“Yes,” Lakin confirmed. “I went there with Fenris and several members of the Mages Guild, and between all of us we were able to contain Mika and return her and the other shifters to their senses. We also got one of the human staff members to lead us to the warehouse where they were keeping the rest.”
“Which, by the way, included both Tylin and Nevin,” Annia said. “So both of them made it back along with most of the others. You can thank their families for the huge pile of gifts by your bedside – they’re all pretty grateful.”
“That’s great.” I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness though. “I wish we could have gotten to them sooner.”
Annia and I shared a look of understanding – we both knew that some of the families would never be getting their loved ones back.
“If it helps ease your mind, the Mages Guild has decided to declare all the debts owed by shifters to Sandin Federal Bank null and void,” Director Chen said gently. “Since the money was paid out with counterfeit gold it only seemed fair.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at Director Chen, feeling warmly toward her for the first time. “I’m sure the families will all be relieved.”
“Yes,” Director Chen said. “Congratulations on solving the case, Miss Baine. I’m sure your late mentor would be proud of you if he were here.”
“Thanks, but it was really this guy you should be thanking.” I turned toward Inspector Lakin. “If you hadn’t started digging into Sillara’s case, we never would have found out about any of this.”
Lakin shook his head. “Maybe, but you and Annia did a lot of the heavy lifting, especially at the end. All those shifters are free because of you.”
“I think we can all agree that Naya’s the hero,” Noria declared. “Hell, even your aunt is with me on this one. She sent you a thank you card for rescuing Mika.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You’re joking.”
“No, she really did.” Noria leaned back in her chair so she could grab one of the cards lying on my gift table. “Here, I’ll find it for you.”
“Director Chen! Director Chen!” Everyone turned toward the door as a grey-robed apprentice rushed into the infirmary. His cheeks were red from exertion, his long hair flying about, but it was the panic in his wide eyes that had me sitting up straight in alarm.
“What is it?” Director Chen asked, all business as she turned toward the apprentice. “It had better be very urgent for you to be barging in on us like this.”
“It’s about Lord Iannis!” the apprentice gasped. “The dirigible…!”
My veins turned to ice. “What?” I demanded, fisting my hands into the bedcovers. “What happened to the dirigible!”
The apprentice turned his wide-eyed gaze to me. “It never arrived at the capital. It’s disappeared, and the entire delegation with it.”
* * *
To be continued…
* * *
Sunaya Baine’s adventures will continue in Hunted by Magic, Book 3 of the Baine Chronicles. Join the mailing list below so you can be notified of the release date, and to receive special updates, freebies and giveaways!
* * *
http://jasminewalt.com/newsletter-signup
* * *
If you want to keep up with Jasmine Walt in the meantime, you can like her Facebook page, and follow her on Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon.
* * *
Did you enjoy this book? Please consider leaving a review. Reviews help us authors sell books so we can afford to write more of them. Writing a review is the best way to ensure that the author writes the next one as it lets them know readers are enjoying their work and want more. Thank you very much for taking the time to read, and we hope you enjoyed the book!
Glossary
Baine, Sunaya: a half-panther shifter, half-mage who hates mages and has a passion for justice. Because magic is forbidden to all but the mage families, Sunaya was forced to keep her abilities a secret until she accidentally used them to defend herself in front of witnesses. Rather than condemn her to death, the Chief Mage, Iannis ar’Sannin, chose to take her on as his apprentice, and now she struggles to balance her shifter and mage heritage.
Baine, Melantha: Sunaya’s cousin, and daughter to the Jaguar Clan’s Chieftain.
Baine, Mafiela: Chieftain of the Jaguar Clan and Sunaya’s aunt.
Baine, Rylan: one of Chieftain Baine’s least favored children, and Sunaya’s cousin. He is an active member of the Resistance.
Benefactor: the name the Resistance call their anonymous, principal source of financial support. According to Sunaya’s investigations, this mysterious criminal has many different irons in the fire.
Canalo: one of the fifty states making up the Northia Federation, located on the West Coast of the Northia Continent.
Chen, Lalia: the current Director of the Canalo Mages Guild in Solantha. She serves as deputy to Iannis ar’Sannin, the Chief Mage.
Chartis, Argon: former Director of the Canalo Mages Guild, dismissed by the Chief Mage for insubordination and attempts to undermine the Chief Mage’s authority.
Chieftain: a title used to distinguish the head of a shifter clan.
Canter: an elderly mage often manning the reception at Solantha Palace.