To Eira’s surprise, Taavin and Jahran both ordered extra drinks, lingering. Menna and Evanel ended striking up a conversation with Jahran, leaving Eira, Taavin, and Olivin on their own. Eira couldn’t help but wonder if this was by design.
“Did you instruct them to distract Jahran?” Eira said under her breath as they approached Taavin.
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.” But his smug look said otherwise. Eira knew that Taavin was involved with the Court of Shadows. It couldn’t be chance that the shadow and former shadow had found a moment alone with him.
“Of course you don’t.” Those were the last words Eira got in before Taavin looked their way.
“Eira and Olivin, it’s a delight to see you both.”
“You as well, Your Grace.” Olivin bowed deeply. Eira did as well. She wondered if it was truly a delight to see her. She doubted it.
“Come, walk with me. There’s a second floor I’ve yet to see.”
Eira followed Taavin up the stairs, Olivin behind. She hadn’t yet seen the upstairs herself and found it to be a sparsely equipped gaming parlor with an open terrace on the back wall.
“You have something for me?” Taavin’s voice turned serious as he looked to Olivin. His whole demeanor shifted the moment they were alone.
“She’s the one who found it, not me.”
“You’re still sneaking around even though you’re not a shadow any longer?” Taavin frowned slightly. There was a time where the idea of his disapproval would’ve crippled her. But Eira was pleased to discover she was not that girl any longer.
“The Court of Shadows doesn’t own the night, or the ability to sneak and spy,” Eira said, polite but firm. “It’s important to remember that, otherwise the court might get caught flat-footed again.”
Taavin shook his head, almost hiding a slight smirk. “You’re flirting with further displeasure from the Specters.”
“I think we can all agree that the only people who gain from us squabbling amongst ourselves are the Pillars. It’s in our best interest to be allies, for the time being at least. There are more important things to focus on than my sneaking about. Besides, after the attack on the court, I hear you could use all the help you can get.” Eira fished in her pocket. She’d brought the flash bead, just as Olivin had subtly instructed. As soon as she held up the small black bead, unassuming between her two fingers, Taavin’s expression turned grave.
“Where did you get that?” Taavin whispered.
“At the docks. They’re transporting flash beads in sacks of flour coming from Ofok. I can only imagine they’re using two sources of flour because Ofok is closer to Carsovia—where the beads must be coming into Meru from. I would start by investigating the person in charge of sourcing for the tournament as soon as you’re able.” Eira spoke quickly and confidently. She wasn’t going to be dismissed. She wouldn’t allow them to put her theory down, not when all the pieces were aligning.
“How did you find this out?” Taavin asked softly, taking the flash bead from her fingers to affirm what Eira already knew to be true. It was the real thing.
“I have a way out of the village.” She didn’t see the point of lying. “Don’t try and figure out how. You won’t find it.”
“I won’t tell you, either.” Olivin rose to her defense.
Taavin’s brows arched. “You court the Specters’ ire as well?”
“I didn’t become a shadow to please Specters. I did it to bring down the Pillars. The latter will always be far, far more important to me than the former.”
Taavin sighed. “I could find your passage if I desired to. You have no idea what powers I wield.”
“You shouldn’twantto find it,” Eira countered, trying to ease the tensions with her tone.
“And why is that?” He now seemed more curious than anything else.
“Because if you find it, you’ll have to put an end to it.” Eira nodded to the flash bead. She thought back to what Olivin had said when they’d first begun working together. What drew him to her. Why they no doubt all still worked with her. “I’m more valuable to you being able to move freely, not beholden to you or Lumeria or Deneya or anyone else. I’m better as a third agent who’s a valuable ally.”
Taavin pocketed the bead and didn’t deny the idea. The shadows now had the shift key and her bead—the two things she’d found and the best evidence she had of her usefulness were out of her hands. Still, Eira kept her worries and the objections that grew from them to herself. She believed in all she said. She had to work with them.
“Rebec found the door the shift key is likely to go to.” Taavin must’ve read her thoughts. “We’ll open it tomorrow and see if there perhaps has something to do with the flash beads.”
“I want to be there,” Eira said, ignoring the note of finality in Taavin’s voice. “I’ve come this far. I found the keyandthe flash bead. I’ve earned the right to see this through.”
Taavin considered her request. “I’ll speak with the others about it.”
It wasn’t a no and that was the best Eira could hope for. “Very well.”
