\t the\t bar, and\t the\t barkeep\u2019s\t attention\t snapped\t to\t them.\t She\t was\t grossly\t overpaying,\t but the\tbarkeep\u2019s\tslender,\tscabbed\thands\tvanished\tthe\tsilver\tin\tthe\tblink\tof\tan\teye. There\twere\tenough\tpeople\tstill\tinside\tthe\tVaults\tthat\tCelaena\tand\tSam\tcould blend\tin\u2014mostly\tdrunks\twho\tnever\tleft\tthe\tpremises\tand\tpeople\twho\tseemed\tto enjoy\t this\t sort\t of\t wretched\t environment\t while\t eating\t their\t lunch.\t Celaena\t and Sam\tpretended\tto\tdrink\ttheir\tales\u2014sloshing\tthe\talcohol\ton\tthe\tground\twhen\tno one\twas\tlooking\u2014and\twatched\tFarran. There\t was\t a\t locked\t wooden\t chest\t resting\t on\t the\t table\t beside\t Farran\t and\t the squat\t master\t of\t ceremonies\u2014a\t chest\t that\t Celaena\t had\t no\t doubt\t was\t full\t of\t the Vaults\u2019\t earnings\t from\t the\t night\t before.\t Farran\u2019s\t attention\t was\t fixed\t with\t feline intensity\t on\t Helmson,\t the\t chest\t seemingly\t forgotten.\t It\t was\t practically\t an invitation. \u201cHow\tmad\tdo\tyou\tthink\the\u2019d\tbe\tif\tI\tstole\tthat\tchest?\u201d\tCelaena\tpondered. \u201cDon\u2019t\teven\tentertain\tthe\tidea.\u201d She\tclicked\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cSpoilsport.\u201d Whatever\t Farran\t and\t Helmson\t were\t discussing,\t it\t was\t over\t quickly.\t But instead\tof\tgoing\tback\tup\tthe\tstairs,\tFarran\twalked\tover\tto\tthe\twarren\tof\tgirls.\tHe prowled\t past\t every\t alcove\t and\t stone\t chamber,\t and\t the\t girls\t all\t straightened. Sleeping\t ones\t were\t hastily\t awakened,\t any\t sign\t of\t sleep\t vanished\t by\t the\t time Farran\t stalked\t past.\t He\t looked\t them\t over,\t inspecting,\t making\t comments\t to\t the man\twho\thovered\tbehind\thim.\tHelmson\tnodded\tand\tbowed\tand\tbarked\torders\tat the\tgirls. Even\tfrom\tacross\tthe\troom,\tthe\tterror\ton\tthe\tgirls\u2019\tfaces\twas\tevident. Both\tCelaena\tand\tSam\tstruggled\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tgoing\trigid.\tFarran\tcrossed\tthe large\t chamber\t and\t inspected\t the\t dens\t on\t the\t other\t side.\t By\t that\t time,\t the\t girls there\twere\tprepared.\tWhen\tFarran\thad\tfinished,\the\tlooked\tover\this\tshoulder\tand nodded\tto\tHelmson.","Helmson\t sagged\t with\t what\t could\t only\t be\t relief,\t but\t then\t paled\t and\t quickly found\tsomewhere\telse\tto\tbe\tas\tFarran\tsnapped\this\tfingers\tat\tone\tof\tthe\tsentries near\ta\tsmall\tdoor.\tImmediately,\tthe\tdoor\topened\tand\ta\tshackled,\tdirty,\tmuscular man\t was\t dragged\t out\t by\t another\t sentry.\t The\t prisoner\t looked\t half-dead\t already, but\tthe\tmoment\the\tsaw\tFarran,\the\tstarted\tbegging,\tthrashing\tagainst\tthe\tsentry\u2019s grip. It\t was\t hard\t to\t hear,\t but\t Celaena\t discerned\t enough\t from\t the\t man\u2019s\t frantic pleading\t to\t get\t the\t gist\t of\t it:\t he\t was\t a\t fighter\t in\t the\t Vaults,\t owed\t Jayne\t more money\tthan\the\tcould\tever\trepay,\tand\thad\ttried\tto\tcheat\this\tway\tout\tof\tit. Although\t the\t prisoner\t promised\t to\t repay\t Jayne\t with\t interest,\t Farran\t just smiled,\t letting\t the\t man\t babble\t until\t at\t last\t he\t paused\t for\t a\t shuddering\t breath. Then\t Farran\t jerked\t his\t chin\t toward\t a\t door\t hidden\t behind\t a\t ragged\t curtain,\t and his\t smile\t grew\t as\t the\t sentry\t dragged\t the\t still-pleading\t man\t toward\t it.\t As\t the door\topened,\tCelaena\tcaught\ta\tglimpse\tof\ta\tstairwell\tthat\tswept\tdownward. Without\tso\tmuch\tas\ta\tlook\tin\tthe\tdirection\tof\tthe\tpatrons\tdiscreetly\twatching from\ttheir\ttables,\tFarran\tled\tthe\tsentry\tand\this\tprisoner\tinside\tand\tshut\tthe\tdoor. Whatever\twas\tabout\tto\thappen\twas\tJayne\u2019s\tversion\tof\tjustice. Sure\tenough,\tfive\tminutes\tlater,\ta\tscream\tpierced\tthrough\tthe\tVaults. It\t was\t more\t animal\t than\t human.\t She\u2019d\t heard\t screams\t like\t that\t before\u2014had witnessed\t enough\t torture\t at\t the\t Keep\t to\t know\t that\t when\t people\t screamed\t like that,\tit\tmeant\tthat\tthe\tpain\twas\tjust\tbeginning.\tBy\tthe\tend,\twhen\tthat\tsort\tof\tpain happened,\t the\t victims\t had\t usually\t blown\t out\t their\t vocal\t cords\t and\t could\t only emit\thoarse,\tshattered\tshrieks. Celaena\tgritted\ther\tteeth\tso\thard\ther\tjaw\thurt.\tThe\tbarkeep\tgave\ta\tsharp\twave to\t the\t minstrels\t in\t the\t corner,\t and\t they\t immediately\t started\t up\t a\t song\t to\t cover the\t noise.\t But\t screams\t still\t echoed\t up\t from\t beneath\t the\t stone\t floor.\t Farran wouldn\u2019t\tkill\tthe\tman\tright\taway.\tNo,\this\tpleasure\tcame\tfrom\tthe\tpain\titself. \u201cIt\u2019s\ttime\tto\tleave,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid,\tnoting\thow\ttightly\tSam\tgripped\this\tmug. \u201cWe\tcan\u2019t\tjust\u2014\u201d \u201cWe\t can,\u201d\t she\t said\t sharply.\t \u201cBelieve\t me,\t I\u2019d\t like\t to\t burst\t in\t there,\t too.\t But this\tplace\tis\tdesigned\tlike\ta\tdeath\ttrap,\tand\tI\u2019ve\tno\tdesire\tto\tmake\tmy\tfinal\tstand here,\t or\t right\t now.\u201d\t Sam\t was\t still\t staring\t at\t the\t stairwell\t door.\t \u201cWhen\t the\t time comes,\u201d\t she\t added,\t putting\t a\t hand\t on\t his\t arm,\t \u201cyou\u2019ll\t make\t sure\t he\t pays\t his debt.\u201d Sam\tturned\tto\ther,\this\tface\tconcealed\twithin\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\thood,\tbut\tshe could\tread\tthe\taggression\tin\this\tbody\twell\tenough.\t\u201cHe\u2019ll\tpay\this\tdebt\tfor\tall\tof this,\u201d\tSam\tsnarled.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tCelaena\tnoticed\tthat\tsome\tof\tthe\tgirls\twere weeping,\t some\t shook,\t some\t just\t stared\t at\t nothing.\t Yes,\t Farran\t had\t visited","before,\thad\tused\tthat\troom\tto\tdo\tJayne\u2019s\tdirty\twork\u2014while\treminding\teveryone else\tnot\tto\tcross\tthe\tCrime\tLord.\tHow\tmany\thorrors\thad\tthese\tgirls\twitnessed\u2014 or\tat\tleast\theard? The\tscreams\twere\tstill\trising\tup\tfrom\tbelow\twhen\tthey\tleft\tthe\tVaults. She\thad\tintended\tto\tlead\tthem\thome,\tbut\tSam\tinsisted\ton\tgoing\tto\tthe\tpublic park\t built\t along\t a\t well-off\t neighborhood\t beside\t the\t Avery\t River.\t After meandering\talong\tthe\tneat\tgravel\twalkways,\the\tslumped\tonto\ta\tbench\tfacing\tthe water.