“How did you find us?” Yelena asked him.
He ducked under a low-hanging branch. “By doing the same thing you were, love—watching the road from Owl’s Hill.” When Yelena had stepped from the woods to talk to Cahil’s scouts, Valek thought she was an illusion or a hallucination, as he hadn’t slept much since he’d seen the new security measures at the Citadel’s gate. He feared the worst after he’d gotten a closer look and knew there was no way to enter without getting caught.
Not at that time. However, if Cahil remained Theobroma-free and was still willing to help, by this time tomorrow they’d be in the Citadel. If not... Best to worry about that later.
* * *
Cahil had rented the top story of the Cloverleaf Inn. Watching the windows of the inn, Valek waited in the shadows near the stable. Yelena had stayed with their horses just outside the small town. Not without protesting, but Valek needed to ensure Cahil remained an ally before he risked her and the baby. Besides, scaling walls and sneaking into rooms late at night was his forte.
Once all the lanterns in the suite had been extinguished for a couple hours, Valek climbed the side of the building until he reached a window to one of the bedrooms. He unlocked it and slid it open. As he eased into the room, light from the half moon shone through a layer of thin clouds, giving him just enough illumination to see Cahil wasn’t one of the two sleeping men. Two more people slept on the couches in the living area. No one stood watch. Good for Valek, but a misstep for Cahil. Valek checked the next room. Cahil was alone—another blunder. Too bad they were allies, or he’d give in to the temptation to permanently take care of a big problem called Cahil.
Instead, he stood next to the bed and cleared his throat. Cahil surged awake with a knife in his hand. Impressive.
“Relax,” Valek whispered as Cahil scrambled to his feet.
“Who’s there?” Cahil demanded, thrusting the blade forward.
Valek sidestepped and pulled the hood of his sneak suit down. But he kept his weight on the balls of his feet, just in case. If Cahil had reverted back to being Bruns’s lackey, the young man would likely yell for help.
Cahil kept his guard up. “What are you doing here?”
“No hello for your comrade-in-arms?”
“Let’s not pretend we like each other. What do you want?”
“Why are you returning to the Citadel?” Valek asked.
“Orders from Bruns. He didn’t specify a reason.”
“Does he suspect you’re involved with us?”
“Not that I can tell. But with Bruns, you never know for sure.” Cahil shrugged, trying to maintain a relaxed attitude about Bruns discovering his deception, but the stiff line of his shoulders said otherwise.
“Tomorrow, when you arrive at the Citadel’s gate, will the guards inspect each of the members of your crew or just let you in as a group?”
Cahil lowered his weapon. “Unless they have a reason to be suspicious, they’ll just wave us through.”
“Will they notice if you have two more?”
“Two? You and...?”
“Yelena.”
Cahil cursed. “If they recognize either of you—”
“They won’t.”
“Why do you want to get inside? You no longer have allies there. The Beggar King and his minions have been arrested. You can’t free them.”
“No?” Valek kept his expression neutral, despite the confirmation that Fisk had been captured. He wondered who’d tipped the Cartel off.
“All right, you and Yelena probably can. I’ve seen you two do some impossible things. In fact, it’s better if I don’t know your plans. But if you get caught, my involvement will be exposed, and I’ll no longer be able to help you or myself.”
“We know the risks.”
“Fine. What do you need from me?”
“A couple uniforms for me and Yelena. And tell your men that we’ll be joining you.”
“Done.” Cahil strode into the living area and woke his crew.
Valek tolerated a number of sour looks and low grumbles. It wasn’t his fault that they didn’t have the training to detect an assassin slipping into their rooms late at night. Despite their mood, they dug into their packs for tunics and pants that would fit Valek and Yelena.
Valek dropped the bundle of clothing out the window before he straddled the sill. “Cahil, may I make a suggestion?”
An instant wariness touched his pale blue eyes. “Go ahead.”
“Set a watch schedule. Have two guards awake at all times, and don’t sleep alone.”
“Why? I’m allied with both sides.”
“But you’re not friends with the Commander. He has other assassins working for him.”
“You said it would be a subtle takeover. No war.”
“The Commander took over Ixia by assassinating key people in power. In other words, those people who might object to the new regime and had the resources to cause problems. People like the Sitian Councilors and the general of the Sitian army. Besides, it never hurts to be extra-vigilant.”
“Noted.”
Valek gave him a mock salute and climbed out the window. He doubted Cahil’s security would stop a trained assassin, but at least it might slow the person down. Scooping up the bundle, Valek hurried back to where Yelena waited.
She had built a small fire. His comments to Cahil about being prudent rose to mind, but not many assassins could slip past Kiki. Valek paused before his wife noticed him. Over the twenty-five days since they’d been apart, the angles of her beautiful face had softened, while her skin and hair shone. All due to her pregnancy. She might not be showing yet, but to a careful observer, the signs were there.
“Stop skulking about in the woods and come tell me what Cahil said,” Yelena called.
He strode into the firelight. “How did you know?”
