“Sorry, are you going out?”
“Do you want to come in? I have time.”
“Sorry it’s been a while.” Sylah entered Jond’s chambers. Something was different about the space; though it all looked the same, it seemed emptier than before.
“Jond—”
“Coffee?” he interrupted her, and she nodded.
He moved around the kitchen with jerky movements. He handed her a mug.
“Thanks.”
They sipped in silence. Jond seemed distracted, aloof.
“Not long now until the combat trial. You’ve finally fulfilled your contract with that brat. You’re free to leave the Keep.”
Sylah bristled. She wasn’t sure what to say but she wasn’t leaving Anoor.
Jond pulled out a bottle of firerum and poured a shot into their drinks. His expression noted her silence.
Sylah forced a laugh and changed the subject. “Coffee and firerum. Be careful, Jond, I may just swoon.” He grinned at her, a charming smile that reminded her of Loot. It was disarming, perilous.
“I wanted to thank you for the sacrifice you have made. For your dedication to the cause.” He clinked their mugs together, and he took a deep drink of the scalding liquid.
“Thanks, I guess, it wasn’t all bad.”
“Papa would be proud. And Fareen. If only they could see us now.” Jond poured himself another shot and interlaced their fingers. Down the firerum went, again and again.
Sylah watched him. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” He wiped his mouth and poured another shot.
“Jond, I came to share some information with the Sandstorm.”
“Oh, yes?”
“Anoor—”
“Don’t say her name like that.” His voice cracked.
“Like what?”
“Like you care for her.” He said the words like an insult, but they hit like a compliment. Sylah did care for her, deeply.
“What is this about, Jond?”
“No, please continue, share the information you have. We’ll do an information exchange, you and I.”
Sylah watched him. His hands were shaking, and he steadied them on the firerum bottle, which was halfway gone.
“Okay…” Sylah pulled out the journals. “Anoor had the missing journal in her bedside table.” Sylah placed it on the table between them. A river of red blood.
Jond raised an eyebrow, and she continued.
“I saw it there a little while ago, and I only just managed to steal it.”
“How long ago?”