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Layala glanced around to make sure no one was in earshot. “Call off the pale one attacks. Send them back to the Void.”

The leather saddle creaked beneath him as he shifted his position. “And why would I do that?”

“They’re killing people.”

“Tell you what, I’ll get them in line when you tell me what I need to know? Deal?”

“I have no control over remembering anything. It could be months—years before then.”

He shrugged and leaned forward in the saddle.

Midnight started walking and Layala pulled back on the reins again. “If you want to be allies against a greater enemy, you can’t let them keep killing our people and destroying Palenor. And if you want to pass off as Thane’s cousin and not the Black Mage here in the castle, so every single elf here doesn’t try to kill you in your sleep or poison your drink then stop them. Please.” Her voice cracked on the last word, and she cringed internally.

“You know what doesn’t look good on you? Begging.” He turned away, and with a nudge from Hel, Midnight took off, kicking up bits of grass and dirt in his wake.

Out of breath, Piper stepped up beside Layala. She grabbed Layala by the shoulder and turned her. “Are you out of your mind? Why would you try to stop him from leaving? I thought he was going to hurt you, and it would be my fault for not protecting you better.”

“He stole my horse.”

“It’s a damn horse. It’s not worth putting yourself in danger like that.”

Layala shrugged Piper’s hand off her. “Thane sent you, didn’t he? I told him I’d be fine.”

“You know, you’re being a real jerk lately. You take no consideration of how any of us feel, namely me. And why wouldn’t you want your friend to go dress shopping with you, unless you are planning something else?”

Layala blew out a breath, tearing her gaze from Hel’s back. Thane must have gotten on Piper about not watching her closer. It wasn’t her fault an assassin got into the castle. “Sorry, Piper. I didn’t mean to take my frustrations out on you. And I know it was wrong of me to leave you the other night. Things have been hard for me lately and I’m not always in the best mindset. I’d love for you to come.”

“You better. I can’t presume to know what you’re going through, but I am here.” Piper started for the horse barns. “And don’t worry, we have other horses. Let’s go.”

“Piper, are you excited to buy a new dress? I thought you hated dressing up.”

She looked over her shoulder with a grin. “I like to look pretty sometimes too.”

“For a certain elf?” Layala teased.

“Hush.”

* * *

HEL

Hel followedthe golden shimmering line he cast to track the assassin. She couldn’t be far given that he heard the glass shatter during her escape. He inhaled deeply and caught her scent too. A quick nudge with his heels brought the horse into a gallop up the trail leading out of the Valley. She’d have been smarter to hide within the city among people where he’d have to be discreet.

The golden line and her scent led him to a small, wooded area with tall grass and widespread oak trees. He dropped to the ground. “Here kitty, kitty. Why don’t you come out and play?”

Bent grass and smears of blood led him further. A broken tree branch and matted down area showed a struggle. He smelled her before he saw her. Dragons could never be mistaken for anything else. They smelled like smoky mountains and this one in particular like lust. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted golden hair shimmering in the light cascading down between the trees. Varlett stepped into view holding onto what could only be the assassin; her face contorted with pain, one eye swollen, busted lip, and she arched her back. Only then did he realize Varlett had her talons dug into the woman’s spine.

“Look what I found,” Varlett said. “Naughty cat, trespassing where she doesn’t belong.”

Varlett’s scaled skin was black as pitch, glimmering in the daylight, and her golden eyes more reptilian than humanoid.

“Has she talked?” Hel asked.

“Not a word.” Varlett twisted her arm slightly and the cat shifter hissed. “Although we haven’t gotten to the fun yet. We were about to get started.”

Hel folded his arms and looked at the assassin up and down. Layala did a number on her face. Even if she wasn’t nearly as powerful as she once was, the elf was scrappy, he’d give her that. But this cat still came much too close to getting her mission accomplished. Had Layala been a less experienced fighter, it would be over—again. “Who’s with you? I know you didn’t come alone. They always send backups.”

She snarled in return.