How times had changed. Tate had only visited the inner sanctum of the guardians once. She’d been uninvited and when her presence was discovered it had threatened to create a political incident that could very well have cost her, her head.
Night didn’t betray any unease as they stepped past the door into a large corridor. Wooden beams spread out like branches of a tree, supporting the arch of the stone ceiling. Countless murals were painted throughout, the warm tones of the beams contrasting with the scenes of battles and images of the Saviors interspersed between them.
The guardians had taken something that should have been dank and depressing and turned it into a scene that wouldn’t be out of place in the palace.
The inner temple was so beautiful it was a pity that most would never be able to enjoy it. Only those who’d pledged their lives to the Saviors, and a chosen few, ever got the chance to enter these hallowed halls.
No one spoke as the grandmaster led them deeper into the temple. The halls gradually grew less ornate and plainer until finally they stopped in front of a wall that Tate recognized.
What’s wrong?
Tate didn’t immediately answer as she fixed the grandmaster with a look. “Why lead us here?”
“The information you asked for is considered one of the most sensitive secrets of our sect. It cannot be revealed without certain safety measures being put into place and this is the most secure place under my authority,” he said with a placid expression.
“Not too secure, since Christopher knew about it.”
Night had a displeased expression as he watched the two of them. He was even less enthusiastic about being kept in the dark than Tate, if that was possible.
Tate lifted her hand, her fingers hovering just off the wall.
At first glance it looked almost indistinguishable from every other wall in this section. Tate suspected that was by design.
“Watch and follow,” Tate told Night.
She pressed her hand against the wall, gritting her teeth at the uncomfortable feeling of the wall resisting before it relented. Her arm disappeared up to her elbow. Steeling herself, Tate took a step forward. It was like pushing through a wall of semi-solidified honey.
The effort needed to keep moving forward wasn’t much, but Tate couldn’t shake the idea of getting stuck halfway through no matter how many times she did this.
The experience only lasted a few seconds. The room she found herself in wasn’t big. Every wall was covered with paintings that were more lifelike than anything else she’d seen in the empire. Tables were stacked with countless books and paper. Relics neatly stored in glass cases.
Most surprising was the fact that Tate wasn’t alone in the room. Three others awaited her. The Duke of Spiritly, Roslyn, and Vale.
Of the three, only Roslyn seemed off balance due to the painting they were all studying intently. One of which Tate was very familiar with.
Tate gave it a brief glance, noting Jax with his arm slung over her shoulder. Kenneth, Trace, Suze, and others arranged around her. Tate’s gaze caught on Nathan’s face.
The moment was broken as Night leapt through the wall with a low yowl. He hugged the ground upon landing, the fur along his back standing straight up. His tail puffed up to three times its normal size.
Tate regarded him with a quirk of her lips. “Enjoy your trip?”
Night snarled at her.Laugh all you want. I’ll have my revenge.
“Your reaction was worth a thousand times the retaliation.”
Night lifted a lip, showing her a sharp fang. His annoyance at her was soon forgotten as he became aware of their surroundings. His eyes didn’t move from the images as Keel stepped through the wall.
Tate aimed a hard look at the other man. “You broke your promise.”
Keel didn’t react outwardly, his expression remaining calm and peaceful. “The Duke of Spiritly refused to share his resources if he was excluded from the matter. It was my judgment that you would prefer his cooperation over maintaining your secret. If I was wrong, I do apologize.”
What burned was that the grandmaster was correct in his analysis of Tate’s priorities. The situation was such that personal preferences didn’t matter as much as results.
The duke had information she needed which meant certain allowances must be made.
Granted, the duke and Roslyn also knew Tate’s connection with the Saviors, but Keel hadn’t known that.
Tate gave Keel a sharp smile. “Aren’t you the smart one? Taking advantage of events to push your agenda in the direction you want.”
