“It was that Chelli, wasn't it?”
“Yes. Rulli and Juva. One of the talons saw them.”
“Juva too? Well, that's good enough for me. They will die for this.”
“Not for this.” I took his hands and pulled them away from my face. “They must pay for those other deaths. They moved the bodies, Tor'rien. That means there's evidence on them. I assume they'll have remnants of frang nectar, but maybe there's more. Either way, I have to find them. I have to give them a proper burial.”
“Don't worry, Claw Shinkai,” Sir Gilhu said as he came over to us holding something. He lifted it to show me what it was—a finger. Burned to the bone, but still recognizable. “They were sloppy. I can track the bodies by this.”
“Sloppy and foolish,” King Tor'rien said. “Did they really think they could bury my lover and a team of talons without me looking for you?”
“They were desperate.” I looked at the Talon team. “And for good reason. Right, team? What did I say?”
“Before dinner, sir!” they shouted.
“That's right, Talons. Before dinner.” I nodded and looked at the King. “I'm going to arrest them with hungry bellies.”
“If they survive my wrath.”
“Tor'rien,” I whispered. “I am delighted by your show of affection. Truly. It lightens the heavy emotions that have plagued me. But please, do not kill them before they stand trial. I want the city to know that you can't hurt people—any people—without paying the price. I want everyone to know that it doesn't matter who you are. Even if you're the wife of the General of Horns, the King's justice will find you. His talons and claws will hunt you down. We will not give up.”
The Talon team cheered again.
Tor'rien's shoulders eased down and his savage expression softened. “As you wish, my Claw. For you, I will rein in my fury. And perhaps you're right. It's better to draw this out. Make them suffer a bit beforeI fucking kill them.” He snarled the last bit but then smiled again.
I chuckled. “Can we get out of this mine now?”
“Yes.” He took my hand, and then addressed the Talons, “Well done, my Talons. You kept a cool head in a terrifying situation and you've made me proud. But your work isn't over yet. We must find the bodies of those who were murdered here and give them justice.”
The Talons cheered and applauded again. I picked up my shirt, coat, and tube light, and then took the King's hand. We led everyone out of the mine, the King's guards bringing up the rear. Once outside, I squinted, shocked to find that it was still early afternoon. It felt as if we'd been digging forever.
“How long were we in there?” I asked.
The King cleared his throat. “An hour. Maybe a little more.”
“How did you know to look for me?”
“I didn't. I came to take you to lunch. I knew you'd forget to eat.” He glanced back at the mine. “I wasn't shocked by the blockage, but you weren't here. No talons or any sign of someone working to open the mine. And then I smelled you. I knew you were inside and I knew that wasn't where you were supposed to be.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I will always find you if you need me, Tekhan.”
“I believe you.”
“Sire!” Sir Gilhu called from the forest nearby. “I found a mass grave.”
“Well done, Sir Gilhu!” the King called back, and then he faced the Talons. “Let's finish this.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
I sent for two more Talon teams, so the team that had been digging out rocks for an hour could rest. The King had lunch brought to them. I say them, because after verifying that the bodies were indeed those of the murdered human miners, the King and I went to arrest Lady Juva and Rulli.
We started with the so-called lady because she had more of a means to escape. Despite our haste, she had enough time to flee. Rulli was also missing, along with his wife and daughter. The King ordered the city gates to be sealed and organized a hunt to search outside Kochan. Not with Talons or even his Horns. With Dragons. His trusted team.
I watched Tor'rien leave in dragon form—a great sapphire beast that shot into the sky with a roar. His knights quickly followed, gaining altitude before splitting up and flying off in several directions. With him off, I led my own hunt on horseback. We were only one of the many Talon teams searching within the city walls. If Juva or Rulli had made it out of the city, they would be caught in the claws of a dragon. If they were still in Kochan, they would be caught by several talons and, hopefully, a single claw. I wouldn't rest until one of those things happened.
We didn't have to search for long. Less than twenty minutes. That's how long it took for the Dragon King to find his prey. I saw him come roaring back to the city, his brilliant bluescales shining and one talon wrapped around a Ricarri woman. Behind him came another dragon, paler blue than the King. He held an entire Chelli family in his talon.
