I nodded once, and shut the door quietly, being careful not to let the light into the room. I quickly threw on a tunic from my rucksack, not bothering to tuck it in. I slammed my feet into my spare boots—the ones from this morning were still covered in dirt and blood—and eased the door open just enough to allow me to slip through and into the hallway.
Once I clicked the door shut, I eased a deep breath from my lungs and closed my eyes, rolling my head from side to side. I could guess why the General was here so late at night, and I was not looking forward to this conversation.
How did we not know there were rebels in Hestin?The thought had plagued me all afternoon and well into this evening. The way they appeared and then disappeared just as quickly led me to believe that they had been here for a while—perhaps even months—if they were able to blend that well into the landscape.
My boots clicked softly on the stairs as I quickly descended into the deserted common room. A fire burned low in the hearth, creating an eerie glow and casting shadows on the General’s face as he sat, gazing at nothing. He looked older, more worn out than I’d ever seen him, and I worried about him. Whether that was my place or not, I didn’t quite care. He’d taken me in after the experiments and trained me to be the Mage I am today while also showing a level of care and devotion I hadn’t ever experienced.
He was more my older brother than my commander, and his presence here tonight spoke volumes about how he trusted and felt about me.
I sat heavily in the chair opposite Rohak and a small smile curved at the edges of his lips at my relaxed state. I didn’t have the energy to be any other way at this point.
“Where did they come from, Lex? How did we not know?”
“Getting right to it, I see,” I joked with a forced easy smile. When Rohak didn’t return the sentiment, I let it drop.
“I’m not sure, Rohak. I’m not sure how we missed it,” I said on a huff as I pulled my hand through my hair. “I’ve been mulling it over for hours, and I can’t put the pieces together. The only thing that makes sense is they were here long before they knew we were coming. Months, even.”
Rohak grunted, still staring at the fireplace.
So, he thinks the same.
I blew out a shaky breath and picked at my nails, debating if I should say what I really thought.
“Speak, Lex. You have other thoughts. I can see it.” It was a command, but a kind one.
“Theonlything that makes sense is that Lord d’Aelius invited them here. Or, at the very least, knew of their existence,” I mumbled the thought, notreally wanting to voice it. Because if that was true, we’d have a whole host of other problems as we established our presence here.
“I agree,” Rohak said quietly, finally turning his eyes to me, and my eyebrows raised slightly. “It also means that there’s more at play here than we know, and I feel . . . rather stupid for not seeing it before. Or at least being more cautious.”
I sat quietly, waiting for him to continue. His words were halting, and I wondered how often he got to unload his thoughts on someone else. He had no Vessel and wasn’t seeing a woman as far as I knew. He devoted his entire existence to Lord d’Refan and his cause, leaving little time for himself. I really doubted anyone was privileged to the true thoughts and feelings of Rohak, maybe not even Lord d’Refan.
“They hid a Keeper from the Borderlands, for gods’ sake, and I didn’t think they’d invite the rebellion here?” He scoffed, “What kind of General am I.”
It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway.
“A damn good one,” I said fiercely. “You protect your Mages and Lord d’Refan with everything you have—mind, body, and soul. It was an oversight,” he rolled his eyes at my words, but I continued, “sure, maybe a large oversight, but an oversight nonetheless. Ithappens, Rohak. No one is perfect. You’ve made mistakes before, and you’ll make mistakes again. What matters most is how we approach this situation going forward. We can’t change what happened. The rebels attacked. People died. We lost Mages. This is war and thatwillhappen again.”
He seemed to sit a bit straighter in his chair.
“But now you have to decide what happens from here, how we handle the exchange of power, what happens to Lord and Lady d’Aelius. They were clearly respected and loved by their people. I don’t envy you right now.” I paused, thinking over my next words. “It might be best if Lord d’Refan leaves for a while. His presence will . . . scare people. And it might draw rebels out in greater force. Maybe send Faylinn away as well. I heard the murmurs in the crowd, I think she might be more feared than Lord d’Refan. People fear and don’t trust the unknown. Faylinn, and her ancient Blood Magic, are exactly that. An unknown. They’ll have to be slowly eased into her presence.”
Rohak smiled at me. “Maybe you should be the tactician, Lex.”
I let out a large bark of a laugh at the thought.
“No, Rohak. I’ll leave that to you. I enjoy my life and free time—inevitably it would cut into my illustrious sex life, and I just can’t havethat.” My flippancy brought a smile to his face, lightening his features.
The fire had died almost completely as we talked, and I found that I was finally starting to feel sleepy. I yawned, my jaw popping as it stretched wide.
“Go,” Rohak said, nodding his head toward the stairs. “You’ve done enough today and tonight, Lex. I’m also sending you back tomorrow with a small group. You’re great in the field, but I need you to take over my duties at the Academy while I’m stuck here for the time being.” He paused, sucking his teeth and considering his next words, which came out lower than the rest, “And I need you to be my eyes and ears in Vespera. I don’t know what’s all at play and what Lord d’Refan is planning, but I need whatever information I can get.”
He doesn’t trust Lord d’Refan, but he trusts me.The thought struck me dumb for a moment.
I nodded as I rose from the chair.
“And Lex?” I paused with my hand on the banister. “Thank you.”
I nodded once and shrugged my shoulders. “We all need a pick-me-up every once in a while, General.”
