Assassin's Heart (Assassin's Heart, #1)(26)

Faraday nodded, then drove the wagon down a street almost as busy as the entrance. He pulled the wagon off to the side and stopped.

“Here we are.” He gestured to a small building to his left. The setting sun highlighted a carving on the door, a blank bone mask. This was a church of Safraella.

“They allow our churches here?” I asked.

“Clippers are not allowed in Yvain, of course, but they do permit a few small churches. Mostly for the use of the monasteries. We return as many bodies from the dead plains to Rennes as we do to Lovero, but many of us can’t make the trip back to our monasteries in one day. I’ll stay here for the night and head back in the morning. There is plenty of room for you, too. The Brothers will be happy to welcome you.”

It would be easy to walk into the church, get a good night’s sleep, then find my uncle in the morning.

But the Addamos were already after me. If they had sent members to the monasteries, then next they’d be heading for the nearest cities, including Yvain. And the first place they’d check would be the churches. Anyone could be made to talk. Anyone.

“This will be where we part ways,” I said.

Faraday’s smile dropped, but he nodded.

I jumped off the wagon and grabbed my two bags. “Thank you, Brother Faraday. I wish I could offer you something. In the past I would’ve granted you good grace with the Saldana Family. I still could, but it’s not worth much these days.”

“I’ll take it.” He leaned over me. “You may be the only Saldana now, but I do not think your Family’s story is complete.”

“Well, it’s kind of you to say so, anyway. If ever you need assistance, Brother Faraday, you need only ask it of a Saldana. There. Now it’s official.”

“Thank you. Look for a letter from me. I will write with any information about your situation. Good luck, Lea Saldana.”

He clucked the horse forward into a small alley beside the church. I fought off a yawn. My shoulder, hand, and entire body ached from the Addamos and ghosts. I’d need to find somewhere to rest.

Around me, the streets grew empty as the sky grew darker. Unlike Ravenna, there were no crowds of people waiting for the moon to rise. The few who remained headed for inns, lit brightly against the encroaching darkness of the streets. Building after building held businesses where they’d offer to lend money if paid back with interest. In Lovero, if people didn’t pay their debts, someone typically hired a clipper to pay them a visit.

I walked along a canal, bags heavy in my hands, wrinkling my nose against the smell. The small boats people used as transportation were tied against docks and buildings. Lanterns adorned many of the boats, but for what purpose in a city that hid from the night, I didn’t know. Perhaps Yvain had carnivals like Ravenna, and they decorated their boats with flowers and fires. Remember why you’re here.

I couldn’t care about masquerades or good food or flirting with boys. None of that meant anything anymore. Maybe it never had. Maybe if I’d been more like Matteo, focused on my studies, I would’ve been able to save my Family. To save Rafeo, who was lying alone in the tunnel.

I could still do it. If I worked hard, became the best clipper, maybe She would undo what had happened. Maybe She would return my Family to me. Even just Rafeo. If I could have Rafeo, I could serve You better.

No. It was impossible. True resurrections never happened. Or at least hadn’t happened in hundreds of years. It was a stupid thing to wish for, but I couldn’t help it. I missed them so much. So much.

This was my punishment. My terrible secret. Val had brought about my Family’s death. They were gone forever and I was alone and this was my burden to bear.

I shook my head, freeing it from heavy thoughts, and found a dark alley to hide in. Safe from prying eyes, I changed out of the garments the monastery had provided and slipped into my familiar leathers. My boots buckled tightly against my calves and the belts fit snug around my waist, though they were too light without their customary weapons. I opened my second pack and slipped on every knife I could fit around my waist, in my boots, and on my arms. I sheathed my short sword and filled a pouch with a fair selection of my favorite poisons. After a moment of thought, I included a few smoke bombs as well. This was a new city, a new country. Better to carry a bit of everything and not need it than to regret something left in a pack.

There were no clippers in Rennes, or anywhere else other than Lovero. There were only nine Families, and we all called Lovero home. Maybe one day, if worship of Safraella spread past Loveran borders, there would be clippers in other cities, but for now I was alone.

I pulled on my cloak, fingering the small stitches a priest had used to close the arrow hole. My shoulder ached fiercely. Finally, I slipped on Rafeo’s mask, inhaling deeply the smell of fresh oil used to clean it. I was safe now, behind the mask. And it was time to get to work.

I tied a rope around my bags so they would hang below me, then approached a nicely pitted wall, easy for climbing. I’d get to the roof, stash my belongings for now, and then explore the city and try to learn its ways. Maybe, if I was truly lucky, I’d actually find my uncle tonight and I could be back on my way to Ravenna with him tomorrow morning. Of course, chances were it would take a few days of searching and questioning the right people. After all, he’d been a Saldana once and could hide effectively.

I yawned. Or maybe I could just find somewhere to get some rest first. Yes, I wanted to find Marcello as soon as possible, especially since the Addamos were after me—and it was only a matter of time before the Da Vias learned about me, too—but I would be of no use exhausted.