The afternoon sun was hot, and Risens was bogged down by thick and heavily decorated fabric. The King’s tailors had exceeded expectations. They were truly masters at their crafts. The bright colors of what he could only refer to as a costume were a far cry from the all black outfit that was his norm, but he couldn’t deny, they would fit in well. His one small measure of joy came from the fact that Fendri had opted not to meet him to deliver the garment by hand, instead, choosing to hang it on the exterior knob of Risens’ private chamber’s door. He still desired to press the steward regarding the cipher, though for the moment, the Roost and its many mysteries were not his primary concern.

  The streets of Windwake were alive with color. Few citizens roaming about were not somehow adorned with veritable rainbow of hues as the sheer volume of recent deaths had been excessive. He tamped down the peculiar stab of irritation that bubbled up within him. The Duke and his estate were traitors to the realm. Eliminating them had wholly been justified, sealed by the unquestionable orders of the King himself. It was not his place, but he wished to scream it from the rooftops: “These men were traitors to the realm!”

  Shaking off the temptation, he knocked a deliberate pattern against the discrete wooden door tucked into the sheltered alley of the Core. Risens frowned at the sounds of movement within. At the sound of his rapping knuckles, the laughter and chatter diminished quickly into a low drone of whispers. The door cracked open just wide enough for a face and bright green eye to view him. The look of hesitance and caution dissolved abruptly into recognition and the door swung inward.

  Tawny greeted him with a smile, while Marlaine peered out from the entrance to her private quarters.

  “You need to secure this door far better,” Risens grumbled.

  As he stepped into the clinic, his vision rolled over the frame, noting several places where the construct could be bolstered.

  “And, welcome as always to my humble clinic, dear Raven.” Tawny’s voice dripped with sarcasm, though there was a twinkle of mischief that sparkled in her eyes. “Perhaps peacock would be a far more suitable comparison at the moment.”

  There was no hiding the sudden chuckle that sounded from the courtesan, who had now entered the room as his identity was revealed.

  Risens had killed for insults far less veiled and was poorly accustomed to humor in his line of work, yet he brushed off the comment. In all reality, it was an apt description, and he felt as foolish as the name implied. His billowing cloak, a mix of deep blue, highlighted with a rusty orange, was complemented with a wide-brimmed hat of the same color. A mask of sorts was stitched into the hat’s inner band, draping down to cover his face with the exception of a narrow strip around his eyes. Fortuitously, it concealed precisely enough to hide the features of the Shadows Shroud.

  Decorations like this were commonplace among the celebrations of death, though Risens didn’t have to like it.

  As such, he donned his shadowy apparel beneath the colorful garment, a full complement of weapons and gear hidden amongst the folds.

  “I assure you, it is as much by my choosing as this is purely a social visit.” He knew the healer understood the reality of his profession all too well, yet the courtesan—though she likely guessed at it—wouldn’t understand the full truth of his employment. “It seems that I have a celebration to attend and I’m in need of a companion.”

  Risens noted the sudden flash of emotion, the momentary excitement that registered across Tawny’s face. It immediately soured as his gaze shifted to where Marlaine stood, leaning casually against the door frame. He was please to see that her complection had made a remarkable improvement since he’d left her with the healer. The chalky pallor that had settled over her skin had returned to its formerly radiant and healthy glow.

  She frowned. “My salvation comes with a price it seems. I’m guessing I do not have a choice.”

  “No.”

  Her eyes tracked him up and down as she appraised his outfit. “Judging from the quality of your apparel, I will likely know some of those who will be in attendance. In hiding as I am, I no longer have access to my wardrobe.”

  “That can be easily remedied,” Risens replied. “There are several shops throughout the city where we can purchase something suitable.”

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “There’s no need for that,” Tawny chimed in with a smile. “I’ve not had the opportunity to dress for extravagancy in recent years, yet what I have should suffice. It might be a tad out of style, but it should fit without much in the way of alteration.”

  Her vision tracked to Marlaine’s shapely figure where it was still intent upon keeping the door frame upright.

  Tawny pursed her lips. “Well perhaps, a bit will be needed.”

  Without any further fanfare or conversation, Tawny collected Marlaine’s hand, leading them from the room. Risens watched the pair disappear into the adjoining quarters with a shake of his head. His discretions had caused complications far beyond his wildest intentions. He could have easily procured the services of any woman who worked the streets, yet he felt far more comfortable with his current choice.

