Taken by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #8)(51)

But when I got to the entrance, Fenris and his party were no longer there, and the majordomo didn’t know where they’d gone. The hairs on the back of my neck rose—Fenris wasn’t one to give up. If he thought we were truly in danger, he would have found another way to get inside.

“Iannis,” I said urgently, striding back inside to where he was standing, deep in some conversation with a Southian diplomat. “There’s something wrong.”

Iannis lifted his head, meeting my gaze across the room. “What do you mean?”

“Iannis, are you there?” We both paused at the sound of Fenris’s voice, clear as a bell once more. He must be inside, past the wards. “I need you and Garrett to come down to the basement. We’ve found an intruder.”

“I’m on my way. Is anyone hurt?”

“No. But come quickly.”

“Excuse me,” Iannis said to the diplomat as I finally reached him. “Sunaya and I have an urgent matter to attend to.” He slipped his arm into mine, and we hurried across the room toward Garrett.

“Come quickly,” I said, grabbing his sleeve. He whirled to face me, an annoyed look on his face, and I couldn’t blame him—he was in conversation with a stunning brunette who was batting her incredibly long eyelashes at him. “Now.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve actually found a bomb,” Garrett muttered as he reluctantly allowed me to pull him away.

“I don’t know, but Fenris said that he found an intruder in the basement.”

“Where are the three of you going off to?” the Minister demanded, planting himself in front of us. He had a plate of canapés in his hand, and was frowning heavily. “This is supposed to be a party in your honor, Iannis.”

“I’m afraid this trumps any celebration,” Iannis said. “In fact, you’d better come with us, Minister. We have a security issue.”

The Minister sputtered, but Iannis steered him toward the basement, explaining the situation as we went. We hurried down the staircase together into a dingy storeroom that looked like a tornado had swept through it. Boxes and party supplies were scattered everywhere, and the far wall had been smashed open. I frowned at the sight of a light switch, which had obviously been covered up by plaster. Was that some sort of trigger?

“Thank the Lady you’re here,” Fenris said, sounding relieved. His friend Marris was on the ground, straddling a man who had been bound from head to neck with rope. “You’re just in time.”

“What is the meaning of this?” the Minister demanded, looking at the prisoner and then at the wreckage. “What was this man doing in here?”

“He was paid by the Resistance to come in here and flip that switch,” Fenris explained. “He had just uncovered it in the wall when Marris and I caught up to him. It would seem that the whole contraption was arranged while the concert hall was being renovated.”

“A walled-in switch?” Garrett echoed. He stalked over to the wall, a scowl on his face. “Damn. These wires could be connected to explosives at any place in the building. It will take some time to trace the wire and disarm whatever trap they’re connected to.”

“Bloody hell,” Iannis swore, echoing my sentiments perfectly. “We need to evacuate the hall at once.”

“Yes,” Garrett said in a clipped voice. He shook his head, looking absolutely furious. “I can’t believe I missed this. We checked this venue thoroughly.”

“You’re not at fault here,” I said to Garrett, tactfully deciding not to mention his earlier refusal to look into Fenris’s hunch. “You had no reason to tear the walls apart looking for bombs, and stuff like that isn’t easily visible. I couldn’t even scent anything when Fenris warned me just now. I still don’t scent anything suspicious here.”

“Let’s not stand around here, then,” the Minister said impatiently. “The last thing I need is for someone to accidentally trip and hit that switch. Let’s get on with it!”

After Garrett ordered two of his agents to guard the switch with their lives, and another pair to take charge of the terrified prisoner, we dispersed. Fenris and Marris explained to me that they’d caught the man who they believed was behind the attack, and I went outside with them to see for myself while everyone else was evacuated. Mina, Barrla, Comenius, and Elania were waiting just beyond the side entrance, along with a group of enforcers.

“Miss Baine.” The enforcer in charge inclined his head. “We’re ready to transport the prisoner to a holding cell.”

“His name is Rubb Slade,” Mina explained to me. “I met him at the Solantha Press Club.”

“Let me have a look at him,” I said. The name didn’t at all sound familiar, and I was curious to meet the man who had taken up Thorgana’s banner.

Two of the enforcers dragged Rubb forward. He was a thin man with sandy hair and an unpleasant face, and he bared his teeth at me as I leaned in to sniff at him. A familiar scent hit me, and I recoiled in shock.

“By Magorah,” I said, looking him up and down again. “You’re not Rubb Slade at all. You’re Curian Vanderheim, Thorgana’s missing husband.” He looked completely different, but there was no mistaking the scent. I’d worked Thorgana’s parties as a bodyguard enough times to have imprinted her husband’s scent in my mind.