He turned off his emotions and focused back on the task at hand. He wouldn’t end up like that boy, he wouldn’t fail. His uncle deserved justice. And he would do whatever it took to ensure it was served.
Which meant he had a Viper to catch.
Chapter 8
Esha tossed the hilt of the knife in the air, catching it and flipping it up again as she waited for her contact, Jiten, to wake up.
The shop was a contradiction. Rows of teacups and other trinkets were interspersed with bronze maces and sinister-looking knives. Amid all the chaos Esha had placed Jiten, who sat in a wooden chair, out of reach of any weapon—or trinket.
Esha sighed and slapped Jiten once. He woke, sputtering and with terror in his eyes as he realized he was bound to a chair.
She crouched down until she was eye level with the sallow-faced man.
“Anything you want to tell me, Jiten?”
He shook his head, trying to fight against his bindings.
Esha raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? You know, I thought we had built some trust between us. You even told me I was one of your best, even favorite, clients.”
“You are,” he stuttered.
“I am? Then why have you treated me so poorly, Jiten? Someone discovered my mission. Knew where I was going to be. The only person who knew about my mission in Jansa is, well, you,” Esha said, affecting her voice to be saccharine, bordering on confused.
“I didn’t tell anyone where you were going! What would poor me know? I only knew you were going south. I said nothing at all. I knew not to say anything, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t make that mistake. I wouldn’t anger the Vi—you.”
Esha tapped the side of her nose, holding eye contact until he squirmed. “A good decision. And I believe you.” Jiten breathed a sigh of relief. “But now I know someone was asking about me.”
She pressed the sharp tip of her knife into the delicate muscles of his hands. “Don’t lie to me. I don’t want to have to tell your other clientele that you’ve been spreading gossip like a fisherman. Do I?”
Jiten’s fingers trembled as Esha tapped the tip of her knife against each one of his fingers.
“Someone stopped in asking about the Viper,” he said in a rush, screwing his eyes shut.
Esha frowned. “Who?”
He hesitated. “I don’t ask questions of those who are just seeking to trade in information. The man was hooded. He asked about the state of the Bhagya River, that new fellow, Dharmdev, who has been making a fuss in Gwali, and then the fading janma bond. Then the Viper. I thought nothing of it—even my regular clientele have asked me what I know of the famed vigilante. You—” Esha shot him a sharp look. “The Viper has made quite a name for themselves.
“You’re good for business, it’s true. But upon the Sun Maiden’s bow, I swear I never revealed anything about your identity or mission. I don’t even know what it is! I just do my business, collect the money, and stay away from all that,” he said.
Esha stared at him, waiting. Her contact’s eyes shifted back and forth, and Esha had seen the same tic enough to know when someone was about to reveal something unpleasant.
He gulped, withering under her gaze. “But when I checked later in the day, the Blades pin I keep hidden in the folds of my uttariya was gone,” he said.
“Gone,” Esha repeated, trying to find some new connection in this revelation. All it told her was that whoever had framed her was one step ahead of her, and had been. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”
A bead of sweat inched across Jiten’s forehead and his wan face took on a greenish tint.
“I didn’t want—”
“If you ever give any details about me again, if you ever hint you know anything about me, real or legend, I’ll come back and take your least favorite finger,” Esha said calmly, her knife still resting delicately in the space between his knuckles.
Jiten blinked. Twice. “Least favorite? Not my most favorite?”
“You’re right, I’ll take both.”
Esha stood up, looming over Jiten with her knife raised.
“I have more! I have more. You’ll want to know this,” he said. Esha tilted her head at him to continue. “A date for the peace summit has been set. Two moons from now.”
She paused, realizing the importance of this information. Two moons. Which meant she had only one moon to figure out who was behind this and get back to Mathur. Any longer and she’d miss the royal party before they left.
Jiten seemed to sense the shift in her and lunged at it. “There’s whispers of a Blade, not one of the usuals, roaming around in Faor up north in the hills. Big purse and looking to engage a caravan. If you’re searching for someone suspicious, someone who might know too much, look there.”
He paused, glancing at her face before he pushed further. “Why would a rebel be trying to leave Jansa now, when peace is on the horizon? It’s suspicious, isn’t it?” he asked, a sly smile splitting across his face.
Why indeed? Esha couldn’t deny that it made sense.
A disgruntled Blade would be dangerous. Why an ex-Blade would murder the general and frame her, Esha couldn’t say. But they had all the skills and knowledge required. They’d been clever enough to steal Jiten’s pin, and she didn’t want to know if killing the general had been the grand finale or if there was more to come.
She couldn’t help the small shudder the realization caused. Most of the Blades had been trained by her and Harun, which meant she would have to use caution, and not hesitate when she found this rogue rebel.
To Faor, then.
“See? I’m useful,” her contact said, drawing her attention back.
“You’ve been useful—for now.” Esha chuckled, and even Jiten cracked a smile, sensing that some of the danger had dissipated. He looked expectantly down at his bindings, giving a little kick.
Esha gathered her bag, taking care to not nick herself as she returned her knife to its hidden spot in her sari.
“I’m sure one of your servants will be in soon and untie you. Let this be a lesson. Don’t lie to me again,” Esha said, before stuffing a short piece of cloth into his mouth.
His muffled shouts filled the room as she slung her pack across her chest and climbed out the window.
Chapter 9
Kunal moved about his room, packing his things with quick precision as Alok watched. He had recruited his friend to help him gather as much information as possible that afternoon before he left—stories, rumors, tall tales, anything.
One of the first things he’d been taught during his Senap training was that all information had a pattern. Now if only he could find the Viper’s pattern.
“Throw in some paper. And chalk,” Alok said, his gaze tight with worry.
Kunal raised an eyebrow. “Paper and chalk? Do you think I’m going on a leisure trip to the mountains?”
“No, you daft ox. But you will make the time to keep me apprised of what’s going on. I don’t trust the reports from anyone else.” Alok frowned. “I may not act like it all the time, but let’s not forget who’s older here. If something happened to you . . . well, I’m as good as next of kin. So don’t be a pillock, and write me. Use the messenger hawks that always seem to love you.”