Betrayed by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #5)(10)

Melantha’s eyebrows rose. “I suppose it is a good time to bury the hatchet, what with your recent engagement. Mother’s been much more interested in acknowledging your relationship with our clan ever since she learned you were going to be the Chief Mage’s bride.”

I fought against the urge to roll my eyes—of course she was. “Well, if you can just let her know I made the offer, and to contact me at the Palace, that would be great.”

“Are you inviting us to the wedding?” Mika piped up. I turned to see her looking hopefully up at me, her eyes shining with the possibility of attending a grand wedding.

I smiled. “I’m sure I will, but it won’t be for some time yet,” I told her, unwilling to disappoint her. “I’ll send you invitations, but for now, I’ve got to run.”

We made our goodbyes, and I hopped back onto my steambike, hoping I could shake the cocktail of emotions rolling around in my chest before I got to Lakin’s place. He lived closer to the town square, on a row of single-story, one-bedroom homes that were small and neat, but looked like someone had copied the same simple design over and over. Boring. The last time I’d been to Lakin’s, a duo of bird shifters had been in the middle of trying to convince him to support the Resistance. He hadn’t agreed, of course, especially after I’d informed him that the Resistance planned to turn on the shifter community once they were done overthrowing the mages. But if he was still in touch with those Resistance soldiers, he might have information that would help me rescue my missing friends.

I pulled up to Lakin’s house, and the sight of his steambike parked in the drive assured me he was at home. My nerves jangled a little as I headed up the path to the front door—Lakin had a huge crush on me, and he’d made it known on more than one occasion that he wanted more than my friendship. I hoped he wouldn’t react too badly to my betrothal to Iannis, and that he would still be willing to help me out.

“One second,” Lakin called when I knocked on the door. It sounded like he was toward the back of the house, maybe in his bedroom. My lips twitched as I remembered the first time I’d knocked on this door. He’d answered wearing very little and looking quite embarrassed about the fact. Hopefully, he’d put on a shirt this time.

Yeah, unless that was just a strategy to get you into bed.

I frowned. I hadn’t thought of that at the time. I hoped Lakin would respect the boundaries I’d set for our friendship, because I would hate to have to end it. He was Roanas’s successor, after all, and responsible for the safety of Shiftertown. I didn’t want things to be weird between us.

“Sunaya!” He threw open the door, a friendly smile on his rawboned face. His reddish-yellow shifter eyes glowed with pleasure, and an answering grin sprang easily to my lips. “I was just thinking of you.”

“What a coincidence.” I looked him up and down. His short, blond hair was damp from a fresh shower, and he wore a button-up red shirt and tight pants that clung to slightly damp skin. He’d foregone shoes, which meant he probably hadn’t gone out yet. The lack of shadows beneath his eyes told me he’d gotten a good night’s sleep, maybe even slept in.

“You’re looking a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw you,” I commented as he let me in.

“Yeah, well, I’ve had a bit of time to recover from my little vacation in Prison Isle.” His voice darkened, but only for a second. “I hear you went on a little vacation yourself.”

I snorted. “Yeah, if being stranded on a deserted island with no amenities of any kind could be called a vacation.” Luckily for me, shifters were much better at surviving in the wilderness than the average human. I made my way into his living room and plopped down on the couch. He’d added a bookshelf and a side table, and there was a still-life painting on his wall that I didn’t remember seeing before. “I nearly went insane trying to keep myself occupied.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re home safe.” Lakin eyed me up and down, then cleared his throat. “And, um, congratulations on your engagement.” He looked away.

“Thanks.” I narrowed my eyes a little. “Something you want to say about it?”

Lakin sighed, turning back to me. “Not really. I wish you the best, but I can’t help thinking that it’s an impossible match.”

“You and everyone else,” I muttered, and this time, I was the one who looked away. I knew the huge obstacles Iannis and I were facing by choosing to publicly engage in a relationship, but I didn’t really need Lakin reminding me about them.

“Sorry.” Lakin lowered himself into the recliner across from me, and the chair creaked beneath his weight. “I shouldn’t have said anything. And I really do hope that it works out.”

“Thanks.” I smiled, though it came out a little strained. Lakin’s words were sincere, but there was no hiding the disappointment lurking behind them.

“So, what do you need?” he asked, curiosity overcoming his momentary wistfulness. “I’m imagining this isn’t a social call.”

“No, it’s not,” I admitted. “I was hoping you might be able to tell me where any citizens the Resistance recruited after Iannis’s disappearance had gotten off to.”

Lakin frowned. “You mean if I know which base they were sent to?”