“Likewise.” I study him a moment longer, thinking of Malachi, of Draven, of the tangled web forming around me. Then I push it aside and turn back to Naima. “They violated the treaty.”
“That was my first thought, but we don't actually know what the treaty says about the silent guards. They didn't exist when it was signed.”
I realize she’s right. Back then, there were only the gray parrots with their glinting amulets, watching from rooftops and windowsills. SiGA came later. Around the time our gifts manifested, if I remember correctly.
“I can't believe they do this job without compensation,” Kage says quietly.
My mouth twists. “They believe if they report enough people, the Council will notice them. Promote them to legion guards.”
“Has that ever happened?”
“Never.”
“Because they don't have the gifts the legion guards have?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
He holds my gaze for a long moment, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. Then he shakes his head. “It doesn't matter. I was going to stop those guards, but your brother told me not to get involved.”
“It was like he was okay with it,” Naima whispers. “Like he wanted to go. Why would he want that?”
I swallow past the tightness in my throat. “I don't know. But we can't just let this stand.”
“What are we supposed to do?” She spreads her hands. “The Council is at the square addressing the first wave of arrivals. The Sages will be with them all night.”
"Can we go to the Lunarian Keep?" Kage asks.
“No,” Naima and I say simultaneously.
“The Council isn't allowed to visit the Veritas Estate without permission,” she explains, “And the Sages have made it clear we're not to visit the Keep, either.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Even if they broke the treaty first?”
Naima and I exchange a look. I shake my head. “Even then. We'd need to speak to Arlo or Cas first. Or find one of Jordi's maps of the Keep and try to sneak in.”
“You have his maps?” Kage's voice lifts with hope, and my eyes narrow.
“You said you're Draven's friend.”
“I am.”
“How do you know him?”
“We fought together in the war. In Vinadriel.”
“Kage is here for the Reckoning,” Naima says. “That's why he needs a current map of Lunaris.” She laughs at whatever expression crosses my face. “That was my reaction as well.”
I study Kage with new eyes. “What exactly are you hoping to do here?”
His chin lifts. “Lift the curse.”
“He's dedicated his life to it,” Naima continues. “Him, Draven, and …” She glances at Kage.
“Bain.”
The name lands in my chest like a stone. I was expecting it, but hearing it spoken aloud makes it real in a way I wasn't prepared for.
Kage notices my surprise. “You know him?”
