“Think about it,” Valek said. “Ari, don’t help him.”
The big man chuckled.
“I could be a target,” he said, not looking at all upset by the revelation. “Alea might think I’ll expose her and kill me. But I can still be affected by magic. So, I’m not much of a threat.”
“You’re enough of a threat for a high-stakes operation like the one Alea is trying to pull off. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have thought to search for magic that night,” Valek said.
Ari grew serious. “We’ll be extra vigilant.”
“Are you still interested in being a part of my team?” Valek asked.
“We are.” Ari straightened.
“All right. I don’t want you sleeping in the barracks anymore. There are a couple empty bedrooms in the hexagon where my corps live. There’s also a small suite that has two bedrooms and a common area.”
“We’ll take the suite,” Ari said without consulting Janco.
Not a surprise. “Okay. Once we deal with the magicians, I’ll start your training.”
“Sneaky spy stuff?” Janco asked.
“Yes.”
“Woo hoo!”
“And how are we going to deal with the magicians?” Ari asked.
“I’m still working it out.” Then it hit him. Valek wouldn’t be able to brainstorm with them. “Unfortunately, I can’t tell you my plans.”
“Why not?” Janco pouted.
“Because Alea will learn about them from our thoughts,” Ari said.
“Yes, she knows both of you are working with me. I’ll have to work with people who are unknown to her.”
“But we can still help. Right?” Janco asked.
“Yes, you’ll probably receive orders without explanations. You’ll have to follow them without question or thinking about it too much. Can you do that?”
They both agreed, but neither appeared happy about it. Valek didn’t blame them, he wasn’t pleased about the situation either.
“Report to Kenda. Her office is on the first floor of the hexagon. She’ll give you the keys to the suite so you can move in right away. Also ask Kenda for a copy of the manual on silent communication. You need to learn and memorize the signals. It’s the first lesson all my spies are required to master.”
“What about Major Granten, our squad leader?” Ari asked.
“I’ll send him your transfer paperwork.”
Ari leaned forward, suddenly intense. “Can we still challenge you?”
Ah, he hadn’t given up his goal of beating Valek in a fight and becoming his second-in-command. Ari had also threatened to promote Janco to be third-in-command.
“Of course.” Valek looked forward to sparring them again.
“Ooohhh, let’s challenge him now,” Janco said. “One good jab to his ribs, and?—”
“No. That wouldn’t be fair.” Ari crossed his massive arms.
“Who says it has to be fair?” Janco looked at Valek. “Right? There are no real rules, are there?”
