‘You can’t– You bitch…’ he said, but as I drew closer, he broke, sagging in defeat, even as his eyes radiated pure hatred. ‘I told you, I know nothing. The srebrec was used to build those fucking pillars, but I saw the maps and drawings.’
‘Where?’ I asked.
‘In Tivala’s castle, and only once. If you want what’s left of the cursed ore, there’s some in storage in Piran’s Swamp. I can take you there.’
Removing Tivala’s access to more srebrec might help, but the place was vast and full of creatures straight from legend and nightmare. The swamp was unpredictable, changing almost daily, and it was impossible to draw a map. Risking men to retrieve it was a decision I couldn’t make alone. Worse, I would have to trust this bastard to guide us safely. I didn’t doubt his skills – he was a former hunter and tracker for the dark fae, perfect for the job – but I doubted his intentions.
‘You’ll live and even remain in the Brotherhood if you take me there,’ I said, and he nodded, sagging in his restraints.
‘That’s not your decision to make, Nightshade,’ Visla said.
I turned to Boyan. ‘It makes sense. We need to retrieve the srebrec for our own safety.’ Boyan frowned, and I quickly added: ‘I’m not foolish. I’ll go there myself to ensure this man fulfils his part of the bargain.’
‘I’ll go,’ Visla said. His jaw was clenched when he turned to Boyan. ‘I’ll go. I’m still your shadow, aren’t I?’
‘Sana, you’re needed here, not carting unstable ore through the swamp,’ Boyan said, placating Visla. I gritted my teeth, but if I pushed it, how long would it take before the Brotherhood’s rumour mill started whispering about me being favoured again? Because I was being favoured, there was no denying it.
I still hadn’t found the courage to confront Boyan with my revelation from the Geas Ceremony. As long as I remainedsilent, I could pretend the man I’d grown to cherish was my father. If he denied it…
My chest tightened.Wrong time, wrong place to think about this.Deep down, I knew that, sooner or later, we’d have to talk, and the longer I postponed it, the harder it would be.
‘If that’s what you want,’ I said, and the official shadow only smirked.
‘It’s not like I have much else to do since you arrived, Nightshade.’
Boyan nodded, standing up slowly. ‘Then it’s agreed. Visla will retrieve the ore, and you’ll stay here to help clean up the rest of this mess,’ he said, turning towards the trader. ‘As Roksana said, you have a choice. Cooperate and be welcomed back into the fold, or be an obstinate fool, and the mark will be cut from your broken corpse.’
The chained rogue swallowed hard, his eyes shifting between Boyan and me. His expression hardened. He would’ve sounded sincere if not for the fleeting smirk that tilted his lips before he answered.
‘I made a mistake, I admit, but I want to stay. This is my home,’ he finally said, and I had to stifle a groan when Visla nodded, patting his shoulder.
‘Let me know what happens with the ore,’ I said, walking to the table. They didn’t need to see the grimace I couldn’t hide. Visla was a competent man and loyal to Boyan, but my closeness to the Grand Master threatened his position. And threatened men were more likely to make foolish decisions and fatal mistakes.
‘You’re leaving?’ Boyan asked after I’d picked up my cloak and bag.
‘Yes. It’s already late, and I still need to talk to Lilliana,’ I said, while he tried to hold back a cough. ‘If you need me to stay, I will. Should I meet you by your chambers?’
Since I’d started learning how to use my powers and performing minor healing with Ciesko, I’d been helping Boyan with his graveyard cough. It wasn’t much, but I’d slowed the progression of his illness. Still, it required frequent sessions, and the time between them had been getting shorter lately.
‘No, go and see your friend. I’d be grateful if you returned tomorrow. We have plenty of things to discuss.’ The warm undertone in his voice made Visla frown, but he didn’t comment on it.
I nodded, but as I passed, Boyan’s weathered hand gently patted my shoulder. ‘Thank you for today. I know it cost you a lot,’ he said quietly. I still didn’t know whether I should ask him if he was my real father, but I knew I wanted him to be.
Chapter 3
Roksana
‘We’re so close I can almost taste it!’ Tova said suddenly, breaking the morose silence in the kitchen. The feeling had grown with each passing day, each sleepless night, until, unable to explain our problems, they became our private demons.
‘What?’ I mumbled, rubbing my neck to hold back a yawn. It’d been a week since the interrogation, and I hadn’t slept an entire night since.
‘The box schemata.’ He slurped up another spoonful of porridge. ‘I know how it’s built but not what it does, and the mages aren’t helping. It’s just that… when you mentioned the gates, I thought that was it. I even found an old word for open, but then the next part…’
He pushed the half-eaten bowl away from him and stood up, pacing beside the table.
‘Are you alright?’ I asked; Tova never left food unfinished.
‘No, I’m not fucking alright.’ My eyebrows shot up, but Tova only tugged on his beard. ‘I’m sorry, Drah’sa, but the gods must be laughing their heads off. It’s like a fucking nail in my head. Ijust can’t… If I only had the box itself. You know, sometimes you just have to lay your hands on something to understand it.’
