The Silver Siren (Iron Butterfly, #3)(32)

The Citadel’s training arena was covered with a large glass dome. At night, the dome was alit from within, creating a soothing nightlight effect across the city. It reminded me of a glass ball I had once seen in a shop. The globe had been filled with water and held a miniature figurine of a small girl. It was a Denai toy and very expensive.

We entered the city.

The night was silent except for the sound of water running off of a slate roof and the occasional sound of a dog barking in the distance. A few men could be seen hobbling home in the wee hours. By the smell of them, I guessed they’d spent the night drinking and gambling. After a few minutes, we heard a soft rumble, the sound of approaching horses filling the air.

Kael met my eyes, a worried frown on his face. He directed our horses down a dark alley between two shops. We both slid off of Faraway and waited. A few seconds later, a large number of troops wearing Calandry’s colors paraded down the street. Four of the troops broke off and headed toward the drunken men, while the others continued down a side road.

Loud voices erupted between the guards and the men. The largest of the inebriated men turned and tried to take a swing at the closet guard. He missed and landed in a puddle. In quick succession the men were rounded up. Their hands were tied and roped to the horses, and the group departed in the direction of the palace.

“Something must have happened since we left. It seems like there is a curfew in effect. Those were not the normal guards,” Kael warned.

Joss was tense and on alert the whole way as well—even up to the white stone guard towers on either side of the silver gate of the Citadel.

Kael sat stiff in the saddle and kept a blade hidden by his leg while the guard at the gate questioned us.

The astonished guard called out. “What are you doing out? It’s past curfew! If you’re caught, you could end up in prison.”

“Well then, open the gate and so we can avoid the cold cells. I for one would like a warm place to sleep tonight,” Kael answered back. “You can tell the adepts that SwordBrother Kael has returned.

The guard rushed over and immediately began to unlock the gate.

“Wait!” he called to him. “Are you daft enough to open the gate because you recognize a name? Did you even bring over a light to verify my identity, to check or to ask who else is with me? For all you know, I’m being held at knifepoint and the young woman here is an assassin using me to get into the school.”

I chuckled silently at that thought.

Even though Kael was no longer training the Citadel’s guard he still felt it necessary to drill in the ideas he had tried to teach them. Apparently they hadn’t sunk in yet.

“Uh, no, sir. I mean, yes sir.” And the young guard brought over a lantern and inspected our whole party thoroughly before demanding our names.

“Thalia Valdyrstal.” I spoke up proudly, grinning when the young guard did a double take and eyed me again.

“Well, I’ll be. It is you?” He sat there, wide eyed and kept looking back and forth between us.

He went over and spent quite a few minutes looking over Hemi. I could tell he didn’t really trust the size and brute strength of my clansman, but he relaxed again when he saw Joss.

“So are you going to let us in now?” I asked impatiently.

The guard looked to Kael for approval and Kael nodded, giving him permission to open the gate. I dropped my head and had to snicker softly into Kael’s back. I was glad that I had decided to switch and ride behind him. I was getting too many looks affectionate looks from him throughout the day, making my cheeks burn in embarrassment. This way I couldn’t see what he was thinking.

“It’s not funny!” Kael growled. “It’s as if they’ve forgotten everything I’ve taught them within a few months. I could have walked right in and killed them all. The fool. I’m going to have to speak with the Commander on this one.”

“Aw, Kael, take it easy on him. Obviously your reputation still has an effect on people.” I laughed again.

Stable Master Grese greeted us warmly and took Faraway into the stable, promising him plenty of his favorite cookies.

Once Faraway was settled, we turned to look at the Citadel’s towers. I scanned the various parapets looking for the flags that signaled which members of the Adept Council were in residence. Even though it was still dark, I could make out five flags twisting in the breeze. All of the adepts were here.

Where do I go? What do I do first? I didn’t know whether to summon the adepts in the middle of the night or to retire to my old room. I also needed to inquire whether Darren and Fanny had returned yet.

My thoughts were spinning and heading nowhere of consequence. Kael took my elbow and led me to the main hall doors. I hadn’t even realized I had stopped walking in the middle of the courtyard.

A few months ago, Kael—in the guise of a student—had entered through these same doors during a training exercise and had fake-assassinated half of the students and guard. That same night, one of the Septori had genuinely tried to kill me. My mind was dwelling on that horrible thought when someone stepped out of the shadows of the darkened main hall right in front of me.

“EEEeeep!” I jumped. A moment later, I recognized the dark skin and shaved head of the fiercest of the Adept Council, the five who ran the Citadel—Pax Baton. His black uniform and skin helped him blend into the shadows with the ease and ability of a SwordBrother. He had one gold stud in his ear, his only show of decoration.