Leif pulled me aside before I could saddle Kiki.
“What’s with the stiff?” his voice hissed in my ear.
“Irys thought I should have more protection. Seemed like a good idea.”
“It is, but why Skippy?”
“Skippy?”
“Hale. Let’s just say we don’t get along.”
Oh great. “Irys assigned him. Are you saying he’s not trustworthy?”
Leif sucked in a deep breath. “No. He’s loyal and has plenty of magic.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“He’s...annoying.”
I laughed. “So are you.”
He frowned. “I’m funny and lovable. He’s...a snob and thinks our Zaltana magic is impure.”
“I don’t care what he thinks. Is he good in a fight?”
“Yeah.” The word tore from Leif’s lips as if it pained him to say it.
“Then we’ll let Garnet decide if he’s worthy. If the horse rejects him, we will, too. Okay?”
Another huff. “Okay.” Leif pulled a thick silver chain from his pocket. Dangling from the chain was a clear glass octopus about the size of my palm. “Here.” He handed it to me. “It’s from Quinn. There’s a null shield attached to it so when you wear it next to your heart it protects your entire body.”
“Thanks.” I looped the chain around my neck and tucked the lifelike octopus under my shirt. The cold glass sent a shiver through me.
Leif returned to Rusalka. The sorrel-and-white horse nuzzled his neck.
Kiki unlatched her stall with her teeth and stood by her tack. I stroked her neck. A sudden wave of grief rose in my throat, strangling me. Pressing my forehead to her shoulder, I endured the torment. I missed my connection with Kiki the most.
Eventually, she snorted and pawed the ground as if to say, “Stop wallowing in pity and get moving.”
I saddled her and attached plenty of feed bags. The plains would have enough water. When I finished, I mounted and glanced around. Leif sat on Rusalka, looking dour, and Hale pulled himself into Garnet’s saddle. Hale’s expression from atop the tall horse was a mix of awe and terror. Sandseed horses had a reputation for being stubborn and willful and intelligent.
“Just follow us and you shouldn’t have any trouble,” I said to Hale.
“No trouble?”
“With the horse. I can’t make any guarantees about the mission.”
“Yeah, I heard that about you.”
“Oh?”
“No disrespect intended. It’s just you have a certain...reputation.” Hale cleared his throat. “I’m honored to accompany you.”
Leif rolled his eyes. “Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you, Skippy?”
Ignoring my brother, I spurred Kiki toward the Keep’s gate. If we hurried, we could be in the Avibian Plains by nightfall. We left the Keep, then threaded through the afternoon Citadel traffic. We crossed through the southern exit without a problem and continued south. Once we reached the plains, we’d turn east before cutting north to Fulgor.
I really didn’t expect trouble until we arrived in Fulgor. But minutes after we cleared the gate, the rumble of many horses at full gallop sounded behind us.
Leif glanced at me as we moved to the right side of the road. His hand rested on the hilt of his machete. Hale’s face pinched tight. A small part of me hoped the riders were just in a hurry and would pass us. But a cold dread churned in my stomach, warning me.
Sure enough, the riders surrounded us. They stopped and blocked our path. Leif yanked his machete out, and in response, seven soldiers pulled their weapons and pointed them at us.
12
VALEK
As Onora threatened Janco with her knife, Ari stood, holding a dagger in each of his massive hands. Even though Janco was grinning, he’d palmed his switchblade.
“Save it for later,” Valek said, stopping the inevitable. “You can spar with Onora in the training yard tomorrow.” When no one moved, he banged a fist on his desk. “Weapons down. Now.”
Ari and Janco returned their knives to various hidden holders without hesitation. Onora waited a few heartbeats before slipping the weapon into her pocket. Valek noted a few other telltale bulges, indicating a number of hidden surprises. She wore the uniform Dilana had given her, but she yanked at the collar as if uncomfortable.
“Onora, you must learn to ignore Janco’s taunts. He’s testing you. Being quick to anger is not a desirable trait in my corps,” Valek said. He gestured to the empty chair. “Sit down.”
Ari remained on his feet until she sat. Then he settled next to Janco, who lounged back as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Except Valek knew better. Janco was far from relaxed.
“Ari, please update Onora on what we’ve learned so far,” Valek ordered. He studied the young woman’s body language as Ari detailed their investigation.
Onora perched on the edge of her seat. She listened with her head cocked slightly to the right and her hands clasped in her lap near another concealed knife. He hadn’t returned hers, yet she was well armed. Interesting.
When Ari finished, Valek asked, “What’s our next move?”
“Interrogate the smugglers, find out who their boss is and where their headquarters is located,” Janco said.
“Let one of them escape and follow him,” Ari suggested.
“Find another group selling black-market goods and infiltrate them,” Onora said.
All good suggestions. “It’s doubtful the location of their headquarters is still the same since the arrests. However, learning who is in charge will be a step in the right direction.”
Janco puffed out his chest.
“I also liked the other ideas. The three of you will work together as a team and implement them.”
Janco no longer looked so pleased. Ari frowned at Onora. They were going to be difficult about working with her.
“Your first team meeting is tomorrow after the morning exercises. We’ll meet in the training yard for a workout session. Then you can plan a timeline and task list for finding the smugglers. You’re dismissed.”
They stood. Ari and Janco left after shooting a couple of glares at Onora. She lingered behind.
“Yes?” he asked.
“You promised to return my weapons tonight.”
“I did.”
She didn’t flinch from his scrutiny. Cocky. He’d never been that cocky even in his prime. Then again...Valek had placed black statues he’d carved on his targets’ pillows, warning them just to make it more difficult to assassinate them. Very cocky.
“Well?” she asked.
“You actually want me to check my locked drawer and find it empty? So you can smirk over getting one over on me? Considering that you’ve already recovered your weapons, it seemed like a waste of time.”
Two small splotches reddened her cheeks.
Gotcha. “You shouldn’t have threatened Janco. That tipped me off that you were armed.”
Keeping her mouth shut, she nodded.
“Experience counts for more than you think.” Valek rubbed his chest, remembering when he’d hunted Ambrose, believing it would be an easy kill. “I know you don’t believe me. You won’t believe me until you’re standing here, facing some young hotshot determined to take your job.”
“Are you saying you’ve just realized this now?”
He laughed. “Oh no. I’ve been facing young hotshots since the takeover twenty-three years ago. You are not the first to challenge me.”
“No. I’ll be the last.”
“That has yet to be determined. Let’s see how you do working with Ari and Janco before I turn over my office keys.”
She moved to leave, then paused. “How...? What is the best way to work with them?”
Ah progress. “Listen to them. They’ve years of experience, but don’t be afraid to speak up if you have a better idea. They might not like it, but they know a good idea when they hear one. Even Janco. He’s used to listening to the voice of reason.”
“And that’s Ari’s voice.”
“Yes. Unless Ari’s being emotional. Then he can be very unreasonable.” Valek watched for a reaction.
Onora pressed her lips together. “Nothing wrong with emotion.”
He’d hit a nerve. “Only at the right time and place.” Yelena had taught him that. “But when Ari gets into his protective mode, he will rush into danger without a thought to his own survival.”