Bound by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #2)(63)

“Really?” My eyes flew to Annia.

“Really.” She grinned. “He’s in a holding cell right now, awaiting another round of interrogation. He’s resisting, but so far I’ve learned that the Shifter Royale was his own idea – there aren’t any other Royales being run outside of Canalo.”

“That’s great.” A weight I hadn’t realized was on my chest eased up at the knowledge that we weren’t going to have to shut down rings all across the Federation. Except… “Danrian told me that the Royale and the loans were all part of a bigger operation. Maybe he’s the only one who was doing the Royales, but there’s something else going on.”

“I know. I’m digging into his background to see if there’s anything I can use as leverage against him. Pretty sure I’ll be able to get him to crack.”

“Good.” But I couldn’t relax, not just yet. “What about Mika? And the other shifters? I’m guessing you guys must have gotten to me before Mika ripped my throat out, but were you able to save them all?”

“Yes,” Lakin confirmed. “I went there with Fenris and several members of the Mages Guild, and between all of us we were able to contain Mika and return her and the other shifters to their senses. We also got one of the human staff members to lead us to the warehouse where they were keeping the rest.”

“Which, by the way, included both Tylin and Nevin,” Annia said. “So both of them made it back along with most of the others. You can thank their families for the huge pile of gifts by your bedside – they’re all pretty grateful.”

“That’s great.” I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness though. “I wish we could have gotten to them sooner.”

Annia and I shared a look of understanding – we both knew that some of the families would never be getting their loved ones back.

“If it helps ease your mind, the Mages Guild has decided to declare all the debts owed by shifters to Sandin Federal Bank null and void,” Director Chen said gently. “Since the money was paid out with counterfeit gold it only seemed fair.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at Director Chen, feeling warmly toward her for the first time. “I’m sure the families will all be relieved.”

“Yes,” Director Chen said. “Congratulations on solving the case, Miss Baine. I’m sure your late mentor would be proud of you if he were here.”

“Thanks, but it was really this guy you should be thanking.” I turned toward Inspector Lakin. “If you hadn’t started digging into Sillara’s case, we never would have found out about any of this.”

Lakin shook his head. “Maybe, but you and Annia did a lot of the heavy lifting, especially at the end. All those shifters are free because of you.”

“I think we can all agree that Naya’s the hero,” Noria declared. “Hell, even your aunt is with me on this one. She sent you a thank you card for rescuing Mika.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You’re joking.”

“No, she really did.” Noria leaned back in her chair so she could grab one of the cards lying on my gift table. “Here, I’ll find it for you.”

“Director Chen! Director Chen!” Everyone turned toward the door as a grey-robed apprentice rushed into the infirmary. His cheeks were red from exertion, his long hair flying about, but it was the panic in his wide eyes that had me sitting up straight in alarm.

“What is it?” Director Chen asked, all business as she turned toward the apprentice. “It had better be very urgent for you to be barging in on us like this.”

“It’s about Lord Iannis!” the apprentice gasped. “The dirigible…!”

My veins turned to ice. “What?” I demanded, fisting my hands into the bedcovers. “What happened to the dirigible!”

The apprentice turned his wide-eyed gaze to me. “It never arrived at the capital. It’s disappeared, and the entire delegation with it.”