\tHe\tpulled\toff\this\thood\tand\trubbed\this\tface\twith\this\tbroad\thands. \u201cWe\u2019re\tnot\tlike\tthat,\u201d\the\twhispered\tthrough\this\tfingers. Celaena\t sank\t onto\t the\t wooden\t bench.\t She\t knew\t exactly\t what\t he\t meant.\t The same\tthought\thad\tbeen\techoing\tthrough\ther\thead\tas\tthey\twalked\there.\tThey\thad been\ttaught\thow\tto\tkill\tand\tmaim\tand\ttorture\u2014she\tknew\thow\tto\tskin\ta\tman\tand keep\t him\t alive\t while\t doing\t it.\t She\t knew\t how\t to\t keep\t someone\t awake\t and coherent\t during\t long\t hours\t of\t torment\u2014knew\t where\t to\t inflict\t the\t most\t pain without\thaving\tsomeone\tbleed\tout. Arobynn\t had\t been\t so,\t so\t clever\t about\t it,\t too.\t He\u2019d\t brought\t in\t the\t most despicable\t people\u2014rapists,\t murderers,\t rogue\t assassins\t who\t had\t butchered innocents\u2014and\the\u2019d\tmade\ther\tread\tall\tof\tthe\tinformation\the\u2019d\tgathered\ton\tthem. Made\ther\tread\tabout\tall\tof\tthe\tawful\tthings\tthey\u2019d\tdone\tuntil\tshe\twas\tso\tenraged she\t couldn\u2019t\t think\t straight,\t until\t she\t was\t aching\t to\t make\t them\t suffer.\t He\u2019d honed\ther\tanger\tinto\ta\tlethal\tblade.\tAnd\tshe\u2019d\tlet\thim. Before\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t she\u2019d\t done\t it\t all\t and\t had\t rarely\t questioned\t it.\t She\u2019d pretended\t that\t she\t had\t some\t moral\t code,\t lied\t to\t herself\t and\t said\t that\t since\t she didn\u2019t\t enjoy\t it,\t it\t meant\t that\t she\t had\t some\t excuse,\t but\t \u2026\t she\t had\t still\t stood\t in that\t chamber\t beneath\t the\t Assassins\u2019\t Keep\t and\t seen\t the\t blood\t flow\t toward\t the drain\tin\tthe\tsloped\tfloor. \u201cWe\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tlike\tthat,\u201d\tSam\tsaid. She\t took\t his\t hands,\t easing\t them\t away\t from\t his\t face.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t not\t like\t Farran. We\tknow\thow\tto\tdo\tit,\tbut\twe\tdon\u2019t\tenjoy\tit.\tThat\u2019s\tthe\tdifference.\u201d His\t brown\t eyes\t were\t distant\t as\t he\t watched\t the\t gentle\t current\t of\t the\t Avery making\tits\tway\ttoward\tthe\tnearby\tsea.\t\u201cWhen\tArobynn\tordered\tus\tto\tdo\tthings like\tthat,\twe\tnever\tsaid\tno.\u201d \u201cWe\t had\t no\t choice.\t But\t we\t do\t now.\u201d\t Once\t they\t left\t Rifthold,\t they\u2019d\t never have\tto\tmake\ta\tchoice\tlike\tthat\tagain\u2014they\tcould\tcreate\ttheir\town\tcodes. Sam\tlooked\tat\ther,\this\texpression\tso\thaunted\tand\tbleak\tit\tmade\ther\tsick.\t\u201cBut","there\twas\talways\tthat\tpart.\tThat\tpart\tthat\tdid\tenjoy\tit\twhen\tit\twas\tsomeone\twho truly\tdeserved\tit.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed.\t\u201cYes,\tthere\twas\talways\tthat\tpart.\tBut\twe\tstill\thad\ta\tline, Sam\u2014we\t still\t stayed\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t it.\t Lines\t don\u2019t\t exist\t for\t someone\t like Farran.\u201d They\t weren\u2019t\t like\t Farran\u2014Sam\t wasn\u2019t\t like\t Farran.\t She\t knew\t that\t in\t her bones.\t Sam\t would\t never\t be\t like\t Farran.\t He\u2019d\t never\t be\t like\t her,\t either.\t She sometimes\twondered\tif\the\tknew\tjust\thow\tdark\tshe\tcould\tturn. Sam\t leaned\t against\t her,\t resting\t his\t head\t on\t her\t shoulder.\t \u201cWhen\t we\t die,\t do you\tthink\twe\u2019ll\tbe\tpunished\tfor\tthe\tthings\twe\u2019ve\tdone?\u201d She\tlooked\tat\tthe\tfar\tbank\tof\tthe\triver,\twhere\ta\trow\tof\tramshackle\thouses\tand docks\thad\tbeen\tbuilt.\t\u201cWhen\twe\tdie,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthe\tgods\twill\teven know\twhat\tto\tdo\twith\tus.\u201d Sam\tglanced\tat\ther,\ta\thint\tof\tamusement\tshining\tin\this\teyes. Celaena\tsmiled\tat\thim,\tand\tthe\tworld,\tfor\tone\tflickering\theartbeat,\tfelt\tright. The\t dagger\t whined\t as\t Celaena\t sharpened\t it,\t the\t reverberations\t shooting through\ther\thands.\tSeated\tbeside\ther\ton\tthe\tfloor\tof\tthe\tgreat\troom,\tSam\tpored over\ta\tmap\tof\tthe\tcity,\ttracing\tstreets\twith\this\tfingers.\tThe\tfireplace\tbefore\tthem cast\teverything\tinto\tflickering\tshadows,\ta\twelcome\twarmth\ton\ta\tchill\tnight. They\t had\t returned\t to\t the\t Vaults\t in\t time\t to\t see\t Farran\t entering\t his\t carriage again.\t So\t they\t spent\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t afternoon\t stalking\t him\u2014more\t trips\t to\t the bank\t and\t other\t locations,\t more\t stops\t back\t at\t Jayne\u2019s\t house.\t She\u2019d\t gone\t off\t on her\town\tfor\ttwo\thours\tto\ttrail\tJayne\u2014to\tget\tanother\tsubtle\tglimpse\tat\tthe\thouse and\tsee\twhere\tthe\tCrime\tLord\twent.\tIt\twas\ttwo\tuneventful\thours\tof\tfiguring\tout where\this\tspies\thid\ton\tthe\tstreets,\tsince\tJayne\tdidn\u2019t\temerge\tfrom\tthe\tbuilding\tat all. If\t Sam\t planned\t to\t dispatch\t Farran\t tomorrow\t night,\t they\t agreed\t that\t the\t best time\tto\tdo\tit\twould\tbe\twhen\the\ttook\ta\tcarriage\tfrom\tthe\thouse\tto\twherever\telse he\thad\tdealings,\teither\tfor\thimself\tor\tJayne.\tAfter\ta\tlong\tday\tof\trunning\terrands for\tJayne,\tFarran\twas\tsure\tto\tbe\tdrained,\this\tdefenses\tsloppy.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\tknow what\twas\tcoming\tuntil\this\tlifeblood\tspilled. Sam\t would\t be\t wearing\t the\t special\t suit\t that\t the\t Master\t Tinkerer\t from Melisande\t had\t made\t for\t him,\t which\t in\t itself\t was\t its\t own\t armory.\t The\t sleeves possessed\t concealed\t built-in\t swords,\t the\t boots\t were\t specially\t designed\t for climbing,\tand,\tthanks\tto\tCelaena,\tSam\u2019s\tsuit\twas\tequipped\twith\tan\timpenetrable","patch\tof\tSpidersilk\tright\tover\this\theart. Celaena\t had\t her\t own\t suit,\t of\t course\u2014used\t only\t sparingly\t now\t that\t the convoy\tfrom\tMelisande\thad\treturned\thome.\tIf\teither\tsuit\tneeded\trepairs,\tit\u2019d\tbe near\t impossible\t to\t find\t someone\t in\t Rifthold\t skilled\t enough.\t But\t dispatching Farran\t was\t definitely\t an\t occasion\t worth\t the\t risk.\t In\t addition\t to\t the\t suit\u2019s defenses,\t Sam\t would\t also\t be\t equipped\t with\t the\t extra\t blades\t and\t daggers\t that Celaena\t was\t now\t sharpening.\t She\t tested\t an\t edge\t against\t her\t hand,\t smiling grimly\t as\t her\t skin\t stung.\t \u201cSharp\t enough\t to\t cut\t air,\u201d\t she\t said,\t sheathing\t it\t and setting\tit\tdown\tbeside\ther. \u201cWell,\u201d\tSam\tsaid,\teyes\tstill\tflitting\tacross\tthe\tmap,\t\u201clet\u2019s\thope\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto get\tclose\tenough\tto\tuse\tit.