“She’s never been late in all my years at the Halls.”
“And she’s going to start now?”
“Probably.”
Mandoran whistled at Moran’s maneuver. “She really can fly circles around the Dragon.”
“She can probably fly circles around the rest of the Aerians, too. I’m sure the ones who are watching her are pathetically grateful she’s not in charge of their practice drills right about now.”
“You think they’re watching?”
“I’d bet all of last month’s pay on it.”
“No one here would be stupid enough to take that bet,” Teela said. “We’d better get moving. The Dragon can handle anything stupid enough to take Moran on in these skies, and the Hawklord is going to want to speak to us.”
Kaylin wilted. “We haven’t done anything wrong.”
“No, we haven’t. And before you try to bite me, neither has Moran. But the Hawklord’s the one who’s been sitting in political debris since Moran was injured.”
* * *
“You know, you should quit the late-night drinking binges,” Clint said. He was speaking loudly, with the happy malevolence the very sober sometimes showed the very hungover.
“I wasn’t out drinking. I was out carousing with the midwives.”
His grin vanished.
“I made it in time, but only because—” She stopped.
Clint had never been particularly stupid. “The sergeant flew you out.”
“How did you know?”
“I’ve been watching her in the skies since she took wing.” His voice was almost a hush, which didn’t suit his size or his general demeanor. “The Hawklord wants to see you.”
* * *
Severn was at his desk when Kaylin entered the office and headed toward the Tower stairs.
“You’re back.”
Since it wasn’t a question, he said nothing.
“What did the Wolflord want?”
He said more nothing, and Kaylin exhaled. “Sorry. That was a stupid question.” If the Halls of Law could be said to be clandestine, it was entirely due to the Wolves.
She’d never been entirely comfortable with Severn as a Wolf. And he was a Hawk now. She opened her mouth again, but Severn shook his head.
“The Hawklord,” he said, “is waiting.”
* * *
“I want to knowexactlywhat happened last night.”
Kaylin was standing more or less at attention beside her partner, whose posture was perfect.
“You look like you haven’t slept for a week. Did you go out drinking with Teela and Tain?”
