Vera? To urge me into her care? No way. She’s an ally. She doesn’t want me dead.
I hiss from pain as I rise to my feet and head towards the door. I need to send a message through the messenger hawk downstairs.
There’s only one person I trust to help me.
Taaslord Noire stands tall at the foot of my bed, his eyes on the lifeless body spread out in the middle of it.
I’m sitting in the armchair, with a healer kneeling next to me while they tend to my wound. Two Ezkai from the Spy Unit stand guard at the door.
The Taaslord glances at me. “You said she committed suicide when you started asking questions?”
I nod.
Noire frowns. “That points to Caligos. They train their members to kill themselves whenever they can’t escape.”
“She doesn’t have the tattoos,” I say. “If you don’t believe me, check for yourself.”
Noire’s gaze softens. “I believe you, Ezkai Phoenix. But just because she doesn’t carry tattoos doesn’t mean she’s not one of them.” He turns back to the fae. “Caligos must earn their tattoos.”
“Why would they try to kill me? I’m not a threat to them.”
“You’re a threat, Phoenix,” Vera says, striding into my apartment. The Ezkai do nothing to stop her. Her steps halt next to Noire. Not an ounce of horror or surprise is visible on her perfect face as she surveys the crime scene. “You made yourself their enemy the moment you signed up forVal’taz Ezkairin.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask. The healer is done bandaging me, so I stand to my feet, a little unsteady. “Noire? Did you call her here?”
“He didn’t have to,” Vera says, turning to face me. “You’re my chosen champion, and it’s my business to know everything that relates to you and your well-being.”
I narrow my eyes. “You have someone follow me? Spy on me?”
She doesn’t look guilty at all. “I must protect my investment at any cost.”
I scoff. “I can’t believe this shit. Maybe you’re the one who sent this assassin to me, huh? So I would move in with you.”
Vera’s eyes flicker, but she remains silent.
“Vera didn’t sent the assassin,” Noire assures me. “She’s not the enemy, Ezkai Phoenix. There’s enough of them as is. Let’s not look for them in our allies.”
I frown at Noire. “Are you in on this, Noire? You’re working with Vera?”
Vera and Noire exchange a glance. Finally, he says, “Officially, I’m not. As a Taaslord, I’m acting as the temporary Ezkai General until the new one is chosen. I don’t have the right to choose a champion to support. However, Vera has my blessing.”
I shouldn’t be surprised. Vera was always with the Ezkai General, and the Taaslord. They must be close, too.
“You can trust Vera,” Noire says to me. He looks at her. “Never before has anyone in the history of Ekios disrespected the honorable trials like this by trying to assassinate one of the contestants. I’m afraid it’s a bad sign.”
I glance at Vera. She stands next to the tall Ezkai with her chin held high. I look from her to my bed. The mattress is soaked with blood. I can’t sleep here, not anymore.
If Caligos sent this assassin after me, they’ll send another.
I can’t go to Daegel’s place. Not if I want to keep Vera’s support. As far as everyone knows, we’re enemies. ConsideringI haven’t seen him since our argument when he stormed away from my apartment, maybe we are.
My heart breaks at the thought that he may hate me now. I can’t bear it.
I don’t have much of a choice.
With a sigh, I say, “Okay. I accept.”
Vera arches an eyebrow. “You accept what, Phoenix? Please be more specific.”
