by Jaye McKenna
Before Rio could think of a thing to say, the door was shut firmly and the sound of the key scraping in the lock confirmed he was locked in again.
* * *
Dani stood in front of the mirror while Pen expertly plaited his hair into a neat queue. Well aware that not even perfect grooming and fine clothing could hide the ravages of grief, he studiously avoided meeting his own gaze, and instead focused on his valet. Immaculately dressed, his pale blond hair oiled and combed back, Pen looked far more put together than Dani did this morning.
“The black velvet ribbon, sir?” Pen asked from behind him.
“Whatever you think best.” Dani didn’t bother to hide the weariness in his voice. It had been a long, restless night during which he’d kept hearing Haiden calling him. He’d eventually crept into Haiden’s bedroom and curled up on the bed. The linens still smelled faintly of his twin, and he’d hoped the familiar scent might help lull him into a deep, restful sleep. It hadn’t, and like every other night since Haiden’s death, Dani had tossed and turned, sleeping only fitfully, waking at the slightest sound.
After Mother’s departure yesterday, Father had decided a month was more than enough time to mourn, and demanded Dani turn his mind to his duty. He’d endured an hour-long lecture regarding his new responsibilities and Father’s impossible expectations, which had ended with Father ordering him to be in the library an hour before breakfast to discuss the day’s work. Dani had been worrying about it ever since.
Father knew, didn’t he? He must. Surely Mother would have said something. But if she hadn’t… A twist of nausea curled through his belly at the thought of having to confess his secret shame to his father.
Pen tugged gently on his hair, guiding a few errant strands into place. “You were up early today, if you don’t mind my saying, sir.”
Dani’s lips quirked in a grim smile. “Actually, I’m up late. I couldn’t sleep.”
“I’m sorry. You could have woken me, you know. I’d have kept you company.”
“That’s hardly fair to you, Pen. You need your sleep, too.”
“Nothing to do with fair, young master. She asked me to watch over you, and watch over you I shall.”
“Did she?”
“Ai, she did.” Pen met Dani’s eyes in the mirror. He hesitated a moment, then added, “Try and eat something at breakfast, will you? I’m going to have to take these breeches in if you lose any more weight.” He finished tying off the queue. “There. You’ll do.”
“Will I?” Dani turned to face him. “He thinks I can replace Haiden, only…” He trailed off as the lump of tears lodged in his throat swelled to twice its normal size. His eyes burned, and he squeezed them shut. “I wish Mother was still here.”
“She didn’t want to leave you.” The older man squeezed Dani’s shoulder gently. “But she dared not put in writing what she needed. If the letter were intercepted…” He didn’t finish. Didn’t need to. They both knew the penalty for hiring a mythe-weaver was exactly the same as the penalty for being one: death.
“You’re just lucky you didn’t inherit your grandfather’s fire-starting talent,” Pen said. “That would have been much more difficult to keep secret.”
“I’m surprised Mother managed to keep her own talent a secret for this long. Even from Father.”
“She didn’t dare let him know.” Pen’s pale blue eyes grew distant. He been with Dani’s mother ever since she’d married Larrad, one of only a handful of personal servants she’d brought with her from her father’s household in Altan. “Even before Nezaine outlawed it, she knew your father would hate her for being able to read his emotions so accurately. She feared he’d assume she could read his thoughts as well, and knowing your father, that’s probably true. She’s always been very careful. As you must be.”
“Ai. I know.”
Pen patted his shoulder. “Go on. You’ve ten minutes before the hour. You could do worse than show up early.”
Dani headed toward the door, in no hurry to face his father. The urge to drag his feet warred with the urge to at least look like he was trying to make an effort, and in the end, he was in the library a full five minutes before his father.
Larrad walked in just as the clock began to strike seven. He gave Dani an approving nod before dropping a pile of papers on the table and taking a seat.
Dani’s stomach twisted up in knots at the sight of the papers, and when Larrad lifted the first document from the pile and handed it to him, cold sweat broke out on his brow.
“What do you think of that, then?” Larrad asked. “I’ll give you a few minutes to read it over.”
