And now they were realizing how dangerous a mind controller could be… especially one who had Thrall Squad behind him.
Tae caught my eye, then Naia’s, and lifted his spoon in a mock toast. “Cheers to being terrifying.”
Naia rolled her eyes and bumped her shoulder into his. “You scared half the guild into pissing their pants.”
“And the other half into fantasizing,” he said under his breath.
A tall brunette in Warborn colors walked behind him just then, leaning down to whisper something hushed and sultry into his ear.
“No thanks,” he said casually, not even looking up from his bowl.
Jax, seated across from us, paused mid-bite. “What was that about?”
Tae leaned in, deadpan. “She’s curious what I can command her to do.”
Jax blinked. “Like… in general or?—”
“In bed.”
Jax choked on his water.
Ferrula narrowed her eyes. “Seriously?”
Tae gave a helpless shrug. “Hey, I’m not the one pitching magical kink fantasies over dinner.”
Jax coughed again, recovering. “I mean… not that I’d recommend using powers for that, obviously…”
Ferrula arched a brow in his direction.
“I mean, you shouldn’t. That’s… wildly inappropriate.”
Tae’s grin widened. “Uh-huh. You think?”
Even Cordelle snorted into his cup at that one, and Naia just shook her head, clearly biting back a laugh.
Me? I tried not to smile too much, but it was hard.
Tae might be a walking disaster sometimes, but he was our disaster.
The doors to the dining hall slammed open, and the buzz of conversation died instantly.
Major Kaler stepped inside, his armor catching the light like storm clouds edged in steel. His face was a wall of controlled fury, his mouth pressed into a line that said whatever he was about to tell us wasn’t good.
Every rider, every cadet, every guild member went still as he approached the center of the hall.
“There was an attempt on Inderia Claen’s life,” he announced, voice as hard and cold as iron. “The assassin was killed during the attempt, but an investigation is underway.”
Gasps flared around the room. My heart kicked against my ribs.
From across the hall, Zander sat with Crownwatch, his back straight, face unreadable. But his voice slid into my mind like a whisper against skin.
Do you know anything about this?
No,I answered quickly, pulse pounding.Do you think this has to do with us?
His silence was enough of an answer. Then—I think the timing is suspect. She helps Theron... and his entire plan crumbles. Now she’s almost killed?
That’s too much of a coincidence,I agreed. My eyes narrowed, watching the way the major’s gaze swept across every table.
