For so many years, Luka had kept everything to himself, but now he was realizing how much of a problem that was. He couldn’t do everything himself—Cori, Aiden, and Kai were busy—and he needed help. Izzy would leave as soon as her shift ended in the clinic, and he couldn’t bear the thought of her going back to her shop alone. Who knew what might happen when Declan and Batlok started throwing accusations around?
Ultimately, he did trust Ryland. The captain was an excellent soldier. He also liked Izzy and would be kind to her.
“Captain, before you go, I have a task for you today.”
“Sir?” Ryland settled into a ready stance, already refocusing.
“Mistress Izabel is going back home later. Please go ahead of her and look around her shop. I don’t have a key, so you’ll have to pick the lock. Make sure everything is settled—nothing suspicious—and that she gets there safely. Wait for her there and stay until she’s secure.”
“You’re not going?” Ryland asked slowly.
Luka shook his head. “I have a meeting with the queen and the Kwanam delegation at the ninth bell.”
The meeting will almost certainly be over within an hour,his beast spat, but Luka forced it back down. He needed some time, a couple of hours to figure out what he was going to say to Izzy. As soon as he knew that, he could face her again.
Ryland watched him, his eyes far too knowing. “And you think I would be the best person to send?” the captain asked.
“I want to know she’s safe,” Luka admitted.
Ryland dipped his chin, his gaze full of intelligence. “Does this have something to do with Lady Narya’s death?”
“Yes, it’s…. The whole thing is complicated.”
Ryland barked out a laugh. “More complicated than the death of the archthane’s niece on the eve of the treaty signing?”
Luka chuckled ruefully with him. It was getting more complicated by the hour. He hadn’t given Ryland all the details of Shane’s investigation and their suspicions about Rayan’s death, but he shared them now.
“I will keep Izabel safe, I promise,” Ryland said sincerely when Luka finished. He lifted his hands into an Infinite Circle as he spoke, showing his solemn commitment. “I’ll stay with her until you get there.”
“Thank you.” Luka resisted the urge to rub his aching chest as Ryland checked his weapons and strode away.
We’re going before dark. No later. Or I’m taking control.
Luka rolled his shoulders back, trying to release some of the tension in his muscles. It didn’t help. Nothing did. His fingers throbbed around his claws; nothing helped that either.
He walked through the castle, observing his guards and checking defenses ahead of his meeting with the queen and the archthane. This time, he would have to face them all without Izzy at his side. At least she would be away from it all.
Yeah… because she’s alone with the physiks. Soooo much better,his beast grumbled.
She’s not alone. He would never leave her alone. There were physiks, patients, guards, messengers… an entire castle full of people.
Just like the night of the banquet, and the assassin is as good as invisible.
Luka grunted as he gripped the back of his neck where the muscles still ached, accidentally stabbing himself with his claws, and winced.
Who was invisible in the castle? Who could move around and never seem out of place?
Physiks. Guards. Messengers. Cleaners… dozens of people.
Gods, so many. But maybe that could help? Luka quickly made his way to the messenger room on the lower level near the kitchens. The master courier was writing at a small desk.
He greeted her with a bow. “Master Adina, I know you and your team already spoke to Captain Ryland. I understand that no one saw who Narya was with after she left the fountains on the night she died, and no one reported anything unusual in the days before her death either.”
Adina nodded. “That’s correct.”
“What about the days before? Did you notice anyone whowasn’tunusual. Anyone at all that she spent a lot of time with? I’m especially interested in any physiks.”
Adina considered his question for a moment. “I can’t think of anyone, but I’ll ask the other messengers.”