\u201d If\t all\t went\t according\t to\t plan,\t Sam\t would\t only\t need\t to\t fire\t four\t arrows:\t one each\t to\t disable\t the\t carriage\t driver\t and\t the\t footman,\t one\t for\t Farran\u2014and\t one more\tjust\tto\tmake\tsure\tFarran\twas\tdead. Celaena\t picked\t up\t another\t dagger\t and\t began\t sharpening\t that\t as\t well.\t She jerked\ther\tchin\ttoward\tthe\tmap.\t\u201cEscape\troutes?\u201d \u201cA\tdozen\tplanned\talready,\u201d\tSam\tsaid,\tand\tshowed\ther.\tWith\tJayne\u2019s\thouse\tas a\t starting\t point,\t Sam\t had\t picked\t multiple\t streets\t in\t every\t direction\t where\t he could\t fire\t his\t arrows\u2014which\t led\t to\t multiple\t escape\t routes\t that\t would\t get\t Sam away\tas\tquickly\tas\tpossible. \u201cRemind\t me\t again\t why\t I\u2019m\t not\t going?\u201d\t The\t dagger\t in\t her\t hands\t let\t out\t a long\twhine. \u201cBecause\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\there,\tpacking?\u201d \u201cPacking?\u201d\tShe\tstilled\tthe\tsharpening\tknife\tin\ther\thand. He\treturned\this\tattention\tto\tthe\tmap.\tThen\the\tsaid,\tvery\tcarefully,\t\u201cI\tsecured us\tpassage\ton\ta\tship\tto\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent,\tleaving\tin\tfive\tdays.\u201d \u201cThe\tsouthern\tcontinent.\u201d Sam\t nodded,\t still\t focusing\t on\t the\t map.\t \u201cIf\t we\u2019re\t going\t to\t get\t away\t from Rifthold,\tthen\twe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tget\taway\tfrom\tthis\tentire\tcontinent,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cThat\t wasn\u2019t\t what\t we\t discussed.\t We\t decided\t to\t move\t to\t another\t city\t on\t this continent.\t And\t what\t if\t there\u2019s\t another\t Assassins\u2019\t Guild\t on\t the\t southern continent?\u201d \u201cThen\twe\u2019ll\task\tto\tjoin\tthem.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t going\t to\t grovel\t to\t join\t some\t no-name\t guild\t and\t be\t subservient\t to some\twould-be\tinfamous\tassassins!\u201d Sam\t looked\t up.\t \u201cIs\t this\t really\t about\t your\t pride,\t or\t is\t it\t because\t of\t the distance?\u201d \u201cBoth!\u201d\t She\t slammed\t down\t the\t dagger\t and\t the\t honing\t stone\t on\t the\t rug.\t \u201cI","was\t willing\t to\t move\t to\t a\t place\t like\t Banjali\t or\t Bellhaven\t or\t Anielle.\t Not\t to\t an entirely\t new\t continent\u2014a\t place\t we\t hardly\t know\t anything\t about!\t That\t wasn\u2019t part\tof\tthe\tplan.\u201d \u201cAt\tleast\twe\u2019d\tbe\tout\tof\tAdarlan\u2019s\tempire.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tgive\ta\tdamn\tabout\tthe\tempire!\u201d He\tsat\tback,\tpropping\thimself\ton\this\thands.\t\u201cCan\u2019t\tyou\tjust\tadmit\tthat\tthis\tis about\tArobynn?\u201d \u201cNo.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tabout.\u201d \u201cBecause\tif\twe\tsail\tfor\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent,\tthen\the\twill\tnever\tfind\tus\tagain \u2014and\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tquite\tready\tto\taccept\tthat.\u201d \u201cMy\trelationship\twith\tArobynn\tis\u2014\u201d \u201cIs\t what?\t Over?\t Is\t that\t why\t you\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t me\t that\t he\t came\t to\t visit yesterday?\u201d Her\theart\tskipped\ta\tbeat. Sam\twent\ton.\t\u201cWhile\tyou\twere\ttrailing\tJayne\ttoday,\the\tapproached\tme\tin\tthe street,\t and\t seemed\t surprised\t that\t you\t hadn\u2019t\t said\t anything\t about\t his\t visit.\t He also\ttold\tme\tto\task\tabout\twhat\treally\thappened\tbefore\the\tfound\tyou\thalf-dead\ton that\triverbank\twhen\twe\twere\tchildren.\u201d\tSam\tleaned\tforward,\tbracing\ta\thand\ton the\tfloor\tas\the\tbrought\this\tface\tclose\tto\thers.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\tknow\twhat\tI\ttold\thim?\u201d His\tbreath\twas\thot\ton\ther\tmouth.\t\u201cThat\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tBut\the\tjust\tkept\ttrying\tto bait\tme,\tto\tmake\tme\tnot\ttrust\tyou.\tSo\tafter\the\twalked\taway,\tI\twent\tright\tto\tthe docks\t and\t found\t the\t first\t ship\t that\t would\t take\t us\t away\t from\t this\t damned continent.\tAway\tfrom\thim,\tbecause\teven\tthough\twe\u2019re\tout\tof\tthe\tGuild,\the\twill never\tleave\tus\talone.\u201d She\t swallowed\t hard.\t \u201cHe\t said\t those\t things\t to\t you?\t About\t \u2026\t about\t where\t I came\tfrom?\u201d Sam\t must\t have\t seen\t something\t like\t fear\t in\t her\t eyes,\t because\t he\t suddenly shook\this\thead,\this\tshoulders\tslumping.\t\u201cCelaena,\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tgood\tand\tready to\ttell\tme\tthe\ttruth,\tyou\u2019ll\tdo\tit.\tAnd\tno\tmatter\twhat\tit\tis,\twhen\tthat\tday\tcomes, I\u2019ll\t be\t honored\t that\t you\t trust\t me\t enough\t to\t do\t so.\t But\t until\t then,\t it\u2019s\t not\t my business,\t and\t it\u2019s\t not\t Arobynn\u2019s\t business.\t It\u2019s\t not\t anyone\u2019s\t business\t but\t your own.\u201d Celaena\tleaned\ther\tforehead\tagainst\this,\tand\tsome\tof\tthe\ttightness\tin\this\tbody \u2014and\t hers\u2014melted\t away.\t \u201cWhat\t if\t moving\t to\t the\t southern\t continent\t is\t a mistake?\u201d \u201cThen\twe\u2019ll\tmove\tsomewhere\telse.\tWe\u2019ll\tkeep\tmoving\tuntil\twe\tfind\tthe\tplace where\twe\u2019re\tmeant\tto\tbe.\u201d She\t shut\t her\t eyes\t and\t took\t a\t steadying\t breath.\t \u201cWill\t you\t laugh\t if\t I\t say\t that","I\u2019m\tscared?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid\tsoftly,\t\u201cnever.\u201d \u201cMaybe\t I\t should\t try\t your\t little\t trick.\u201d\t She\t took\t another\t breath.\t \u201cMy\t name\t is Celaena\tSardothien,\tand\tI\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid.\u201d He\tdid\tlaugh\tthen,\ta\ttickle\tof\tbreath\ton\ther\tmouth.\t\u201cI\tthink\tyou\thave\tto\tsay\tit with\ta\tbit\tmore\tconviction\tthan\tthat.\u201d She\topened\ther\teyes\tand\tfound\thim\twatching\ther,\this\tface\ta\tmixture\tof\tpride and\t wonder\t and\t such\t open\t affection\t that\t she\t could\t see\t that\t far-off\t land\t where they\u2019d\tfind\ta\thome,\tsee\tthat\tfuture\tthat\tawaited\tthem,\tand\tthat\tglimmer\tof\thope that\t promised\t happiness\t she\u2019d\t never\t considered\t or\t dared\t yearn\t for.\t And\t even though\t the\t southern\t continent\t was\t a\t drastic\t change\t in\t their\t plans\t \u2026\t Sam\t was right.