A corner of my mouth twitches upwards.
Noire pats the armchair next to him. “Come on now, Vera dearest. We have a full list of Ezkai who signed up forVal’taz Ezkairin. It’s just as I predicted.”
I rise to my feet and pad over to where he sits. “How many of those Ezkai who signed up have affiliations with Caligos?”
“Half.”
I close my eyes and count my breaths. These damn corrupt Ezkai drive me crazy.
Noire opens the file and hands me a few pages that outline everything there is to know about two out of the thirteen contestants.
“My spies tell me Ezkai Major Daegel Talbot is their chosen champion. All ruling Caligos families united and are combining resources,” Noire says. He hands me Daegel’s resume. “The other five are insurance policies, just in case the Talbot heir fails. Which is unlikely, given his profile.”
“Do you think Caligos will interfere with the trials?”
Noire’s silent for a beat. Then he says, “I don’t know.”
“Noire, this is worse than we thought it would be,” I say.
My shoulders sag. Suddenly I’m so tired I need to get back to bed to lie down. But I remain seated by Noire’s side, going through the resumes as he hands them to me.
“Okay, how about Neyo Asterio?” I look up at Noire. “I know Kitajo trusted him. He’s a prominent Ezkai Major, many men love him. He’s a strong Decarios.”
Noire nods. “He’s lacking natural leadership skills, but I believe he could hone the skill. I agree with you. He’d be my number one choice, too, if not for her.”
He hands me the last resume. When I see the name, my eyebrows hike all the way to my hairline.
“She signed up?” I can’t believe it.
Noire smiles. “Whatever you told her resonated with her. She’sourchosen champion.”
I read Ezkai Phoenix’s resume thoroughly once again. Noire waits for me patiently. When I’m done, I hand the stack of papers back to him.
“I know Kitajo chose her as his mentee before he…passed away.” I choke the last words out. “She saved his life, and showed off immense skills during her training and in the last two months as an Ezkai…”
Noire quirks an eyebrow. “But?”
“She’s so young,” I say.
“So are you.”
I roll my eyes at him. Noire chuckles.
“She’s a human. The uproar it caused when she enrolled in the Ezkai Academy and then joined the Order was so dramatic,” I say. “House Dzuni will lose their minds if they have to obey a human Ezkai General.”
“House Dzuni will follow whoever ensures they have cushiony lives,” Noire says. “Once Phoenix is the General, we’ll ensure she understands that.”
“She’s feisty. You think you can control her?”
“It’s not about control, dearest. It’s about guiding her towards the right path.”
I arch an eyebrow. “And the blood oath? I’m not sure her head is in the right place.”
“No Ezkai is perfect. She may have a blood oath to claim; the others will have something else clouding their judgment. Once she’s introduced to the blessed trinity, and implements it, things will change.”
I doubt mastering the spirit, body and mind connection will be enough for her to forget the desire for vengeance, but I understand why Noire wants to support Phoenix Wildarrow. Kitajo saw something in the girl, and he was rarely ever wrong about people. Besides, she saved his life that one time. For that, I’ll be forever grateful.
“She’s in love with the enemy,” I say. “Are you sure she’s not involved with Caligos?”
