Chapter 7
An alarming number of apok longs have been brought into the city,” Bates says. He nods at me. “d**k will be infiltrating the merchants responsible, finding the source, and then neutralizing the threat. He is to be treated with the utmost respect, but he is not in charge.” Bates glances at me, then finishes. “Is that understood?”
“Yes, First of Eight Bates!” the soldiers reply.
I don’t react. No one likes babysitting. I don’t like it either. I’m not an assassin for hire. And I’m still not sure what apok longs are. I think they make spears from them.
As Bates continues his briefing, I try to figure out the real plant, the one Ristoph’s using to watch me. I’m not stupid enough to think he’s stupid enough to give me this much freedom this early.
Despite Bates’ title, there are t
