The Guild of Assassins Read Online Free

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    “I know for a fact that Diamonds serve on assignments well into their forties, Aghat. The previous Pentade leader – Aghat Seldon – was forty-seven when he retired. You’re too damn valuable to your Guild to be relieved of duty at your age.”
    Mai smiled. “Normally you would be right, Your Majesty. But this is a special case.”
    “Enlighten me, Aghat.”
    Mai kept his silence.
    “If you don’t tell me,” Evan said, “I’ll ask others. Perhaps Aghat Raishan, or Kara, could offer more information?”
    Alarm glinted in Mai’s eyes.
    “Not Kara,” he said.
    “Why not?”
    “She can’t get involved in this, Your Majesty.”
    Evan raised his eyebrows, but before he could speak further the doors at the back of the gallery opposite to the throne room burst open, admitting Kyth with a large group in his wake. Evan saw Raishan and Mother Keeper stride beside him, followed by Alder, Ellah, and finally Kara, wrapped head to toe in a blue-and-black royal cloak. She threw off her hood as she walked, her violet eyes gleaming as she approached with a purposeful stride.
    The airy gallery suddenly felt as crowded as an outer audience hall on a busy morning.
    Kara stepped past the King and halted in front of Mai. Their gazes locked.
    “He’s here because of me, isn’t he?” she said.
    Mai’s eyes narrowed as they flicked to Raishan and Egey Bashi. Then he turned back to Kara, his face once again acquiring an expression of serenity.
    “He’s here on Guild business,” he said.
    She continued to hold his gaze. “Are you being recalled?”
    Mai folded his arms on his chest in a slow, deliberate gesture.
    “I fail to see how this is any of your business.”
    “You are not thinking of going, are you?” She leaned closer, the air around them so charged it caused Evan to take an inadvertent step back.
    Mai glanced at Raishan and Egey Bashi again, but the two men responded with calm stares.
    “Like I said,” Mai continued, “none of your business. No offense, Aghat Kara.”
    Kara nodded with the grim expression of one whose worst fears had been confirmed. “I’m coming with you.”
    “No, you’re not.”
    She lifted her chin. “Is there anything you can do to stop me?”
    Mai’s eyes flared. His hand darted to his back, flicking his double-bladed staff out of its sheath. Almost simultaneously, Kara drew her two narrow swords with a long silken sound.
    Before anyone else could react, Raishan darted forward, throwing himself between Mai and Kara. In the ensuing silence, the three Diamonds glared at each other.
    “Stand down, both of you,” Raishan said. “You’re not planning to fight each other, are you? Not in the presence of the King and the royal heir, I hope.”
    Mai held still for a moment. Then he slowly sheathed his weapon. His eyes slid over Kara, who stepped back and withdrew her swords. For a brief moment Mai’s gaze softened before resuming its tranquil, impenetrable expression.
    “You’ll have to kill me to stop me, Aghat Mai,” Kara said.
    “This has nothing to do with you.”
    She held his gaze. “Prove it. Show me the Guildmaster’s letter.”
    He slowly relaxed his arms. A distant smile creased his lips. “My correspondence with the Guildmaster is private, Aghat. It doesn’t concern you.”
    “Look me in the eye,” she said distinctly, “and swear that this letter doesn’t concern me.”
    “It doesn’t concern you.”
    “You’re lying.”
    “You’re out of line, Aghat. I’m your senior and my correspondence with the Guildmaster is none of your business.”
    She smiled. “I’m no longer a member of the Guild. Your seniority means nothing to me, Aghat Mai.”
    Again, his gaze wavered before returning to tranquility as he looked at her.
    “You may think that all Guild business revolves around you, Aghat,” he said. “But I assure you, you’re wrong.”
    “He knows I’m alive, doesn’t he?” she asked quietly.
    There