Page 23 of A Wayward Movement

“We could consider that.”

The captain sounded thoughtful, and Xavier almost felt guilty for successfully masking his self-serving plans as an investigative strategy.

Almost.

Alina was here. Alina. And she was alone and basically destitute. He had enough burning questions to make up for the last decade of not caring about anything much at all. There was no way he was simply walking away without finding out more.

“Of course, if rumors are to be believed, we should be looking for the perpetrators at the refinement site, not in Alton,” Captain Mitchell mused, unaware of Xavier’s divided attention.

“All the more reason to stay here,” Xavier said. “This is the closest town to the refinement site.”

“That’s something,” Captain Mitchell agreed. “What did you think of the interviews we conducted this morning, Your Highness?”

I think Alina was in one of them, and everything else is entirely uninteresting in comparison to that lightning strike.

Aloud, Xavier said, “Pretty consistent story from everyone. Without any concrete details. So most likely all based on the same rumors, and no one actually has firsthand information.”

“You’ve been paying attention to my lessons,” the captain said, smiling slightly.

Xavier chuckled. “Don’t give me credit for it, there was very little else to do on the journey.” A disgruntled mewl sounded from the creature perched on top of his head, and he hastened to correct himself. “Except for bonding with my main lady, of course.”

The captain was openly smiling now, and Xavier lowered his voice conspiratorially.

“Is it just me, or does she seem to actually understand what I say? It’s uncanny.”

“I think, Your Highness, the creature’s displeasure was more based on the way you tilted your head when you laughed,” the guard said with perfect solemnity.

“Maybe you’re right.”

Xavier sighed as he pulled Zuzu down and deposited her into the pocket of his cloak. They were inside the private parlor they’d claimed at the inn, and normally he wouldn’t wear a traveling cloak indoors. But Zuzu fit snugly inside the pocket, and he didn’t especially enjoy her leaving fur, feathers, or worse on his other garments.

The anzu wriggled upright to pop her head into the fresh air, placing her wings over the top of the pocket and sniffing the air with her cat’s nose.

“You are the strangest creature known to man,” Xavier informed her.

“I don’t know, Your Highness,” commented Captain Mitchell. “Have you ever seen a tarand? They can change their hides to camouflage with their surroundings so completely that they vanish.”

“Very impressive, I’m sure,” Xavier said. “But the rest of the time, they just look like regular reindeer, right? Unlike this abomination of nature.” He bopped a finger on Zuzu’s nose, a gesture she apparently enjoyed, judging by the purr that made his pocket vibrate. “Heaven help me when you develop your full abilities,” he told her. “I hope you spout water, because if you’re a fire-breather, I foresee a great deal of stress for my protectors.”

The door opened, one of Xavier’s personal guards appearing momentarily before he allowed another member of their party to enter. The man in question wasn’t strictly part of the investigation team. He was the liaison the king had sent to check on the chameleon steel refinement station.

“Blair,” the captain greeted him.

“Captain. Your Highness.” Blair nodded to the captain and bowed to Xavier. “I’m glad I caught you before you left. I wanted to check in.”

“It seems we’re not leaving,” Captain Mitchell said. “We intend to make camp in this town.”

“You do?” Blair seemed taken aback. “I thought you were removing to Alton before dark.”

“Change in plans,” Xavier said cheerfully. He saw the wary look on the other man’s face and clapped him bracingly on the shoulder. “Take heart, soldier. The foe is not so fearsome. I know cats usually don’t agree with you, but I haven’t heard a single sneeze, and I’ve seen no evidence that your eyes are itching.”

“I’m no soldier, Your Highness, and grateful for it,” Blair said, smiling faintly. “I never had much aptitude for fighting. And I can’t deny you’re right. Although I admit to remaining wary, so far I haven’t had any ill effects.”

“Because Zuzu isn’t actually a cat,” Xavier said. “She’s something else altogether. Something unnatural and abominable, but at least it doesn’t seem to be something that upsets your system.”

“You make me sound delicate, Your Highness,” Blair said mournfully. “His Majesty will assign me to a lifeless border outpost after you report on my performance in this assignment.”

“No risk of that,” Xavier told him. “Don’t undervalue yourself, Blair. You’re the only member of the diplomatic team to have spent time in both Carrack and Dernan, which makes you invaluable to negotiations regarding refinement of the chameleon steel.”