“What’s so important, lad? Wizards don’t like to be disturbed. Or were you absent during that history lesson?”
Declan’s expression reflected confusion as his voice cracked. “I don’t know why my mentor told me to find you. All he said was to ask you to come to the courtyard as soon as possible.”
There was a nasty gash on the boy’s forearm, and he had a swollen eye. This was a dangerous age for apprentice Wizards. Only the strong and resourceful survived the constant trials. It didn’t help if your mentor was incompetent. “How’d you get your injuries?”
“You weren’t in the first few tents I checked.”
Rowan could only guess what had happened. When a Wizard was surprised, he usually attacked first and asked questions later. “And yet you survived.”
For the first time the boy’s features relaxed enough to smile. “Yes, sir.”
“Well done.” Rowan liked the boy’s spirit. If he lived through the trials, he might prove to be a capable Wizard. Rowan had heard that, of late, mentors were reckless with the lives in their charges. Their methods and training were ineffective, barbaric and out of date. He lifted the tent flap and motioned Declan outside. “A word of advice. Petition for another mentor.”
“I can do that?”
“If you’re strong enough to escape the wrath of the male Wizards during the festival, the Grey Council will pay attention. Let them know I was the one who gave you the idea. Now, if I were you, I’d have a healer examine your injuries.” Declan’s smile lit up his face, making him look even younger. An apprentice Wizard was rarely shown compassion. “On your way, lad. Report to your mentor before he sends someone looking for you.”
Declan took off at a dead run. The boy had some serious speed. That ruled out Earth Wizard powers. Normally they moved at the speed of tectonic plates.
Rowan turned in the direction of the courtyard. He hoped Declan would take his advice and ask for a new mentor. If Rowan had his way, he’d cull the mentors, not the apprentices. But to accomplish that goal he’d have to accept the offer to join their ranks. There were moments last night when he’d considered the opportunity. Crazy thoughts. Of course, everything about last night seemed more a dream than reality, so it was no wonder his thoughts were scattered and unrealistic. Mentors, if they were to do it right, needed patience: a virtue he didn’t possess. Then there was the unrealistic sense that heknew the female Wizard he’d slept with last night. Again, crazy thoughts.
But he couldn’t deny that this morning he felt more alive than he had in years. The female Wizard had awakened emotions he’d buried and washed his soul clean with her caresses. Time would tell if the feeling would last past Bealtaine.
But when dawn broke, reality returned. He didn’t believe in redemption for himself. He wanted his demons out in the open where they could serve as a cautionary tale of what happens when you let down your guard.
On the perimeter of the courtyard, Stryker intersected with him. His voice was low, meant only for Rowan. Stryker turned his back to the male Wizards straggling in from all directions of the compound.
“All hell’s broken loose. Another male Wizard was found murdered around two or three this morning. The healers believe he was poisoned. What they’re not sure of is if it was before or after the poor bastard’s eyes were gouged out.”
Fragments of Rowan’s nightmare chased through his thoughts like wisps of smoke. “Damn.”
“There’s more.” Stryker looked over his shoulder toward the castle. “Vlad’s on a particularly vicious rampage. Even for him. And true to his namesake, he’s calling for blood. Yours, mostly, and mine because we’re related. You were the lone ranger he counted on to keep things safe. He took a sledgehammer to his office and turned one of the towers into rubble. Our esteemed leader has real anger management issues.”
Rowan raked his hands through his hair. “I’ll meet with Vlad. Tell him I’m on it. I guess this means the festival is cancelled.”
Stryker shook his head. “You’d think so, but Vlad said he had the situation under control and ordered everyone to stay.”
Rowan ground his teeth. Instincts shouted this murder wasn’t going to be a simple case of who-done-it. There was anold saying: a mystery was a puzzle and a thriller, a nightmare. The way his day was going, he’d wager a year’s pay he wasn’t going to be getting much sleep.
“What’s next?” Stryker said.
“I work alone.”
Stryker shrugged. “Not this time, cowboy. This time the Grand Vizier wants you to form a posse.”
Rowan cuffed Stryker on the shoulder. “What’s with you and the Wild West references?”
“The woman I was with last night has a thing for outlaws. I guess I’m still in character. Look, Vlad’s going to be a while. Why don’t we go into town and grab a cup of coffee, and I’ll fill in more of the details. My car is warmed up and ready to go.”
The humor in Stryker’s eyes dulled. “The murder isn’t the only strange thing that happening. Everyone’s on edge. I’ve heard rumors that most of the female Wizards, as well as the children and the female apprentice Wizards, have vanished without a trace. What about the woman you were with last night?”
“She left before daybreak without saying goodbye.”
“Mine too. Think that’s a little odd?”
“Very.”
Chapter Thirteen
