Sephania
Turns out Skartoviuscan’tmake himself useful and shadowwalk us to the cock bar. Not because of his power, but because of its mysterious location to him. He needs to know the spot where he’s sending us—it must be attuned with his memory and mind.
In fact, he can’t bring us anywhere in southern Nuhav because of his lack of proximity and knowledge of the locations. Not even the Firehold and the Grimsons, since he never got the chance to bring us there after his mother Alacine thwarted his portal.
My group is stuck with walking.
It’s not that I mind the exercise or the brisk nighttime stroll through town. It’s that danger lurks around every corner these days—doubly so with a target on our backs courtesy of Overlord Aramastun—and I don’t much enjoy the prospect of sneaking hours off the mountain to get to Kep’s place of business so I can find my mother.
Conversely, I can’t just go changing my mind after I waded through this shit-swamp to get here, and fought off Skar’s angry scowls at every turn. I made a firm decision and have to stick with it, or I’ll lose clout and authority with my men.
I’m relegated to losing this technical detail in my inner war of wills with Skartovius Ashfen, and I leave the abandoned rebel hovel with Garroway and Vallan and a final look from Skar that’s arrogant, smirking, and stupidly fucking smoldering.This devilish prick always wins, even when he loses, doesn’t he?
We don’t have our illustrious carriage because it’s now property of Overlord Aramastun Wyvox, stationed at Manor Marquin. We sneak out of the “abandoned” tavern full of Gilded Ghosts and make our way south through the Commerce Ward.
Our eyes are turrets looking out for any danger that may come to us. Luckily, because Liolen Sesk’s ward is the financial center of Olhav, it means there’s not much riffraff cruising the streets. Unluckily, it also means there’s a larger presence of guards and hired mercenaries roaming around than, say, the Faith Ward, which no one who isn’t mad ever goes into.
Overliege Liolen keeps the guards and soldiers here under their employ—since they have the coin to do it—rather than relying on soldiers from the Military Ward or Aramastun’s law-and-order Judgment Ward to keep their roads clean.
“Maybe we should have met with Liolen before going on this expedition,” I say out the side of my mouth as we round a street corner and find an alley between buildings to duck into. “Could have given us the go-ahead to move through their town while we’re fugitives.”
“We don’t know which side of the fight they’re on,” Garroway points out. His fingers itch near his hips at all times, ready to pull his daggers at a moment’s notice. “What if they gave us the do-not-go-ahead?”
Vallan murmurs, “Zefyra is a spy for Liolen, infiltrating Aramastun Wyvox’s army. That gives us some insight as to Liolen’s allegiances.”
Garroway snorts and smacks Vallan on the ass, which earns him a bearded scowl. “Quite right, my overly big friend. Not the insight you think, however, you ask me.”
I nod along, adding, “Overliege Liolen is likely loyal to two things: money and self-preservation. They won’t help us out of the goodness of their heart.”
The hue of this district is flamboyant and bright—emerald, ruby, and sapphire magicked light set in the lanterns and lampposts at every corner. It gives it a livelier tone than the city, even though it’s always a bit conspicuously vacant here. As if there’s something the noblebloods and rich folk of the Commerce Ward would rather be doing with their time than roaming the streets like urchins.
Garroway’s bald head shines green as he passes under a wall sconce, and he raises a brow at me. “Is that why you sent Lukain and Master Skar to go see Liolen? Because you’re expecting trouble with the overliege?”
Not trouble with Liolen . . . trouble with each other.I swallow hard, clearing a lump in my throat. “No. They have Zefyra as an escort. She can vouch—”
“We can’t put too much trust in a vampiress we haven’t seen in a year,” Vallan interjects with a firm grunt. His stoic frame takes up the next light down the damp alley, bathing him in orange before darkness covers him once more as he passes under the lamp. “Just because the abandoned tavern wasn’t a trap doesn’t mean Liolen’s tower won’t be.”
Especially since you killed Zefyra’s lover ages ago. Which, honestly, is another reason I sent Lukain with Skartovius instead of you, Vall. Hard memories die hard deaths.Goosebumps ride my arms. He’s not wrong about me putting too much trust in someone we hardly know anymore.
And yet, Idotrust Sister Zefyra. Just not for the reason Vallan thinks. “It’s not her, love. It’s the Gilded Ghosts. You saw the interfolk miners, destitute and dirtied, outcast and forgotten. Scared. Angry. They’re tired of it. I don’t trust my old friend as much as I trust the pragmatism of people who are sick of the Three Ministries’ shit.”
Vallan nods solemnly. “Wisely said, silverblood.”
Garroway scoots up on my other side, putting me in the middle of my sturdy mates. “Is that why you sent Palacia with them, also? To, er, sweeten the pot, as it were, when they speak to Liolen?”
I reel, stumbling over my own feet. “If you’re assuming something promiscuous—”
He waves his hands wildly. “No, no, lass. I only meant Palacia is one oftheirkind. A halfkeeper like Liolen.”
My cheeks warm as I recall that tenuous situation in the cave I shared with a bored Palacia while the others slept. “It might have crossed my mind that having an interfolk vampire on our side isn’t the worst thing when speaking to another interfolk vampire.”
Mind wandering, I bite my lip. The biting turns to chewing, and eventually my lip is raw enough I taste blood. “Let’s focus on our own mission, aye? I don’t want to fail and look like an idiot for splitting up our party.”
My mates say nothing. I know what they’re thinking because I know them:If the boot fits,and,Why split the party, then?
I don’t want to tell them about Skartovius’ lies to Lukain. Not yet. I’dlikefor Skar to hash things out with his half-brother while he’s on his quest, and then come to us and we can unify together like one big happy family.
I know things are never that easy.