With trembling hands, Dani smoothed the paper in front of him and stared down at it, mind racing as he tried to figure out how to stall for time. As always, the jumble of symbols in front of him made no sense. He could identify a few of them, and he knew they were supposed to make up words, though he’d never quite managed to grasp how. It might help if they would stop shuffling about and rearranging themselves, but no matter how hard he squinted, he could never make them stand still long enough to sort them out.
The ticking of the clock grew louder with every passing minute, and Dani’s chest tightened as he tried to decide what he was going to say. He kept his eyes fixed on the document, pretending to read, but said nothing. When the clock chimed the quarter hour, a bead of sweat rolled down Dani’s neck and found its way down his spine.
“It’s a simple contract,” Larrad said slowly, as if Dani were an idiot and needed to have everything explained twice. “Haiden would have committed it to memory by now.”
“Yes, sir,” Dani mumbled. “I’m sorry, sir. I wish I was half as clever as Haiden was. I’m doing my—”
“Oh, do calm down,” Larrad snapped. “I think we’ve all had quite enough of your hysterics just lately.”
Dani pressed his lips together to stop himself from pointing out that he wasn’t the one on the verge of losing his temper. When he glanced up again, his father’s hard, brown eyes were fixed on him in a narrow stare.
“Read me the first paragraph,” Larrad said, his voice deceptively soft.
Dani stared down at the black marks, which still refused to organize themselves sensibly. Was it possible Mother had never informed Larrad that Dani couldn’t read?
With a hot flash of panic, he realized she’d never have needed to tell him. With Haiden being so bright and willing, Larrad had made certain his favorite son and heir had the best tutors, while Dani’s education had been left to his mother. When tutor after tutor had given up on Dani and said he wasn’t trying, Mother hadn’t pushed. Instead, she’d focused on his strengths, of which music was one. He couldn’t read music any more than he could read a book, but his ears were far more talented than his eyes; he only had to hear a new tune once to be able to play it back perfectly on the piano or the eulalia.
“I’m waiting,” Larrad said.
A talent for music wasn’t going to help him here. Larrad didn’t care about music. All he cared about was that Dani had the skills he needed to replace Haiden. “I… I can’t, sir.” Dani cringed, waiting for a blow to the head or a backhand across the mouth.
“You… can’t. You’re twenty-four, Danakho. Do you mean to tell me that after all those tutors your mother had through here, you can’t read a word?”
“I… the letters. They move about. I can’t… I’ve never been able to…” He squeezed his eyes shut, still tensed for the blow.
It never came.
“You mean you never tried,” Larrad corrected, his tone more exasperated than angry.
Dani said nothing. He wasn’t fool enough to argue with his father. When he dared crack an eye open, Larrad was rubbing his temples as if he had a splitting headache.
“Clearly, I should have paid more attention. Haiden was always such a quick study, I never thought… I suppose it’s my fault. Your mother spoiled you, and I allowed it.” Larrad shook his head decisively. “Well, there’ll be no more of that, boy. I’ll hi
re a tutor immediately. For now, your studies will be your priority, though don’t think this is going to get you out of learning the business. There are plenty of things you can do to assist me that don’t require any skill with letters and numbers.”
“Y-yes, sir,” Dani whispered.
“I expect to see progress, Danakho. That means you will need to apply yourself to your studies. Your mother may have tolerated laziness, but I will not. Am I clear?”
“Yes, sir. Very clear.”
“Good. I’ll inform you when I’ve hired someone. Until we have a schedule in place, you’ll make yourself available during the day to assist me as needed. Oh, and you’ll be meeting your personal guard detail this afternoon, so don’t go wandering off anywhere.”
Dani blinked. “My… my what?”
“Personal guard detail. The best money can buy. They’ll be shadowing you every moment, night and day.” Larrad looked inordinately pleased with himself. “Despite the lack of evidence to the contrary, I don’t believe Haiden’s death was an accident. I won’t risk losing you the same way. Regardless of how unprepared you are to run the business, I’m not about to have my line end with you.”