\tA\tnew\tcontinent\tfor\ta\tnew\tbeginning. \u201cI\tlove\tyou,\u201d\tSam\tsaid. Celaena\t wrapped\t her\t arms\t around\t him\t and\t held\t him\t close,\t breathing\t in\t his scent.\tHer\tonly\treply\twas,\t\u201cI\thate\tpacking.\u201d","CHAPTER 6 The\tnext\tnight,\tthe\tclock\ton\tthe\tmantel\tseemed\tto\tbe\tstuck\tat\tnine\to\u2019clock.\tIt had\tto\tbe,\tbecause\tthere\twas\tno\tway\tin\thell\tthat\ta\tminute\tcould\ttake\tthis\tlong. She\t been\t trying\t to\t read\t for\t the\t past\t two\t hours\u2014trying\t and\t failing.\t Even\t an utterly\t sinful\t romance\t novel\t hadn\u2019t\t held\t her\t interest.\t And\t neither\t had\t playing cards,\tor\tdigging\tout\ther\tatlas\tand\treading\tabout\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent,\tor\teating all\tthe\tcandy\tshe\u2019d\thidden\tfrom\tSam\tin\tthe\tkitchen.\tOf\tcourse,\tshe\twas\tsupposed to\tbe\torganizing\tthe\tbelongings\tshe\twanted\tto\tpack.\tWhen\tshe\u2019d\tcomplained\tto Sam\tabout\twhat\ta\tchore\tit\u2019d\tbe,\the\u2019d\teven\tgone\tso\tfar\tas\tto\ttake\tall\ttheir\tempty trunks\tout\tof\tthe\tcloset.\tAnd\tthen\tpointed\tout\tthat\the\twould\tnot\tbe\ttraveling\twith her\t dozens\t of\t shoes,\t and\t she\t could\t have\t them\t shipped\t to\t her\t once\t they\t found their\thome.\tAfter\tsaying\tthat,\the\u2019d\twisely\tleft\tthe\tapartment\tto\tkill\tFarran. She\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tshe\thesitated\tto\tpack\u2014she\u2019d\tcontacted\tthe\tsolicitor\tthat morning.\tHe\thad\ttold\ther\tthe\tapartment\tmight\tbe\thard\tto\tsell,\tbut\tshe\twas\tglad\tto do\tthe\tdealings\tover\ta\tlong\tdistance,\tand\tshe\ttold\thim\tshe\u2019d\tcontact\thim\tas\tsoon as\tshe\tfound\ther\tnew\thome. A\tnew\thome. Celaena\tsighed\tas\tthe\tclock\tarms\tshifted.\tA\twhole\tminute\thad\tpassed. Of\tcourse,\twith\tFarran\u2019s\tschedule\tbeing\tsomewhat\terratic,\tSam\tmight\thave\tto wait\ta\tfew\thours\tfor\thim\tto\tleave\tthe\thouse.\tOr\tmaybe\the\u2019d\talready\tdone\tthe\tjob and\tneeded\tto\tlie\tlow\tfor\ta\twhile,\tjust\tin\tcase\tsomeone\ttraced\thim\tback\there. Celaena\tchecked\tthe\tdagger\tbeside\ther\ton\tthe\tcouch,\tthen\tglanced\taround\tthe room\t for\t the\t hundredth\t time\t that\t evening,\t making\t sure\t all\t the\t concealed weapons\twere\tin\ttheir\tproper\tplaces. She\twouldn\u2019t\tcheck\ton\tSam.\tHe\u2019d\twanted\tto\tdo\tthis\ton\this\town.\tAnd\the\tcould be\tanywhere\tnow. The\ttrunks\tlay\tby\tthe\twindow. Maybe\tshe\tshould\tstart\tpacking.\tOnce\tthey\tdispatched\tJayne\ttomorrow\tnight, they\u2019d\t need\t to\t be\t ready\t to\t leave\t the\t city\t as\t soon\t as\t that\t ship\t was\t available\t to board.\t Because\t while\t she\t certainly\t wanted\t the\t world\t to\t know\t that\t Celaena","Sardothien\t had\t made\t the\t kill,\t getting\t far\t from\t Rifthold\t would\t be\t in\t their\t best interest. Not\tthat\tshe\twas\trunning\taway. The\tclock\tarms\tshifted\tagain.\tAnother\tminute. Groaning,\t Celaena\t stood\t and\t walked\t to\t the\t bookshelf\t along\t the\t wall,\t where she\t began\t pulling\t out\t books\t and\t stacking\t them\t into\t the\t nearest\t empty\t trunk. She\u2019d\thave\tto\tleave\ther\tfurniture\tand\tmost\tof\ther\tshoes\tbehind\tfor\tnow,\tbut\tthere was\tno\tway\tin\thell\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tmove\tto\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent\twithout\tall of\ther\tbooks. The\tclock\tstruck\televen,\tand\tCelaena\theaded\tinto\tthe\tstreets,\twearing\tthe\tsuit the\tMaster\tTinkerer\thad\tmade\tfor\ther,\tplus\tseveral\tother\tweapons\tstrapped\tto\ther body. Sam\tshould\thave\tbeen\tback\tby\tnow.\tAnd\teven\tthough\tthere\twas\tstill\tanother hour\tuntil\tthe\ttime\twhen\tthey\u2019d\tagreed\tshe\u2019d\tlook\tfor\thim\tif\the\thadn\u2019t\treturned, if\t he\t was\t truly\t in\t trouble,\t then\t she\t certainly\t wasn\u2019t\t going\t to\t sit\t around\t for another\tminute\u2014 The\tthought\tsent\ther\tsprinting\tdown\talleys,\theading\ttoward\tJayne\u2019s\thouse. The\t slums\t were\t silent,\t but\t no\t more\t so\t than\t usual.\t Whores\t and\t barefoot orphans\t and\t people\t struggling\t to\t make\t a\t few\t honest\t coppers\t glanced\t at\t her\t as she\t ran\t past,\t no\t more\t than\t a\t shadow.\t She\t kept\t an\t ear\t out\t for\t any\t snippets\t of conversation\tthat\tmight\tsuggest\tFarran\twas\tdead,\tbut\toverheard\tnothing\tuseful. She\tslowed\tto\ta\tstalking\tgait,\ther\tsteps\tnear-silent\ton\tthe\tcobblestones\tas\tshe neared\tthe\twealthy\tneighborhood\tin\twhich\tJayne\u2019s\thouse\tstood.\tSeveral\taffluent couples\t were\t walking\t around,\t heading\t back\t from\t the\t theater,\t but\t there\t were\t no signs\t of\t a\t disturbance\t \u2026\t Though\t if\t Farran\t had\t been\t killed,\t then\t surely\t Jayne would\ttry\tto\tkeep\tthe\tassassination\thidden\tfor\tas\tlong\tas\tpossible. She\tmade\ta\tlong\tcircuit\tthrough\tthe\tneighborhood,\tchecking\ton\tall\tthe\tpoints where\tSam\thad\tplanned\tto\tbe.\tNot\ta\tspot\tof\tblood\tor\tsign\tof\ta\tstruggle.\tShe\teven dared\t to\t walk\t across\t the\t street\t from\t Jayne\u2019s\t house.\t The\t house\t was\t brightly\t lit and\talmost\tmerry,\tand\tthe\tguards\twere\tat\ttheir\tposts,\tall\tlooking\tbored. Perhaps\tSam\thad\tfound\tout\tthat\tFarran\twasn\u2019t\tleaving\tthe\thouse\ttonight.\tShe might\t very\t well\t have\t missed\t him\t on\t his\t way\t home.\t He\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t pleased when\t he\t learned\t she\u2019d\t gone\t out\t to\t find\t him,\t but\t he\t would\t have\t done\t the\t same for\ther. Sighing,\tCelaena\thurried\tback\thome.","CHAPTER 7 Sam\twasn\u2019t\tat\tthe\tapartment. But\tthe\tclock\tatop\tthe\tmantel\tread\tone\tin\tthe\tmorning. Celaena\t stood\t before\t the\t embers\t of\t the\t fireplace\t and\t stared\t at\t the\t clock, wondering\tif\tshe\twas\tsomehow\treading\tit\twrong. But\tit\tcontinued\tticking,\tand\twhen\tshe\tchecked\ther\tpocket\twatch,\tit\talso\tread one.\tThen\ttwo\tminutes\tpast\tthe\thour.\tThen\tfive\tminutes\t\u2026 She\t threw\t more\t logs\t on\t the\t fire\t and\t took\t off\t her\t swords\t and\t daggers,\t but remained\tin\tthe\tsuit.\tJust\tin\tcase. She\thad\tno\tidea\twhen\tshe\tbegan\tpacing\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tfire\u2014and\tonly\trealized it\t when\t the\t clock\t chimed\t two\t and\t she\t found\t herself\t still\t standing\t before\t the clock. He\twould\tcome\thome\tany\tminute. Any\tminute. Celaena\t jolted\t awake\t at\t the\t faint\t chime\t of\t the\t clock.