“Kiki. She raised her head as if she heard something, then relaxed.” Yelena pointed to the clothing. “I take it you were successful.”
Valek filled her in. “We only have a couple hours to get ready. I’ll do your disguise first, and then you can nap while I work on mine.” He pulled supplies from his saddle bags. Holding up a pair of scissors, Valek tested the edge of the blades for sharpness.
Yelena made a small huh sound and crinkled her nose.
“Sorry, love—the women in Cahil’s group all have shorter hair. But with some artful braiding, I can make it appear even shorter without having to cut off as much.”
“Not that.” She grabbed his hand, pulled up the bottom of her tunic and pressed his palm to her stomach.
“What—”
“Just wait.”
The warmth from her body soaked into his skin. He wished they had time for a proper reacquaintance. Perhaps just a nibble on her earlobe. Valek leaned closer, but without warning, a sensation brushed along his fingers. He drew back and met Yelena’s gaze. Tender delight shone in her eyes. The light touch repeated, and understanding hit him. Hard. His lungs constricted as if he’d been sucker-punched.
“The baby?” he asked the obvious in a whisper. All he could manage.
“No. Bad indigestion from Janco’s cooking,” she teased. “Of course it’s the baby.”
He knew that, so why did the ground soften beneath his feet and the world tilt and spin around him? Because now the baby was tangible. Not just a concept or a belief. Real. Excitement mixed with fear, and the desire to protect crashed through him like a burning hot wave. He staggered to his knees under the weight.
Confused, Yelena held his hand. “What’s wrong?”
“You can’t go,” he said.
She stilled. “What do you mean?”
“Tomorrow. It’s too dangerous. Let me and Onora—”
Yelena knelt next to him. “You’re overre
acting. Besides, you argued for it. Remember?”
“Our baby changed my mind.”
She grasped both his hands in hers. “You need me. If any of Fisk’s members escaped, they won’t talk to you or Onora. Zitora also won’t trust either of you. And the library in the Keep may not allow you to view Master Magician Ellis Moon’s notes.”
Her words were all logical. Once inside the Citadel, the risk of capture diminished. Yet the sick fear gripping his insides with its sharp claws refused to let go.
In a softer tone, she said, “There will be no family for us if Bruns wins.”
Another valid point.
“And fate might smile on us, and we’ll find a weakness that we can exploit, or better yet, that you can use to assassinate Bruns.”
Valek’s calm detachment returned, cooling his inner turmoil and solidifying his determination to see this through to the bitter end. “You’d let me assassinate Bruns?”
“Oh, yes.”
“What about the rest of the Cartel?”
“No. They’re pawns.”
Pity. “Owen?”
“Yes with a capital Y.”
Something to look forward to. “How about Cahil?”
“No.”
“What if I say please?”
“Still no.”
“How about pretty please?”
“Valek.” Her tone warned him to stop. She picked up the scissors he’d dropped, wiped off the dirt and handed them to him. “Time to get to work.”
* * *
In the early morning half light, they waited in the woods along the road to the Citadel. Both wore the uniforms Cahil had provided. Valek’s nose itched under the putty that hadn’t had time to harden completely. He’d finished Yelena’s first, then worked on his own before tending to the horses. After covering Kiki’s white patch with a copper color that matched her coat, Valek had darkened her mane and tail. For Onyx, he’d scrubbed off the black dye on his legs, revealing the white socks underneath.
When Cahil’s group rode past, Yelena and Valek joined them. He stayed close to the front, while Kiki merged with those near the back. Cahil nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing. No one spoke much during the rest of the trip.
Hanni and Faxon waited for them a few miles from the Citadel.
Cahil pulled Topaz to a stop. “Any trouble?”
“No. All’s quiet,” Hanni said. She scanned the riders and, at first, bypassed Valek. “Didn’t Yelena—Oh!”
“Hop aboard.” Cahil jerked a thumb behind him. “Faxon, share Yelena’s mount.” At Valek’s questioning stare, he added, “The guards at the gate are used to seeing a few doubles, since I like my scouts to remain on foot.”
Valek nodded. It was a good strategy.
Cahil urged Topaz into a gallop, and they followed close behind. Valek kept a firm hold on his emotions as they approached the gate. He lowered his mental shield and focused on being happy to return to the Citadel and perhaps having a chance to visit his family.
Riding past the long line waiting to enter, Cahil slowed. The guards scrambled to clear the entrance, and soon the group crossed into the Citadel. A light touch of magic brushed his thoughts. Valek concentrated on his duties for the general and what he needed to purchase at the market. He didn’t breathe easy until they were far away. Valek raised his mental barrier again, protecting his thoughts from magic.
They stopped so Faxon could change horses. Before they parted ways, Valek asked Cahil how long he planned to be in town.
“I don’t know. It depends on Bruns.”
“Will you be using your headquarters?” Valek asked.
“When we can. Why?”
“We’ll check in from time to time for updates.”
