Chapter 7 – Knives in the Current
The boat lurched as the woman shoved away from the pier, her movements precise despite the weight of urgency. Lucian crouched low, keeping his eyes on the shrinking figures on the dock. At first, the shadows seemed to linger, watching. Then they began to move—swift and sure—down the planks toward them.
"They'll try to cut us off at the inlet," the woman said, grabbing an oar and pulling hard. "Those aren't common dock thieves. They're trained."
Lucian scanned the water ahead. The moon's reflection fractured over the ripples, making it harder to track movement. But his ears picked up the faint splash of another vessel in pursuit. He reached for the short sword strapped to his thigh.
"You still haven't told me your name," he said, eyes fixed on the black water.
"I haven't decided if you'll live long enough to need it," she replied without looking up.
A dark shape cut across their path—a low, narrow skiff moving fast. Two figures crouched within, the steel in their hands catching the pale light. Lucian's muscles tensed.
"Keep rowing," he told her, rising to his feet. The boat swayed dangerously under his weight, but he planted his stance. The first attacker leapt from the skiff, aiming to land on their deck. Lucian met him midair with a sharp swing, steel glancing off steel. The impact sent the man into the water with a splash, but the second assailant was already on them.
The woman abandoned the oar and drew a dagger from her belt. She moved like someone who had seen a hundred street fights—quick, economical, lethal. Her blade slipped under the attacker's guard, forcing him to stumble back toward the edge. Lucian pressed the advantage, hooking his sword against the man's arm and twisting. The weapon clattered into the boat before its owner followed it into the sea.
"More will come," the woman warned, already seizing the oar again.
Lucian dropped beside her, taking the other oar. Together, they rowed hard, pushing the boat toward the dark mouth of the inlet.
Only when the sound of pursuit faded did she finally speak again. "If you're serious about fighting the Church," she said, breathing hard, "you'll need more than stolen papers."
Lucian glanced at her, the salt spray stinging his face. "Then tell me what I need."