\t She\u2019d\t somehow\t wound up\ton\tthe\tcouch\u2014and\tsomehow\tfallen\tasleep. Four\to\u2019clock. She\t would\t go\t out\t again\t in\t a\t minute.\t Maybe\t he\u2019d\t hidden\t in\t the\t Assassins\u2019 Keep\tfor\tthe\tnight.\tUnlikely,\tbut\t\u2026\tit\twas\tprobably\tthe\tsafest\tplace\tto\thide\tafter you\u2019d\tkilled\tRourke\tFarran. Celaena\tclosed\ther\teyes. The\t dawn\t was\t blinding,\t and\t her\t eyes\t felt\t gritty\t and\t sore\t as\t she\t hurried through\tthe\tslums,\tthen\tthe\twealthy\tneighborhoods,\tscanning\tevery\tcobblestone, every\tshadowed\talcove,\tevery\trooftop\tfor\tany\tsign\tof\thim.","Then\tshe\twent\tto\tthe\triver. She\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t breathe\t as\t she\t walked\t up\t and\t down\t the\t banks\t that\t bordered the\tslums,\tsearching\tfor\tanything.\tAny\tsign\tof\tFarran,\tor\t\u2026\tor\t\u2026 Or. She\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\therself\tfinish\tthat\tthought,\tthough\tcrippling\tnausea\tgripped\ther as\tshe\tscanned\tthe\tbanks\tand\tdocks\tand\tsewer\tdepositories. He\t would\t be\t waiting\t for\t her\t at\t home.\t And\t then\t he\u2019d\t chide\t her\t and\t laugh\t at her\tand\tkiss\ther.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\u2019d\tdispatch\tJayne\ttonight,\tand\tthen\tthey\u2019d\tset\tsail on\tthis\triver\tand\tthen\tout\tto\tthe\tnearby\tsea,\tand\tthen\tbe\tgone. He\twould\tbe\twaiting\tat\thome. He\u2019d\tbe\thome. Home. Noon. It\t couldn\u2019t\t be\t noon,\t but\t it\t was.\t Her\t pocket\t watch\t was\t properly\t wound,\t and hadn\u2019t\tonce\tfailed\ther\tin\tthe\tyears\tshe\u2019d\thad\tit. Each\t of\t her\t steps\t up\t the\t stairs\t to\t her\t apartment\t was\t heavy\t and\t light\u2014heavy and\tlight,\tthe\tsensation\tshifting\twith\teach\theartbeat.\tShe\u2019d\tstop\tby\tthe\tapartment only\tlong\tenough\tto\tsee\tif\the\u2019d\treturned. A\t roaring\t silence\t hovered\t around\t her,\t a\t cresting\t wave\t that\t she\u2019d\t been\t trying to\t outrun\t for\t hours.\t She\t knew\t that\t the\t moment\t the\t silence\t finally\t hit\t her, everything\twould\tchange. She\tfound\therself\tatop\tthe\tlanding,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tdoor. It\thad\tbeen\tunlocked\tand\tleft\tslightly\tajar. A\tstrangled\tsort\tof\tnoise\tbroke\tout\tof\ther,\tand\tshe\tran\tthe\tlast\tfew\tfeet,\tbarely noticing\tas\tshe\tthrew\topen\tthe\tdoor\tand\tburst\tinto\tthe\tapartment.\tShe\twas\tgoing to\tscream\tat\thim.\tAnd\tkiss\thim.\tAnd\tscream\tat\thim\tsome\tmore.\tA\tlot\tmore.\tHow dare\the\tmake\ther\u2014\tArobynn\tHamel\twas\tsitting\ton\ther\tcouch. Celaena\thalted. The\tKing\tof\tthe\tAssassins\tslowly\tgot\tto\this\tfeet.\tShe\tsaw\tthe\texpression\tin\this eyes\t and\t knew\t what\t he\t was\t going\t to\t say\t long\t before\t he\t opened\t his\t mouth\t and whispered,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d The\tsilence\tstruck.","CHAPTER 8 Her\t body\t started\t moving,\t walking\t straight\t toward\t the\t fireplace\t before\t she really\tknew\twhat\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tdo. \u201cThey\t thought\t he\t was\t still\t living\t in\t the\t Keep,\u201d\t Arobynn\t said,\t his\t voice pitched\tat\tthat\thorrible\twhisper.\t\u201cThey\tleft\thim\tas\ta\tmessage.\u201d She\treached\tthe\tmantel\tand\tgrabbed\tthe\tclock\tfrom\twhere\tit\trested. \u201cCelaena,\u201d\tArobynn\tbreathed. She\t hurled\t the\t clock\t across\t the\t room\t so\t hard\t it\t shattered\t against\t the\t wall behind\tthe\tdining\ttable. Its\t fragments\t landed\t atop\t the\t buffet\t table\t against\t the\t wall,\t breaking\t the decorative\t dishes\t displayed\t there,\t scattering\t the\t silver\t tea\t set\t she\u2019d\t bought\t for herself. \u201cCelaena,\u201d\tArobynn\tsaid\tagain. She\tstared\tat\tthe\truined\tclock,\tthe\truined\tdishes\tand\ttea\tset.\tThere\twas\tno\tend to\tthis\tsilence.\tThere\twould\tnever\tbe\tan\tend,\tonly\tthis\tbeginning. \u201cI\t want\t to\t see\t the\t body.\u201d\t The\t words\t came\t from\t a\t mouth\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t sure belonged\tto\ther\tanymore. \u201cNo,\u201d\tArobynn\tsaid\tgently. She\tturned\ther\thead\ttoward\thim,\tbaring\ther\tteeth.\t\u201cI\twant\tto\tsee\tthe\tbody.\u201d Arobynn\u2019s\tsilver\teyes\twere\twide,\tand\the\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cNo,\tyou\tdon\u2019t.\u201d She\thad\tto\tstart\tmoving,\thad\tto\tstart\twalking\tanywhere,\tbecause\tnow\tthat\tshe was\tstanding\tstill\t\u2026\tOnce\tshe\tsat\tdown\t\u2026 She\twalked\tout\tthe\tdoor.\tDown\tthe\tsteps. The\t streets\t were\t the\t same,\t the\t sky\t was\t clear,\t the\t briny\t breeze\t off\t the\t Avery still\t ruffled\t her\t hair.\t She\t had\t to\t keep\t walking.\t Perhaps\t \u2026\t perhaps\t they\u2019d\t sent the\twrong\tbody.\tPerhaps\tArobynn\thad\tmade\ta\tmistake.\tPerhaps\the\twas\tlying. She\t knew\t Arobynn\t followed\t her,\t staying\t a\t few\t feet\t behind\t as\t she\t strode across\t the\t city.\t She\t also\t knew\t that\t Wesley\t joined\t them\t at\t some\t point,\t always looking\tafter\tArobynn,\talways\tvigilant.\tThe\tsilence\tkept\tflickering\tin\tand\tout\tof her\t ears.\t Sometimes\t it\u2019d\t stop\t long\t enough\t for\t her\t to\t hear\t the\t whinny\t of\t a","passing\t horse,\t or\t the\t shout\t of\t a\t peddler,\t or\t the\t giggle\t of\t children.\t Sometimes none\tof\tthe\tnoises\tin\tthe\tcapital\tcould\tbreak\tthrough. There\thad\tbeen\ta\tmistake. She\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tat\tthe\tassassins\tguarding\tthe\tiron\tgates\tto\tthe\tKeep,\tor\tat\tthe housekeeper\t who\t opened\t the\t giant\t double\t doors\t of\t the\t building,\t or\t at\t the assassins\t who\t milled\t about\t the\t grand\t entrance\t and\t who\t stared\t at\t her\t with\t fury and\tgrief\tmingling\tin\ttheir\teyes. She\tslowed\tlong\tenough\tfor\tArobynn\u2014trailed\tby\tWesley\u2014to\tstep\tin\tfront\tof her,\tto\tlead\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tway. The\tsilence\tpeeled\tback,\tand\tthoughts\ttumbled\tin.\tIt\thad\tbeen\ta\tmistake.\tAnd when\t she\t figured\t out\t where\t they\t were\t keeping\t him\u2014where\t they\t were\t hiding him\u2014she\u2019d\tstop\tat\tnothing\tto\tfind\thim.