“All right.” Cahil frowned. “What happens if you’re caught?”
“I suggest you and your crew leave before they have a chance to question us.” Valek kept his voice flat, but his heart thudded against his chest at the thought of Yelena being Bruns’s prisoner.
“And go where?” Cahil asked.
“South, to Booruby,” Yelena said.
Cahil opened his mouth but then pressed his lips together. He gestured for his group to follow him. Yelena and Valek found an empty alley and switched back into their nondescript Sitian clothes before heading to the Unity Fountain.
“We need to keep our disguises on while we’re in public,” he said.
“What about lodging?”
He gave her a sidelong glance.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Her tone implied she was far from amused.
“It’s secure.” Or at least, it was.
“That’s not the point. I’ve tolerated all the others, but having an Ixian safe house inside the Citadel is...”
Valek waited for her to find the words. Although smart was the word he’d use.
Instead she sighed. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m no longer the Liaison. Why should I care if Ixia is spying on Sitia?”
“Because you want peace between the two countries. Although I think having safe houses helps keep the peace.”
“We’re not going to argue about this again.”
“I wouldn’t call it an argument. More of a discussion.”
She ignored his comment. “Why didn’t you tell Onora to meet us there, then?”
“It’s better if we take a more circuitous route, just in case anyone follows us from the gate.”
“But the guards—”
“There are still assassins and bounty hunters after you. They’re not going to raise the alarm because they want their money.”
They reached the Unity Fountain. Eleven waterspouts ringed the huge jade sphere that was the heart of the fountain. Large holes had been carved into the twenty-foot diameter sphere and another smaller sphere, which was nestled inside could be seen through the openings. The holes in the second showed a third and then a fourth. A total of eleven spheres had been chiseled from this stone. One for each of the Sitian clans.
A few people milled about, and a couple kids dashed through the sprays of water, shrieking with delight. Yelena dismounted and removed her cloak. The sun was at its highest point. Sweat dampened her collar. She walked toward the fountain. Valek hurried to catch up with her.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“It’s good luck to drink the water.”
“But bad luck to wash off your makeup.”
“Good point.” She returned for her water skin and filled it with fountain water.
Valek did the same. They could use the luck. The mist from the waterspouts cooled his brow. Glancing around, he searched for Onora. She should have beaten them here. He considered using his magic to locate her. Would it work in the crowded Citadel? And, more importantly, would it alert another magician that he was here?
The sphere chuckled. “Broad daylight. I can’t believe you didn’t notice me.”
Onora hopped down from her perch in one of the outer holes. Her tunic was wet from the spray.
“Wow. You weren’t kidding. She’s really good at blending in,” Yelena said to him with a touch of awe.
“I take it you had no trouble at the gate?” Valek asked Onora.
“I kept expecting people to give me odd looks or to point to me and alert the guards. ‘Look at that strange Ixian girl standing by the wall!’ But no one did.” Onora shrugged. “And here I thought my ability to go undetected was due to my mad assassin skills.”
Valek kept a straight face. Nice to see her relaxed and joking. “Anyone follow you here?”
“No. But you have an admirer,” Onora said.
“The brown-haired boy?” He’d noticed him when they first arrived.
“Yup. Friend of yours?” she asked Yelena.
“Perhaps he’s one of Fisk’s.”
“But would he recognize us?” Valek asked. If a kid could spot them, then they were in trouble.
“Fisk’s been training them,” Yelena said. “Besides, if they’re on the lookout for a couple on horseback, we fit the description.”
A good point. “Let’s get the horses stabled and see if our friend follows us. Onora, we’ll meet you at the Ninth Street stables.”
They took a circuitous route to the stables located near the market and the safe house. The boy kept his distance, but also kept them in sight. At the stable, Yelena asked the groom not to get Kiki’s face wet, remembering the horse wore makeup as well.
“She hates that and will kick you,” she said.
“Thank you for the warning,” the young woman said. “Where would you like me to deliver your bags?”
“I’ll take them,” Valek said. “We’re not far.”
When the groom removed Kiki’s saddle, the horse looked at Valek.
He opened his mind to her.
Home? she thought with longing as an image of the Magician’s Keep filled his mind.
Not yet, he answered.
Onora arrived after the horses were settled.
“Anyone else interested in us?” he asked her.
“No.”
“Good. Let’s have a chat with our new friend. There’s a narrow side street a few blocks up. When we enter it, find a spot to blend in and get behind the boy,” he instructed her.
“Yes, sir.”
Valek hefted their saddle bags, but Yelena kept her knapsack slung over her shoulder. The three of them sauntered along the sidewalk, then turned right. As soon as they were out of sight, Valek and Yelena hurried to the other end, while Onora disappeared. Too focused on them, the boy didn’t notice her absence. When they reached the end of the street, they retraced their steps.
Caught in the open, the boy froze for a second before whirling around and running into Onora. He tried to dodge past her, but she tripped him, following him down with a blade pressed to his neck. He immediately ceased struggling.
Dawn Study Page 22