Page 52 of The Malice of Moons and Mages (The Broken Bonds of Magic #1)

Fifty-Two

Traq

T raq picked at the black thread of his borrowed robe. He didn’t like how it looked against his skin. They’d erected the somber Moons’ tents outside the small village near the towering monastery. Beneath the black fabrics, they blended in with the dozen other campsites and soldiers, but that did nothing to ease his mind. He was finally in agreement with Durin. They shouldn’t be here.

He hated hiding beneath the colors of their enemies but, more than that, he hated relying on the intel of traitors. Xiang’s recent warmth was insincere, and Jayna fed them half-lies. They all knew it, but Durin seemed to like the Moon mage. Of course, he liked anyone who lent him half an ear.

The only thing they agreed on was that Lua must be dealt with. But how and what would happen to Audra were points of disagreement. She was nothing more than a pawn to everyone else. Expendable. A necessary loss.

Xiang insisted his Oja was working on a plan to hinder the Silence mages, and they’d have reinforcements when they entered the monastery.

They’d adjusted their schedules. Moon mages were nocturnal by nature and, other than the laborers, the commoners by tradition. They stayed up late, avoiding the moonslight, then secretly basked in Starling’s warmth.

Despite years of dedicated training, attuning to Starling had never come easy to Traq and the measly three stars he’d managed weakened in the cold north.

Using Jayna as cultural interpreter, Traq and Durin scouted the village and monastery’s exterior, leaving Xiang with Wren. They wouldn’t reveal Selene’s general until they needed to enter the monastery. But Jayna had other ideas for that.

Jayna wouldn’t talk about Xiang directly. Her loyalty to him outweighed her anger, and Traq could respect that.

According to the Moons, Lua would be most vulnerable during the eclipses, though they hadn’t explained why. Maybe they didn’t know or, more likely, they didn’t want to tell them.

Wren wasn’t foolish enough to trust the Moons, nor to sneak into their monastery without a plan of her own. While Xiang and Jayna still slumbered one afternoon, she called Durin and Traq together.

“If we can secure Audra, the Oji will come,” Wren said.

“And then?” Durin asked.

Wren’s mouth was a hard line as she stared at the fire, flames dancing in her eyes.

“She’ll kill her if he’s not cooperative,” Traq finished.

Durin sighed and rubbed his chin. “There must be another way. From what I’ve gathered, she’s a victim of circumstance. If we kill her, we’re no better than them. And it would give them even more justification for cutting us down. Then what would our Starling leaders have to do?”

“If you have a suggestion, I’d love to hear it.” Wren’s voice was heavy. “As it is, I’m regretting this entire enterprise and am especially sorry for dragging you along.”

Durin waved his hand dismissively. “I could have refused. You aren’t that intimidating, and I’m not as foolish as I like you to think. Plus, I’m the only one here who’s fought the Moons before. Their style differs from ours. Their mages are grouped the same way we are but don’t work together like us. We should strategize with that in mind.”

Wren’s hand rested on Durin’s forearm. “You could still leave. No one would think less of you if you took Liasa and headed south.”

“Shut it, Septra,” he said with a wink. “You won’t get rid of me that easily. I’ve still got some spells in these hands.” He looked at Traq. “Have we considered that Audra might help us?”

Wren huffed. “She’s more likely to have us killed.”

“Not if it’s an old friend,” Durin said.

Their attention settled on Traq. “It won’t work. The Oji will remember me from Oxton.”

“It’s possible to avoid him. I know the Silence protocols and routines. It’s not difficult to navigate the monastery.” Jayna drifted into view a few feet away. Xiang shadowed behind her. “And, believe me, I have no desire to run into him again. I began my training here. I know my way around.”

“You remember the layout?” Durin asked.

“Well enough. I can get in and out a few different ways,” she said. When Jayna caught Wren’s suspicious look, she shrugged. “I was sixteen. The inns in the village were a lot more fun than the monks and my studies.”

“He’ll kill you both if you're caught,” Durin said.

“Yes,” she said. “But it’s a risk I’m willing to take if you think Audra can be swayed.”

“It’s feasible,” Xiang said calmly. All eyes turned to him. “She hadn’t known who he was until the ruins.”

“She could have been lying,” Wren said.

“You didn’t see her face. Her reaction was genuine. If I were her, I’d be questioning everything,” Xiang said.

Traq would be entering a liger’s den with one of their own beside him. It could be a trap. Worry clouded Wren’s face as she stared at him. But, once caught, she looked away.

“And you’re sure you can avoid the Oji?” Wren asked.

Jayna nodded slowly. “It’s three days until the eclipse. He’ll be busy, and I doubt a Westerner would be allowed to attend the preparations. Even if she’s anchored to him, she’s still an outsider. She’s probably sequestered under guard. Meals being delivered. Almost everyone will be sleeping if we go in after Starling rise,” Jayna said. “We can blend in with the servants and have a message delivered with her first meal.”

“I think I know a way. Can you cook?” Traq asked. Tender memories of shared secrets with Audra tugged at him. He needed to get her away from the Moons, away from all of this or their years of hard work would be for nothing.

Jayna gave him a quizzical look and opened her mouth to reply, but Xiang cut her off.

“You said she’s been arrested before,” Xiang said. Traq nodded. “And she escaped custody?”

“Yes, several times. Audra hates being trapped.”

Wren eyed Traq. “Now she’s anchored to the future Rajav. Isolated, surrounded by enemies. This is a more elaborate jail than she’s been in before.”

They were quiet for a few minutes.

“How good is she?” Xiang asked. “Could she escape if she wanted to?”

Traq rubbed his hands together. He nodded slowly. “I don’t think there’s anywhere she couldn’t get out of if she put her mind to it. Either through manipulation or sheer stubbornness.”

“Then let’s challenge that. We can get a note to her with instructions on where to meet us,” Jayna said.

“If your relationship is as you’ve implied, seeing you may inspire her to join us,” Xiang said.

Traq kept his concerns to himself.

“What about the Oji?” Durin asked. “Won’t this be putting Audra in jeopardy?”

“He won’t hurt her,” Xiang stated. “I think he has feelings for her.”

Traq’s hands clenched until he caught Wren’s look. He’d rather try to rescue her but had to be realistic. If Audra was under the Oji’s power, they might all be doomed.

When he joined the Starlings, Audra had made it clear there’d be nothing more than friendship between them. He’d wasted years foolishly holding onto the notion that her opinion might change. He’d clung to the idea of her out of loneliness. But he doubted that he even knew her anymore, and letting the hope of her go felt like a deep breath. His gaze lingered on Wren’s slender fingers twirling the end of her braid.

She caught his eye and smiled. He was still a fool. Traq wanted someone like the mage sitting beside him. Lord Ijion might have Traq flayed at the first rumor of something between them, but the way Wren flirted with him like all she wanted was a small sign of interest in return gave him hope. Traq nodded to Jayna. “I’ll be ready when you are.”

“Two things,” Xiang said. “Don’t reveal too much unless she agrees to cooperate and remind her to wear the bloodstone.”

The Starlings exchanged a look. “Bloodstone?” Wren asked.

“She’ll know what it’s for.” Xiang turned and retreated into the tent, leaving Traq and the others glaring at his back.