How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days (The Embraced #1)

“And I’ll help you find that damned witch,” Nevis declared.

“It’s not that easy.” Brody gave them a tired smile as he picked up his fork. “But I appreciate the offer.”

“I just have one question.” Nevis leaned forward. “Did you really chew my favorite boots?”

“No. They stink.”

“They do not.” Nevis huffed. “So, are you saying my boots aren’t good enough for you?”

“Enough,” Leo said. “Did you find anything in the barracks?”

“Some weapons,” Nevis replied, “but you have to expect that with soldiers.” With a wince, he removed a folded paper from his vest and dropped it on Leo’s desk. “This was in Captain Bougaire’s room. A letter from the Lady of Vindalyn.”

Leo’s hands clenched. Dammit. “You were supposed to find information about the assassins, not…” Proof she’s having an affair. He didn’t want to believe it. Didn’t want her to love anyone else. Not when he needed her.

“She doesn’t care for him,” Brody said softly. “I’m certain of it.”

Leo took a deep breath. Why was Brody so quick to defend her? “I don’t think her bedchamber is secure enough.”

“Really?” Brody ate more roast beef. “Her guard and I have been watching the door.”

“Yes, but did you know there’s a second door that leads to her maid’s room and another hallway? And two large windows that are easily accessible from outside. Are the duke’s chambers similar?”

“His rooms are on the east wing next to the library,” Nevis answered. “There are several entrances, but I’ll make sure each one has two guards. And I’ll ask the duke if he wants his daughter moved to another location. Where do you suggest?”

Leo refilled his goblet. “One of the towers would be best.”

“Did you find anything on the priests?” Brody asked.

Leo repeated what he’d told Nevis earlier. “I think Father Rune is one of the assassins. What have you learned?”

Brody paused, then gulped down some wine. “I’m still trying to figure it out.”

“Figure what?” Leo asked.

Brody shrugged, then took another long drink.

Leo narrowed his eyes.

“I knew it,” Nevis muttered. “She had a secret meeting with her lover.” He glanced at Leo. “No offense.”

“She did not!” Brody slammed his empty goblet down. “She doesn’t even like him. She was cringing when he accosted her on the stairs.”

“He what?” Leo jumped to his feet.

“Nothing happened,” Brody insisted. “And it was clear she wanted nothing to do with him.”

Leo sat back down. Then she wasn’t having an affair?

“But what about this love letter?” Nevis pointed at the paper on the desk. “It’s from the Lady of Vindalyn.”

Brody hesitated, then mumbled, “Then it’s one more strange thing that doesn’t make sense.”

“What’s not making sense?” Leo asked.

Brody shrugged and quickly finished his dinner.

Leo tapped a finger on the desk. His spy wasn’t telling him everything. “Nevis, take his tray back.”

“Huh?” Nevis looked confused.

Leo gave him a pointed look. “Take his tray. I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell Edmund I won’t need him again tonight.”

“Oh.” Nevis picked up the tray, slanting a wary glance at Brody. “All right. Good night.” He wandered from the tent.

With a grimace, Brody refilled his goblet.

Leo frowned at him. “What are you not telling me?”

“I’d rather not say—I mean, she seems to be keeping it a secret, so I thought I should honor—”

“So you’re loyal to her now? Do I need to remind you that you work for me?”

Brody flashed him an annoyed look.

Leo tensed. “Are you … attracted to her?”

“No!” Brody closed his eyes briefly. “Yes, but not the way you think. She has a kind heart that reminds me of my younger sister.”

Leo exhaled with relief. “I didn’t know you had a sister.”

“I haven’t seen my family in years.” Brody gazed sadly across the tent, seemingly lost in thought.

“So you feel a need to protect Lady Tatiana.”

Brody visibly shook himself. “I’m following orders. You told me to protect her.”

“Not from me! I would never harm her.” Leo winced. “On purpose.” Dammit. He was the most likely person to cause her harm.

“I know that.” Brody gave him a wry look. “I actually think she’ll be good for you.”

“Then talk.”

“Fine. But I’m warning you. It’s … strange.”

“She’s my betrothed. I’ll decide what’s strange.”

Brody ran a finger around the rim of his goblet. “At first I feared she might be insane.”

“What?”

“Then I thought she might be a witch. But she’s too kindhearted to be a bad witch.”

“What?”

“Then I realized it must be a gift. A secret gift.”

Leo leaned forward. “What, dammit? Spit it out!”

“Fine! She … talks to people who aren’t there.”

“Aren’t where?”

“Here. As in … dead.”

Leo blinked. “She’s talking to dead people? Are you sure? I mean, perhaps she was talking to you. Or herself. Sometimes I talk to myself. That’s not strange.”

“This was strange. As far as I could tell, she was talking to a boy who died in a kitchen fire ten years ago.”

“Damn.”

“And then she ran up to a tower room and talked to someone else who wasn’t there.” Brody ran a hand through his shaggy black hair. “I could only hear half of the conversation, but she seemed eager to talk to her mother.”

Leo grimaced. “Lady Tatiana’s mother is dead.”

“Exactly.”

Leo shook his head. “This is crazy.”

Brody scoffed. “I’m stuck as a dog for most of my life. You shoot lightning from your freaking fingers. We’re not exactly in a position to judge what’s crazy.”

“We can’t help it. We’re Embra—” With a quick intake of air, Leo sat back. “Holy shit. She’s Embraced.”