“I’m sorry, but hurting me is exactly what my sister would do. It’s practically written in the sibling handbook. You should know this, having a brother of your own. And she’s a god, so I’m ninety percent positive she might hurt me fatally.”
“Please, Croak.”
Croak dropped his head and closed his eyes. “You should go and get ready to leave. We’re meeting at Sydney Hall. I need to find Orry.”
“All right but, you’ll tell her?”
Croak twisted his lips. “I’ll tell her for a kiss.”
“How about a punch to the throat?”
“I will go tell her now.”
Terena was pacingnear the entrance to Sydney Hall when Croak called out for her. She turned and watched as he jogged over with Orry trundling along after him.
“I forgot to tell you something earlier.”
Terena rested her hands at her hips as she watched her brother. He pulled at the collar of his cloak, his gaze everywherebut on her. She folded her arms, twisting her lips as two spots of bright red blotched his cheeks.
“I, I… I saw… I saw Xoran, earlier.”
Terena stilled. Her smile dropped.
“Go on.”
Croak shifted his gaze to his feet and toed the ground with his scuffed boot. “So, he said to tell you he was taking Lerek with him, but it didn’t mean he was betraying you. He said he had to, because it would look weird if he didn’t. I agree, personally.”
Terena closed the distance between them and Croak lifted his chin as if expecting a blow.
“Seems kind of an important detail you… forgot to tell me. You seeing him, and all.” Terena said in a deceptively soft tone.
Croak shuddered and held up his hands. “In my defense, there was alotgoing on. I only remembered because I saw Vassori and you know,” Croak snapped his fingers as he smiled wanly at his sister. “It came back to me. I thought it was something you should know, so…”
Terena opened her mouth, and after a beat, nodded. “Weird he wouldn’t say that to Vas, though. After all, they came here together.”
“So weird.”
“Huh.”
“And,” Croak’s voice strangled on a chuckle and cleared his throat. “And, he’ll be your eyes and ears inside the White Palace in exchange for you finding the amulet. Which we’re doing anyway, so, win-win.”
Terena furrowed her brows. “Vassori!”
Croak winced and took a step away as Terena looked around. Vassori came bounding up, breathless, as she looked between Croak and Terena.
“Aye?”
“I need you to ride for Metilai. Find a way to speak with your brother. Tell him I accept his terms and I’ve sent you as our intermediary. When we’re done here and I have Sonah, we’re going to Metilai and I want you to update me on everything he’s heard or seen. Understand?”
Vas exhaled and nodded. She glanced at Croak who was still looking down at his feet. Terena frowned.
“There’s an apothecary south of the palace, near the road leading to the army barracks. You can’t miss it. The man’s a friend. You can trust him. Give me a week and I’ll meet you there.”
“Aye, Ren,” she mumbled and turned away. She cast a last look at Croak who nodded at her.
“Cassandra!”
Terena grinned when Croak winced for the second time. The seer stood near Rydon and she could tell by the set of his shoulders and the scowl on his face Cassandra was baiting him. Cassandra had told her she liked the big mercenary and teased him whenever she could, but the dumb oaf didn’t seem to understand her overtures. Perhaps he needed a more obvious sign.
