"Maria V. Snyder - Study 1.5 - Assassin Study" - читать интересную книгу автора (Snyder Maria V)

He returned to BrazellтАЩs manor house. The sprawling building resembled a minicastle, and Valek
remembered the King of IxiaтАЩs brother used to live there before the CommanderтАЩs takeover. The Prince
had been just as corrupt as his brother, and Valek had had the pleasure of assassinating him as well as
the entire royal family.

Valek headed to the dungeons. Unfortunately he was familiar with the location and layout of the
underground cell, but he couldnтАЩt suppress a grin. Even though they had been locked within the foul
darkness, he and Yelena had found a moment of pure joy.

One of the CommanderтАЩs aides intercepted him. тАЬThe Commander wishes to see you, sir.тАЭ When
Valek hesitated, the aide said, тАЬNow.тАЭ

Impatient with the delay in his investigation, Valek rushed to the CommanderтАЩs office. Ambrose had
commandeered BrazellтАЩs workplace. He had stripped the opulent decorations from the room, but kept
the broad ebony desk and high-back leather chair.

тАЬValek.тАЭ The Commander gestured him closer. тАЬWhy didnтАЩt you tell me youтАЩve assigned an
assassin?тАЭ

тАЬFor what?тАЭ

AmbroseтАЩs powerful gaze bored into Valek. Most people would be reduced to a quivering mess by
the CommanderтАЩs ire. Valek remained unaffected.

тАЬYelena. The order for her execution is gone,тАЭ the Commander said.

Fear coiled around ValekтАЩs throat. тАЬI didnтАЩt assign anyone. When did you last see the order?тАЭ

тАЬYou were supposed to assignтАФтАЭ

тАЬWhen!тАЭ

Ambrose said nothing. Valek drew in a deep breath. тАЬI apologize, sir.тАЭ

тАЬThe order was on my desk this morning. It wasnтАЩt there when I returned from lunch. If one of your
assassins didnтАЩt accept the order, then who did?тАЭ

тАЬPermission to find out, sir?тАЭ

The Commander contemplated. Valek willed his body to keep still.

тАЬSheтАЩs safe in Sitia, Valek. The order only applies if sheтАЩs found in Ixia.тАЭ

Unless it was a Sitian assassin after her. He lacked proof but, he vowed, not for long.

тАЬPermission granted. YouтАЩre dismissed.тАЭ

With time running out, Valek searched for Ari; he found him in the soldierтАЩs barracks. AriтАЩs strong
hands were wrapped around a guardтАЩs neck. The trapped manтАЩs face turned purple.