The woman studied Kael like he was a puzzle.
"So," she said. "You're the one who killed Marcus Stone."
Kael went still. "How do you know that?"
"It's my business to know things. Captain of the House Voss guard, dead in the courtyard along with twenty of his men. Killed by a boy with a black sword." She leaned back. "The entire city guard is looking for you. Julian Voss has put a bounty on your head. Five hundred gold crowns."
"That's more than he paid the assassins."
"You've become more expensive. So tell me—why are you here instead of running as far as you can?"
"I need information."
"Information costs money. You have five hundred on your head but nothing in your pockets. Bad situation."
"I can pay," Kael said.
"How?"
"I can work. I can fight. I can kill if needed."
The woman's eyebrow rose. "Interesting offer. Most people start with coin."
"Most people aren't me."
"No. Most people aren't covered in blood, carrying a cursed sword, and hunted by the most powerful house in the city." She stood and walked to a shelf. Poured two glasses of wine. "My name is Lyra Thorne. I deal in information. Secrets. Things people want to know but are afraid to ask."
"Kael Voss."
"I know who you are." Lyra handed him a glass. "Your father was a good man. I'm sorry for what happened to him."
"You knew my father?"
"I knew of him. He dealt fairly with the merchants. Paid his debts. Didn't abuse his power." She sipped her wine. "Julian is different. He's ambitious. Cruel. Bad for business."
"So you don't like him either."
"I don't like or dislike anyone. I deal in facts. And the fact is, Julian is going to squeeze the merchants until there's nothing left. That's bad for everyone."
Kael studied her. "What do you want from me?"
"Direct. I like that." Lyra sat back down. "I want Julian gone. You want revenge. Our goals align."
"I'm one person. Julian has guards, money, the Council's backing."
"True. But you have something he doesn't."
"What?"
"You're already dead. He thinks he killed you. The rumors say you died in the courtyard fight. Only a few people know you're alive. That gives you an advantage."
"Not if I'm stuck hiding in the Black Market."
"Then don't hide. Get stronger. Learn to use that sword properly. Build allies. Strike when he's not expecting it."
"That takes time. And money."
"Which brings us to the deal." Lyra folded her hands. "I'll provide information, contacts, and resources. You do jobs for me. Things that require... direct action."
"You mean killing."
"Sometimes. Sometimes just intimidation. Sometimes theft. I need someone who can handle dirty work without leaving tracks back to me."
"Sounds dangerous."
"Everything in the Black Market is dangerous. But you're good at surviving. I can see it in your eyes. You're a killer now. Might as well profit from it."
Kael wanted to argue. Say he wasn't a killer. Say he was just defending himself.
But she was right. He'd killed twenty-four people in one night. That made him a killer.
"What's the first job?" he asked.
"There's a gang that's been causing problems. The Red Vipers. They run protection rackets in the market. They work for Julian—he takes a cut of everything they steal. I want them gone."
"How many?"
"Twenty men. Maybe thirty. Their leader is a brute named Vex. He's strong, mean, and not very smart."
"When?"
"Tonight, if you're ready. Tomorrow if you need time to prepare."
Kael thought about it. He was exhausted. Wounded. Hadn't slept or eaten properly.
But the sword had healed most of his injuries. And waiting meant giving Julian time to consolidate power.
"Tonight," he said.
Lyra smiled. "Confident. Or suicidal. Hard to tell which."
"Both, probably."
"Fair enough." She pulled out a map. "The Vipers operate from this warehouse. Three entrances. Guards at each one. More inside. They don't expect trouble—no one's been stupid enough to attack them."
"Until now."
"Until now." Lyra marked locations on the map. "Kill Vex and his lieutenants. The rest will scatter. You'll send a message to Julian that someone's fighting back."
"What do I get?"
"Besides the satisfaction of revenge? I'll provide you a safe place to stay. Training if you need it. And most importantly—information about Julian's plans. His allies. His weaknesses."
"You know his weaknesses?"
"I know everyone's weaknesses. That's how I stay alive." Lyra stood. "Do we have a deal?"
Kael stood as well. Extended his hand.
Lyra shook it. Her grip was firm. "Good. Now eat something. You look like hell."
"Feel like it too."
"Marta will feed you. Be back here at sundown. I'll have more details about the warehouse layout."
Kael headed for the door.
"Kael," Lyra called.
He turned.
"Don't die tonight. You're more useful to me alive."
"I'll try to remember that."
He left the room and walked back to the bar. Marta saw him coming.
"She hire you?"
"Something like that."
"You're either very brave or very stupid."
"Everyone keeps saying that."
Marta laughed. "Sit. I'll get you food. You're going to need your strength."
Kael sat at the bar. For the first time since being thrown out of Voss Hall, he felt like maybe—just maybe—he had a chance.
Julian thought he was dead. That was good.
The element of surprise.
And when the time came, Kael would use it to take everything back.
Starting with the Red Vipers.
* * *
END OF CHAPTER 6