Betrayed by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #5)(71)

Growling, I changed tactics. Instead of shielding against the ball, I ducked and allowed it to hit the force field protecting the wall. I shot out two more fireballs, hoping that three missiles would be more than Iannis could comfortably deal with, or at least enough of a distraction that I could figure something else out.

“Oh shit!” a familiar voice squawked, and my mouth dropped open as I saw the ether parrot materialize right next to Iannis’s head.

“What in the world—” Iannis exclaimed, startled, and he missed one of the fireballs. It slammed into his chest, and he grunted as the force of the blow knocked him against the wall.

“Time!” Fenris called, and I lowered my shield. He rushed over to Iannis. “Are you all right?”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Iannis said, barely even looking at Fenris. His attention was firmly fixated on the parrot, who was now perched on his shoulder. “Although I would very much like an explanation for this creature.”

“Um, that’s kind of my fault,” I said sheepishly as I crossed the room. To my annoyance, the parrot turned his head up at my approach. “I was trying to create an ether pigeon, but I created this guy instead.”

“Did you really?” Iannis laughed. “I suppose you didn’t get the Word for ‘pigeon’ quite right.”

“That would be my guess,” Fenris said, who also looked highly amused. “Does it usually drop in on you at unexpected times?”

“I don’t know,” I groused, annoyed that my blunder had been found out after all. “This is the first time it’s happened. I created him about an hour ago, and he disappeared immediately afterward. I thought I’d seen the last of him, but I guess I was wrong.”

Iannis and Fenris both laughed this time, and I felt a smile tug at my lips even as my cheeks reddened. It was good to see them together like this again, without tension between them. Fenris must have laid his misgivings about staying at the Palace to rest for now, and hopefully for good. He belonged here with us—that much I was certain of.

“Well, I must say, he makes for an unusual pet.” Fenris passed a hand along the parrot’s ghostly foliage. His fingers went right through, of course, as the parrot wasn’t corporeal. “At least he shouldn’t produce droppings.”

“Yeah, that’ll make me feel a lot better when he wakes me up in the middle of the night yelling ‘Oh shit!’”

Iannis and Fenris burst into laughter again, but it was cut short by a knock on the door. “May I come in, Lord Iannis?” Director Chen called, and I stiffened. She had a bad habit of breaking up my lessons with Iannis early, and I was becoming less and less willing to tolerate it. I leveled a glare at Iannis, who nodded and mouthed that he understood.

“Yes, come in, but make it quick,” he called.

Director Chen stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “Thorgana’s convoy was attacked on its way in to Dara this evening.”

“What?” Iannis and I both shouted at the same time.

“Did she escape?” Iannis demanded. “And what of the guards? Are any still alive?”

“No, she did not escape,” Chen said, and I sighed as a wave of relief washed over me. “There were a few casualties, as the party that attacked our convoy was very large—over twice the number of guards. If not for the mages accompanying them, the attackers would have been able to successfully free Thorgana. In any case, she has been checked into the prison facility, and is safe once more.”

“Well, that is good to hear,” Iannis said, sounding much calmer now. “And after this, her air of injured innocence will look much less credible. It’s all the confirmation needed that she is indeed the Benefactor. Did the attackers make contact with Thorgana in any way? And did our people capture any of them?”

“Unfortunately not.” Chen shook her head. “The ones who survived fled, and the guard captain sensibly decided it would be foolish to pursue them—his top priority was guarding Thorgana in case there was a second attack. Also, they had several wounded to look after.”

“Very well,” Iannis said, sounding disappointed. “I will contact the Minister to ensure that she is thoroughly searched and isolated for a time— we must be certain that the attackers did not manage to slip any sort of weapon or disease to her.”

“I think you will be discussing that with him in person,” Chen said. “The Minister wishes for you to return to Dara immediately. To discuss the Garaian matter, he said.” She looked at him questioningly, and I surmised that Iannis had not yet told her about the other Resistance lab.

“I cannot,” Iannis said firmly. “I have a hearing tomorrow morning. But I shall leave immediately after that.”

“I will let him know, sir, and I will convey your suggestions regarding the prisoner as well.” Chen bowed, then swept from the room, closing the door behind her.

“Damn,” Iannis muttered when her footfalls had receded. “I had hoped to have at least a week at the Palace before being called away again. I have much to catch up on.”

“I’m sure Director Chen will help you pick up the slack while you’re gone. And Fenris and I will do what we can do to help.” I took off my armor, then cupped his face in my hands and kissed him. “Try to get some sleep tonight, okay? I don’t want you to smite Noria because you’re too grumpy to deal with her attitude.”