Hunted by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #3)(39)

“Perhaps the Benefactor, whoever he is, has become less careful about spreading their name around, now that their plans are coming to fruition,” Fenris suggested, though he didn’t sound completely convinced. “In any case, we need to rescue the delegates sooner rather than later before the Resistance decides to execute them. Do you have any suggestions?”

I nearly shook my head, but remembered just in time that I wasn’t supposed to look like I was having a conversation. “They’re all heavily drugged, so they won’t be able to offer any assistance, and we don’t have the necessary manpower to go up against the whole camp. Not to mention that mage could be back soon, and we have no idea how powerful he is. For all we know, he could be as strong as Iannis.”

“Then our best option is to find Iannis fast, and bring him back here before it’s too late,” Fenris concluded. “Unfortunately, the only lead we have is that obnoxious pilot.”

Finished with the dishes, I turned around to look at Xiver, who was joking around with the soldiers at his table, a shit-eating grin on his face. That grin widened as he caught me looking at him, and a lascivious glint entered his eyes that sent a shiver running down my spine.

“We’ll take him tonight,” I told Fenris as I turned my back on the pilot. “Squeeze him for information and hope he gives us something useful.” He’d done something to Iannis, and when I got my hands on him I would make sure that grin was wiped from his face. Maybe even permanently.





14





Fenris might not have been much of a talker, but his keen eye and stellar observation skills were a huge help. During dinner service, he told me that he already knew which cabin Sergeant Xiver was staying in. The three of us hashed out a plan over dinner, one that I wasn’t entirely happy with, but was fairly confident would work.

After our kitchen duties were done for the day, Annia and I headed back to our cabin. The shadow of the mountains loomed over the camp, but behind them the sky was streaked with brilliant shades of gold, purple, and orange as the sun bade us farewell. Annia received lots of catcalls and whistles as we walked past the men, but though she smiled and waved at them, she didn’t stop to engage them in conversation. We had an agenda tonight, and the extra attention wouldn’t help us with our mission.

“Alright you,” Annia said, digging through her pack as I sat down on my cot. “Let’s get you all prettied up for your starring role tonight.”

“I can’t believe you packed makeup,” I groused as I watched her open a miniature makeup case and place it on her thigh.

“A lady has to be prepared for any situation,” Annia said primly, arching her eyebrows and pursing her lips. I snickered, then yelped as she reached out and pinched my cheek. “Now, now, young lady. A lady never snickers.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I batted her hand away from my cheek. “Just get on with it already. I seriously doubt Xiver expects me to be a lady.”

“Not in his bed, anyway,” Annia agreed as she kneeled in front of me. She dipped a tiny brush into an equally tiny circle of bronze eyeshadow and instructed me to close my eyes. “Xiver looks like the kind of guy who’d f*ck a woman and then slap her if she complained that she didn’t get off.”

“I bet he hasn’t had the chance to do that in a long time,” I mused as Annia brushed powder over my lids. “With the way he was looking at me today, I’m half surprised he didn’t approach me himself.”

“All the more reason that this’ll work.”

Annia finished making me up, and I changed out of the long-sleeved shirt I was wearing into a tank top I’d packed for hotter weather. The cotton garment showed off my toned arms, and more importantly my cleavage. Annia inspected me for a moment with pursed lips, then reached out and tugged my neckline a little lower.

“Perfect. He won’t know what hit him.”

We waited until darkness had fully settled over the village before I quietly slipped from our cabin. Following Fenris’s directions, I headed for the cabin two rows behind us and one to the left. It had two stories, and I chewed my lip for a moment as I wondered which floor my target lived on. It would be easier if I could avoid his roommate.

I took a deep breath, then sauntered up to the door and knocked. A moment later, a tall, lanky soldier with dirty blond hair opened the door. His uniform discarded, he was dressed in a white t-shirt and underwear. Realization that I was a woman widened his eyes, and a blush sprouted from his hairline and spread all the way down to his collarbone before he shoved the door partially closed.

“C-can I help you, miss? I mean, recruit?” the soldier asked, his voice steadying now that he was partially shielded from sight. His pale blue eyes skittered over me, round as saucers. Judging by some of the looks we’d gotten, I was sure that if I hadn’t been a shifter, more than a few of these men would have tried to sneak into our beds in the middle of the night.

“Sure.” I leaned my shoulder against one of the rickety posts holding up the awning, careful not to put too much weight on the beam lest it collapse, and gave him my best coy smile. “I’m looking for Sergeant Xiver. Is he in?”

“Whatcha need him for?”

“I have a…message, that I need to deliver. Specifically for him.”

“I see.” The soldier looked disappointed. “Gimme a sec.” He closed the door in my face, and I heard him hollering for Xiver.