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\u2019d\tslaughter\tthem\tall. Arobynn\tled\ther\tdown\tthe\tstone\tstairwell\tat\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tentrance\thall\u2014the stairs\t that\t led\t into\t the\t cellars\t and\t the\t dungeons\t and\t the\t secret\t council\t rooms below. The\tscrape\tof\tboots\ton\tstone.\tArobynn\tin\tfront\tof\ther,\tWesley\ttrailing\tbehind. Down\tand\tdown,\tthen\talong\tthe\tnarrow,\tdark\tpassageway.\tTo\tthe\tdoor\tacross from\t the\t dungeon\t entrance.\t She\t knew\t that\t door.\t Knew\t the\t room\t behind\t it.\t The mortuary\twhere\tthey\tkept\ttheir\tmembers\tuntil\u2014No,\tit\thad\tbeen\ta\tmistake. Arobynn\t took\t out\t a\t ring\t of\t keys\t and\t unlocked\t the\t door,\t but\t paused\t before opening\tit.\t\u201cPlease,\tCelaena.\tIt\u2019s\tbetter\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t.\u201d She\telbowed\tpast\thim\tand\tinto\tthe\troom. The\t square\t room\t was\t small\t and\t lit\t with\t two\t torches.\t Bright\t enough\t to illuminate\t\u2026 Illuminate\t\u2026 Each\tstep\tbrought\ther\tcloser\tto\tthe\tbody\ton\tthe\ttable.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhere to\tlook\tfirst. At\tthe\tfingers\tthat\twent\tthe\twrong\tway,\tat\tthe\tburns\tand\tcareful,\tdeep\tslices\tin his\tflesh,\tat\tthe\tface,\tthe\tface\tshe\tstill\tknew,\teven\twhen\tso\tmany\tthings\thad\tbeen done\tto\tdestroy\tit\tbeyond\trecognition. The\t world\t swayed\t beneath\t her\t feet,\t but\t she\t kept\t upright\t as\t she\t finished\t the walk\tto\tthe\ttable\tand\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe\tnaked,\tmutilated\tbody\tshe\thad\u2014 She\thad\u2014 Farran\thad\ttaken\this\ttime.\tAnd\tthough\tthat\tface\twas\tin\truins,\tit\tbetrayed\tnone of\tthe\tpain\the\tmust\thave\tfelt,\tnone\tof\tthe\tdespair. This\twas\tsome\tdream,\tor\tshe\thad\tgone\tto\tHell\tafter\tall,\tbecause\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t exist\t in\t the\t world\t where\t this\t had\t been\t done\t to\t him,\t where\t she\u2019d\t paced\t like\t an idiot\tall\tnight\twhile\the\tsuffered,\twhile\tFarran\ttortured\thim,\twhile\the\tripped\tout","his\teyes\tand\u2014 Celaena\tvomited\ton\tthe\tfloor. Footsteps,\t then\t Arobynn\u2019s\t hands\t were\t on\t her\t shoulder,\t on\t her\t waist,\t pulling her\taway. He\twas\tdead. Sam\twas\tdead. She\twouldn\u2019t\tleave\thim\tlike\tthis,\tin\tthis\tcold,\tdark\troom. She\tyanked\tout\tof\tArobynn\u2019s\tgrasp.\tWordlessly,\tshe\tunfastened\ther\tcloak\tand spread\tit\tover\tSam,\tcovering\tthe\tdamage\tthat\thad\tbeen\tso\tcarefully\tinflicted.\tShe climbed\tonto\tthe\twooden\ttable\tand\tlay\tbeside\thim,\tstretching\tan\tarm\tacross\this middle,\tholding\thim\tclose. The\t body\t still\t smelled\t faintly\t like\t Sam.\t And\t like\t the\t cheap\t soap\t she\u2019d\t made him\t use,\t because\t she\t was\t so\t selfish\t that\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t let\t him\t have\t her\t lavender soap. Celaena\tburied\ther\tface\tin\this\tcold,\tstiff\tshoulder.\tThere\twas\ta\tstrange,\tmusky scent\t all\t over\t him\u2014a\t smell\t that\t was\t so\t distinctly\t not\t Sam\t that\t she\t almost vomited\tagain.\tIt\tclung\tto\this\tgolden-brown\thair,\tto\this\ttorn,\tbluish\tlips. She\twouldn\u2019t\tleave\thim. Footsteps\t heading\t toward\t the\t door\u2014then\t the\t snick\t of\t it\t closing\t as\t Arobynn left. Celaena\tclosed\ther\teyes.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\tleave\thim. She\twouldn\u2019t\tleave\thim.","CHAPTER 9 Celaena\tawoke\tin\ta\tbed\tthat\thad\tonce\tbeen\thers,\tbut\tsomehow\tno\tlonger\tfelt that\tway.\tThere\twas\tsomething\tmissing\tin\tthe\tworld,\tsomething\tvital.\tShe\tarose from\tthe\tdepths\tof\tslumber,\tand\tit\ttook\ther\ta\tlong\tmoment\tto\tsort\tout\twhat\thad changed. She\t might\t have\t thought\t that\t she\t was\t awakening\t in\t her\t bed\t in\t the\t Keep,\t still Arobynn\u2019s\t prot\u00e9g\u00e9e,\t still\t Sam\u2019s\t rival,\t still\t content\t to\t be\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin forever\t and\t ever.\t She\t might\t have\t believed\t it\t if\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t noticed\t that\t so\t many of\ther\tbeloved\tbelongings\twere\tmissing\tfrom\tthis\tfamiliar\tbedroom\u2014belongings that\twere\tnow\tin\ther\tapartment\tacross\tthe\tcity. Sam\twas\tgone. Reality\topened\twide\tand\tswallowed\ther\twhole. She\tdidn\u2019t\tmove\tfrom\tthe\tbed. She\tknew\tthe\tday\twas\tdrifting\talong\tbecause\tof\tthe\tshifting\tlight\ton\tthe\twall of\tthe\tbedroom.\tShe\tknew\tthe\tworld\tstill\tpassed\tby,\tunaffected\tby\tthe\tdeath\tof\ta young\t man,\t unaware\t that\t he\u2019d\t ever\t existed\t and\t breathed\t and\t loved\t her.\t She hated\t the\t world\t for\t continuing\t on.\t If\t she\t never\t left\t this\t bed,\t this\t room,\t maybe she\u2019d\tnever\thave\tto\tcontinue\ton\twith\tit. The\tmemory\tof\this\tface\twas\talready\tblurring.\tHad\this\teyes\tbeen\tmore\tgolden brown,\t or\t soil\t brown?\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t remember.\t And\t she\u2019d\t never\t get\t the\t chance to\tfind\tout. Never\tget\tto\tsee\tthat\thalf\tsmile.\tNever\tget\tto\thear\this\tlaugh,\tnever\tget\tto\thear him\t say\t her\t name\t like\t it\t meant\t something\t special,\t something\t more\t than\t being Adarlan\u2019s\tAssassin\tever\tcould. She\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tgo\tout\tinto\ta\tworld\twhere\the\tdidn\u2019t\texist.\tSo\tshe\twatched the\tlight\tshift\tand\tchange,\tand\tlet\tthe\tworld\tpass\tby\twithout\ther.","Someone\t was\t speaking\t outside\t her\t door.\t Three\t men\t with\t low\t voices.\t The rumble\t of\t them\t shook\t her\t from\t sleep\t to\t find\t the\t room\t was\t dark,\t the\t city\t lights glowing\tbeyond\tthe\twindows. \u201cJayne\tand\tFarran\twill\tbe\texpecting\tretaliation,\u201d\ta\tman\tsaid.\tHarding,\tone\tof Arobynn\u2019s\tmore\ttalented\tassassins,\tand\ta\tfierce\tcompetitor\tof\thers. \u201cTheir\tguards\twill\tbe\ton\talert,\u201d\tsaid\tanother\u2014Tern,\tan\tolder\tassassin. \u201cThen\twe\u2019ll\ttake\tout\tthe\tguards,\tand\twhile\tthey\u2019re\tdistracted,\tsome\tof\tus\twill go\tfor\tJayne\tand\tFarran.\u201d\tArobynn.\tShe\thad\ta\tfoggy\tmemory\tof\tbeing\tcarried\u2014 hours\t or\t years\t or\t a\t lifetime\t ago\u2014up\t from\t that\t dark\t room\t that\t smelled\t of\t death and\tinto\ther\tbed. Muffled\treplies\tfrom\tTern\tand\tHarding,\tthen\u2014 \u201cWe\t strike\t tonight,\u201d\t Arobynn\t growled.