Perfect.They’d likely found the right hanging. “We?”
“Your friend, the powerful windshifter. Never seen someone who could carry their voice on the air like that.”
It took Isahn a moment to realize Yunus wasn’t talking about Lord Kahoth, his only powerful windshifter friend. It wasn’t air magic Yunus experienced, it was sound manipulation, but Isahn didn’t have time to explain. He nodded at the guard, slightly relieved to learn that Hildy was in a good position. Lia was likely around, too, or on her way downstairs. His sister had a deep well of power but wasn’t trained with weapons like Hil. Lia had sort of been given the George-treatment when it came to steel.
Huh. He’d have to see about remedying that.
Yunus coughed discreetly, yanking Isahn from his thoughts.
Go, go, go! Focus!This was why he hated being at the helm alone. Too many variables. Too much pressure to act. But hewasn’t in charge, and he definitely wasn’t alone. Not in this situation, not really. He had a team: his sister and Hildy. All would be well.
Isahn forced his mind into a productive frenzy and considered his options. He could use the hidden stairs again, but the panel would open in full view of his uncle. The main stairs were also an option, but very visible. Plus, traipsing down would potentially give away Hildy’s position along with his. He glanced at the gymnasium floor, a good fifteen feet below. That’d do.
In one fell swoop, Isahn hopped onto the balcony railing, connected himself to the balustrade with a thick cord of water, and jumped. He intended to drift gracefully to the floor; unfortunately, he was out of practice, having learned the military tactic a good six years earlier. He still made it down safely, if a little jerkier than envisioned.
Pulling on his power again, Isahn raced to the back of the room while surrounding the door handle with water to deaden the sound. It was nowhere near as effective as Hildy’s magic, but it worked to muffle squeaks. On silent feet, he slunk from the training room into a narrow, dark hallway.
The sweeping grand staircase loomed ahead, and Hildy’s foot was barely visible between the upper balusters, invisible unless one knew what to look for.
“He’s to your left. Back is turned.” Her voice drifted directly into his ear. She’d seen him, heard him, or Yunus gave her an update. Either way, the intel was appreciated.
Slinking with an ice-knife in hand, Isahn moved stealthily around the corner, his heart rate rocketing when he laid eyes on Peros for the first time. The stocky, rotund, waste of space stood there in an ostentatious yellow jacket, studying the artwork like it was midday at a godsdamned gallery.
Who the fuck wears yellow to a robbery?
Panic fluttered to life in Isahn’s chest. Was this some sort of trick? Was his uncle acting as bait while something far worse was being carried out? Why wasn’t he taking it down and getting out?
Where’s Solaelia?
Anxiety got the best of Isahn, and he had to look around. Swiveling his head to the right, he peered past the staircase into the darkened hall where Peros had entered. A discreet stairwell also ran the height of the house from Lia’s rooms to the lowest floor. If she came down, that’s where she’d be. A lithe shadow shifted slightly in the dark, and Isahn squinted. A tiny flicker of flame, cupped beneath a palm, winked twice before going out. She was safe.
He exhaled a sigh he thought was silent. Apparently not.
“Watch out!” Hildy’s magic-propelled shout exploded in his left ear.
Isahn startled, snapping his head toward Peros. His uncle glared back.
Without taking his eyes off Isahn, Peros yanked a tapestry off the wall and attempted to beeline for the hall where he’d entered.
Isahn shot out a cord of magic, but Peros leapt over the tripline, shockingly spry. Isahn gave chase just as Hildy reached the base of the grand staircase. She jumped out in front of the thief, shortsword at the ready. Peros screeched in outright pain as he stumbled back a few steps, leaving Isahn grateful he couldn’t hear whatever Hil was feeding into his uncle’s head at that moment.
With measured steps, they walked Peros right back into the corner, the scene of the crime.
“You want him?” Hildy’s magical murmur pushed into Isahn’s right ear, unheard by Peros, who cowered, albeit stoically, with his back against the wall.
He wanted to say no, let her handle it. But he was, technically, master of the house, and it would be ungentlemanly to ask a woman to commit murder on his behalf.
With a quick nod to the Domossan guard, Isahn spoke to his uncle, “If you put that back right now, I’ll let you walk out of here alive.”
Peros chuckled darkly. “Afraid I can’t do that, nephew. There are some powers and powerful people who are not to be underestimated. You, boy, are not one of them. If you let me walk out of here with this, I’ll be so very kind as to have your life spared.”
“By who? Gasparo?” Isahn scoffed, and a flicker of confusion tightened Peros’s eyes. “I could take that fool down with my little pinky. He hides behind his veil like a child behind his mother’s skirts. He’s a coward, and so are you. Poisoning your own sister? Letting your fuckingsonforfeit his life over your dirty work for Domos? YoumurderedHothan Tarisden. He was an innocent man. Why would I trust a word out of your smarmy mouth?” Rage boiled over as he finally confronted his uncle. “You have always coveted what you can’t have. And here we are, yet again. So disgustingly predictable.”
A diabolical smile bloomed on Peros’s round face, and he latched onto one single thing Isahn said. “Ah, so you figured it out. It’s so good to finally be able to chat freely about your parents.”
A sneer was Isahn’s silent response. He’d always hoped to get this very confession from Peros, certain it would bring him and Solaelia some closure. There was a sense of personal vindication to knowing he’d been right, but beyond that, and far more relevant, it made what he had to do next more palatable.
Peros eyed his nephew with thinly veiled mirth and continued, “You know, only Rihan ever knew the truth, knew why I had to do it. With him gone—gods carry him to the stars—I have no oneto chat with about it. So lonesome. You understand. Let me fill you in!” He giggled, literally fucking giggled. “I neverwantedto, but your mum gave me no choice. They went digging. Uncovered who was paying me and threatened to tell King Hethtar. So, I did what I had to, to protect my family. It was genius, really, a bit of wolfsbane mixed in with their picnic lunch. Then it was goodbye to your mummy and daddy. Oh, and the very best part? Bet you didn’t know this: I popped out of the bushes, right at the end, to say my farewells.” He wriggled his fingers in a demeaning sort of wave.
