I twirled one of the curls around my finger. “Kiki can carry you both.”
“Yelena.”
“You’re going to the only place Reema’ll be safe from an assassin.”
“The Magician’s Keep?”
“No. The Commander’s castle. Valek will protect her.”
He opened his mouth. Probably to protest. Then he sighed. “You are right. As much as I would like to believe I can keep her safe, I cannot.”
“Once this mess is settled, you can return home.”
We reached the taffy shop. The owner was about to lock up, but she let us in. Devlen bought a pound of Reema’s favorite—peppermint mixed with vanilla. We shared a portion of the confection as we returned to the factory.
“How long should I wait?” Devlen asked.
“When is Opal due back?”
“It depends. Some nights not until late, others...”
“Wait for her and explain what’s going on.”
“What about Reema?”
“Ben’s men should stop following her once they’ve determined she isn’t looping back into the city. Kiki will know and turn west to rendezvous with you. Do you have another way out of the factory?” I peeled off the blond wig.
He smiled. “Of course. Opal insisted we have a few options. Not many people know we purchased the building next door.”
“Wonderful.” I hefted my pack. “Where’s the hidden exit?”
“Where are you going?”
“To find out what really happened that night.”
24
VALEK
The poor messenger shrank back.
Valek eased his death grip on his desk and asked again, “How is Liaison Zaltana vulnerable?”
“I...I...don’t know, sir. Master Jewelrose said you would know.”
Could Irys mean Yelena was vulnerable because of Ben’s escape? Looking at the situation from Ben’s point of view, Valek would also target Yelena. She posed a dangerous threat to his continued freedom. Plus Ben had to have help in his escape, which meant she was up against more than one magician with a grudge.
“Do you have more details regarding this endeavor to harm her?” he asked the messenger.
“There’s been anti-magician rumblings and Master Jewelrose believes someone wishes to make an example of the Liaison as to why the Council shouldn’t rely on magicians anymore. Proof to all that magicians can be easily compromised.”
Valek wouldn’t have used the word easily. Curare wasn’t available to just anyone and null shields... They might have a point about those. Arbon had said cloaks with null shields were available for sale. Plus Opal’s magic detectors had made it difficult for a magician to be subtle. However, he doubted the Council would interfere with the production of the super messengers. They were too vital to Sitia. Valek wondered how they justified the super messengers’ existence, but not magicians.
“Does Master Jewelrose know who this someone is?” Valek asked.
“Not yet. She just wanted to inform you of the situation.”
Remembering the Council had kept the news about Ben from Yelena, Valek asked, “Has she warned the Liaison?”
“I don’t know.”
Not good. Once again Valek’s heart wished to hop onto Onyx and ride straight for Fulgor, but the Commander’s order that he remain uninvolved kept him from racing to the stables. Arbon’s comment about the Commander holding Valek’s leash repeated in his mind. Valek squashed it. Besides, she, Leif, Devlen, Opal and that other magician she mentioned in her message had plenty of protection.
Valek flagged down a servant to escort the messenger to the gate. He returned to his office, but couldn’t sit and read reports. Despite all the logic, worry for Yelena churned in his stomach. He changed into his sneak suit and under cover of darkness tested the security measures inside the castle complex.
After a few hours of creeping, crawling, climbing and ghosting, his agitation had diminished. The security wasn’t horrible, but the protection in certain areas had gotten lax. Valek understood why as most of the guards probably assumed that a threat from those areas was slim. But it was precisely those particular weaknesses that a shrewd assassin would exploit.
That was how he’d gotten to the King—by discovering that single lapse in security. It had taken Valek months to find. After working for the Commander for a couple of seasons, Ambrose led him to a back corner of the tavern. He carried two mugs of ale and handed one to Valek.
“My supporters are moving faster than expected. We should be closing in on the castle in three seasons. Is that enough time for you to assassinate the King?” Ambrose asked.
Finally! Valek kept his excitement from showing on his face. “Depends if I can identify a way inside. The King—”
“Is well protected. Don’t waste time looking for a hole in the security around him. Go through someone else who is close to him. That will be your best shot.”
“Like the Queen?”
“Exactly.”
Valek sipped his ale. “How will I know when you’re ready to attack?”
“By the end of the warm season, I will be in Jewelstown, making my speeches in the taverns. Find me and we’ll set a time to strike.”
“You’re not worried the King will send his soldiers to arrest you?” Valek asked.
Ambrose smiled. “No. By then, he won’t have many loyal soldiers. You’d be surprised what the promise of double wages does to loyalty.”
“And can you keep that promise?”
“You don’t think we gave the King all the diamonds we mined, do you?”
“Ah.”
“When the bastard refused to send help to dig out those trapped miners, we decided we weren’t going to play nice anymore.”
“What happens when the money runs out?”
“The King’s coffers are quite full and I plan to close the border to Sitia. Our money has been flowing south, buying imports and making the Sitians rich while our people beg on the streets. Stop the imports and we’ll have to manufacture our own supplies, generating plenty of jobs for everyone and keeping our money here in Ixia.”
Valek wondered if it would be as easy as the Commander made it sound. He hoped so. “Speaking of money, I need a handful of gold for expenses.”
Ambrose filled a pouch. “I included a few diamonds. They’re perfect for big bribes. Ladies find them irresistible.” He tossed it to Valek. “Buy yourself a new dagger. That one you carry is—”
“My favorite blade and I plan to sink it deep into the King’s heart.”
“You do that and you’ll become my chief of security. Who better to protect me than one who can get through the tightest security?”
“No one.”
Ambrose grinned. “Right.”
Valek stood, saluted Ambrose with his mug, downed the contents in one gulp and set it on the table.
“Valek,” Ambrose said.
He turned back. The humor was gone from Ambrose’s gaze. In its place was a cold hardness like a dagger made of ice.
“Kill them all,” the Commander said.
“All?”
“All the royals. King, Queen, princes...everyone with royal blood.”
Valek stared at him.
“They’re a weed. If we don’t get all the roots, they’ll grow back. Do you understand?”
He did. It just seemed...heartless despite the logic. “Yes, sir.”