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“You’re the one who had to pack books.” Valek waited while she opened the inner door. “What kind of books?”
“Ones about how to spy and stuff.”
“Nothing’s better than actual training.”
“I know, but I can still learn a few new tricks.”
“Tricks?” Janco asked as they exited the main entrance.
“Yes. You’ll need your bag of tricks,” Valek said. “You, too, Ari.”
“Why?” they asked in unison.
Valek explained their new mission. “All you have to do is protect Yelena.”
“Easier said than done,” Janco muttered, then shot her a sweet smile. “What about the Commander?”
“After you pack, we’ll swing by his office and I’ll obtain permission. I’m sure he’ll want to ensure she arrives in Sitia without incident. She may no longer be the Liaison, but he wouldn’t risk a diplomatic incident. At least, not yet.” He fervently hoped.
As they headed to Ari and Janco’s apartment, Valek asked Ari about Reema.
“She left this morning,” Ari said.
“Any problems?”
“None.”
“She loved her gifts,” Janco chimed in.
“What gifts?” Yelena asked.
Valek swallowed a groan as Janco listed the various weapons they’d given the girl.
“Opal’s going to kill you,” Yelena said.
“Not me,” Janco protested. “Ari bought them. I just gave her a set of lock picks.”
“Ari?” Yelena turned to him.
“Sitian knives are too flimsy. She’s going to need a quality set.”
“For what? To defend against the other eleven-year-olds in her class?” Anger turned her words sharp.
Ari hunched his shoulders. “To defend against those who would use her to get to you.”
Which was the reason Reema was at the castle in the first place. Yelena snapped her mouth shut. Then she exhaled. “You’re right. Sorry, Ari.”
“And we all know Reema’s going into the family business,” Janco said.
“Family?” Yelena rested her hand on her stomach.
Before anyone noticed her unconscious gesture, Valek tugged her hand away and laced his fingers through hers. Excitement about the baby tapped a quick tempo in his heart, but a deep bass of worry also played along. He kept his expression neutral.
“Yeah. You know...” Janco swept his arm out, indicating all of them. “Us. She’s the next generation of sneak.” He grinned with glee. “I almost feel sorry for those future criminals. They won’t know what hit them.”
“So we’re all sneaks?” Ari asked.
“Sneaks, spies, defenders, heroes, masterminds, tenacious bastards—it doesn’t matter what you call us. We’re the ones who will do whatever it takes to stop those who believe they’re entitled to wealth and power at the expense of others.”
“The family business,” Yelena said, smiling. “I like that. Well said, Janco.”
Valek squeezed her hand in agreement. For once Janco didn’t preen.
The boys packed in record time. Valek wished his admittance into the Commander’s office matched their speed. Eventually the Commander allowed him to enter and heard his request.
The chair creaked as the Commander leaned back, studying Valek. “Granted. Have them collect information on the Council before returning to Ixia.”
“Most of the Councilors will recognize them,” Valek said.
“They can still get a sense of the Council’s mood and look for signs of an invasion. Tell them to look for a possible way to get our agent inside. Perhaps one of the Councilors needs a new adviser.”
“Yes, sir.”
Relieved expressions greeted him when he exited the Commander’s office. “Did you expect him to say no?” Valek asked.
“Yes, actually,” Ari said. “He’s been giving you such a hard time since you returned from Sitia.”
“Yeah, but without us underfoot, there will be two fewer obstacles in Owen’s path,” Janco said.
Good point, but Valek wouldn’t say it aloud and risk Janco gloating. “You might be safer in Sitia.”
“Doubtful,” Janco muttered.
Yelena flicked his left earlobe with her finger.
“Ow!”
Now she shot him a sweet smile.
“Kids, behave,” Valek admonished, but inside the knot of worry for his heart mate eased just a bit. Janco and Ari would do everything in their considerable power to keep her safe.
The four of them left the castle and headed toward the stables, where Maren and Onora had been waiting for them. On the way, they picked a rendezvous location and estimated a date to meet.
“Don’t go back to the castle without me,” Valek ordered.
“Same goes for you,” she shot back.
When Maren and Onora came into view, Yelena said, “Here are two more members of our family.”
The women sat on bales of straw stacked near the entrance. Both Kiki and Onyx had been saddled, and their travel supplies were packed. Valek glanced at Maren.
She shrugged. “We were bored. Where have you been?”
He explained about the change in plans. “Onora is now in charge. The Commander wants reports twice daily.”
A subtle flinch of surprise meant Onora hadn’t expected that.
“Consult frequently with Maren,” Valek added.
“Yes, sir.”
When Ari and Janco sought the Stable Master for horses, Valek pulled Onora aside. “Keep a close eye on the Commander. As close as he’ll allow. And send me a message if anything odd or strange or bad happens. Also, if you learn of anything that will affect his or Ixia’s safety.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did you have a nice chat with Yelena?”
Her gaze snapped to him. “Did she tell you?”
“No. The agent who had his crossbow trained on your back as you climbed the wall told me.”
“Why didn’t he shoot me?”
“He recognized you and once you reached the window, he knew you weren’t an illusion.”
She touched her arm. A small white bandage peeked from underneath her sleeve.
“Did you visit the medic?”
“It’s just a scratch.”
“Go see her right away. I treat my blades with scum. You’ll get an infection if you don’t clean the cut properly.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m quite impressed that when you climbed to the Commander’s suite that first time you didn’t encounter any of my hidden blades.” Valek studied Onora, seeking a reaction. “And it was quite the coincidence that Sergeant Gerik was assigned to cover the wall that evening.”
