Page 39

“Scarlett,” Cassius warned.

Scarlett waved her hand in dismissal, indicating she’d drop the subject, and set her fork down, finally full. Her mind wandered to magic. Sorin had said there was always a work around when it came to accessing magic in the mortal lands. She had begun to suspect as much. She had seen too many strange things these last few years to not at least entertain the idea.

“So how long are you going to hang the poor guy out to dry?” Cassius asked after a moment, the twinkle returning to his eyes.

“Until he can grow up,” she answered in annoyance. “Did you find her that night?”

Cassius’s face turned grim. “I did. Two have gone missing. She wants you to try to find a way to talk to Callan.”

“I can’t do that. She knows that,” Scarlett said coolly.

“I know, but she’s insistent.” He sighed. “She knows the risks.”

“I’ve only seen Callan in passing twice in the last year. It will not be a quick meeting if I find my way into the castle to see him.”

“I know, Scarlett. I’m just relaying the message. I told her you would come to her as soon as you could,” Cassius replied.

“I’ll go as soon as we’re done here.”

“Maybe you should take the rest of the day to—”

“Commander? What are you doing here?”

Scarlett and Cassius both started at the sound of the gruff voice. Lord Tyndell stood in the doorway, his body somehow filling the entire space.

Cassius shot to his feet and bowed. “My apologies, my Lord. I came to inquire about Miss Scarlett.I was here the night she fell ill, and I wanted to see how she was faring.”

Scarlett made to rise herself, but Lord Tyndell stopped her, his voice softening slightly. “Stay seated, my dear. You do appear to be feeling better?”

“Thank you, my Lord. I am, yes,” Scarlett answered, inclining her head.

“Tava informed me it was your usual ailment?”

“It was.”

“Ah. I am glad you are indeed doing well then. You will be at dinner this evening? I’ve rather missed your delightful dinner conversation.” His voice held amusement as he winked at her.

Scarlett felt herself flush slightly, and she laughed softly under her breath. “I shall be there, my Lord.”

“Good, good,” the Lord said. Then turning to Cassius, he added, “I am heading to the castle. Ride with me, and we can discuss a few things.”

“Of course, my Lord,” Cassius said. He turned his gaze to Scarlett and asked, “Do you need anything before I take leave?”

“I am fine, Commander. Thank you for coming by.”

“I hope you find what you’re looking for,” Cassius said. “Do not discount the most obvious resource.”

Scarlett waited until Lord Tyndell had turned to leave the room, then she threw Cassius a vulgar gesture. Cassius returned it lovingly, his shoulders shaking as he held in his laughter.

CHAPTER 13

SCARLETT

Once Lord Tyndell and Cassius were gone, Scarlett sent a messenger with a note to Nuri that she would meet her in an hour. Scarlett returned the now nearly empty tray of food to the kitchens and trudged upstairs to change. She was still tired, and the idea of sneaking off to the Black Syndicate sounded exhausting, but Nuri had to be biting people’s heads off with impatience by this point. She waited until the messenger returned to confirm that Nuri could indeed meet her, then she strode into her giant closet to change.

She tugged on black, fitted pants and a white top with a black jacket she buttoned up the front. She laced up her boots quickly and dropped to her knees to pry up the floorboard near the back of the closet. Pulling her weapons belt out, she strapped it low across her hips, sliding two daggers into it. She slid another dagger into her boot and strapped vambraces to her arms. You’d be a fool to go into the Black Syndicate unarmed.

After she’d braided back her hair, she slid two lethal silver hair pins into the plaits. Then she slung her cloak over her shoulders, pulling the hood up, and slipped out to the hallway and down the hall. At the end of it there was a study that was rarely used, and it was Scarlett’s preferred way to slip out of the manor.With preternatural quiet, she slid the window up. She waited until the two patrolling sentries rounded the corner, then climbed up the latticework in a few precise movements. She moved quickly across the roof to the back of the house, where a wood pile was always stocked. She leapt nimbly across the stacks of logs, landing with the grace of a cat, and crept along the wall where she slipped through the servants’ door without anyone the wiser.