The Assassin's Mark (Skeleton Key) Read Free Page B

hardwood floor, letting my momentum carry me closer. He tried to keep me in his sights, but the rifle’s size was too much for such close quarters. There was no way he’d be able to reliably hit me, and once he took a shot, he’d have to manually reload the gun before being able to try again. That made him hesitate.
    I fired my gun into his right knee sending the bomber’s shot wide. Another bullet ripped into his left arm and made him drop his rifle. My weapon remained trained on him as I rose to my feet. “We’ve finally caught you, you bloody bastard,” I said aloud and scanned the room to make sure no one else was hostile.
    The one I’d shot twice in the chest stared up at the ceiling with his unblinking eyes wide open. The rest of them moaned in pain, but they didn’t move around much. For a brief moment, I let my guard down. The tables in the room had various pots and pans, two scales, and a few boxes of nails beside empty cylinders that betrayed their intent well enough. Among the items were zip ties. Useful. I used them to tie the arms and legs of my target and his friends. It might take time for support to arrive, but this way they wouldn’t get themselves into much trouble while we waited. I still needed to secure the building and get any civilians out of here.
    Satisfied the situation was under control, I walked into the hall and pulled the fire alarm. Anyone here would get the hint to leave the building until help came.
    I pulled my phone out to ring Croft as I walked back inside the terrorists’ flat. The alarm blared and nervous residents filed out of their flats in a hurry. “Job’s done. The residents are fleeing the building now. Send some support to get these guys into custody.”
    “Good work. Police will be there shortly since someone called them due to the fire alarm. Stand by.” Croft sounded quite pleased, and all was right with the world again. Maybe I could finish watching the football match soon. I already knew who won, but that didn’t matter.
    A polite knock came from the flat’s front door that made me turn around cautiously as I put my phone away. The brief outline of my attacker came into view as a fire extinguisher struck me. My body felt weightless as I collapsed to the ground. Our intel had been wrong. Another bomber lived here too.
    “Fucking MI6.” I heard as I blacked out.

Chapter Three
     
    Brigit
    As we arrived at Lord Flemming’s stronghold, I remained quiet and didn’t pay much attention to the usual pomp and circumstance of court. It was hard enough dealing with the aching loss in my chest and the knowledge that my beloved parents were dead.
    My gaze rose to see my cousin standing in the courtyard, apparently waiting for me. His eyes were slightly puffy and bloodshot. Apparently, the news had been hard on him too. If it weren’t for my parents, Lord Flemming wouldn’t be where he was today. They’d treated him almost like a son when his own parents abandoned and betrayed him.
    Sir Alan and Tabitha supported me with their presence through the usual court ceremony I was expected to participate in while I held back my tears as best I could. Royalty had no public outlet for these kinds of emotions. Outrage, fury, and hatred were all seen in the royal court at times, but sorrow and loss were private affairs. In its own way, the frivolous façade forced me to focus my mind on the here and now, not on what just happened. My plate would be overflowing with tasks to handle over the next few days. The list of requirements for the Kingdom of Freehaven to remain stable was long.
    I needed to make speeches and attend ceremonies…and go through the coronation to be crowned the new queen. The normal expectations for an heir to gain the throne were magnified, specifically now that my family’s direct lineage dangled by my life’s thread. Soon I’d need to marry and provide the kingdom an heir.
    Nausea roiled my stomach, and I pushed those thoughts aside. The princess’s