“I said I’d cooperate.” There was a hard edge to Valek’s voice.
“You better. The life of your child depends on it.” Bruns strode away.
I stepped close to the bars, reached through and lightly pressed my hand to Valek’s bruised cheek. He covered my hand with his own. His gaze showed his love as he turned his head and kissed my palm.
“Yelena, come,” Bruns barked.
Leaving Valek caused me physical pain, as if my heart had been ripped from my chest. I followed Bruns, but glanced back when we reached the door. Valek watched me, and so did my brother and the rest. Their defeated postures and pained expressions matched. Unable to resist, I flipped them a thumbs-up sign.
* * *
No time left. I waited until Loris’s magic ebbed, then I rushed to prepare. I could no longer be subtle. Tonight was my only chance to collect the rest of the supplies I needed for tomorrow night’s rescue attempt.
Using Bruns’s name netted me a number of items I normally would have stolen piece by piece to avoid detection. I hoped no one talked to Bruns.
All the next day, I tried to focus on the tasks Bruns assigned me. If I looked too distracted he’d inquire about my thoughts. That had led to embarrassing revelations, but today a disclosure would be far more than just humiliating.
As I worked in the armory that afternoon, testing the Weapons Master’s new ultralight sword for female soldiers, Bruns arrived.
“Put the weapon away. We need to talk,” he said.
My pulse skittered through my body. I wondered who or what had tipped him off. Or if he’d spotted the blowpipe hidden in my uniform.
On the way to his office, he said, “Captain Geffers tells me you’ve been asking questions about the training sessions outside the garrison.”
Oh no.
“Why the interest?” he asked.
I chose each word with the utmost care. “They’re our first line of defense, and I’m curious how well trained they are.”
“Why are you curious?”
“A company of soldiers is trained to fight an enemy army of similar size, and I know from experience that a small group or just one person can cause havoc with a larger group that’s not prepared.”
“You mean guerrilla tactics? Or someone like Valek?”
“Both.”
“And you think our soldiers need this more specialized training?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I was asking Captain Geffers, to see if we should consider it.”
Bruns tapped his fingers on his thigh—a gesture I’d learned meant he was deep in thought. “Do you think Valek would train our units?”
“Yes.”
“But can I trust him?”
“Yes. He’d do anything to keep us safe.”
“That’s what worries me. With his immunity, he won’t be influenced by the Theobroma.”
“He gave his word to cooperate. That is more binding than magical coercion.”
Bruns studied my expression. “Good to know.”
He appeared satisfied with my answers, and I relaxed. When we reached his office, my fear returned in a rush. Ben Moon lounged on the visitor chair, waiting for us.
“I thought Owen ordered you to kill her,” Ben said.
Ah, confirmation that Bruns was working with Owen. Being right didn’t make me feel any better. In fact, my hopes of stopping the Sitian takeover plunged. Even if we escaped, we didn’t have enough people or resources.
Bruns scowled at Ben. “I don’t take orders from Owen.” Then he glanced at me. “Are you surprised about Owen?”
“No.”
“What tipped you off?”
“When I overheard your conversation with General Cahil.”
“But Cahil believes we’re preparing for a war.”
“Exactly, and I know the Commander well enough to know he’d rather come in and take over Sitia the same way he conquered Ixia. There had to be a reason he didn’t execute Owen.”
“And that’s why I didn’t kill her.” Bruns jabbed a finger at me. “She’s been an invaluable resource.”
“I wouldn’t trust her,” Ben said.
“She’s under my control.”
“Yeah, well, Owen thought the same thing, and look what happened.”
“Owen didn’t take away all her supporters. Besides, he’s doing pretty good for a dead man, and soon he’ll be in charge of Ixia.”
“For sand’s sake, Bruns, why don’t you just tell her everything? That’s another reason she needs to die. We’ve been successful with this plan because only three of us know what’s really going on.”
“No. I need her and Valek.”
“Valek’s alive, too? How stupid can—”
“That’s enough, Ben. They are my guarantee that you and your brother won’t double-cross me.”
“Why would we do that?”
“To have Ixia and Sitia to yourselves.”
Ben waved it off. “I don’t want either. Too much work.”
“That’s fine, but in case you change your mind, I have two very capable people to send after you.”
Ben huffed in amusement. “And they’ll obey you? Yeah, right. As soon as they’re out of your sight, they’d be gone.”
“Yelena, tell him.”
I met Ben’s dubious gaze with the flat killer stare I’d learned from Valek. In a cold, emotionless voice, I said, “Bruns, it would be our pleasure to assassinate Ben and Owen Moon for you.” This time, the truth tasted as sweet as my favorite breakfast.