Neeku peered around the corner, trying her best to not wheeze in pain, taking small shallow breaths to keep silent as much as possible. She was fairly sure at least one rib was cracked, judging by the way every breath was agony, but she couldn’t stop to check. It felt like she’d been running for her life at least half the night, but more than likely it’d only been an hour or so since she killed the governor and successfully fled his trap...though ‘successfully’ might be an exaggeration, since she had numerous broken bones earned in leaping off the rooftop garden after she’d given that smirking bastard a second smile.
She knew she should put Bloodmoon back in its sheath, but since the city had launched a Sunbomb right above the city just before she killed the governor, it was the only weapon she had. The orichalcum dagger was starting to dim; the power it derived from moonlight was dwindling under the constant barrage of daylight all around her.
Her right hand –along with the Nightblade she could summon with it- had vanished under the never-ending light in the sky. Whatever alchemy the city’s engineers had used in its creation were very effective, as the Sunbomb showed no signs of dimming. And they’d launched more around the city’s walls since, basically turning the entire city into a brightly lit cage.
It seemed like there was still a little bit of luck on her side, for just down the street an overturned street cart was pressed up against the corner of some store, and it provided a small bit of shade. If the governor’s forces decided to launch more Sunbombs, that shade would vanish, along with any chance at escape. Neeku needed to make her move, and fast. If only she could keep her bloodshot eyes fully open, and make her legs work enough to run. If only she hadn’t broken so many bones. If only this, if only that. “Wish in one hand and shit in the other,” she could hear her dearly departed dad saying, “and see which one gets filled first.”
We need to hurry, my child, a faint voice echoed in her mind. I can barely sense you as it is. Too much longer in this accursed daylight and I will lose my tether to you, and without my help you’ll surely succumb to your wounds. It’s a miracle you’re still standing as it is.
“I know, mistress,” Neeku thought back. “I should have listened to you and done more recon before striking tonight. It was an obvious trap, and you warned me repeatedly not to fall for it. I just got so caught up in my vengeance, I didn’t heed your advice.”
None of us can change the past, my dear, and I won’t waste time with recriminations, the voice assured her. Although I do hope that next time I counsel you for patience, you listen to me. I am slightly older than you, it thought with a chuckle.
“I suppose since the dawn of time is ‘slightly older’ than my 24 mortal years,” Neeku chuckled back. “The only good thing to come out of all this is that bastard is dead, and my list is nearly complete. Four down, one to go.”
That is true, and since you sliced his throat with Bloodmoon, its natural powers of magic repression will ensure that no healing can save his life, the voice congratulated her. But, those same powers are also making it difficult for me to talk to you, bond or not.
“Once I get to that shadow over there, I’ll sheathe it mistress. After all, I can’t shadowstep with it drawn anyway,” Neeku replied, but if Sheeba the Goddess of Night heard it, there was no indication. For now, at least, she was truly on her own, in a way she hadn’t been before she bonded with the Goddess around her ninth nameday. That left her shaken more than facing down twelve armed guards did after she killed Governor Sola and she was bereft of her assassin abilities, but she knew that it was up to her to save herself.
Gritting her teeth, Neeku took a deep breath and held it before slamming her right shoulder into the brick wall besides her. The pain as her arm went back into its socket nearly made her pass out, and she tasted blood from biting down on her tongue so hard. But, after a dizzy spell that had her seeing double, the pain subsided and at least she could use that arm again. Granted, there was still no hand there, but the arm didn’t dangle uselessly anymore.
Dogs bayed down the road, and Neeku knew she was running out of time. Even though she was more of a cat person, the dogs were innocent in all this, just doing what they’d been trained to do, and she had no desire to kill animals tonight. It was now or never. Her heart started pounding, and her muscles began to twitch. “Fear will kill you faster than any blade or poison,” she could almost sense her former trainer behind her saying those words, “and if you don’t learn to master it, you’ll always be a slave to its slimy touch. Set it aside, and get shit done.”
One deep breath in, hold for five seconds, then release. Neeku could only assume that the patrolling guards had special goggles that would keep them from going blind under the glare of the Sunbombs, and any second they’d come around the bend of the street and see her crouching by the alleyway. It was only her constant training –and remnants of Sheeba’s touch keeping her eyes safe- that was allowing her to see right now. No, don’t think about that. One deep breath in, hold for five seconds, then release.
The shade under the street cart was fairly small, but she’d spent lots of time learning to contort her body to fit in small spaces. Besides, Neeku was positive that it was bigger than the smuggler’s locker her stepfather had locked her in, all those years ago. The only good thing to come out of that asshole’s torture was it introduced her to Sheeba. The dogs bayed again, louder this time, and Neeku could only assume they’d finally caught her scent and were only seconds away. It hadn’t been that difficult, honestly; she’d been bleeding quite a bit tonight.
Standing up straight as much as she could, Neeku sheathed Bloodmoon and started trotting towards the street cart. Loud barking echoed behind her, amidst shouts from the guards to stand still and put her hands behind her head. Ignoring them all, the small assassin continued her trek towards safety. A shot echoed out, and she felt the bullet whiz past her ear, angry as a hornet. It was only a matter of time before a shot or two found her, and Neeku had no desire to bleed out on these streets. Reaching the shade, she tucked herself in as tight as she could, taking the time to give a rude gesture to the patrol before the cool darkness embraced her, and she shadowstepped away to safety; hoping that wherever she landed, it was better than here.
