The Deceiver's Heart (The Traitor's Game 2)

“That isn’t necessary.” Loelle’s voice betrayed her irritation. “I can teach Kestra all she needs to know.”

Imri looked at Loelle with pure disdain. “Lady Dallisor is in Brill now. She will train with us.” Imri motioned us toward the carriage. “Let’s ride together in there. Our drivers can handle your horses.”

Wynnow strode forward first, and I noticed the men who opened the doors for her gave her the appropriate bows. Somehow, I’d never thought of her as royalty, but now that she was in her home country, she certainly played her role well.

At Imri’s gesture, I started to follow Wynnow into the carriage, then stopped, as if my feet had suddenly turned to lead. Wynnow leaned out. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like small …” My voice trailed off as I gritted my teeth and balled my hands into fists. I knew I’d have to get in the carriage, and showing weakness in front of the Brillians over such a minor thing was the last thing I wanted. Closing my eyes, I entered before I could think better of it, followed by Loelle. The door shut behind us and I gripped the seat, only releasing it when Imri noticed. If she had disapproved of me when the biggest problem on my mind was a potential marriage, she would have far more reason to doubt me now.

We rode for about an hour in silence before I noticed Loelle had fallen asleep. As if she had been waiting for such an opportunity, Wynnow immediately gestured at her companion.

“Aside from being a brave and loyal spy for the Brillians, Imri is also the foremost expert on magic in our land. She knows some tests to help us narrow down what cluster of magic you may have.”

I arched a brow. “Cluster?”

Imri leaned forward. “There are ten, although the powers within each cluster may vary according to strength and ability. To draw upon your powers, no matter how powerful or weak, you must have full concentration. I know when we last met, your mind was altered due to Lord Endrick’s magic. I hope you can be more serious now.” Before I could answer, she began counting off her fingers. “First is the ability to influence another’s mind.”

“How Endrick took my memories,” I said.

“Or how he communicates orders to his Ironhearts,” Wynnow added.

Imri said, “Second is the ability to influence another’s actions.”

I thought of when Endrick ordered me to kneel. Despite every effort on my part not to obey him, I had fallen to my knees. One day, I would find a way to resist him. I was determined never again to kneel before him.

Imri said, “Third is an influence on objects and fourth is the influence on nature.”

I wondered if that was the way my mother, Anaya, had carved into the rock of the dungeons, leaving clues for how to find the Olden Blade the first time. If only there were any clues for how to find it again, without having to rely on Basil’s help.

Imri nodded at Loelle. “She has the fifth cluster, to influence health. The same ability allows Endrick to create Ironhearts. Sixth is the ability to become undetectable, or to mask one’s thoughts from others.”

I straightened up. “That was my mother’s gift. Endrick never took it from her. He doesn’t have this ability.”

“Unless he obtained it elsewhere,” Wynnow said. “Surely other Endreans possessed this gift.”

“Seventh is the ability to expand one’s own strength or talents,” Imri continued. “Eighth is the ability to create.”

“Endrick’s creatures, his technologies and weapons,” Wynnow clarified. The explanation wasn’t necessary. I had already understood that.

“Ninth is what we simply call recalling,” Imri said. “In the moment of need, a person with this magic will recall the information they require, even if it vanishes from their mind once it’s no longer necessary.”

Maybe Loelle had that too. She seemed to always have a solution for any problem a person had.

“And tenth is the power to take magic from others—by killing them,” Imri finished. “As far as we know, Endrick is the only Endrean ever to have this power.”

“Is there any way to guess at what cluster is mine?” I asked.

Imri steepled her fingers, as if preparing herself to work. “We must test you, one cluster at a time. Since we’re in this carriage, I think we should start at the beginning, the influence of another mind.”

Wynnow leaned in toward me. “Do you know what I’m thinking?”

I grinned back at her. “With my confused mind, I can’t even tell you what I’m thinking at any given moment.”

“Be serious, Kestra. Do you know what I’m thinking about?”

I looked deeply into her eyes, hoping for a window into her thoughts to open, or for any sort of clue to decipher an answer. But I wasn’t supposed to figure it out. If that was my power, then shouldn’t I just know?

And I didn’t.