Page 128 of The Dark Mage

She tossed the key to Fael in the dining area, making a ridiculous face as she pretended to sniffhim.

Zev’s mouth twitched.Fael rolled his eyes, patting her backside as he passed.

She sat with Zev, recounting their travels as Fael wandered upstairs.Esrin returned soon after, and Zev left to connect with some friends in the city.Spies, Ren’wyn understood.Zev would be speaking to people he had worked with before, exchanging information for their secrets.It was a dangerous game, but one Zev played with skill.He had told her previously that he always made slight but noticeable changes to his appearance to prevent capture.

Esrin told her how Lia, Ohn, and Avonlee had settled into their new home.He was so clearly proud of them, his voice warm and affectionate.

“That boy is going to be spoiled,” Esrin said, laughing.

Ren’wyn warmed at the thought of their small family’s happiness.

“I hope so,” she said.“I hope they all are, surrounded by each other’slove.”

Fael rejoined them, and the three of them drank and ate supper in the cozy dining hall.They chatted and relaxed until Zev returned an hour later.

His anxious energy slid over them, a pulse of his hollow aura making Ren’wyn shiver.

What had he learned?

Zev downed a glass of water.

“There is news from one of my friends,” he said, his voice dropping slightly.“I’ve made some adjustments and sent our friends back to Lia and Avonlee.We’re leaving before the sun rises, along with the first group of fishing boats.”

They all tensed.

These were significant changes made without discussion, which could only mean something serious had happened.

Ren’wyn looked curiously at the men, whose expressions grew horrified as Zev finished.

“Lissea is inRiva.”

35

“Lissea?”Ren’wyn asked quietly, careful not to let her words carry.“Who is that?”

Dark shadows clung to Fael and Zev’s faces.

Esrin hissed, “She’s a damned war queen, that’s what she is, Ren’wyn.She captures people with magic andplayswith them.I use that word loosely because what she actually does is subject them to whatever her dark heart fancies.The emperor, at least, offers execution—a swift death.Lissealikesto make things last.Or she turns her captives, securing their powers for her ownuse.”

Zev continued as Ren’wyn’s eyes widened.“Lissea is dangerous, Ren’wyn, and those she turns are the ones who bring her new victims.She’s a despicable human being with no allegiance but to herself and her own desires.”

Ren’wyn’s breath caught in her throat.

“She’s in Riva?Why?”she asked.

“My intel didn’t say,” Zev admitted, “but I suspect she visits to enjoy the lawlessness of the city.She probably has a number of profitable holdings here—pirate bands, smugglers, bandits.”

“So what the hell do we do now?”Esrin demanded.His face had gone pale.Ren’wyn had never seen him look this distressed.“We’re the perfect target, and her informants are likely all over thecity.”

Zev leaned back and drained his tumbler of whiskey.“We get out as fast as we can.We leave for Anduan at the break ofday.”

“Letting our friends know was wise, Zev,” Fael remarked.“We should pack and try to stay out of sight for the evening.”

Esrin threw back his whiskey, while Fael stared into his mug of beer.Ren’wyn wished she had more wine.She wished she had three more glasses.

Fael glanced at her, catching the tension in her face, and offered a small, worried smile before snagging the next passing barmaid.

“Could you bring a bottle of white?”he asked, his voice smooth as sunlight breaking through storm clouds.