“Also, you’re forgetting the energy blast that hit before the fire.” Tate focused on the emperor and the Lord Provost. “My dragon said it felt like home. My guess is that whatever they did here released that blast and they started the fire as a distraction.”
The Lord Provost nodded. “That fits with my assessment as well.”
“I’m willing to bet this was a summoning—just like before,” Tate said.
“More dragons?” Thaddeus asked with a sharp tone.
“It’s impossible to say,” Ryu answered.
“If only we had someone we could ask who was familiar with this sort of thing,” Tate said, staring at the Lord Provost. “Oh wait. We do.”
The Lord Provost’s expression remained reserved, not reacting to Tate’s provocation.
“It’s been weeks now. Time to try something new,” Tate said, not backing down.
“My people have the skills and knowledge to be able to extract reliable information.”
Until now, Tate had forced herself to be patient. As much as every fiber of her said Christopher held valuable clues that could help them, she also understood the Lord Provost’s point.
Only now, it seemed they’d run out of time. Nathan or Peter or whoever was behind these acts had set into motion something Tate wasn’t sure she understood. They needed to get in front of this before it was too late.
“Your people haven’t gotten anywhere. How much longer are you going to make me wait?” Tate asked.
To date, the Lord Provost and the emperor’s people had rejected every request she made for a meeting with Christopher. If something didn’t change soon, Tate might be forced to act in a way the empire might not appreciate—or find legal.
“She has a point, William,” Thaddeus said.
It was the first time Tate had heard someone refer to the Lord Provost by his name.
William’s stance eased, some of the rigidity leaking away. “Very well.”
“As soon as possible,” Tate said, not wanting this to be delayed any further.
“I’ll arrange it so you can see him tomorrow.”
Tate hid her elation. Even if he’d lost this argument, William was still the Lord Provost, a man who held power over justice in the empire. It would be foolish to gain him as an enemy just because she acted petty.
They didn’t summon a dragon.
Tate sobered. “What do you mean?”
It doesn’t feel right.Ilith’s wings fluttered as she tried to settle herself.
The other four watched Tate closely as she communicated with her dragon. She held up a hand, signaling she needed a moment.
“What doesn’t feel right?”
At her words, William and Archie’s gaze jumped to their surroundings, searching for possible dangers.
Ilith’s thoughts darted in the back of Tate’s mind too fast for Tate to catch. Not that she tried. She had a feeling that if each of them was privy to every thought the other had, they’d end up insane.
Ilith snarled, the sound powerful enough that Tate thought she heard it with her ears as well as her mind.Tainted.
“What’s tainted? The Rift?”
It was hard to focus around Ilith’s growing agitation. Her dragon was unsettled. Almost violently so. Something about the situation was agitating her into a fever pitch.
Distantly, Tate heard the Lord Provost telling the emperor. “Perhaps it’s time we get you out of here, your highness.”
