Masquerade Assassin: Tales of Tarza, #2

Masquerade Assassin

Tales of Tarza Book #2

K.M. Jenkins

Edited by

Michelle’s Edits

Storyteller Publisher 22

Copyright © 2022 Storyteller Publisher 22, LLC

All copyright for all material within, remains with the author.

First Edition

Published August 23, 2022

All rights reserved.

Editing by Michelle’s Edits

Cover Design by Katie Jenkins @ Storyteller Publisher 22, LLC

Formatting by Katie Jenkins @ Storyteller Publisher 22, LLC

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be copied or re-distributed in any way. The authors hold all copyright.

This book is a work of fiction and does not represent any individual living or dead. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors’ imaginations , are used fictitiously or with permission.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment.

For permission to reproduce or distribute any part of this book, contact the publisher directly: katie_jenkins@storytellerpub22.com.

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Contents

Dragon’s Stone

Skulls & Needles

The Princess

Dancing for a Fight

Hope in Darkness

A King Plots

The Doppelganger

Fake It Until You Make It

Bound and Gagged

Zorakan

Assassin Association

Continue the Series…

Upside Down Vixen

Author Note

Join My Ream Team!

About the Author

Also by K.M. Jenkins

Dragon’s Stone

Pierce

Eyes cast in darkness watched from the shadows of the trees. The Queen’s servants buzzed as they prepared for the masquerade party happening tonight. Chatter filled the streets as his eyes watched on. No one noticed his cloaked figure as he slipped from tree to tree, drawing closer to his target.

The servants’ hall had people coming and going as they pleased. Pierce bit his tongue as he kneeled down to get better sight lines to view the door. He just had to get himself inside and hid before anyone noticed he was there. But that was easier said than done with all the activity around the castle. There was only one chance at this, and his sister’s life depended on him. He couldn’t fail.

Moments passed as panic set in. I will not get in. I will get caught. Then what happens? The men of the Zorakan will kill my sister. They promised she would never walk free if the King didn’t die. As if the gods answered his prayers, a young servant girl ran out the door, drawing the attention of the others. All eyes were on her as Pierce jumped from behind the trees and ran for the door. He slipped inside, turned right through the first hallway and ran like fire blazed on his tail. The map he got from the Zorakan showed the way through the castle. They marked everything, right down to the King and Queen’s quarters. He just had to stay clear of the busy sectors.

After what seemed like hours, Pierce turned into a wide hall. This hall is gigantic. Twelve of him could stretch full-length across the width of the hall. He couldn’t even figure out how high the ceiling was. This is so huge. I wonder why they made it like this? Pierce stepped into the vast area and proceeded through it. After walking for several feet, he pulled the map free of his travel cloak. The passage should be here, somewhere.

His eyes danced across the stone walls, taking in the engraved creatures from war stallions to dragons. The details given to each image were spectacular. Why would they keep such beautiful art to a deserted hall? Shaking his head, Pierce went back to inspecting the map. A passageway should show by the dragon’s mouth. What in the stars is that supposed to mean?

A scuttling of feet caught his attention. Pierce turned and noticed a mouse by the dead end of the hall. An enormous dragon’s head was engraved into the stone with his mouth wide open. He walked up to it and noticed a crack in the surface. The mouse squealed and dove for his hiding place. Thank you, little friend.

Notes on the map spoke of a lever to open the doorway. He reached around, testing each surface until his hand gripped the crystal on the dragon’s chest. Light blazed to life within it at his touch. Great, I suppose magic protects this doorway. It just isn’t my day, he grumbled to himself. His fingers pressed hard against the crystal surface. Then, to his surprise, it gave under his force. The stones within the dragon’s mouth folded into themselves, leaving an entryway to the King’s hiding place.

His eyes followed the stairs up into the sky above. I wonder what the King’s hiding place looks like? Tentatively, he stepped into the stairway and ascended one step at a time. The light at the end of the stairwell grew brighter. Pierce held his hand over his eyes to dull the light reflecting in his eyes as he stepped out onto the large balcony. This is it? He searched back and forth, but yet nothing of interest showed. It’s just a boring old balcony. What’s so great about that?

He walked over to a table and chair braced up against the walls of the castle exterior. Pierce threw his pack on top of the round surface and removed his cloak. He released a long breath and threw himself back into the chair. Great, now I just have to wait and hope no one comes up here. This would be easier with some ale or darts to pass the time.

The sun was high in the sky, which marked midday. Got up here just in the nick of time. Now just have to figure out my route to get to the grand hall, Pierce said to himself as he pulled out the map of the castle. He sat there contemplating his path for hours without the realization that time went on.

Skulls & Needles

Kero

She paced her room in a rage. In all her days, she never thought her mother would do this to her. Kero wanted to rip off her mother’s head and stuff her full of hay until it came out her nose. The thought of wearing that fluffy, disgusting dress lying on her bed made her want to commit murder.

Silvia, her handmaiden, hid over in the corner trying to keep out of Kero’s sight. Ugh, she hates me! That’s it. She hates me so much she wants to make me a laughing stock! Kero yelled at the top of her lungs as she threw a pillow across the room.

Silvia shook her head. The Queen doesn’t hate you. She just has an unpleasant taste in dresses.

What am I supposed to do, Silvia? She expects me to wear this hideous thing tonight. Kero clenched the pink-tulle mess in her hand and shook it at her servant. Silvia stepped forward but stopped as the door opened. Who in the blazes thinks they can come in the middle of my meltdown? Who in the stars…?

Oh, calm yourself, it’s me.

Kero’s fiery, blue eyes locked on her father. The King stood before her with his charming smile plastered across his handsome face as always. She snorted. What do you want? She crossed her arms over her chest. Oh, let me guess. You came to see the show where your daughter gets disgraced by the horror of your wife’s pitiful sense of style.

"Now, I wouldn’t say her sense