Page 30 of The Storm of the Empire (Flyers Of The First Kingdom #3)

TWENTY-NINE

HAZEL

“ W ho is that?” I asked, glancing from Luka to the fae who had his attention. He wasn’t one of the priests, but he had an air of belonging, and he walked with two priests towards the temple stairs.

“His name is Kalon, and he’s in charge of the supply of Dragon’s Bane within the kingdoms. He is who we answered to when I was working in the supply chain.”

If that was true, this fae had a hand in many deaths, including the one we thought Kol had suffered. Yet something in Luka’s voice told me this fae’s influence still had a hold over him. Like he was someone to be feared—or worse, respected.

“So he will recognize you if we go in?”

“Yes,” he said, still unable to look away. “But we can use it.”

Once the male, Kalon, and his priest companions went inside the temple, Luka stood from his crouch. “Come on.” He made to leave the trees.

“Wait!” I hissed. “What is the plan?”

“We go in and act like we are there to worship and see what we can figure out.”

“And if you’re recognized? Who do we say I am?” He hadn’t thought this through.

“If they recognize me, keep your distance and continue to be a worshipper. If they don’t know we are connected, you’ll be fine.”

I had a sick feeling he was wrong, but what choice did we have? We were here to find some answers.

Luka stepped out of the tree line. “Just keep to yourself and observe. If we are separated, meet me back where we landed.”

I sent up a prayer to the Goddess as we crossed onto temple ground and tried to look like I was supposed to be there.

Luka went through the entrance, to the temple first, leaving me to drift in after him. He went off to the left, moving with purpose, and I wondered if he was looking for a set of robes he could appropriate to blend in better. I walked straight to the central statue of the Goddess and lit a candle as I would in any temple, allowing Luka time to find robes and become the priest in his repertoire.

The male Luka knew spoke in hushed tones with the two priests near the entrance. I hoped Luka was ready to perform because he was going to be recognized in this small temple. I just had to have faith he could Luka his way out of it.

But when he re-emerged from the side room he’d been in, he hadn’t found robes. He remained dressed in his leathers and stepped right out into the temple like he hadn’t a care. He walked with purpose and bowed his head to the male like an old friend.

“Kalon. It’s good to see you,” he said reverently.

“It’s been some time.” Kalon’s gristly voice came clear as day to my dragon ears

“That it has, sir. I trust you are well.” Luka straightened, nodding in greeting to the other priests and looking as easy as any male with his friends. He’d had more fear of the storms here than the murderer before him.

“Very well. To what do I owe the pleasure? Are you here with a shipment?” Kalon glanced around, like he was trying to remember something.

“We delivered the eggs a few days ago. I’m sure you got them,” he said as easily as he said good morning.

My blood ran cold.

“Right…but you did not leave with the ship?”

“No, we’re waiting for the next. We have time to spare. I hope you don’t mind. It thought I would see the work you are doing up here.” Luka looked him right in the eyes, not an ounce of fear.

Kalon leered at him, not responding for a long moment. “Not at all.” He sounded too nice. Too pleased with Luka. It turned my stomach. He hesitated, then turned back to Luka. “‘You know, if you want to change your scenery, there is always a place for you here.”

“Is there?” Luka didn’t act surprised.

“Yes. I’d love to steal a fae like you away. I’ve seen how hard you work, and I’m sure you are destined for greater things.”

“Greater things?” Luka asked with interest, and it made me shudder.

“Indeed. There are many opportunities within the cause for the right fae.”

“That sounds interesting. How long is the offer good for?” Luka leaned in, dropping his voice. Did he not want me to hear?

“Indefinitely. I could use you, and I can assure you this will be a lot more exciting than waiting around on ships and in temples, going where you’re told. You have the brains for it. Come find me when you decide you want more.”

“I will do that.”

I didn’t know how he could be so friendly with a male who was responsible for the death of at least two flights and so many fae.

I trembled with rage.

