Dawn Study (Soulfinders #3)(24)

Then it hit him. He couldn’t be part of developing the new strategy, or else he might be forced to divulge the intel if he became her bodyguard while she worked for the Cartel. Ah, hell. They were screwed with a capital S.

“What about my people?” Cahil asked. “Are they dead?”

“No. Neutralized,” Onora said. “They should wake up in a few hours.”

“Cahil knows Fisk has people in the garrisons and that the Stormdancers are helping us,” Yelena said.

And just when he thought it couldn’t get any worse. Unable to speak without growling at her, Valek nodded instead. It was all he could handle at this time.

“Let’s go,” Valek ordered. The guild members and Onora headed to the door. Before following them, Valek glanced at Cahil’s smug expression, and Yelena’s pained one. “See you in ten days.” He left.

Valek set a quick pace for a few blocks. Then he told everyone to scatter and meet back at HQ. Onora stayed with him as he leaned against a building, the enormity of the situation catching up to him. And the regret. He hadn’t hugged or kissed his wife goodbye.

“Can you shadow her?” he asked Onora. “Make sure Cahil doesn’t go back on his word not to harm her?”

“Yes. Meet in the town near the Featherstone garrison in nine days?”

“Yes. Thanks.”

“Don’t worry. She knows what she’s doing.” Onora gave him a salute and disappeared down the street.

He’d like to believe that, but ever since Yelena lost her magic, she’d been doubting herself. And now this idiotic agreement with Cahil. She must have panicked last night, believed Cahil’s lies and, worried that the baby’s life was in danger, come up with what she thought was a good solution. If only she’d trusted him.

Nothing to be done about it now. Valek pushed off the wall and headed to HQ.

*

“Please tell me you’re kidding,” Fisk said.

Valek wished. “No. You need to relocate the Stormdancers, my brother, my sister and Teegan to a secure place. Recall Ari and Janco. Ari is going to be your best bet for strategy and planning. When Leif, Mara and Esau return, have them go into hiding. And get your people out of the garrisons before they’re caught.”

Fisk sat stunned. “Wow.”

“Do you have any null shield pendants?”

“Yes. Leif’s learned how to make them using wood.”

“Please send one to Cahil with my compliments. And another for Yelena, just in case.”

“Got it.”

Valek left Fisk to absorb the bombshell he’d just dropped on him. When he arrived at their rooms, Valek paused. The smell of lavender—Yelena’s favorite scent—sucked away all his remaining energy. He sat on the edge of the bed and rested his head in his hands as exhaustion swept through him.

Once Onora had returned with Yelena’s location, Valek had spent all last night planning her rescue, and that was after he’d used magic to heal his shoulder and hip. Chale hadn’t been strong enough to repair such extensive injuries. The fact that Valek managed to mend the damage and didn’t flame out and kill himself had been a source of pride.

Summoning the strength to stand, he packed his and Yelena’s saddle bags. Then he carried them down the stairs and headed to the hidden stables behind the kitchen.

Fisk chased him. “Where are you going?”

“I need to leave so I don’t overhear your new strategies.”

“Where do we find you if everything works out?”

Valek considered. “The Cloverleaf Inn in Owl’s Hill. Do you know it?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He continued past the ovens.

“It’ll work out,” Fisk called.

But Valek didn’t have the energy to reply. Onyx and Kiki greeted him with whickers, and they nosed his pockets for treats. Giving each a milk oat, he stroked their necks and checked their legs for hot spots. All black, Onyx was built for speed. Sleek and quiet, he matched Valek’s personality.

Valek saddled both horses and secured Yelena’s bags and bo staff to Kiki’s saddle. Leading them outside, he turned to Kiki. White coated most of her face, except for a swirl of copper around her left eye. She had white socks, but the rest of her was copper. Her long ears pricked forward.

He relaxed his mental shield, allowing Kiki’s thoughts to fill his mind—one of the perks to having magic. As a Sandseed horse, Kiki used a form of magic to communicate mentally with humans and other non-Sandseed horses like Onyx.

Lavender Lady? she asked, using Yelena’s horse name.

With Peppermint Man, he said. Go find Topaz. He’s at the Council’s stables. Lavender Lady needs you.

Needs Ghost No More.

He’d been Ghost, but since he was no longer immune to magic, Kiki had added the “No More” to his name. Not this time.

She flicked him with her tail. Every time.

He laughed without humor. Lavender Lady doesn’t agree with you. Besides, he trusted Onora to keep an eye on her.

Smoke Girl part of herd. Kiki approved.

Smoke?

Unable to verbalize, Kiki sent images of Onora sitting quiet and still, blending in with her surroundings and moving with grace, like a wisp of smoke. Kiki hinted at something deeper within the girl. That a fire burned at her core, but she hid it beneath a smoke screen.