“The memory threads I saw last night showed someone discussing peculiar tectonic movements outside of the city of Lyrae. They correspond to what the earthquakes here have done—interfering with our trafficking routes, likely related to the rebel known as the Crimson Wolf. We believe they hide out somewhere around Yarit’s capital.”
I released my breath, squaring my shoulders. “Let me find the Crimson Wolf. It would be my honor to return with him. I could not only weed out the rebel network, but also take out their primary weapon against us.” I held his stare, unflinching.
Maelic pondered my response. “Your espionage skills are much more refined than Wes’s or Belham’s.” He steepled his fingers, assessing. “Wes is a dreki, though, and he wouldn’t stand out as much as you think because Yarit is the realm of nymphs. The oceanic nymphs and some of the naiyads display very unique features. This mission is too vital to not send a soldier with the bloodbond of loyalty and the power of the dreki to obtain the Crimson Wolf.”
His words settled like iron in my gut. My magic and strength could rival either of them in dreki form. My insides twisted.
I held his gaze, wondering what more he withheld. My jaw clenched. “Let me do this.” My hands itched to pull a blade, my instinct to protect myself in the presence of his power—it was also my urge to kill him for being a bastard. My hands fisted before my ice betrayed me.
Maelic’s magic involved seeing through illusions. I wondered if he could sense my scheming. I abruptly stood. His vile eyes searched my body. I lifted my chin under his scrutiny.
He rolled up the map of Yarit and tossed it to me, “I’ll think about it. Study this in the meantime.” He continued his shrewd assessment of me. His lip curled as if finding me lacking. His vertical pupils narrowed before he finally turned his back to me.
Understanding my dismissal, I gripped the map tighter. My mind danced with the possibility of opportunity as I left his office. The Crimson Wolf was mine. I would not be denied.
Chapter Eight
THE SPY
My return to the cabin was a blur, as I lost myself in thought. I took the less-traveled route from the castle, weaving through the Rivellan Wood. Night descended faster below the evergreen canopy. I sensed, rather than saw, Kaida as I walked.
The wind abruptly changed direction and I stilled. Kaida’s low growl sharpened my focus to my immediate environment. I extended my hand in her direction. Not yet.
Moisture from the air swirled protectively around me. Frost nipped at my fingertips. A figure emerged from the shadows. A heavy presence, but without immediate threat. Nothing like the wolvin or the black figure from earlier.
“Who are you?” My voice held firm as an ice dagger solidified in my waiting hand.
“You requested a meeting. My curiosity got the best of me.” The tenor of his voice sent goose bumps down my arms. His broad shoulders blocked the forest out, strong and wide beneath fortified armor. His cloak billowed around him.
“It’s you. The General.” I barely contained my breathlessness. The raised hood concealed his face almost as much as the writhing shadows. I only knew two people withshadow magic. And this was not King Nolan, orhim. I squinted through the darkness to glean a better view of his obscured face.
A subtle nod shifted the hood of his cloak. “Why shouldn’t I kill you where you stand? Why should I make a deal with you, a member of the Good King’s Scourge?” He spit the name like acid from his mouth. The clink of rings forced my gaze to his clenched fist. I swallowed, ignoring his disdain.
Duty to Haluma pulsed in my veins. But my lifeblood was fueled by vengeance against the source of my deepest loss. Glint killed my parents. Glint forged a generation of orphans, just like me. My voice did not tremble, though the hope inside me did. “Stop trafficking Glint into Haluma. In exchange, I can offer safe passage for the rebels I find. I’ll send them back to Yarit, through the Rivellan Wood.”
If I could change at least one facet of this war, the spread of Glint, it would be significant. It might even be enough to earn the king’s favor. My heart raced as I waited for his response. I hardly breathed.
“We don’t…” He paused, assessing. The shadows around his face shifted. A furrowed brow hinting at confusion flashed across his features. There, then gone beneath the twisting darkness. “I’ll consider your proposition.”
My magic relaxed. It was something. It was tentative. It was hope.
He cocked his head to the side. The silence between us grew heavy. “You do know, Ruin of the Scourge, that we are not the ones bringing Glint into Haluma. Your own king is responsible for that. It was he who opened the veil that’s darkening your realm.”
I scoffed. He stood disgustingly self-assured. The ice dagger crackled with frost as I twirled it. Did he think I was stupid? Whatever darkness he perceived was directly related to the devastation wrought by his army of thieves.
“How uninspiring that the ruthless General would imply the King’s wrongdoing. I would have expected more from you. It is well-known that your following introduced Glint to destroy our people. Confident accusations don’t change facts.” The temperature around us dropped as the ice at my feet spread. My agitation made manifest.
He shook his head as though disappointed.
A twisting splinter of doubt dug into my mind. Questionable thoughts like these threatened the strength of our realm. I wouldn’t let the vile general get under my skin. If anything, this made me more determined to become a dreki. Loyalty mattered. I shifted on my feet.
“My offer still stands.” I twirled my dagger. The weight of his stare lay heavy on me.
His rings flared amidst the darkness. “Like I said, I’ll consider it.”
“What’s your name?” I had to know. The swirling shadows felt familiar. I clenched my fingers to stifle a ribbon of water that sought to touch them.
“You haven’t earned that yet. The General will suffice.” He backed up, our conversation apparently over.