A near-hysterical bark of laughter welled up in his throat, and Dani clenched his jaw, struggling to keep it inside. He’d never dared inform his father, but given his own preferences, it was quite likely the line would end with him.
“And speaking of continuing the line,” Larrad went on, “Albrin Finnia was asking after you at the club last night. His daughter’s of marriageable age, you know. We’d spoken of pairing her off with Haiden, but I suppose you’ll have to do instead. I’ll arrange for you to visit the Finnia townhouse in the next few weeks to begin your courtship, so do think about making a favorable impression, eh, boy? It would be a good match.”
“A good match?” Dani stared at his father. “You don’t even know her name, do you?”
Larrad gave his son a puzzled frown. “What’s that got to do with it?”
“Eslian,” Dani murmured. “Her name is Eslian.” Haiden had danced with her at one of the midwinter celebrations, and had seemed content with the idea of eventually marrying her.
“It hardly matters.” Larrad waved his hand dismissively. “She’s not important except for the connections she’ll buy us. Finnia owns a very successful transport business, which he’s planning to expand into the Westlands in the next year or so. Combined with our import business…”
Dani fixed his eyes on the painting on the wall just behind his father’s left shoulder while Larrad droned on about the advantages of combining his interests with Finnia’s. No further mention was made of Eslian, or the wedding required for Larrad’s plan to bear fruit.
A cold lump settled in Dani’s belly, chasing away what little appetite he’d had. So much for his promise to Pen to try and eat something.
When the clock finally struck eight, he followed Larrad to the dining room, where he toyed with his food until Larrad finished his meal and dismissed him for the morning.
Chapter Two
The captain of the guard at the Jherek estate was clearly ex-military. The way she held herself as Rio and Coryn stood at attention in her office reminded Rio of the palace guards in Akhat, where the Guild headquarters was located. She also appeared to share Rio’s desert-tribe heritage, with her red-brown skin and hair so dark brown it was nearly black.
Dark eyes flicked over him before shifting to Coryn, widening a little as they traced the arsenal of throwing knives he wore strapped across his chest. They’d been shown to their quarters and had changed into the uniforms of Lord Jherek’s house guard, but neither had accepted the standard issue weapons that came with the uniforms.
“Welcome to the Jherek estate, gentlemen. I’m Hawk, captain of Lord Jherek’s personal guard. You’ll be reporting directly to me, or if I’m not on duty, to Lieutenant Fiersin. I trust you found your quarters adequate?”
“More than adequate, ma’am,” Coryn said. “We were expecting to bunk with the regular guards.”
“Lord Jherek insisted on private quarters,” Hawk said. “He wants you properly rested so you can watch over his son without distraction. It’s his belief that once he’s named Danakho his heir, there will be an attempt on Danakho’s life.”
“What makes him think that, ma’am?” Coryn asked.
“Until recently, Danakho’s brother, Haiden, stood to inherit. Haiden was killed in a riding accident last month, and Lord Jherek is convinced his heir’s death was the result of foul play.”
Danakho’s brother. Recalling the devastation he’d felt after his own brother’s death, Rio felt a flash of sympathy for the young lord. “Was there an investigation?”
“Ai, but it turned up nothing.” Hawk’s dark eyes were troubled. “As things stand, I have no reason to suspect Danakho’s life is in any more danger than it was two months ago, but I may not have the whole story. Needless to say, extra security measures here at the estate have been implemented over the past few weeks. Given your, ah, backgrounds, if you note any areas where we’re falling short, I’d appreciate it if you’d bring them to my attention.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Coryn said. “I’ll tour the estate today and report my observations to you.”
“Very good.” Hawk’s dark eyebrows rose in approval.
Rio cleared his throat. “What about poison? Have you taken any measures to guard against that?”
“Lord Jherek’s food taster has been employed here at the estate for about five years now. He’s a trusted member of the staff. I don’t expect an attack to come from that direction.”
Beside him, Coryn relaxed just a fraction. A specialist in drugs and poisons, Coryn often complained about how difficult some substances were to detect. It was a relief to know that particular angle was already covered.
