The Way of the Power by Stuart Jaffe Page B

reposition to attack the crowd. Once we know the real target, then the threat will be clear, and we act.”
    Stray stroked his mustache. “All while the Artisoll slips away with your Tommy. Excellent.”
    Stepping out of the stables, Malja leaned against Stray like a drunken girl who had just enjoyed drunken sex. She walked unsteadily and giggled at her big man. All the time, her eyes grabbed glimpses above.
    Her theatrics were wasted, however. The ten shadowed creatures reacted right away. They moved fast across the rooftops, leaving the party and following Fawbry towards the cemetery.
    Malja gave up her act and pulled out Viper. “Looks like they really are after your girl.”
    “They always are.”
    Stray motioned to go after the Artisoll but Malja put out her hand. “When our enemies figure out that Hirasa isn’t the Artisoll, they will look to see where you are. They know you won’t leave her unprotected, so they’ll watch you in order to find her.”
    He acknowledged her logic with a firm nod. “Then I must do as you say and follow Hirasa. You’re sure this man, Tommy, can protect her?”
    “Don’t worry. He’s got a lot of magic in him, and he can control it all.”
    The sun had finally set, and as they reached the cemetery, Malja hoped the darkness hindered these assassins as much as it helped them. It certainly made things tougher on her. She wanted to give Fawbry some guidance, but he couldn’t see her and she didn’t dare shout out. Stray, however, kept close by — except he had no need for her orders. The moment they hit the cemetery’s edge, he broke away from her as if reading her mind.
    “Come, you strange fellow,” she heard Hirasa say quite loudly. “Take me to the monument.”
    Good girl, Malja thought. The monument was a perfect place to do this. It stood in the center of the cemetery, a stone obelisk meant to pay tribute to those fallen during the war. A large, circular clearing surrounded the monument and torches remained lit throughout the night. It was the only well-lit area in the entire cemetery.
    Malja crouched behind a tombstone and readied Viper. With ten enemies approaching, she would have to move faster than usual. Stray could be counted to take out a few. Fawbry and Hirasa might help as well, but they would start at a disadvantageous position. She decided to expect nothing from them. If they managed even one successful strike, that would be a bonus.
    The assassins appeared around the edges of the circle, staying in the darkness but making their presence known. Hirasa buried her face in Fawbry’s chest — a smart move that would hide her identity even longer. Fawbry put his arms around her and stepped toward the center.
    Malja licked her lips and exhaled slowly. Almost there. Only one thing left to wait for and instinct coupled with years of experience told her that thing would come any moment — the attack.
    “Back off.” Fawbry waved one arm about. “Go away.”
    Malja couldn’t tell if he put on an act or if he truly felt vulnerable and helpless. No, that wasn’t fair. She knew him better than to think that. She knew he was relying on her — just as he followed her plan without debate. Though not without a few complaints — this was Fawbry, after all.
    In unison, all ten creatures stepped into the circle. Malja had a few seconds to realize they were not Scarite at all. These creatures did not have tails, either. Instead, they had a sharp, blade-like appendage sticking out the back. Their skin was night black and hard like a carapace while their bodies were segmented hundreds of times. They looked like they had been formed of numerous stones stacked into the shape of a man with a brutal, weaponized spike.
    The creatures took another step forward. Malja kept expecting a full-on charge, but they were acting so cautious. It might have been from fear of the Artisoll’s magic, but then they never would have accepted the job if they feared the target so much.
    The target.