THE VELVET ASSASSIN

't move for

of the fountain now thunderous in her ears. H

t v

Milan. Not since the night her entire fa

and felt the cool steel of the blade strapped to her th

the garden wall, servants, maybe. Harmless. Bu

t she'd clocked earlier. Her contact code named Falcon had provided her with the palace schematics wee

pressed her back against the cold stone

's t

th

d for ghosts," she

l no

, a

rea

emerged. Only a folded note, lying delicately on the s

approach. No scent, no shift in the air. Whoever

the note an

li

bleeds just lik

d turned

was, they knew why she was here. Which meant everything

idn't

as for

d lighter from her clutch and watched the ashes

walked ba

faster, people looser with wine and power. It was nea

the main stairwell, a han

tessa?" Nikolai's voi

rm in her chest. "A lady must

ng her gently toward the balcony. "T

t a shiver do

warned hersel

he follo

f Estaria's ancient skyline,domes , towers and ca

iling, his gaze distant. "Did

slightly.

rant behind closed doors. The perfect monarch

remained

look the Vasari heir i

as... vulner

ated

I'll ever be more tha

softly. "On the kind of m

eyes

ent, truth danced betw

looked a

she said quickl

walk y

t refused

walk her. Let

mask do

he palace entranc

e coronation ceremon

d. "Your offic

te. Only a few guests.

he private wing? That wasn't

d smoothly. "I

e. "Good. I'd like

ng car and forced herself

w much of her he r

ready knew her face, h

ronation might jus

wasn't s