*Silver Flash* Assassin's Heart, A Black Rock Story, Part V

Ryssa’s Angels and Bad Boys . . . *Silver Flash* Assassin's Heart, A Bl...

Silver Flash Assassin's Heart, A Black Rock Story, Part V

How's it going intrepid Flash followers?

Glad you're back for another round of the Silver Flash!

This week's Prompt Diva is Pender Mackie . . .and she brings us. . .

"I can't believe I didn't know that about you." OR

"Anyone ever tell you you're a Grade A _____?" Fill in the blank. OR

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Alternative Prompt this week was:

He/she was so tired he/she could have . . . .

Ready for more adventures on Blood Rock?

Here we go . . .

Assassin's Heart, A Black Rock Story, Part V

"A battle to the death?" Nisha said. "Who's the Bordertown Alpha?"

For a heart-wrenching second, Valak wished he could lock Nisha in Red Tower. It was the safest place on the Rock. "No one you need to worry about," he said.

"If I may offer my humble opinion," Arjin said, "if the beauty next to you is who I think he is, it may be he has much to worry about."

"You talk too much, Arjin," Valak said. "And your memory's getting bad. You've never seen Nisha. Starting right now."

"Of course." Arjin spun around to the fire.

It was a sign of Valak's distraction that the scroll slid halfway from his hand before he noticed. "No," he said, twisting out of Nisha's grip. "Go find Arjin a room. Get him past the novices." He looked down at Nisha. "You're good at getting past them, right?"

"Where do you want him?" Nisha said, a shameless grin lighting his face.

"Locked inside a room even you couldn't get out of," Valak said. "I don't want him running out on me when the storm blows over."

"I would never leave a generous host such as yourself without saying my goodbyes." Arjin gave a fretful look around the kitchen. "You wouldn't have a bit to eat for a weary traveler, would you? It's an arduous climb up to this rock you live on."

Valak suddenly remembered what Ghost had said about Arjin being alone. "How did you get up here?"

The way Arjin's hands dropped too quickly to pull his robes around him told Valak a lie was coming. "I was given gold," he said. "I'm an honest man. I kept my part of the bargain."

Nisha had gone into the cold room to bring Arjin a plate of meats and cheese. He set it on the table. Arjin lifted a thick slice of meat to his lips. Valak moved at a speed no human could have followed and snatched the meat and the plate away. "How?" he said.

They all heard Ghost's voice just beyond the kitchen door, giving orders.

At the sound of Ghost's voice, Arjin whipped a glance over his shoulder just in time to see Ghost push through the door.

As he came in, all eyes were on him, as if he'd walked onstage in front of an eager audience. "Well?" he said. "Do I get to carve him up and toss his carcass to the crows?"

"He was a Wulf," Arjin said, his words tumbling over each as if they couldn't get out of his mouth fast enough. "I never saw him change. He was fur all the way up here."

"Here," Valak gave him the plate and tossed the slice of meat on it. "Fatten up. Ghost likes it when a target's too big to miss. Saves knives."

Arjin gave Valak a wounded look. "I didn't have to tell you anything. I did it because – -"

"I know," Valak said. "You're an honest man."

"And I'm a hog with wings," Ghost said.

Leaning slightly to his right, and going up on his toes, Arjin said, "I thought I saw a tail back there."

Before Ghost could pull his knife, Valak was between the assassin and Arjin. "Nisha, take him up to Red Tower. High as you can."

Not moving, Nisha said, "No."

In the eight moons they'd been together, Nisha had said that to Valak only a handful of times. He pushed back the fear the scroll had raised in his Wulf instincts. He should have expected this. "I'll show you the scroll when you get back."

"Show it to me now," Nisha said. "Before you tell Ghost whatever you don't want me to hear."

"What's on it?" Ghost asked.

"It's something about a battle to the death," Nisha said. "He won't tell me."

"Who challenged you?" Ghost asked Valak.

Arjin made a move toward the kitchen door. "I'm sure I can find my way to a room, Valak. I'll be on my way."

"Don't, Arjin," Valak said. "The Rock's on full alert. If the novices spot a stranger, you'll be dead before we can stop them."

Ghost turned to Arjin. "What does the scroll say, peddler?"

"I'm sure I don't know," Arjin said. "I'm an honest – -"

Ghost moved so fast, Valak didn't have a chance to stop him. In less than a heartbeat, Ghost's thick arm was around Arjin's throat, squeezing.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Valak said.

But Ghost ignored him and pressed the flat of his blade to Arjin's cheek. "First, I'll count to five. Then I'll see how loud I can make you scream before you give up and die."

"Really, Valak," Arjin said in a strangled voice. "Must I endure this?"

"Let him go," Valak said.

"What's on the scroll?" Ghost said. "Because you're not leaving the Rock to go lose your robes."

By the laws of Blood Rock, Valak couldn't fight in a Death Challenge. The other Wulf had no chance to survive against a blooded assassin. But even facing the threat of exile and being disrobed, only one thing mattered to him. Nisha would be forced to stay on the Rock. Valak would never see him again.

Arjin made a desperate gurgling sound.

"Ghost," Valak said. "Get off him."

With a reluctant sigh, Ghost let go Arjin, who fell to his knees, gasping for every breath.

"The Alpha of the pack Nisha belonged to sent out a challenge," Valak said and saw Nisha go pale.

"Bordertown," Nisha said. "I forgot. That's the Wulf name for Clawton."

"He's not getting near you," Valak said, and took Nisha into his arms. "Go on. Find Arjin a room in Red Tower."

"Promise you'll be here when I get back," Nisha said.

"I'll always be here for you," Valak said, knowing he'd kill a hundred Wulf packs to keep his promise.

**WARNING: FREE READ ZONE**

Check out my free read, "Spinner" on GoodReads' Hot Summer Days . . .

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