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“And what can be done?” Samuel asked, his voice small. He seemed to be curling in on himself, and Shan had to hold herself back from comforting him.

The King looked down, seemingly unable to meet their gaze—their judgement. It was a well-played move, and Shan couldn’t have done it any better herself. Watching him was like a masterclass in manipulation, an example of what she could be with enough time and practice.

Though she would never have just as much time or practice as one who was Eternal.

“Horrible things,” the King said at last. “All Blood Workers are born with a certain amount of power—some with more, some with less. But you can change that, take power from one person and transfer it to another. To turn Unblooded into Blood Workers, to turn Blood Workers into Unblooded. It’s not that different, in theory, from what I do annually.” He turned back to them, and despite the youthfulness of his features there was an unfathomable, ancient weight in his eyes. “And that’s not even getting into the kind of experiments that created your gift, Samuel. There are so many more avenues to explore, but I don’t know if what we’d create would be human in the end.”

Shan looked down at Samuel, his head hung low and his hands twisting in his lap. There was a fear in him, she could taste it, and that gnawing emotion was crawling its way back into her heart.

She didn’t look up as she said, “Yes. You have my aid.”

There were so many reasons to assist him. This kind of knowledge, this kind of power, was dangerous, too dangerous to let out into the world. It would be an excellent opportunity to prove herself. And, of course, the simple thrill she would get from a job well done.

But as much as she loathed to admit it, the reason she had been so quick to agree was the pain of the man sitting in front of her.

“What do you want of me?” Samuel asked, taking extreme care with his words.

“That thing you just did with me?” the King said. “That is how you can be the most helpful. You have a gift—no, no, don’t give me that look. I know you find it uncomfortable, but it is a boon we cannot ignore in a time like this.”

“Please,” Samuel whispered. “Do not ask that of me.”

“But I am,” the King said. “Because we do not have any other choice. We’re talking the safety of our nation, of our people. I will help you, Samuel, but I need this in return.”

Shan almost smiled, impressed by the way he played his hand. Quid pro quo, tit for tat. And all in the name of goodness and honor.

She wasn’t surprised when Samuel sighed. “All right.”

The King relaxed. “Good. Lady LeClaire, I’ll have all the information I have sent to you—everything the Guard has found, everything my spies know. And, Samuel, we have work to do. We need to take this gift of yours in hand. Do either of you have any questions?”

“Can I see the bodies?” Shan asked, wrapping her claws around the back of Samuel’s chair. She felt him tense, but the King just looked up at her with an arched eyebrow. “I want to examine them magically.”

The King shrugged. “We can arrange that.” He leaned back in his chair. “Anything else?”

“What about the Royal Blood Worker? Does he know?” Samuel asked.

“He knows about the murders, of course,” the King admitted. “He is aiding in the official investigation, but he does not know about you two.”

“Why aren’t we helping him?”

“Because Isaac—” The King glanced at her, and Shan caught herself. “Because Sir de la Cruz is just as much of a suspect, more so than anyone else.”

“Listen to her, Samuel,” the King said. “Lady LeClaire knows what she is talking about. Sir de la Cruz has a thirst for knowledge unlike any I have seen in centuries—it was a large part of why I chose him as my aide. I do trust him, and I want to believe that he is loyal to the crown, but we cannot discount anything. There is a traitor in Aeravin, and you two will find them.”

“I see,” Samuel said, though it was clear he did not.

Shan rested her hand on his shoulder, pressing the tips of her claws into his flesh as a warning. “Do not worry, I’ll be sure to catch you up on everything. The politics, the magic.”

The King’s smile turned lazy, almost predatory. “Good. And you’d best get started. Tomorrow de la Cruz is having his annual ball to open the Season, and Samuel—you’ll be there. The time for hiding is over. Dameral should know that another Aberforth walks in their midst.”

“I see,” Samuel said, and the King dismissed Shan with a flick of his hand.

“Now go, Lady LeClaire. The next time I see you, I hope you will have something good to report.” He turned his gaze upon Samuel. “I have a few things to discuss with Lord Aberforth.”

Chapter Fifteen

Samuel

Samuel was instructed to go to the Royal Library immediately following their meeting. Though he was unable to see to such matters personally, the King assured him that his Royal Blood Worker would be able to prepare him adequately for the ball the next day. And besides, it would do him well to get to know the man—he was one of the many suspects in the court, after all.