“Change the docket. I have to file a report with the head of the city guard.” Vi started for the door. “A murder and arson in one night… The Knights were busy.”
“Wait, murder? Tell me—”
“No time.” Vi shot the woman a smile over her shoulder and was off down the hall.
Despite getting little to no sleep, she felt great. Control was an intoxicating thing. And Vi was finding she couldn’t get enough.
* * *
“Forgive me for my tardiness.” Twintle arrived for the meeting at the last possible minute. The man had still donned his impeccably tailored and pressed clothing, but there were hairs out of place and stubble was on his chin that wasn’t usually there.
He looked like a man who had not slept an hour the night before and Vi delighted in it.
“The man of the hour,” Euclan, head of the city guard, said from the end of the table.
“We’re all sorry to hear of last night’s misfortune,” Ophain said with sincerity.
Vi resisted the urge to tell the royal that Twintle was the last one he should feel bad about. Twintle was the one attempting to orchestrate the fall of Ci’Dan and Solaris. Vi kept her mouth shut and a small smile in place.
“Yes, my misfortune…” Twintle said cautiously, looking from person to person. His eyes lingered for a little longer on Vi.
“The Knights of Jadar are getting too bold.” Ophain shook his head. “That’s why Euclan is here today to discuss what we can do about them.”
“The Knights of Jadar?” Twintle repeated, confused.
“Yes, the arson at your warehouse is believed to have been sparked by them,” Euclan said.
“That’s… not possible.” Twintle shuffled back a step.
“I understand how hard it is to see an order that you yourself were a part of fall so far. It guts me to see it.” Ophain balled his hand into a fist. “Fiera has pleaded with our Emperor for leniency. But I think the time for such things has long since come to an end.”
“Especially given the murder.”
“Murder?” Twintle was on repeat and Vi relished his confusion.
“The Knights of Jadar murdered Zira Westwind last night when she was on patrol,” Vi said sadly. “She was ambushed and cut down. They acted like a band of thugs to bring down one woman.” Twintle narrowed his eyes at her and Vi could see the veins in his neck bulge. She sighed heavily, intentionally mistaking his expression to rub salt in the wound. “I know, it’s heartbreaking. There will be a Rite of Sunset for her this evening.”
“Then…” Twintle finally ground out, “allow me to suggest we focus on mourning the loss of one of our own, rather than worrying about my warehouse. I’ll be able to get it back in order straight away. It was only property, after all. A loss of life is far more severe and our focus should remain there.”
“Good of you.” Ophain gave Twintle a nod as the lord took his seat.
“That still leaves the matter of defending our fair city from the Knights of Jadar. The murder of one of our Empress’s right-hand women should be treated as nothing less than an attack on the crown itself. I would propose…”
Vi tuned out Euclan and instead focused on the quill she was twirling in her fingers. However, the sensation of a pair of eyes on her quickly stilled her hands. Vi slowly lifted her gaze to meet Twintle’s. His stare was unwavering. The man was barely controlling his rage.
Without so much as blinking, Vi looked back to Euclan and pretended not to notice Twintle’s intense stare for the rest of the meeting. He somehow knew this all circled back to her.
Part of her hated the fact. It meant he’d be watching her every movement. But a part of her was satisfied by his discovery.
Let him hate her.
Let every Knight of Jadar hunt her down. She would find a way to bring about their end, and save this world.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It had been nearlythree weeks since Zira left with the sword and there hadn’t been any word or further issue from the Knights. Vi’s days had become almost routine, each starting with her practice with Yargen’s magic.
Magic was magic. Taavin had told her so once, long ago, when Vi was first attempting to make sense of her powers. All sorcery was a means to harness the gift of Yargen, everything made possible by words, or feelings, or sparks of power.
