Chapter 8: The Assassin in the Shadows

The palace gates were sealed before sunset.

Extra royal guards patrolled every corridor while servants hurried through the halls with anxious faces. News of the murdered scout had spread quickly.

Kira stood beside the window of her chambers, watching soldiers reinforce the palace walls.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

'Come in.'

Magnus entered first, followed by Derek.

'You'll be moved to the royal suite tonight,' Derek said without preamble.

'Why?'

'Because your current chambers are no longer secure.'

'Someone entered them before,' Kira admitted. 'They left a black feather.'

Magnus exchanged a quick glance with Derek.

'You should have told us immediately,' Magnus said.

'I wasn't sure it meant anything.'

'Now we know it does,' Derek replied.

He extended his hand.

'Show me.'

Kira retrieved both black feathers from the drawer beside her bed and placed them in Derek's palm.

His eyes narrowed as he examined the silver symbol.

'The Order of Ravens,' he murmured.

'You know them?' Kira asked.

'Only through rumors,' Magnus answered. 'A secret organization of assassins. No one knows who leads them.'

'Or who hires them,' Derek added.

Silence settled over the room.

Who would spend so much effort trying to kill a queen who had only arrived days ago?

That evening, Kira moved into the royal suite.

The room was enormous, connected to Derek's private chambers by a single carved wooden door.

'If anything happens,' Derek said, 'knock once. I'll hear it.'

Kira nodded.

'Thank you.'

For a brief second, Derek looked as though he wanted to say something more.

Instead, he simply left.

Hours later...

The palace fell silent.

Moonlight spilled across the polished floor as Kira lay awake in bed, unable to sleep.

Then she heard it.

A faint scrape.

Not outside the room.

Inside.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Slowly, she sat up.

The balcony curtains swayed gently although there was no wind.

Someone stood behind them.

Kira reached for the small silver dagger hidden beneath her pillow.

'Who's there?'

No answer.

The figure stepped forward.

A man dressed entirely in black.

His face was hidden beneath a hood.

In his hand gleamed a curved dagger engraved with the same silver raven symbol.

'The Queen dies tonight,' he whispered.

He lunged.

Kira barely rolled off the bed before the blade buried itself in the mattress.

She ran toward the connecting door.

The assassin caught her wrist.

She swung the dagger wildly, slicing across his forearm.

He hissed in pain but refused to let go.

'Help!' Kira shouted.

The assassin slammed her against the wall.

The impact knocked the dagger from her hand.

He raised his blade for the killing strike.

The connecting door exploded inward.

Derek burst into the room with impossible speed.

His silver eyes glowed brilliantly.

'Get away from my wife.'

The assassin spun toward him.

Too late.

Derek crossed the room in a blur.

His fist crashed into the assassin's chest, sending him flying across the chamber and through the balcony doors.

Glass shattered everywhere.

By the time Derek reached the balcony, the assassin had already disappeared into the darkness below.

Royal guards flooded the room moments later.

Magnus looked between the broken doors and Kira's pale face.

'Is she hurt?'

Derek turned toward Kira.

For the first time since their marriage, genuine concern flashed across his usually emotionless face.

'Are you injured?'