“And what situation was that?”
She gave him an incredulous look. “You don’tsend every scout available out to search for some run of the millfoot soldier. It had to be somebody important. Important peoplealways have enemies. It’s not a far jump from there to someonetrying to assassinate the man.”
Darius allowed his lips to tilt upward in asmall smile. “And yet, you’re the only one who leapt to thatconclusion.”
Shea couldn’t help that and in truth it saidmore about their fighting force than it did her.
They were wasting time interrogating her whenthey should be talking to some of the cartographers. They made themaps. By now, they had probably checked the maps in question sothey should know she was telling the truth.
The second man could also have corroboratedher story. The fact they were still questioning her said they wereplaying some kind of game.
She didn’t know what time it was, but she wastired. Even with adrenaline keeping her alert, she could feelexhaustion crouched right below the surface like some great beastwaiting for the right moment to pounce.
“If you checked the maps or even talked tothe other guy we saved, you could find out if I’m telling thetruth,” Shea burst out. Her patience was fast disappearing and withit the brakes she normally kept on her mouth.
“We have,” Caden said quietly.
Shea inhaled sharply. Then what the hell wasthe last half hour about. They must know she wasn’t a spy.
“Indeed. I’ve got men out hunting down thecartographer responsible for creating the faulty maps. Thecartographer master, scout overseer and Vincent are being held.Once we’ve got all the information from them we can, we’ll givethem the trial. Those that survive will be exorcised from theclans.”
“Then why am I still tied to this chair?” Hervoice snapped with anger.
Darius shrugged one shoulder. “Because wecan.”
A power play. Great.
“And for all the reasons I spelled outbefore. You’re an enigma that just doesn’t fit.”
Darius waved one of the guards over. Sheafelt a surge of relief as he pulled out a key and began unlockingher cuffs.
“You’re free to go now. On the behalf of theTrateri, I extend our heartfelt gratitude at your actions.”
“If this is how you treat people who do youfavors, no wonder no one thought to stray from their orders.” Assoon as the words were out of her mouth, Shea wanted to draw themback.
Caden’s face darkened at her insubordination,and the guard drew in a deep breath before giving her a look to sayhe thought she was an idiot.
Right now, she kind of agreed. She was anidiot with a big mouth.
Darius gave her a sidelong look, one thatheld a trace of recognition.
“I’ve heard something similar before.”
Shea felt the weight of his eyes as shelooked away to rub her wrists. They didn’t hurt, but she needed anexcuse to avoid his gaze just then.
“It’s odd, but you remind me of her.”Darius’s voice was thoughtful. “You even have the same colorhair.”
Damn it, she knew she should have kept dyingher hair. After that first night when she had used oil, she hadn’tbothered. Being out of camp and in the wild for long periods madeit near impossible to keep her hair dyed without drawingattention.
Keeping her voice calm, she said, “Do I? It’sa pretty common color in the Lowlands.”
“Hm,” was Darius’s only answer.
“If that’s all, I’ll be on my way,” Shea saidstanding and meeting his eyes. It took everything in her not tobolt at the speculation she saw there.
He waved his hand to dismiss her. She didn’tdelay, giving them a sharp nod and striding to the tent flap. Thewhole way it felt like his eyes were burning a hole in her back
“Oh,” Darius said and Shea froze, turning herhead slightly back to him. “Hawkvale will probably want to thankyou himself when he’s recovered.”
