“I’ll summon an Outlaw to let Dash know that we’ve taken care of the contract. While we wait for our contact, we’ll head after Mardyth’s son.”
“You’re really planning to do that?” the imposter asked with enough sincerity that Xaydin could almost believe him.
“Gave my word. Not something I renege on.” He exchanged an amused smile with Gisela who shook her head at him.
But it wasn’t really amusing. His brother’s life hung in the balance, and he needed to get Masakage out of that watery tomb where he was being held.
Hopefully, word would reach Ronan within a day, possibly two and then Ronan would find his way to them.
In the meantime, he had to make sure that the imposter or another didn’t plunge a dagger into their backs.
11
Four days later
Ronan Diffydd, so-called for being renowned as faithless, wasn’t one to cater to anyone’s whims. He hated most creatures and none as much as the dead centaur spy in front of him.
“You can’t get any news for Dash if you keep killing every spy we find.”
He grimaced at Dubhdara, an elfin by-blow and friend. Almost even in height to him, Dove had blond hair and a set of piercing blue eyes. Women often said they were celestial, unlike Ronan’s that were a deep stormy gray.
“Why are you here, Dove?”
“To annoy you and to remind you that we’re trying to find useful information. Hard for the dead to give us that information when they can’t speak.” He sighed heavily as he swept a meaningful gaze over the corpse of the spy.
“Not that hard.” He pulled the small vial from his pocket and dribbled the potion onto the lips of the centaur. “Deadspeakdoes wonders for those who want to take their secrets to the grave.”
Dove actually looked impressed.
Ronan knelt down beside the spy. “Why are you in Licordia?”
“To find the rebels who want to bring down King Dash.”
Made sense. They’d be easy for Meara to turn and use to harm his friend. “Is your queen getting ready to invade?”
“No.”
Dove sighed. “Is this necessary?”
“No.” The centaur returned to death.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Ronan rose to his feet to stare at Dove. “You know I only have three questions I can ask.”
“Sorry. I didn’t think he’d answer it. It was directed at you.”
Rolling his eyes, Ronan wanted to beat the shit out of him. Even if it was an honest mistake. Hell, even he’d made it in the past.
Still…
“Are you a toddler?”
“No. I’m an idiot. You know that.” Dove’s unexpected admission took the fury from him.
“At least you know it.”
Dove flashed him a grin. It was hard to hate anyone with that amount of charisma.
But Ronan really wanted to at the moment.
