Chapter Two
The music swelled as the happy couple walked to their reception, and Kiala heaved a sigh of relief. The band on her wrist popped free, and a quick glance at her other wrist unit showed the five years of bodyguard pay that had just been deposited. Her charge was married, and her job was done.
She held her bouquet and followed the happy couple down the aisle. Soora was married, her family was satisfied, and the marriage contract was just another one that had been ratified today.
The faces in the crowd showed their enjoyment of the moment. Out of habit, Kiala checked for any danger to her charge. Nineteen attempts to kill the daughter of the guild’s accountant had taken place in the last five years, and Kiala had stopped every single one of them. Not so much as a hair on Soora’s head had suffered, and she had lived a normal life with Kiala at her back. Now, her safety was up to her husband’s family, and as they were the ones with the contract out on her, it was doubtful that they would kill one of their own clan.
Romback was excellent husband material. He had defied his clan to court Soora, and after the proscribed five years of courtship, he hadn’t hesitated to propose. Since Soora wasn’t an assassin or the child of one, she hadn’t been a prime marriage candidate. He hadn’t hesitated, and now, they were bound, and his family was sworn to protect her. Kiala was free and fairly wealthy. She was going to rejoin her family in a matter of hours.
It was turning into a pretty good day all around.
The day was hell. Kiala’s shoes were torture devices; she forgot what she was going to say about the bride and instead revisited the time they were shopping and Kiala was forced to defend her charge with a sex toy. It was only when the appalled elder of Soora’s clan cleared her throat that Kiala wished the couple well and left the podium.
When the blade came whistling at the happy couple’s heads, it heralded the end of the party. Kiala looked at the shattered blade in her palm and then gazed along the trajectory. The woman who had thrown the blade had been Romback’s previous courtship. It hadn’t worked out, but apparently, she held a grudge.
Kiala moved through the crowd, and they gave way, blocking the woman who had just thrown the knife. Theelik tried to turn, but the gathering would not let her escape.
Grim, Kiala lunged forward and grabbed the woman by the hair at the back of her head. She bent her over and walked her back to the happy couple. On the way, she called out, “If her clan leader could join us, please?”
An irritated-looking woman followed them to the head table. Romback’s mother looked at the other clan head. “You allow this behaviour in public?”
The woman bowed deeply. “She has always been hard to control, Madam. You know that. It is why you considered her for your son.”
“And ultimately rejected her. What will you do with her?”
The expression in her eyes said that the other clan leader had better make it good.
Kiala held Theelik in her bent position, and the woman began to sob. The effect was dramatic, but unfortunately, Kiala’s senses told her the truth. This woman was more upset about having her hair messed up than she was at being caught.
With a slight sigh, she pulled the woman upright and exposed her unrepentant visage to the observers.
The clan leader who was responsible for her scowled. “Five years on Harker Island.”
The woman that Kiala had a grip on grew cold. “No, matron. Please!”
“Quiet! You are a disgrace to your family and your clan. You will go to the island, do your time, and be a better person when you return. If you return.”
Soora and her husband whispered for a moment before they nodded. Romback smiled tightly. “We agree, but she is never to return to the city. She can find a new home elsewhere. Our children do not need this worry.”
“We accept. Hand her over.”
Kiala turned the would-be assassin and shoved her at her clan leader. Two men caught her and held her with her arms behind her back.
Theelik was led away from the party, and the clan leader bowed in apology.
Soora’s clan leader smiled and said, “Shall we resume the party?”
Kiala looked to her friend, and the bride nodded.
“This is what we have waited for, after all.”
It was all that needed to be said. Theelik’s clan leader left the party, and the music started up again.
The party resumed and Kiala watched with a sense of nostalgia. She had been to other clan and guild events over the years, but this was her last.
“What are you going to do now that you no longer have to chase me around, Ki?”
She looked at the bride and smiled. “I think I will join the family business.”
Soora looked at her in shock. “You will be an assassin?”
“No. An accountant. I want to join my father’s company and spend my evenings and days off at my mother’s teahouse.”
Soora scowled. “That sounds boring.”
“I am up for a little bit of boring. I have had enough excitement to last me a lifetime.”
Soora took her hand and squeezed it. “Your skin may be hard, but your heart is light. You are going to go on to weird and wonderful things.”
With a sigh, Kiala returned the squeeze. “I sincerely hope not. I wish you a safe and staid life.”
“And I hope not.” Soora laughed. “I want to live and feel every moment of my heart beating in time with Romback’s.”
“I want that for you as well, and I want you safe while those hearts are beating.” Kiala smiled.
Romback got Soora’s attention, nodded to Kiala, and led his bride to the dance floor.
