The imps stared at me blankly for a second, then gasped, their hands flying to their mouths. “They’d eatus!?”
I nodded, and they stopped questioning that decision. “As for the humans, they can’t see in the dark without potions, so they’re useless—”
“But the sun came back out.”
I stared at the imp for along moment. “It what?”
“It should still be out there.”
All the windows in my bedroom were covered with heavy curtains. I strode back in and yanked the first curtain to the side. Bright light poured in, burning my eyes. I shielded my face against my arm and squinted at the scene. The sun had started to set, hovering over the tops of the trees.
Fifty years ago, the original Lord of Grimnight had cursed the city of Traumstead into the Grimnight Forest. His magic raised ancient trees that devoured the city, blocked out the sun, and cast the forest into perpetual night. If the sun was shining on the Grimnight forest again, that meant …
Treasure had broken the curse.
It’d almost been the last thing he’d ever done, but somehow, he’d succeeded.
A disbelieving laugh escaped me. Every day he amazed me.
No wonder so many minions had applied to work here if the curse was broken—the forest no longer scared them away.
I looked down at the street, confirming that the forest stillexisted. The trees hadn’t suddenly disappeared overnight, but they had lost some of their malevolence. They no longer looked ready to snatch up unwary travelers and swallow them whole.
Without the cursed forest acting as a barrier around the lair, I’d need to shore up our defense. As if I needed more on my plate.
At this rate, Treasure would already be in Misfortune before I finished reinforcing the lair.
What would an evil mage do in this situation? Master always strived to do the least amount of work and spend the least amount of money. “Tell them how much it pays.”
“But Master always says to hide that information until they’re ready to sign the contract.”
Mimsy smacked Bop on the back of the head. “Wilde’s the master right now. If he wants us to tell them, we tell them.”
I waved them off. “Find a room for anyone who stays. The rest can see themselves out.”
“Yes, sir!” The imps performed their bobbing salute again, then fluttered down the stairs.
I closed my bedroom door and leaned against it, staring at the sunlight streaming through the window. Things were changing in the Grimnight Forest that I couldn’t control, but I didn’t have time to worry about it now.
My main concern was, and always would be, Treasure.
Chapter Three: Wilde
Two Days Later
On the Road to “Woe”
Plan B
Infiltrating the traveling party from Bane to Woe was less challenging than I’d anticipated. I’d arrived at the castle to find everything in chaos and half the staff missing. Whenever I tried to apply for a position, the remaining staff explained the absences with increasingly ridiculous stories.
“I’m afraid Captain Hector isn’t here right now; he’s visiting his ill mother.”
“The head chef quit in a huff when Prince Brendon commented about the dryness of her cottage pie. Someone else took over the kitchen, and let me tell you, no one is happy about the new cottagesoup.”
“The housekeeper is on the roof. Why is she on the roof? I honestly don’t remember. She’s been up there for a long time now …”
“The steward was let go after he was caught sticking his dick in a—”
