Page 49 of In The Dark

“Your Majesty,” we say, bowing in unison.

“Isa, what’s the update?” he questions, amber eyes swiveling to me, and my stomach dips.

“We tracked our target to Sylvanor and quickly found him on the third night from a local lead. He was just outside of the town when Ren showed up and helped me finish the job. It was swift,” I say, dipping my chin.

Ren’s eyes flare as he glances my way as if he can’t believe I acknowledged his presence that night. But I need the king to know that I wasn’t alone, as long as Ren keeps to himselfabout what he thinks went on at the Silver Lily and Helga’s son.

I don’t think the king cares about how I finished the job, but if he thinks fraternizing was the reason I failed my mission, he may think otherwise. And I can’t risk it.

With my face forward, I mask my features—a king’s assassin trying to finish her mission. That’s all.

“How did you dispose of him?” Elion asks.

“I buried him myself, just outside of Sylvanor, so we were not searched for after,” I say.

“Ren, is this true?” he asks, stroking his beard.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ren says.

“Where was Ezra during this?” Elion shifts his attention to Ezra, who nervously shuffles his feet.

“I was following a trail when the target was found. Ren beat me to the scene,” Ezra explains.

The king grunts his understanding, looking out one of the windows before facing us again. A silent moment passes as he holds our gazes, as if he’s thinking.

“Ren can clearly follow through on missions nicely,” Elion says finally.

I refrain from furrowing my brows, stilling my features into neutrality, but my eyes flick to Ren.

Elion continues, “With this mission now complete, I’m placing Ren as captain of the Veiled Brotherhood. I need someone to give out targets for me as I am becoming quite busy with other… pressing matters. Matters that require my full attention, and with Ren being one of our most skilled and knowledgeable in the Brotherhood, he’s the best fit for the job. Ren will ensure that the Brotherhood remains swift and silent in their duties, and I expect no less than absolute obedience in his command. Any who question him, question me.”

Is this a joke? Most skilled? Now Iknowit’s a joke.

With a brief glance at the king, I half expect him to huff alaugh at his own words. But it doesn’t come, and I realize that he’s serious, because he’s always serious.

Captain of the Veiled Brotherhood?

Ren bows at the waist to King Elion, acknowledging his new position with a smug half smile on his face. Then he makes eye contact with me. A chill scurries down my spine at the look in his eyes, something unspoken shining beneath them.

Then my stomach sinks at the realization that finding my mother and the Siphon just became much harder.

After exiting the throne room with more questions, I’m striding back to my chambers, itching to bathe and sleep. Not getting any rest the last few days is finally catching up to me, deciding to process Ren becoming captain after I do that. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.

I turn the corner to my arched entryway, running into what feels like an invisible brick wall.

“Fates!” I rub my face, frantically soothing the pain. Rydian must be patiently waiting for my return in the middle of the doorway. How does he know where my chambers are?

Just then, he steps out of the Veil right in front of me and blocks the only entrance to my stairs. In a panic, I glance over my shoulder, ensuring no one has spotted him right outside the castle walls.

“What are you doing? I think you broke my nose.”

“Invite me in so we can start our search in the castle,” he says.

I sigh, barely containing my exasperation as I step around him. His large frame fills the entryway, the space suddenly feeling smaller. He slowly turns to follow my movement, blue eyes tracking me like a predator. I’m already positioning myselfwith my back to the doorway, taking one large step inside the stairwell.

A thin smile spreads across my face.

“Invite you in?” My voice feigns sincerity. “Not yet.”