Gathering Darkness Read Free Page A

scene for a frozen moment; then he turned and ran out of the clearing without looking back.
    A part of Jonas was disappointed in Rufus, but another part was glad the kid finally had a chance to escape a fight he hadn’t been ready for since day one.
    He might even stay alive if he played it smart and stayed out of trouble.
    With the other guards now dead, scattered, or unconscious in the clearing, Jonas grabbed hold of his original prisoner and slammed him back against the tree.
    The smugness in the guard’s eyes finally turned to fear.
    â€œSpare me,” he gasped.
    Jonas ignored him, turning instead to the boy who’d just saved his life. “What’s your name?”
    â€œFelix,” he offered with a grin. “Felix Gaebras. Happy to meet you.”
    â€œLikewise. Thanks for the help.”
    â€œAny time.”
    If Felix hadn’t intervened, Jonas would be dead. No doubt about it. He’d given him a chance at another day, one in which he might make a difference. For that, Jonas was damn grateful.
    Still, he’d be stupid not to be wary of any stranger who knew his identity.
    â€œWhat’s your price?” Jonas asked.
    â€œPrice?”
    â€œYou said if you help me, I help you.”
    â€œFirst thing’s first.” Felix approached, nudging Jonas out of the way and taking the guard by the throat. “I’ve been eavesdropping. Rude, I know. But I heard you say you didn’t think Jonas was ruthless enough to kill someone in cold blood. Well, what’s your first impression of me?”
    The guard drew in a shaky breath. “What do you want?”
    â€œAnswer the question. His friends—are any of them still alive?”
    The guard trembled. “Yes. A handful were brought to the palace dungeon to await execution.”
    â€œHow many’s a handful?”
    â€œI don’t know exactly . . . three, four? I’m not sure. I wasn’t there!”
    Jonas winced. Three or four? There were so few survivors. . . .
    â€œNames?” Felix pressed harder on the guard’s throat.
    He sputtered, his face reddening. “I don’t know. I’d tell you if I did.”
    â€œHow long till they’re executed?” Jonas asked, trying to keep his voice steady. The thought of people he cared about trapped under the king’s thumb turned his blood ice cold.
    â€œIt could be a few days, or maybe a few months. Please, spare my life! I’ve told you all I know. Show mercy to me now, I beg of you.”
    Felix regarded him for a long, silent while. “How about I show you the same mercy you would have shown us?”
    One swipe of Felix’s blade, and the guard was silenced forever. His body slumped to the ground to join his fellow fallen guards in the flickering firelight, and Jonas found he couldn’t look away.
    â€œYou know I had to do that, right?” Felix said, his voice as cold as stone.
    â€œI know.”
    There was a hardness in Felix’s eyes that was foreign to Jonas. They showed no flicker of remorse for what he’d done, nor did they show any joy.
    It was true: The guard would not have shown them mercy. He would have executed them without a moment’s hesitation.
    â€œMuch gratitude for saving my life,” Jonas said as Felix wiped his blades on the mossy ground before sheathing them.
    â€œYou’re welcome.” Felix peered into the dark forest. “I think your friend ran away.”
    â€œHe’ll be safer staying far away from me.” Jonas studied the bodies littering the area, then turned back to Felix warily. “You’re an assassin.”
    With his fighting skills, his ease with a blade—it would have been obvious to anyone that he was a trained killer.
    The coldness faded from Felix’s eyes as he grinned. “Depends on the day, really. One does what one must with the talents they have.”
    That would be a confirmation. “So now what?