The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1)(76)

He shifted his weight toward me. “The city could need you, too.”

What was he imagining? That we’d just continue for the rest of our lives like this, fighting crime and not knowing each other’s real names?

“I’m not like you,” I said again. “I can’t give this city what it needs. I have other obligations.”

Black Knife was motionless, a shadow statue across the breezeway. His silk hood glimmered in the faint light. “Did you find what you were looking for in the wraithland?”

Could I tell him the truth? He knew I had magic. What would he think if I told him about the wraith wind, and how it had called my name?

When had Black Knife become someone I considered confiding in? If I wasn’t careful, I’d want to tell him about my parents and the Ospreys and how everything was so confused now because I wasn’t sure we were doing the right thing anymore.

And all I wanted —all I really wanted—was this. The mask. The hunting. The night.

His footfalls were whisper quiet. “Will?”

I turned away.

“What happened here?” Gloved fingertips brushed my cheek, so, so gentle. “Someone hit you. Who?”

I covered the fading bruise. “It’s nothing. I handled it.”

“I’m sure you did.” He pulled away. “You said you’re not like me. Who are you, then? What kind of trouble are you in?”

“The kind you can’t help with.” The words came out more harshly than I intended, but he didn’t even flinch.

“I might,” he said. “Or I might know someone who can help.”

“I don’t want your help. Not with this.”

“With what?” He was relentless.

I leaned my forehead on the glass. “I hate you.” It didn’t sound remotely convincing.

“You like your secrets, I know. I like mine, too.” He leaned closer and whispered, “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

Maybe telling him just a little wouldn’t hurt. He already knew so much about me. What would a little more change? “I’m part of a group. The Ospreys.”

He waited.

“I’m supposed to be a sort of leader—eventually—but I’m not right now. Someone else is. He’s the one who hit me.” I closed my eyes and hugged myself. “I’ve certainly taken worse injuries, but I never expected it from him. He’s always been so careful.”

“What made him change?”

“The wraithland. I wasn’t supposed to go. He didn’t know until I was already there.”

“You really don’t like to tell people your plans, do you?”

“Not if I can execute the plan on my own.” I straightened and wiped my forehead smudge off the glass. “I’m not interested in being rescued or saved. I’ve been part of the Ospreys for almost ten years and I’m committed to our cause.”

“It was for the Ospreys that you went to the wraithland?”

I nodded. “I had to know what would happen when the wraith reaches us. And if there was any truth to the rumors about Mirror Lake.”

“Is there?” There was a hopeful tilt to his voice.

“It’s complicated.” I touched my pocket, and the ridges of the barrier scales I’d taken from the village. “The truth is, I found something much, much worse.” The voice calling my name haunted me.

“Can you tell me about it?”

“Another night. I can’t right now.”

“Very well.” He was quiet for a moment, letting the silence between us soak in. “Do you still think what you’re doing with the Ospreys is right?”

“Yes.” At least, I hoped. “I’m not as sure about our methods anymore.”

“What methods are those? Stealing? Something worse?”

“We stole to survive!”

He held up his hands like surrender. “I know. We had this discussion. I’m just trying to understand, and you won’t give me anything but vague answers.”

“Because I can’t!” I slammed my fist against the window, and he stepped back. “If you don’t want vague, don’t ask questions. Don’t bother trying to understand.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He hesitated, then touched my hand on the glass. The fingertips of his gloves were soft against my skin. “Will, I think we are more alike than you realize.”

“What do you mean?”

“Black Knife. I started this fight because I was angry. I wanted to show certain people that I wasn’t a puppet.” An embarrassed chuckle escaped him. “Of course, I wore a mask, so no one ever knew it was me. But eventually all my anger was burned away by a deeper understanding of Skyvale and everything that was wrong with it. I still do this because it’s right. Because Skyvale needs someone and no one else was stepping up. Now I’m Black Knife because it’s the best way to help my kingdom,” he whispered.

Maybe we were alike after all.

Our eyes met. Strange, how familiar he’d become. “Who are you?”

His eyes were gentle, as though he smiled beneath that mask. “You know I can’t tell you any more than you can tell me who you are.”

His hand was still on mine. Our shoulders brushed. Our arms pressed together. I could hardly breathe against the swelling in my heart. I turned up my face, overcome with a wild recklessness.