“The private is my escort,” Bellusdeo said, in a perfectly friendly, perfectly bland tone.
“There is nothing here that requires the private’s attention, and a great deal that does not.”
Kaylin opened her mouth. Closed it. It was smarter to let the Dragon do the talking because Moran couldn’t do anything to the Dragon. Small and squawky, almost forgotten, lifted his head and batted Kaylin’s cheek with the top of it. He looked bored.
Teela appeared in the door frame behind Moran. “Why are you here?” she asked.
“It was here,” Bellusdeo replied, although Kaylin was pretty sure the question wasn’t aimed at the Dragon, “or the East Warrens.” Kaylin couldn’t see Bellusdeo’s expression, but the bland, cheerful,neutralreply was like a red flag.
Severn had probably made the smarter choice. Tain’s desk was safer. But Kaylin had really wanted to see Teela for herself. She’d wanted to be certain that Teela was whole.
It was the sergeant, not yet retired, who said, “The East Warrens. Marcus sent Kaylin to the East Warrens.” Clearly she had not been informed, and while the duty roster was not her responsibility, she knew it was a Barrani beat. Her glare traveled down the hall, as if she were considering offering Marcus a few choice words herself.
“I was, of course, with her.”
Moran folded her arms. “Come in,” she told the Dragon brusquely. She ignored Kaylin entirely and Kaylin followed like a shadow.
* * *
“You met Candallar. In the warrens.” Teela was now lounging on a chair so bare it should have been uncomfortable. To her left, in one of three beds in the small room, a Barrani Hawk slept. Since Barrani didn’t need sleep, he was probably unconscious. Or wishing he were.
It was Canatel. He was, like Teela, a corporal. He’d been part of the Hawks for as long as Kaylin could remember, which really only meant about eight years. In Barrani terms, that was a blink of the eye.
“This is well above your pay grade, kitling. It is not for you.”
“How many people are descending on my home in the near future?”
“If I have any say in it?” Teela exhaled and stood, losing the studied nonchalance of chair lounging. “You’re certain it was the fieflord?”
“I’ve never met him. Severn was certain.”
More Leontine followed, but it was soft. Clearly Teela trustedSevern’sopinion.
“Why is Candallar involved?” Kaylin asked, as Bellusdeo said, “Candallar is outcaste, yes?”
Teela only answered the Dragon’s question. “Yes.”
“Does he happen to be related to any of the cohort? Because I’ve got one furious fieflord visiting my home at least three times a week, and I think I could do without another one.”
“You would rather he visit your home than encounter him elsewhere. Candallar noted your mark?”
“Nightshade’s mark? Yes.”
“Good.”
Kaylin thought she’d take the nearest seat, she was so shocked. “Good? You still hate him for putting the mark there!”
“Yes. But it will serve as a warning to Candallar, if a warning is required. He is not Nightshade.”
“Nightshade is more powerful?”
“He was, before he was removed from the High Court. There is a reason he possesses one of The Three.”
And a reason, Kaylin thought, wanting to smack herself, that Teela possessed one as well. Three swords created to fightDragons. They were called The Three; the capital letters were practically pronounced. Had she never really considered that they weren’t just handed out randomly?
“Candallar is younger?”
“We areallancient compared to you. Candallar is younger. He was of the High Court. He took, and passed, the Test of Name.”
