“Seems I’m just a magnet for bad guys.” I slouched against the bars. “First, the mercenary. Now, some homicidal madman who framed me for attempted murder.”
“We believe they’re one and the same,” came a gruff voice from the stairwell. Draven rounded the corner. Hooded, masked, and armed with multiple daggers strapped to his chest and wrists. A larger one hung at his hip. “The mercenary was involved with the poisoning plot.”
The sight of him flooded me with relief. If he was okay, hopefully that meant Rowan was safe too. But then his words registered. “How do you know?”
“Reign detected him.” Draven stopped several feet away from my cell. “His magical energy was sensed outside the castle grounds. It’s why Shadow left.”
“Why did the snake leave in the first place?” Callum asked, brow heavy. “If Ev was in danger, why didn’t he stay with us?”
“Because that wasn’t the only magic trail Reign detected,” Draven said, taking position against the wall, leaving a foot between him and Ban. “Five different traces were sensed, all of equal or greater power. One led to the cottage.”
“Lake.” My knees nearly gave out. “Is he okay? Did—”
“Shadow reached him in time. Both are safe but lying low at this time. He sent me to check on you.”
Rowan had rushed home to protect our wolf. To protect his family. It also explained why he hadn’t come with the others to visit me. He didn’t want Lake being alone. I didn’t want that either.
Those sweet boys.
“Explain what happened,” Maddox said, one fist still clenched. “Reign detected the mercenary, along with others. Then what?”
“Time was of the essence, so we divided our forces,” Draven answered. “I kept watch outside the castle. The twins tracked one to the harbor, Reign pursued the one headed toward the weeping willow, Captain Remy followed one toward the dark wood, and Shadow left for the cottage, knowing he could travel the quickest.” He averted his eyes. “We didn’t realize one had slipped through our defenses and entered the ballroom.”
“You did the best you could,” I said, hating the disappointment in his voice.
“It wasn’t enough. You now stand behind bars for a crime you didn’t commit.”
I breathed out a short laugh. “I’m glad you know I didn’t do it, seeing as to how you refused to eat my food when we first met because you thought I poisoned it.”
Ban grunted.
“I know, right?” I sighed. “He’s a meanie. But he’s a meanie who likes chocolate chip cookies. One day, I’ll get him to admit it.”
Draven’s eyes narrowed. “This is no time for jokes, boy.”
“Perfect time for them, actually.” My stomach felt queasy. “It’s either laugh, cry, or throw up at this point.”
“You mentioned several magical energies?” Briar asked, getting us back on track.
Draven nodded. “Reign believes all are from Nocturne. Their energy is similar, all humming with powerful dark magic.”
“I fail to make sense of this.” Briar took off his glasses and hastily wiped at the lenses. Usually, he adjusted them when anxious, but this went beyond that. He was downright fuming. “Nocturne is an order of ruthless mercenaries who will track down and assassinate anyone for the right price. And we already know their target. Why waste time with this farce? Poisoning the king and framing Evan for it. It’s absurd.”
He was being careful with his words. Ban didn’t know my true identity or that the mercenary had been after me all along.
Draven picked up on it and turned to the guard. “You’re dismissed for now. You can return once we’re finished speaking.”
Ban glanced at me, then back at him. He grunted.
“He can’t leave me unattended,” I said, somehow knowing what he was trying to say.
“He’s not unattended,” Maddox told the mountain of a guard. “The captain and first lieutenant of the Second Order are with him.”
Another grunt.
“I trust Ban.” I looked between my men. “He can stay.”
The guard’s expression softened.
