Night Study (Soulfinders, #2)(34)

“Sergeant Gerik, sir.”

The sir was a nice touch. I turned to Janco. “Where’s Ari?”

“He’s—”

“Aunt Yelena!” Reema raced into the room.

I stood in time to get knocked back into my seat by her flying hug. “I’ve missed you, too.” She clutched me tight. “Can’t...breathe.”

Releasing me, she laughed. “That’s my necklace-snake move. I clamp on and squeeze until the person passes out. Do you like it?”

“It’s very effective.”

She beamed.

“Did you invent it or—”

“Lacole taught me. She said since I’m small, my best defense in hand to hand is to clamp on and not let go.”

“Death by hug. I love it,” Janco said.

“Which explains why no one wants to date you,” Onora muttered.

Stopping Janco’s outraged retort, I asked Reema, “Lacole? Hand to hand?”

“Lieutenant Lacole. She and Ari are teaching me how to fight.”

“Oh?” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but Janco sensed my concern.

“Hey, Ari. You’re in big trouble,” he called.

Ari strode into the room. His aimed his scowl at Reema. “Didn’t I tell you not to run ahead of me? And to keep in sight?”

She shrugged. “You were too slow.”

“I’m not racing through the castle’s halls. You need to stay with me.”

Reema failed to appear chastised. “Can I take Kiki for a ride?” she asked me.

“We can go for a ride later. And you can tell me all about what you’ve been doing here for the last month.” I glanced at Ari.

“I was following orders,” Ari said in his defense. He sat next to Gerik.

“Thanks a lot, Ari. Now I’m in trouble,” Valek said as he reached the table.

Maren scraped her chair on the floor as she plopped down, joining us. She had pulled her long blond hair into a ponytail. Her pale complexion stood out against her black adviser’s uniform. Nodding at me, she said, “Hiya, Puker. Long time no see. You look soft.”

I grinned. “Those are fighting words.”

“I certainly hope so. I haven’t had a decent bo fight in ages.”

“I missed you, too.”

Her deep laugh rolled around the room.

“Reema,” a woman called from the doorway. “Are you ready?”

“Lacole!” With a quick goodbye, Reema rushed from the room. “Can we do more knife fighting today?”

I glared at Ari and he pointed to Valek, who closed the door after Reema.

“We’ll discuss this later,” I said to them both.

“That’s never good.” Janco rubbed his hands together. “Can’t wait.”

Valek returned and stood at the head of the oval table. I guessed he’d changed his mind about Onora and Maren. He filled Ari, Maren and Gerik in on what had happened in Sitia with Owen. Then he broke the news about Owen and the others being a guest of the Commander’s.

Copying Valek, I studied their expressions closely. Onora kept her face neutral. Janco and Ari appeared to be ready to commit murder. Gerik seemed more concerned than Maren, who relaxed in her chair as if this wasn’t news to her.

“At least we know where they are,” Janco said. “When do we ambush them?”

“We don’t,” Valek said, then explained about the Commander’s orders.

“That’s...that’s...” Janco was at a loss for words.

“Bad?” Ari supplied.

Janco shook his head. “Beyond bad. Catastrophic. We can’t follow that order. Owen may have hexed the Commander.”

“The order will be obeyed. We will leave Owen alone.” Valek’s tone left no room for discussion. “Maren, tell everyone what you told me earlier.”

Maren leaned forward. “When I worked in the Curare factory in Lapeer, the Boss... Owen had been working on a secret project with someone they called the Master Gardener. I tried to uncover information. But Owen suspected I’d been sent by the Commander to oversee the production, so it was difficult. During the chaos of shutting down the factory and loading my wagon with all the remaining stock of Curare, I overheard him tell one of his men to gather all the Harman saplings.”

Everyone turned to me expectantly.

“I’ve no idea what a Harman tree is used for. My father might. Did you catch the Master Gardener’s name or see who it is?” I asked Maren, thinking this person may have been the one to crossbreed those plants in the hothouse.

“No. All I could discover was the Master Gardener had been key in getting the Curare vines to grow in those glass houses.”

“Didn’t you and Leif speculate about Zaltanas who may have the necessary knowledge and skills?” Janco asked.

“Yes. Our Councilman, Bavol, and our cousin, Nutty. My father would know if there is anyone else.”

“Sounds like your father also has this ability,” Gerik said.

“Watch your tongue,” Ari growled.

“It’s okay, Ari. He has a valid point,” I said. “If my father is involved, then he was duped. Or his memories altered. Which I’d like to believe is what might have happened to Nutty and Bavol.” Better than suspecting them of treason.