“A word here, a word there, and the people turn on you in a heartbeat.”Satia’s voice was grim.
Panz shrugged.
“And the price?”Satia demanded.
“Not gold,” Panz said easily.“Merely a…working relationship.Shared information, to start.We’ve knowledge of the city and the knowledge of those with certain skills, such as your pretty ladies here.We know who can be trusted.”His voice went flat.“Who can’t.”
“What keeps you from betraying me?”Satia demanded.
“The same that keeps you from betraying us.”Panz retorted.“The loss of a source.”
“Hmm,” Satia hummed.“Caris, let him stand.”
Caris moved off reluctantly.But she kept close, a step behind, ready if he tried anything.
Panz rose and gave the Bonded a courtly bow.“My master hoped his first gift would act as a sign of our good intentions and our knowledge.He survived?”
“We have him well in hand,” Satia said, gaze flicking to Nora.
Caris saw Panz take that in, soaking in the unspoken, his eyes like those of a hawk on a mouse.He gave a sharp nod.“As a further gesture of goodwill, my master bid me tell you a secret he has learned through whispers.”
“What is it?”Satia asked, feigning disinterest.
“That Chained Mage you thought dead?”Panz smiled wide, his tooth glittering.“He’s alive.”
Caris froze, fear washing over her.That was not possible.
Satia sat up, started to pepper the man with questions, demanding answers.The bond vibrated with the Bonded’s rising anger.She had a clear target now, a focus for her wrath.
Caris couldn’t hear the talk for the roaring in her ears.Deep below the Bond, her heart clenched.If this was true, they’d be punished for their failure.but that wasn’t the fear that stabbed her heart.
Ritathan was alive.Where was Halithe?
Chapter Fifteen
At the Border of the Wastes
Halithe froze in terror, staring, as the writhing mass of wyverns swooped toward her.All she could think was that they were so much smaller than she’d—
Bright Fang hit her hard, took her tunic in his teeth, and bore her down to the ground, knocking the breath out of her.
“No,” Aramal screamed.In a blur of movement, he tackled Ritathan, who went down with an “oof” next to Halithe.
The noise was incredible, overwhelming, the flapping of leathery wings and the high-pitched screeches of the creatures.A wave of stink washed over her, of rotting flesh and dung.Halithe threw her hands up in front of her face, even as Bright Fang covered her body with his.
Aramal covered Ritathan, sheltering his head underneath his arms as the wyvern swarm blotted out the light.
Halithe flinched—
Nothing happened.
She peeked through her fingers at the wyverns, seeing them hissing and spitting, lashing out with their stingers, and hitting…a barrier?They hovered a foot or two above her, their beady eyes filled with hate and frustration.
She looked toward Ritathan, where he was pinned under Aramal.
Ritathan waggled his eyebrows at her.
Halithe gaped, even as Aramal shoved himself up, staring at Ritathan.