“As for your hours,” Hawk continued, “your Guild representative assured me that two of you would be enough for round-the-clock coverage.”
“That’s correct, ma’am,” Coryn said. “We’ve already discussed shift assignments. Rio’s more comfortable with day work, and I prefer nights, so between us, we’ll have Danakho covered.”
Rio nodded agreement. Although Coryn was as skilled an actor as Rio, he was far less sociable. He preferred the night shift, during which he would have minimal interaction with their charge and the household staff.
“Very well,” Hawk said with a sharp nod. “Shift change will be at eight in the morning, over the breakfast hour, and eight at night, over the dinner hour. I’ll expect each of you here for a briefing a quarter hour before shift change. Rio, you’ll get the morning briefing from me. Coryn, you’ll be dealing with Lieutenant Fiersin, who’s in charge of the night shift. Decisions regarding Danakho’s personal security are largely up to you, but if you require assistance or have any concerns, report to me or Lieutenant Fiersin. Our orders from Lord Jherek are to provide you with whatever you require to keep Danakho safe. Any questions?”
“No, ma’am,” they said in unison.
“Excellent. Then I’ll escort you to Lord Jherek’s office. He’d like to meet you before you begin your duties.”
Hawk led them across the wide yard separating the barracks from the house. Rio took the opportunity to look around. In addition to the barracks building with its attached practice yard, there was a large horse barn and several squat outbuildings, behind which lay a fenced pasture. The house itself was a grand, two-story affair with two large wings.
When they reached the lord’s office, Hawk showed them in. After introducing them, she withdrew to wait in the hallway. The office reminded Rio of the luxurious work spaces of the Guild chiefs he’d reported to in Akhat and Galena, where he usually worked. Soft, padded carpet covered the floor, and every bit of furniture was intricately carved with a vines-and-flowers motif. The chairs pulled up in front of the desk were padded with rich fabrics in burgundy and dark green, the patterns of which echoed the designs in the carvings. Unlike most fancy furniture Rio
had encountered, these actually looked comfortable.
Not that Rio and Coryn were invited to sit. They stood side by side, stiff and motionless, waiting for their new employer to speak.
Lord Larrad Jherek was a big man with a neatly trimmed, dark auburn beard just starting to grey. Impeccably dressed, though clearly a bit too fond of the pleasures of the table, he didn’t look anything like the importer of slaves and drugs Bajhan had said he was when he’d briefed them during the ride to Jakhar yesterday.
Hard brown eyes followed the line of the slightly curved sword Rio wore at his left hip, then darted to the bone-handled knife he wore on his right. The lord’s gaze shifted over to Coryn, who stood just a hair taller than Rio’s shoulder. Despite Coryn’s small stature, Rio had always thought Coryn looked the fiercer of the two of them, with his ice-cold eyes and half a dozen throwing knives strapped across his chest.
“Well, you certainly look prepared for anything,” Jherek said as he studied Coryn. “But are you?”
Rio flashed on the woman he’d been ordered to kill, and his throat tightened. Coryn might be prepared for anything, but Rio wasn’t. Not even close.
“Anyone who claims to be prepared for anything is overconfident, my lord,” Coryn told him smoothly. “I trust in my training and my ability to improvise to handle whatever comes my way. So far, that’s been good enough.”
“Good enough?” Jherek frowned.
“I’m still alive.”
Jherek chuckled. “Honesty. I appreciate that. Has Hawk briefed you on the situation?”
Rio glanced at Coryn, who gave him a slight nod, clearly wanting Rio to take the lead in the interview, as he should, being the senior Guild member. Coryn’s cool competence sometimes made Rio forget that he outranked the younger man. “She told us about your heir’s accident, if that’s what you’re referring to, sir,” Rio said.
“Accident.” Jherek scowled. “Hawk’s investigation may not have turned up anything, but I don’t believe for one moment it was an accident. Haiden was far too accomplished a rider to have been thrown from his horse. And the horse in question is one of the gentlest, best trained beasts I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.”