“Pardon? Sense me how?” Valek opted for ignorance.
“Your thoughts. I am really good at reading a person’s thoughts.”
“Oh, you’re a magician. How…nice?” His voice squeaked as if he were afraid.
“And you are like a ghost.”
Shit.“Um, that’s…interesting?”
“It is. In fact, you are going to come with me to the Council Hall and talk to my boss about it.”
“I am?” He shrank back and palmed a dart.
“You are.” The man sheathed his weapon and grabbed Valek’s upper arm, pulling him down the street.
Valek jabbed the dart into the Warper’s hand.
The man tightened his grip and stopped. Magic slammed into Valek. “You cooperate or you die.”
Nice guy. The magical pressure receded. “Okay,” Valek said meekly.
“Good.” The warper continued to march Valek toward the Council Hall. After a few steps, he staggered and went down on one knee.
“Are you well?” Valek asked.
“I am…” He slumped over.
“Sound asleep.” Too bad Valek couldn’t erase the man’s memory. As soon as he woke, he was going to report the incident to his boss. Valek should kill him, but that would start a manhunt. Instead, he dragged him to a hidden spot and hurried back to the house.
Valek discussed his options with Gabor and Brigi. There was only one—to stay inside for a few days. He didn’t like it, but it made the most sense. The warper would prowl the streets with his warper friends, looking for Ilom Cloudmist. Valek just hoped they didn’t harm anyone during their search.
Late that night, Gabor returned from his reconnaissance, waking Valek.
“Something happen?” he asked.
“No, but there’s too many people on the streets. I don’t know if they’re vermin, warpers, or the Citadel guards, but they’re all very interested in anyone who should be in bed. I hightailed it back here.”
And Gabor didn’t spook easily. Valek muttered a curse.
The next afternoon Janco arrived with more bad news. “They arrested Bain Bloodgood and Irys Jewelrose for treason!”
That was beyond bad. If they had the power to capture two master magicians, Valek had no chance of stopping them. Time to retreat and regroup.
“Get cleaned up, then talk to Brigi and send a message to Ari. We’re bugging out tonight.”
Janco hesitated.
“I thought you would be happy to leave.”
“I am, but I’m worried about my friends. Some of them have been disappearing.”
Valek wasn’t surprised Janco had made friends. “As in, leaving because it’s dangerous?”
“No. Disappearing. But the others won’t leave. They say they have nowhere to go and no money to get there.”
“Minel?”
“Still there.”
