FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

“Ah.” Savage’s head tilted. “Interesting…It was a wise of you not to. I like him too.”

Garix. We’re back to Garix. He realized, relieved.

But Alazareth understood the cautioning. If you’d killed him, I’d have killed you.

“Who else have you killed?” Savage Jack disrupted his thoughts.

He already knows.

A test to see if I’ll lie. Alazareth knew well what kind of man Savage was. They were very similar in many ways. Except that Savage was very nearly conscienceless and the only thing he seemed to value was loyalty.

Which I’ve betrayed.

“The Death Dealer, Madbrook, and the Fatality.”

“Any others on your list?” Savage asked acidly.

“No. There will be no more.”

Savage Jaxson’s eyes lost their hard glint and he waved over his shoulder. “Come. Let’s find dinner.”

Alazareth blew a long breath. Truly surprising he’s not trying to kill me.

Why?

It was very out of character for Savage Jaxson to not simply cut him down in recompense for turning on the Blue Lark Guild.

Early evening arrived as they ate squirrels over a low fire. Alazar was well-aware he’d be late to WaterRose. But right now, he felt it relevant to find out what went on in the mind of this intense young assassin.

One with a specialty for killing immortals. Yet sparing me today.

“Savage Jack?” A thin bone draped from Alazar’s fingers as he eyed the younger man taking quick bites from a lump of breast meat.

“Hmm?” He grunted. Not stopping.

“You going to tell me what this is about?”

“What?” He straightened, lowering his meat and rolling his shoulders to set that unblinking gaze on Alazar.

How am I still alive?

“Why aren’t you trying to kill me?”

He returned to eating. “Does it matter?” He asked around a mouthful of food.

Yes. It’s not compassion. What is this?

“I know it’s not for the sake of our friendship.”

“I don’t have friends.”

Acquaintances then.

“We’ve known each other a long while but that is not enough, is it?”

“To risk my reputation? To risk the Blue Lark?”

“Yes.”

“No.” He purposely didn’t look up.

“Then why?”

“Chavias.” He took another vigorous bite.

Chavias?

“Chavias!” Alazar was appalled. Brows descending. “To spite him?”

“To honor him.”

He’s killing us! How does letting me live honor him?

What’s your association with him? Alazar stared at the other man’s silent profile, stunned.

“What in God’s name do you mean!” He couldn’t keep the shock off his face.

Savage Jack said nothing as he continued his meal. Licking a bit of grease from his thumb. Pointedly ignoring the question in his characteristic way.

“You challenged him that day in the Blue Lark. He could’ve killed you. You nearly outmaneuvered yourself with that one, by the way.” Alazareth said. “I don’t think even you could match him.”

“He’d have let me kill him.” Savage Jack’s voice was toneless. “I said it to keep Radix from ordering him to it.”