Kael found Lyra waiting at the safe house.
She looked up when he entered. Saw the blood on his clothes.
"Henrik?" she asked.
"Scared and running. He'll be out of the city by morning."
"Good. And the blood?"
"More of Julian's assassins. The Crimson Blades, they called themselves."
Lyra stood quickly. "How many?"
"Three."
"And you're alive. That's... impressive. The Crimson Blades are elite. Julian must be taking you seriously now."
"Good. He should be."
Lyra poured two glasses of wine. Handed one to Kael. "You killed forty-two people in three days. That's a statement."
"Is that what we're calling it?"
"In the Black Market, yes. People are talking. The boy with the black sword. The one who walks into fights alone and walks out covered in blood."
"Sounds dramatic."
"It is. And it's working. Three merchants stopped paying Julian today. Two gangs dissolved rather than face you. You're making an impact."
"Not enough. Julian's still breathing."
"Patience. These things take time." Lyra sipped her wine. "I have new information. About Ethan."
Kael sat up. "Your brother?"
"Yes. One of my contacts saw him. Julian's keeping him in a house near the market square. Heavily guarded. Six men at least."
"I can handle six."
"Can you handle not killing everyone? He's my brother, Kael. If something goes wrong, if you trigger an alarm, they might kill him."
"Then we plan it carefully."
"We?"
"You think I'd let you do this alone? You've been helping me. Time I return the favor."
Lyra looked at him for a long moment. "Why?"
"Because you're right. Family matters. Your brother matters. And because..." Kael hesitated.
"Because?"
"Because I need allies. People I can trust. You've trusted me with your secret. I should trust you with mine."
"What secret?"
Kael set down his glass. "This sword. Soulrender. It's not just a weapon. It's cursed. Every time I use it, I lose a memory. Small ones now, but eventually..."
"Eventually you'll forget everything," Lyra finished quietly.
"Maybe. The sword says I can control it. Learn to manage the cost. But I don't know if that's true or if it's lying."
"Why tell me this?"
"Because if I start forgetting important things, I need someone who'll remember for me. Someone who'll remind me why I'm doing this."
Lyra was quiet for a moment. "That's a lot of trust."
"You gave me yours first."
"I suppose I did." She refilled both glasses. "Alright. We save Ethan together. Tomorrow night. I'll scout the house during the day. Find the best way in."
"And if something goes wrong?"
"Then we improvise. That seems to be your specialty."
Kael smiled. "Fair point."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while. Outside, the Black Market was settling into its night rhythm. Distant shouts. Music from taverns. The sounds of people living.
"Can I ask you something?" Lyra said.
"Sure."
"Do you regret it? Becoming... this?" She gestured at him. At the sword.
Kael thought about it. "No. Julian took everything from me. My family. My name. My future. This is the only way I get it back."
"Even if it costs you your memories? Your humanity?"
"I stopped being human the night Julian forced me to my knees. Now I'm something else. Something stronger." He looked at the black blade. "Maybe that's not so bad."
"And when it's over? When Julian's dead and you've had your revenge? What then?"
"I don't know. Haven't thought that far ahead."
"You should. Revenge is a good motivator, but it's not a future. After Julian falls, you'll need something to live for."
"Do you have something to live for? After Ethan's safe?"
Lyra smiled. "I'll find something. Maybe I'll retire. Buy a small shop somewhere quiet. Live a boring life."
"You don't strike me as the boring type."
"No. But it sounds nice, doesn't it? Peace."
"I've forgotten what peace feels like."
"Then we'll remember together. After this is done."
Kael raised his glass. "To remembering."
Lyra clinked hers against his. "To peace. Eventually."
They drank.
Outside, somewhere in the darkness, Julian Voss was probably planning his next move.
But in this moment, in this safe house, Kael wasn't alone.
He had an ally. Maybe even a friend.
That was more than he'd had three days ago.
And tomorrow, they'd get Lyra's brother back.
One step closer to bringing Julian down.
One step closer to revenge.
The sword whispered in his mind, hungry and eager.
But for once, Kael wasn't listening.
He was thinking about the future.
And maybe, just maybe, there was one worth fighting for.
* * *
END OF CHAPTER 10