Was I just fooling myself and Luka was really in on this? How could he be so well-known to the higher ups if he only made deliveries? And were the priests really working for this cause? They had to be, I reminded myself. It was them stealing the eggs, and now Luka was standing around chatting with them, like old friends. I wanted to flee, but how could I? Even if I left alone, I could never convince Nyx and Zaria that Luka was in on this.

My world felt like it was closing in on me, and I needed to fight back. I needed a plan to take Kalon down. He was right in front of me, and he was vulnerable. I wouldn’t leave him or his undead to escape again. Not like Damona Island. I had to do this myself.

Kalon excused himself and took a door through to a passageway within the temple wall. Luka waited, wandering around the sanctuary until he reached the sacrifice of the Goddess’ garden where I was positioned. He took a seat a little distance away from me.

“Did you hear that?”

I nodded slowly, trying to assess how deep he was in all of this. “I heard. Did he really offer you a job?”

“Yes,” he said breathlessly.

“What are you going to do?”

“He knew about the eggs. He either knows about Kerani and knows that’s where they went, or he has them somewhere. That might include Alora’s egg. I want to stay so I can figure it out.”

I fought back emotion, refusing to have any outward reaction. “I knew you would.”

“I don’t expect you to stay. You can go to Nyx and Jaxus. But I know I’m meant to stay.” He seemed so genuine.

I hated myself for doubting him.

“I’m staying, too,” I told him.

“What?” Had he really expected me to leave?

“I’m not leaving. I’m staying to find Alora’s egg, and I’m not leaving you alone again. If you think we should stay, we’re staying.” I wasn’t entirely sure if I was staying because I trusted him or because I doubted him, and it all felt like a betrayal to myself and my kingdom, but I would see this through.

Live or die,I was seeing this through to the end.

Luka held out his hand for mine.

I hesitated, then put mine in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“Don’t make me regret it,”I implored.

“I won’t.” He stood, helping me to my feet. “Let’s follow Kalon, see what we can find. If we get caught, I’ll ask him more about the job to distract him while you leave.”

I nodded, my stomach churning, but I checked my weapons belt and steeled myself for whatever was to come.

We used the same door Kalon had taken and found stairs leading under the temple. There was a network of chambers down there, some filled with supplies while others stood empty waiting for whatever illicit things they were involved in moving. We came upon a set of doors with barred hatches in them, and a shiver worked its way down my spine. I listened, and there were no signs of life beyond, but knowing what we now knew about their prisoners, I pictured Kol in a place like this and wanted to burn it all to the ground.

Luka reached for my hand and squeezed, understanding where my thoughts had gone.

“It’s empty,” I told him, and he nodded in understanding.

We heard voices raised from the end of the corridor to our right and both froze, listening. Someone was unhappy and was venting their anger on another. It was like how the King had bellowed at Nyx after the raid. We crept down the corridor, getting closer to see what was happening, and when we peered into the chamber, we saw a ghost.

I blinked, trying to clear whatever was fooling my eyes because I could not be looking at Octavian, yelling at Kalon. It simply wasn’t possible.

He didn’t look right. It was clearly Octavian but an almost ghoulish version of him.

“Is that—” Luka started to whisper, but I turned and pressed my finger to my lips in warning. Octavian was a dragon, and he might hear.

I flashed my eyes to Luka and tipped my head back the way we came, and we both moved, putting as much space between us and the ghost as possible so that we could process what we’d seen.

We tucked ourselves inside one of the storerooms, both breathing hard, and gaped at each other.

“What did we just see?” Luka whispered, wide eyed.

“Octavian’s ghost,” I replied, feeling light headed.

“That isn’t possible.”

“That doesn’t mean it isn’t true,” I hissed. “How is he here?”

“I don’t understand. They burned him with dragon fire—I saw them light the pyre.” Luka muttered, half to himself. “How can this be?”

“I don’t know, but it changes everything.” I insisted. “We have to get out of here!”