  For one who made their living bandying lies and seduction, he knew that her silence had been earned. More appropriately, bought. Yes, it was at the promise of fulfilling the task he’d left unfinished, though for the time being, he felt no desire to put the life of another of her fellows in jeopardy. His own security also played a role in his decision. Any further indiscretions on his part would only further see to his own demise.

  With nothing else to occupy his time, he spent the respite inspecting the outer door for quick improvements that could help secure the entrance. He understood all too well that it was often nothing more than a precious few seconds that separated a target from the assassin’s blade. He was shocked that the door to her secretive clinic didn’t have more than a simple lock and deadbolt. Crime, especially in the Core, was anything but rare. Though the area would undoubtably see a measure of reprieve with the deaths of Dorchette and his party of degenerates, he knew that soon, another troop of ne’er-do-wells would rise to fill the void.

  Beyond the heavy deadbolt that dug into the wall, there were additional layers of security. His mind flashed through a host of traps that could be readily installed, though most were not forgiving in the event that they were triggered accidentally. His thoughts turned instead to a system of temporarily debilitating potions that the healer would surely know.

  The sound of the approaching women ended his plotting. Tawny, wearing a wide smile, entered the room first. Marlaine followed close at her heels, cloaked in colors so vibrant, they put his to shame. Both woman were slender, yet he doubted so much of the healer’s chest would have spilled from the plunging neckline that stopped just above where the Brand was imprinted on their skin. Risens had no inclination toward carnal pleasures but he couldn’t deny her allure. Even without the lingering draw that he knew was a benefit of her Brand, she was an exceptionally attractive woman. He nodded his head appreciatively at the costume.

  Her hair, dark as any raven’s feathers, was done up and crossed with two ornately carved wooden sticks. She’d painted her eyes with a fanned design that reminded him of a cat. He was surprised at how expertly the makeup had been applied considering how little time the two had spent within the small room. Long yellow feathers hung from her earlobes, tickling at her bare shoulders.

  “It took less adjusting than I anticipated,” Tawny added with a wink. “Will this work?”

  “It will.”

  That she was so striking would work to his benefit. His costume was purposefully designed to fit the part while allowing him to blend into the crowds. That any eyes finding the pair would no doubt focus on her was both satisfying while simultaneously a concern. The voice had demanded he save her, yet he was dragging her back into danger on his coattails.

  “I can handle myself,” she scoffed, seemingly reading his thoughts. “I’ve likely worked far more of these events than you have, clad in far more revealing attire. I assure you that there will be others dressed to gain more attention. Until our unfortunate meeting, I’ve had no problems maintaining my own safety.”

  Her words were spoken with a measure of emotion that was undeniable, though he was uncertain whether it was regret or appreciation. Like him, nearly all of her face was covered by the design. Instead of a hat, a thin strip of jeweled silver wrapped her forehead. From it, a veil of brightly colored diagonal slashes of sheer fabric hung by two chains.

  It was then that he realized it wasn’t just the makeup on her eyes that had changed.

  “Your eyes…”

  The intensity of her unnaturally piercing blue eyes complimented the bright red and yellow accents of the fabric that hemmed them in.

  “You’re more observant than most,” Tawny said. “A concoction I’ve used many times. When your eyes are as green as mine, they are easily recognizable.”

  Her words felt like a barb, though he knew they were innoculous enough. He hadn’t immediately pegged them as belonging to the healer who had treated him so many times before.

  Marlaine stepped closer. “They’ve been dyed to conceal their natural brown. Tawny assures me they will fade over the next week.”

  Risens nodded at the explanation, satisfied with the added measure of disguise.

  “The procession will have started, we need to go.” He ushered her outside though it was Tawny’s grip on his arm that stopped him from following immediately after.

  “Keep her safe,” she whispered.

  “Do not open this door for anyone,” he replied as he slipped into the alley.

  Risens caught up with Marlaine a few paces down the alley. He lengthened his strides as they moved through the shadowed alleys of the Core. Not only had the complexion and color of her skin brightened, she had little trouble keeping up with his rapid pace. How much differently she moved now than when he’d first dragged her to Tawny’s clinic.