\t \u201cFarran\t lives\t at\t the\t house,\t and\t if\t we time\tit\tright,\twe\u2019ll\tkill\tthem\tboth\twhile\tthey\u2019re\tin\ttheir\tbeds.\u201d \u201cGetting\tto\tthe\tsecond\tfloor\tisn\u2019t\tas\tsimple\tas\twalking\tup\tthe\tstairs,\u201d\tHarding challenged.\t \u201cEven\t the\t exteriors\t are\t guarded.\t If\t we\t can\u2019t\t get\t through\t the\t front, then\t there\u2019s\t a\t small\t second-story\t window\t that\t we\t can\t leap\t through\t using\t the roof\tof\tthe\thouse\tnext\tdoor.\u201d \u201cA\tleap\tlike\tthat\tcould\tbe\tfatal,\u201d\tTern\tcountered. \u201cEnough,\u201d\tArobynn\tcut\tin.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tdecide\thow\tto\tbreak\tin\twhen\twe\tarrive.\tHave the\tothers\tready\tto\tgo\tin\tthree\thours.\tI\twant\tus\ton\tour\tway\tat\tmidnight.\tAnd\ttell them\tto\tkeep\ttheir\tmouths\tshut.\tSomeone\tmust\thave\ttipped\toff\tFarran\tif\the\tknew to\tset\ta\ttrap\tfor\tSam.\tDon\u2019t\teven\ttell\tyour\tservants\twhere\tyou\u2019re\tgoing.\u201d Grunted\tacquiescence,\tthen\tfootsteps\tas\tTern\tand\tHarding\twalked\taway. Celaena\tkept\ther\teyes\tclosed\tand\ther\tbreathing\tsteady\tas\tthe\tlock\tturned\tin\ther bedroom\t door.\t She\t recognized\t the\t even,\t confident\t gait\t of\t the\t King\t of\t the Assassins\tstriding\ttoward\ther\tbed.\tSmelled\thim\tas\the\tstood\tover\ther,\twatching. Felt\this\tlong\tfingers\tas\tthey\tstroked\tthrough\ther\thair,\tthen\talong\ther\tcheek. Then\tthe\tsteps\tleaving,\tthe\tdoor\tshutting\u2014and\tlocking.\tShe\topened\ther\teyes, the\tglow\tof\tthe\tcity\toffering\tenough\tlight\tfor\ther\tto\tsee\tthat\tthe\tlock\ton\tthe\tdoor had\tbeen\taltered\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tleft\u2014it\tnow\tlocked\tonly\tfrom\tthe\toutside. He\thad\tlocked\ther\tin. To\t keep\t her\t from\t going\t with\t them?\t To\t keep\t her\t from\t helping\t to\t pay\t back Farran\tfor\tevery\tinch\tof\tflesh\the\u2019d\ttortured,\tevery\tbit\tof\tpain\tSam\thad\tendured? Farran\twas\ta\tmaster\tof\ttorture,\tand\the\u2019d\tkept\tSam\tall\tnight. Celaena\tsat\tup,\ther\thead\tspinning.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tremember\tthe\tlast\ttime\tshe\u2019d eaten.\tFood\tcould\twait.\tEverything\tcould\twait. Because\tin\tthree\thours,\tArobynn\tand\this\tassassins\twould\tventure\tout\tto\texact vengeance.\t They\u2019d\t rob\t her\t of\t her\t claim\t to\t revenge\u2014the\t satisfaction\t of","slaughtering\tFarran\tand\tJayne\tand\tanyone\twho\tstood\tin\ther\tway.\tAnd\tshe\thad\tno intention\tof\tletting\tthem\tdo\tit. She\t stalked\t to\t the\t door\t and\t confirmed\t that\t it\t was\t locked.\t Arobynn\t knew\t her too\twell.\tKnew\tthat\twhen\tthe\tblanket\tof\tgrief\thad\tbeen\tripped\taway\t\u2026 Even\tif\tshe\tcould\tspring\tthe\tlock,\tshe\thad\tno\tdoubt\tthat\tthere\twas\tat\tleast\tone assassin\twatching\tthe\thall\toutside\ther\tbedroom.\tWhich\tleft\tthe\twindow. The\t window\t itself\t was\t unlocked\u2014but\t the\t two-story\t drop\t was\t formidable. While\t she\u2019d\t been\t sleeping,\t someone\t had\t taken\t off\t her\t suit\t and\t given\t her\t a nightgown.\tShe\tripped\tapart\tthe\tarmoire\tfor\tany\tsign\tof\tthe\tsuit\u2014its\tboots\twere designed\tfor\tclimbing\u2014but\tall\tshe\tfound\twere\ttwo\tblack\ttunics,\tmatching\tpants, and\tordinary\tblack\tboots.\tFine. There\twere\tno\tweapons\tin\tsight,\tand\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tbrought\tany\tin\twith\ther.\tBut years\tof\tliving\tin\tthis\troom\thad\tits\tadvantages.\tShe\tkept\ther\tmotions\tquiet\tas\tshe pulled\t up\t the\t loose\t floorboards\t where\t she\u2019d\t long\t ago\t hidden\t a\t set\t of\t four daggers.\tShe\tsheathed\ttwo\tat\ther\twaist\tand\ttucked\tthe\tother\ttwo\tinto\ther\tboots. Then\t she\t found\t the\t twin\t swords\t she\u2019d\t kept\t disguised\t as\t part\t of\t the\t bed\t frame since\tshe\twas\tfourteen.\tNeither\tthe\tdaggers\tnor\tthe\tsword\thad\tbeen\tgood\tenough to\tbring\twith\ther\twhen\tshe\tmoved.\tToday\tthey\twould\tdo. When\t she\u2019d\t finished\t strapping\t the\t blades\t across\t her\t back,\t she\t rebraided\t her hair\tand\tfitted\ton\ther\tcloak,\tthrowing\tthe\thood\tover\ther\thead. She\u2019d\tkill\tJayne\tfirst.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\u2019d\tdrag\tFarran\tto\ta\tplace\twhere\tshe\tcould properly\t repay\t him\t and\t take\t however\t long\t she\t wanted.\t Days,\t even.\t When\t that debt\t was\t paid,\t when\t Farran\t had\t no\t more\t agony\t or\t blood\t to\t offer,\t she\u2019d\t place Sam\tin\tthe\tembrace\tof\tthe\tearth\tand\tsend\thim\tto\tthe\tafterlife\tknowing\the\u2019d\tbeen avenged. She\t eased\t open\t the\t window,\t scanning\t the\t front\t courtyard.\t The\t dew-slick stones\tgleamed\tin\tthe\tlamplight,\tand\tthe\tsentries\tat\tthe\tiron\tgate\tseemed\tfocused on\tthe\tstreet\tbeyond. Good. This\twas\ther\tkill,\ther\trevenge\tto\ttake.\tNo\tone\telse\u2019s. A\tblack\tfire\trippled\tin\ther\tgut,\tspreading\tthrough\ther\tveins\tas\tshe\thopped\tonto the\twindowsill\tand\teased\toutside. Her\tfingers\tfound\tpurchase\tin\tthe\tlarge\twhite\tstones,\tand,\twith\tone\teye\ton\tthe guards\t at\t the\t distant\t gate,\t she\t climbed\t down\t the\t side\t of\t the\t house.\t No\t one noticed\t her,\t no\t one\t looked\t her\t way.\t The\t Keep\t was\t silent,\t the\t calm\t before\t the storm\tthat\twould\tbreak\twhen\tArobynn\tand\this\tassassins\tbegan\ttheir\thunt. Her\t landing\t was\t soft,\t no\t more\t than\t a\t whisper\t of\t boots\t against\t slick cobblestones.\tThe\tguards\twere\tso\tfocused\ton\tthe\tstreet\tthat\tthey\twouldn\u2019t\tnotice","when\tshe\tjumped\tthe\tfence\tnear\tthe\tstables\taround\tthe\tback. Creeping\taround\tthe\texterior\tof\tthe\thouse\twas\tas\tsimple\tas\tgetting\tout\tof\ther room,\tand\tshe\twas\twell\twithin\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\tstables\twhen\ta\thand\treached out\tand\tgrabbed\ther. She\twas\thurled\tinto\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\twooden\tbuilding,\tand\thad\ta\tdagger\tdrawn by\tthe\ttime\tthe\tthump\tfinished\techoing. Wesley\u2019s\tface,\tset\twith\trage,\tseethed\tat\ther\tin\tthe\tdark. \u201cWhere\t in\t hell\t do\t you\t think\t you\u2019re\t going?\u201d\t he\t breathed,\t not\t loosening\t his grip\ton\ther\tshoulders\teven\tas\tshe\tpressed\ther\tdagger\tto\tthe\tside\tof\this\tthroat. \u201cGet\t out\t of\t my\t way,\u201d\t she\t growled,\t hardly\t recognizing\t her\t own\t voice. \u201cArobynn\tcan\u2019t\tkeep\tme\tlocked\tup.