Read Online The Watcher's Eyes (The Binders Game Book 2) by D.K. Holmberg - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: D.K. Holmberg
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was a part of me that even thought it might be for the best. I had grown complacent here, but had also forged connections when I should not, connections that made me willing to take on risks that Isander would have frowned upon.
“After the mess at his home, and a known criminal housed there, Benahg no longer directs the city guard. You have nothing to fear.”
This time, I smiled. “I don’t fear the city guard, but they make it difficult for me to work.”
“Then since Benahg is dead, you should be able to work unencumbered.” He tossed the dice across the table. Two ones landed face up. “As I said, you have nothing to fear.”
I stared at the dice, for a moment unable to think of anything to say. “With Benahg gone, who will replace him?” I asked.
Orly scooped the dice back into his cup and shook them again. As they spilled out onto the tabletop, I didn’t know whether to be impressed or frightened that a pair of ones came up again. Maybe it wasn’t a game of chance for him at all.
“I’ll let you know when I have another job for you,” Orly said. “Goodbye for now.”
I started to say that I wouldn’t take another job from him, or that he knew how I would be choosy about the jobs I did take, but realized that it didn’t matter. With Orly, it might never matter. He managed to get me to take the jobs, regardless of whether I intended to. Now that Carth did much the same, I was stuck between the two of them, truly the game piece that she’d told me I was.
The only question I had remaining was whether it was a game of dice or one of Tsatsun.
As I made my way out of the tavern, I heard Orly rolling the dice again and then tossing them across the table. I resisted the urge to glance back, afraid of what I might see.
Somehow, I’d have to pull myself out of the game. Only… I didn’t know how.
----
K eep reading for a sneak peak of Part 3 of The Binders Game: Playing the Stone
Chapter 1
It was a night for killing. In my line of work, many nights were like that, more than I wanted. But I was an assassin, and in a place like Eban, that meant I was busy.
Tonight, I didn’t come on a job. Tonight was for me.
I crouched on the rooftop, staring down at the massive estate filling nearly the entire block and rolling a pair of darts in my fingers. The last time I’d been to Benahg’s estate, I’d nearly died. That wouldn’t happen this time, but then this time, I came only for information.
Men patrolled along the fence outside the estate, though they made an effort to look as if they didn’t. Most were casually dressed and walked the street as if they simply strolled along it rather than stalking. The short sword one wore gave him away, as did the bulk indicating a hidden crossbow on another.
Whoever now controlled the estate did not want a repeat of the last time.
There would be others watching, but I didn’t see them. That surprised me.
I shifted in place, sliding my feet carefully along the rooftop, until I was at the edge. Unlike in other places within the city, I couldn’t jump from this roof to the next. They were spaced far enough apart here to give each estate enough room for greenery and a garden.
That was why I had come tonight.
Carth thought to use me. Orly thought to use me. I was getting tired of it.
Worse than that was the fact that Talia had lied to me. I hated how much that bothered me, but I couldn’t let her know that. It wouldn’t change anything if I did.
Talia and I were friends. Even before I knew of her role in the Binders, that was all that we could be. Now that I understood some part of how she served Carth, I knew with certainty that we couldn’t be anything else.
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t find out why she had sacrificed our friendship.
The patrols were spaced as far apart as they would get. I jumped from the roof and landed in the small alley between buildings. Somewhere distant, a cat meowed. In my homeland, a single cat meant bad luck, but
“After the mess at his home, and a known criminal housed there, Benahg no longer directs the city guard. You have nothing to fear.”
This time, I smiled. “I don’t fear the city guard, but they make it difficult for me to work.”
“Then since Benahg is dead, you should be able to work unencumbered.” He tossed the dice across the table. Two ones landed face up. “As I said, you have nothing to fear.”
I stared at the dice, for a moment unable to think of anything to say. “With Benahg gone, who will replace him?” I asked.
Orly scooped the dice back into his cup and shook them again. As they spilled out onto the tabletop, I didn’t know whether to be impressed or frightened that a pair of ones came up again. Maybe it wasn’t a game of chance for him at all.
“I’ll let you know when I have another job for you,” Orly said. “Goodbye for now.”
I started to say that I wouldn’t take another job from him, or that he knew how I would be choosy about the jobs I did take, but realized that it didn’t matter. With Orly, it might never matter. He managed to get me to take the jobs, regardless of whether I intended to. Now that Carth did much the same, I was stuck between the two of them, truly the game piece that she’d told me I was.
The only question I had remaining was whether it was a game of dice or one of Tsatsun.
As I made my way out of the tavern, I heard Orly rolling the dice again and then tossing them across the table. I resisted the urge to glance back, afraid of what I might see.
Somehow, I’d have to pull myself out of the game. Only… I didn’t know how.
----
K eep reading for a sneak peak of Part 3 of The Binders Game: Playing the Stone
Chapter 1
It was a night for killing. In my line of work, many nights were like that, more than I wanted. But I was an assassin, and in a place like Eban, that meant I was busy.
Tonight, I didn’t come on a job. Tonight was for me.
I crouched on the rooftop, staring down at the massive estate filling nearly the entire block and rolling a pair of darts in my fingers. The last time I’d been to Benahg’s estate, I’d nearly died. That wouldn’t happen this time, but then this time, I came only for information.
Men patrolled along the fence outside the estate, though they made an effort to look as if they didn’t. Most were casually dressed and walked the street as if they simply strolled along it rather than stalking. The short sword one wore gave him away, as did the bulk indicating a hidden crossbow on another.
Whoever now controlled the estate did not want a repeat of the last time.
There would be others watching, but I didn’t see them. That surprised me.
I shifted in place, sliding my feet carefully along the rooftop, until I was at the edge. Unlike in other places within the city, I couldn’t jump from this roof to the next. They were spaced far enough apart here to give each estate enough room for greenery and a garden.
That was why I had come tonight.
Carth thought to use me. Orly thought to use me. I was getting tired of it.
Worse than that was the fact that Talia had lied to me. I hated how much that bothered me, but I couldn’t let her know that. It wouldn’t change anything if I did.
Talia and I were friends. Even before I knew of her role in the Binders, that was all that we could be. Now that I understood some part of how she served Carth, I knew with certainty that we couldn’t be anything else.
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t find out why she had sacrificed our friendship.
The patrols were spaced as far apart as they would get. I jumped from the roof and landed in the small alley between buildings. Somewhere distant, a cat meowed. In my homeland, a single cat meant bad luck, but
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