Ki remained on guard for the rest of the evening, rubbing her wrist absently, feeling the skin under her palm. For five years, she had worn the band of a bound protector, and now, it was gone. Her life stretched ahead of her, and she wasn’t sure what it held.
The flier lifted off and took her toward Nucross City. Kiala was exhausted but hopeful. Shutting off her protective instincts was going to be difficult, but that wasn’t her life now. She had to find her own equilibrium quickly.
Being tapped by the guild to take care of their accountant’s daughter had given her insight into the guild and the society behind the deadliest training in the sector.
Soora had taken all the physical training required of her, and Kiala had been with her step by step. It had been a riot of shenanigans, but Kiala was delighted that it was over. She wished Soora the best, but it was time for her to become part of the union that she had agreed to.
The job hadn’t been bad. She had gotten physical and the accountancy training that she wanted. She was now as much as she could be, professionally. Her job was done, so it was time to find a new one.
She came out of her inner conversation and smiled as the flier settled in the stop near her mother’s shop. “Thank you.”
She paid the driver and got out of the vehicle, watching it disappear before she took the stairs down to street level. A few folks looked at her in surprise, and she glanced down. Ah, right. She was still wearing the formal gown in scarlet and black.
She walked past a number of restaurants and gift shops that glowed with light, even this late in the evening. The light coming from her mother’s shop was surprising but gratifying.
Kiala pushed open the door of the shop and smiled at the customers who were lounging around and sipping tea with piles of little cakes were on the low tables in front of them. It looked like a good night.
The young woman who was acting as hostess looked at her with a helpless expression. “I am sorry, madam, we are full.”
“That is fine. I wish to speak with the proprietor. Could you summon her, please?”
The young woman blinked, bobbed a curtsy and escaped to the back. In forty-five seconds, Kiala heard her mother’s footsteps.
She stood with her head high, and she locked gazes with her mother the moment that she turned the corner. The happy shriek and the run toward Kiala got the attention of all the clientele.
The hug was wonderful, and it drew applause from those who were watching. Kiala focused on the feel of her mother’s arms around her. It was like breaking a fast.
“I didn’t mean to disrupt service for you this evening.”
Her mother smiled. “Food prep is over. We are just in the end of service. Come back with me; I want to hear all about the wedding.”
“It was a big party. There was dancing, one assassination attempt, and a big fuss made over the punishment. So, no one died and one pain in the ass is banished. It was a pretty good event.”
“Did anyone get hurt?”
“No. I caught the knife, and it shattered. No problem, no injuries, and Soora gets to keep both her eyes.”
Her mom sighed. “I hate that you took on such a dangerous job. You were too young for all that.”
“I become a legal adult in two days, Mom. I have always been too young for everything.”
“And yet, I recall you in several vid reports in adult environments beside Soora.”
“Occupational hazard.” She grinned and followed her mother through the kitchen and into the very comfortable back office.
“Well, you are a sight for sore eyes.” Her father got up from behind the desk where he was obviously doing the books.
She grinned, lifted the edge of her skirt and ran forward for a hug.
“Are you going to expense that gown?” Her dad hugged her close.
She laughed and enjoyed his practical sense of humour. After their years of running from the guild, he had delighted in the ability to pursue his true passion—after his wife—math.
“It was expensed by the guild. A final gift to me for my service in bringing a live bride to the ceremony.” She smirked and leaned back to check that his good looks hadn’t faded over time. They hadn’t. He still looked like a masculine version of her own features.
“Excellent. How are your savings?”
“Better than anticipated. I got a bonus for each time someone took a shot at her.” She smiled ruefully. “It was quite a bonus.”
“Did you pay taxes on it?”
She laughed. “I had it set up for automatic payment. It was nearly a year’s pay, but I am up to date with the government.”
“Good.” He hugged her again. “It is good to have you home. Now, when do you move out on your own?”
Her mother was aghast, but Kiala cackled. “In my own good time, Dad. You lived with your family until you were nearly forty. Allow me to become a legal adult before you kick me out.”
“Fine, but you are going to pay rent.” He grinned.
“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, who can you put me in contact with to finish my certification?”
“I have the application on my desk. They are sitting exams in nine days.”
She rubbed her hands together. “Excellent. My life truly begins today.”
Her mother cleared her throat. “I beg to differ. I was there when your life started.”
“I know, but this is when I finally have some say in my own destiny. I have been looking forward to this for a very long time.”
Looking at her parents, she saw the realization in their eyes that they were now just as free as she was. They stood looking at each other with foolish grins until the hostess came in requesting Nila’s help with some of the clients. The moment was broken, but they would have more. They had all the time in the world.