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\ttalking\tabout\tArobynn.\tUse\tyour\thead\tand\tthink,\tCelaena!\u201d\tA\tflicker of\ther\u2014a\tpart\tof\ther\tthat\thad\tsomehow\tvanished\tsince\tshe\u2019d\tshattered\tthat\tclock \u2014realized\tthat\tthis\tmight\tbe\tthe\tfirst\ttime\the\u2019d\tever\taddressed\ther\tby\ther\tname. \u201cGet\t out\t of\t my\t way,\u201d\t she\t repeated,\t pushing\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t blade\t harder against\this\texposed\tthroat. \u201cI\tknow\tyou\twant\trevenge,\u201d\the\tpanted.\t\u201cI\tdo,\ttoo\u2014for\twhat\the\tdid\tto\tSam.\tI know\tyou\u2014\u201d She\t flicked\t the\t blade,\t angling\t it\t enough\t that\t he\t reared\t back\t to\t avoid\t her slicing\ta\tdeep\tline\tacross\this\tthroat. \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t understand?\u201d\t he\t pleaded,\t his\t eyes\t gleaming\t in\t the\t dark.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t all just\ta\u2014\u201d But\tthe\tfire\trose\tup\tin\tCelaena\tand\tshe\twhirled,\tusing\ta\tmove\tthe\tMute\tMaster had\t taught\t her\t that\t summer,\t and\t Wesley\u2019s\t eyes\t lost\t focus\t as\t she\t slammed\t the pommel\tof\ther\tdagger\tinto\tthe\tside\tof\this\thead.\tHe\tdropped\tlike\ta\tstone. Before\t he\u2019d\t even\t finished\t collapsing,\t Celaena\t was\t sprinting\t for\t the\t fence.\t A moment\tlater,\tshe\tjumped\tit\tand\tvanished\tinto\tthe\tcity\tstreets. She\twas\tfire,\tshe\twas\tdarkness,\tshe\twas\tdust\tand\tblood\tand\tshadow. She\thurtled\tthrough\tthe\tstreets,\teach\tstep\tfaster\tthan\tthe\tlast\tas\tthat\tblack\tfire burned\tthrough\tthought\tand\tfeeling\tuntil\tall\tthat\tremained\twas\ther\trage\tand\ther prey. She\ttook\tback\talleys\tand\tleapt\tover\twalls. She\u2019d\tslaughter\tthem\tall. Faster\t and\t faster,\t sprinting\t for\t that\t beautiful\t house\t on\t its\t quiet\t street,\t for\t the two\tmen\twho\thad\ttaken\ther\tworld\tapart\tpiece\tby\tpiece,\tbone\tby\tshattered\tbone.","All\tshe\thad\tto\tdo\twas\tget\tto\tJayne\tand\tFarran\u2014everyone\telse\twas\tcollateral. Arobynn\thad\tsaid\tthey\u2019d\tboth\tbe\tin\ttheir\tbeds.\tThat\tmeant\tshe\thad\tto\tget\tpast\tall those\t guards\t at\t the\t front\t gate,\t the\t front\t door,\t and\t on\t the\t first\t floor\t \u2026\t not\t to mention\tthe\tguards\tthat\twere\tsure\tto\tbe\toutside\tthe\tbedrooms. But\tthere\twas\tan\teasier\tway\tto\tget\tpast\tall\tthem.\tA\tway\tin\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\tinvolve possibly\t alerting\t Farran\t and\t Jayne\t if\t the\t guards\t at\t the\t front\t door\t raised\t the alarm.\t Harding\t had\t mentioned\t something\t about\t a\t window\t on\t the\t second\t floor that\the\tcould\tleap\tthrough\t\u2026\tHarding\twas\ta\tgood\ttumbler,\tbut\tshe\twas\tbetter. When\t she\t was\t a\t few\t streets\t away,\t she\t climbed\t the\t side\t of\t a\t house\t until\t she was\ton\tthe\troof\tand\trunning\tagain,\tfast\tenough\tto\tmake\tthe\tleap\tacross\tthe\tgap between\thouses. She\u2019d\t walked\t past\t Jayne\u2019s\t house\t enough\t times\t in\t the\t past\t few\t days\t to\t know that\tit\twas\tseparated\tfrom\tits\tneighbors\tby\talleys\tprobably\tfifteen\tfeet\twide. She\tleapt\tacross\tanother\tgap\tbetween\troofs. Now\tthat\tshe\tthought\tof\tit,\tshe\tknew\tthere\twas\ta\tsecond-floor\twindow\tfacing one\t of\t those\t alleys\u2014and\t she\t didn\u2019t\t give\t a\t damn\t where\t that\t window\t opened\t to, just\tthat\tit\twould\tget\ther\tinside\tbefore\tthe\tguards\ton\tthe\tfirst\tfloor\tcould\tnotice. The\temerald\troof\tof\tJayne\u2019s\thouse\tgleamed,\tand\tCelaena\tskidded\tto\ta\thalt\ton the\troof\tnext\tdoor.\tA\twide,\tflat\tstretch\tof\tthe\tgabled\troof\tstood\tbetween\ther\tand the\t long\t jump\t across\t the\t alley.\t If\t she\t aimed\t correctly\t and\t ran\t fast\t enough,\t she could\t make\t that\t leap\t and\t land\t through\t that\t second-floor\t window.\t The\t window was\t already\t thrown\t open,\t though\t the\t curtains\t had\t been\t drawn,\t blocking\t any view\tof\twhat\twas\twithin. Despite\t the\t fog\t of\t rage,\t years\t of\t training\t made\t her\t instinctively\t scan\t the neighboring\trooftops.\tWas\tit\tarrogance\tor\tstupidity\tthat\tkept\tJayne\tfrom\thaving guards\ton\tthe\tnearby\troofs?\tEven\tthe\tguards\ton\tthe\tstreet\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tup\tat\ther. Celaena\t untied\t her\t cloak\t and\t let\t it\t slide\t to\t the\t ground\t behind\t her.\t Any additional\tdrag\tmight\tbe\tfatal,\tand\tshe\thad\tno\tintention\tof\tdying\tuntil\tJayne\tand Farran\twere\tcorpses. The\troof\ton\twhich\tshe\tstood\twas\tthree\tstories\thigh\tand\tfaced\tthe\tsecond-floor window\t across\t the\t alley.\t She\t factored\t in\t the\t distance\t and\t how\t fast\t she\u2019d\t be falling,\tand\tmade\tsure\tthe\tswords\tcrossed\tto\ther\tback\twere\tneatly\ttucked\tin.\tThe window\t was\t wide,\t but\t she\t still\t needed\t to\t avoid\t the\t blades\t catching\t on\t the threshold.\tShe\tbacked\tup\tas\tfar\tas\tshe\tcould\tto\tgive\therself\trunning\tspace. Somewhere\t on\t that\t second\t floor\t slept\t Jayne\t and\t Farran.\t And\t somewhere\t in this\thouse,\tthey\thad\tdestroyed\tSam. After\tshe\thad\tkilled\tthem,\tperhaps\tshe\u2019d\ttear\tthe\thouse\tdown\tstone\tby\tstone. Perhaps\tshe\u2019d\ttear\tthis\tentire\tcity\tdown,\ttoo.","She\tsmiled.\tShe\tliked\tthe\tsound\tof\tthat. Then\tshe\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath\tand\tbroke\tinto\ta\trun. The\t roof\t was\t no\t longer\t than\t fifty\t feet\u2014fifty\t feet\t between\t her\t and\t the\t jump that\t would\t either\t land\t her\t right\t through\t that\t open\t window\t a\t level\t below,\t or splatter\ther\ton\tthe\talley\tbetween. She\tsprinted\tfor\tthe\tever-nearing\tedge. Forty\tfeet. There\t was\t no\t room\t for\t error,\t no\t room\t for\t fear\t or\t sorrow\t or\t anything\t except that\tblinding\trage\tand\tcold,\tvicious\tcalculation. Thirty\tfeet. She\traced,\tstraight\tas\tan\tarrow,\teach\tpump\tof\ther\tlegs\tand\tarms\tbringing\ther closer. Twenty. Ten. The\talley\tbelow\tloomed,\tthe\tgap\tlooking\tfar\tbigger\tthan\tshe\u2019d\trealized. Five. But\tthere\twas\tnothing\tleft\tof\ther\tto\teven\tconsider\tstopping. Celaena\treached\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\troof\tand\tleapt."]
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