“Kreya, we need to go,” Zera insisted. “Regroup. Replan. The show’s over—”
The brass doors swung open. Caught by surprise, the crowd fell backward. A servant appeared. “Grand Master Lorn requests to speak with the leader of the Five Heroes of Vos, Master Bone Maker Kreya Odi Altriana.”
Her friends flanked her. “Not alone!” Jentt said.
The servant frowned. “Only Master Kreya Odi Altriana.”
“He harbors our enemy,” Stran said. “We all come, or none.”
The servant didn’t move. “He is your guild master. He requests the presence of the bone maker Kreya Odi Altriana. You are sworn to obey your guild master. Failure to comply could result in fines, or the withdrawal of your bone worker license.”
Kreya put her hand on Jentt’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine,” she said softly. “Look at all the witnesses. If I go in and don’t come out, Grand Master Lorn will answer for it.”
“That’s a ‘what to do after you’re dead’ plan,” Zera said. “Not an ‘avoid dying’ plan.”
“He wants to talk,” Kreya said. “I want to hear him explain. We’ve been wanting this—more information, some clue as to what Eklor plans.” She looked at each of them. “In the meantime, keep searching for his army. I’ll be back soon.”
Zera flew forward and hugged her, and Kreya felt her slip two new talismans into her pant pockets as she whispered, “Speed and flight. Break a window and fly out of there, if you need to.”
Kreya nodded.
The crowd parted for her to walk up to the brass doors. She glanced back to make sure her friends were safely away. They were still standing there, watching her, when the servant closed the brass doors with a soft clang.
“Follow me, please.” The servant bowed and led the way down the hall. “Grand Master Lorn requests you leave your coat. He doesn’t wish for there to be any misunderstandings. He knows emotions are fraught.” He gestured toward a rack.
She briefly considered protesting, but she didn’t. If this was her chance to gain information, she wasn’t going to waste it. She also wasn’t going to show fear. Reassuring herself that Zera’s two talismans were safely hidden in her pants pockets, Kreya hung her coat on the rack.
Lorn might have been the grand master. He might have been housing her greatest enemy. But his agenda surely didn’t include being accused of her murder and being separated from his newly resurrected son. She could count on his self-interest to protect her.He wants to talk,she told herself. She had no reason to think he meant her harm.
His guest, though—that was another matter.
She followed the servant past Lorn’s office door to a polishedsilver door. He opened it and bowed. Kreya took a step inside and tried to ignore how hard and fast her heart was beating.This isn’t a battlefield,she told herself. Her thumping pulse did not believe her.
She scanned the room first, checking for exits. One other door. One wide window, drapes open, with a view of mountains beyond. In the center of the room was a table with a teapot, steam curling out of it, and two teacups. Two upholstered chairs sat on either side of the table. One was occupied, though the person’s back was to her.
“Grand Master Lorn?” She stepped into the tea room, and the servant closed the door behind him, leaving her alone with the grand master. “Congratulations on the return of your son. I know that must be a great relief and joy to you.”
The man in the chair stood, and it wasn’t the grand master.
Eklor faced her.
She didn’t let a hint of surprise show on her face. In fact, she wasn’t certain shewassurprised. She noted he wore his bone worker coat, while she’d been required to disrobe, and he was playing with a talisman in his right hand, spinning it between his fingers. Crossing the room, she positioned herself near the window. Every muscle was tense, every breath sharp.
“Join me for tea?” Eklor requested.
“Is it poisoned?”
“If I kill you, it will undermine everything I’ve achieved here.” Eklor resumed his seat and poured tea in his cup and hers. He placed his talisman down to do so. “Everyone saw you enter. Everyone heard you summoned.”
“Grand Master Lorn summoned me. Perhaps you seek to frame him for my murder?” She eyed the talisman, trying todecipher the carvings—not strength, not speed, not any one she was familiar with. If she knew what he intended, she could counter it.
“After I went through all the trouble of granting his dearest wish? Kreya, I know you believe me evil. At least do me the courtesy of also believing me logical.” He added sugar to his tea and stirred, then picked his talisman back up.
Kreya sat carefully on the chair. She picked up the teacup, added sugar, and stirred. She didn’t sip it, though. She wasn’t stupid. Instead she set it back down on the saucer and studied Eklor. He looked well, especially for a man who should have been dead. “You expect me to believe you’ve reformed? I saw your army.”
He sat back, spinning his talisman again. “There was no army.”
She snorted.
