Page 131 of First Offense

Zian looked him over. “Well, that shouldn’t be too hard to extract.”

The Noir’s eyes widened, his palms going up in front of him. “I-I won’t fight. I… I’ll tell you whatever you want.”

Layla stepped forward, her hand leaving my arm to lightly touch the other man’s shoulder. “We’re not going to hurt you.”

“We’re not?” Sorin asked, sounding dubious.

“No. We’re not,” she said more sternly. “He wasn’t among those who attacked Auric, and I have a lot of questions. Starting with the Noir in the human world. Ending with how he arrived here.”

“Or we could start with his name,” Raven suggested.

“Well, that might be useful, too,” Layla agreed, the two females apparently taking over. “What’s your name?” Her gentle voice went straight to my gut, that tone one I hadn’t heard her use in years. It held a touch of innocence and kindness, two aspects of her nature that had drowned under recent events. But seeing them now, I realized they still very much existed.

“Kyril, Your Highness,” he said, not meeting her gaze and continuing to bestow upon her the reverence due of her station.

I glanced at Novak again.This guy might be allowed to live, I told him with my eyes.

Novak dipped his chin in acknowledgment.

“Kyril,” she replied. “I’m Layla.”

“I know,” he whispered, his long blond hair falling forward to cover more of his cheekbones. “You’re why I’m here.”

“I am?” she asked, blinking. “Because the Reformer sent you?” A reasonable guess, considering Sayir had referred to the man as a gift.

He shook his head. “No. Not Sayir. Your parents.”

Her eyes widened. “To help with my reform?”

Novak and I shared yet another look. Why would her father send a Noir from the human world to help with her reform? And further,howdid he think this would help?

Kyril frowned. “Your reform, Your Highness?”

“Yes, did my father send you here to help with my reform?”

The male’s brow furrowed even more. “No. No, he sent me here to help you find him when you’re ready.”

Now all of us blinked at the male.

“Find him?” Layla repeated. “I… I don’t understand. Is he hiding?”

“Of course,” Kyril replied. “He’s been hiding since the plague. But he’s almost ready to rise again.”

“Plague?” Layla repeated, looking at us all for answers we didn’t have. “I don’t… I don’t understand. What plague? Is it recent? Is my father okay?” She started to panic as her words continued. “What’s happened? What plague?” She looked at me. “Is that why he’s not come for me here? Is he ill?”

“The Stygian Plague, Your Highness,” the male said, his unease apparent. “And he sent me here to help you find him.”

“I don’t… I don’t understand.” She released the male, her gaze radiating confusion as she glanced from me to Novak.

But Novak appeared to be considering the male’s words, his gaze flashing with some sort of understanding. “Who’s her father?”

“King Vasilios, of course,” the male replied. “The last of the Noir dynasty.” He finally looked at Layla, his expression one of pride. “Princess, I’m here to guide you home. To His Majesty and the queen. To your parents.”

Silence followed that announcement.

Sayir’s note glared up at me from the box in my hand.

I’m sure Layla’s parents will be thrilled…