“Just the Spy Unit,” Noire says. “Those Ezkai who choose to train as spies forgo a lot of simple life luxuries, such as having a lavish home in Yursus or a family to come home to at the end of the mission.”
“That’s a huge commitment and sacrifice,” I say, quietly.
Fern is in the Spy Unit. She never mentioned anything about that. But truth be told, I never asked. I just assumed she had the same studio that I, Roman, and others in Yursus did.
“It’s a great honor to serve as a spy,” Noire says. “That’s why the Ezkai Academy is so harsh on the trainees, and the selection process is competitive. We want only the most dedicated Decarios.”
“Yeah, I’m aware,” I say.
Noire starts walking again.
“Kazh will be coming over every morning,” I say, looking at the doors we pass but don’t stop at. From time to time, a muffled scream reaches my ears. “I asked her to train me again, so I could master the blessed trinity.”
Noire nods. “Wonderful. There’s a private meditation temple at the southern end of the plum orchards. It’s a quiet place to train.”
“Thank you, Noire. I’ll check it out.” I stop. “There’s one more thing.”
Noire turns to face me.
“The dragon I faced during the Trial of Wisdom. We had a connection. I think.” I pause and swallow. “I think it would be useful for me as the General to be bonded to a dragon, so I want to organize a trip to the mountains to find the dragon I fought and bond it.”
Noire doesn’t even blink once I’m done speaking. Not even an ounce of surprise or shock lingers on his smooth features.
“I’ve been waiting for you to say that, General.”
Out the two of us, I’m the one surprised. I blink rapidly, speechless. “What?”
Noire smiles. “I had an inkling that you might have the gift when you won the Trial of Wisdom without slaying the dragon. It was the day I knew you’d be our next General.”
I roll my eyes. “And when were you going to share that with me?”
“Some paths you must find yourself, without other people interfering,” Noire says and winks. Then his face falls serious. “General, I didn’t take you here just for the tour of the spy lair. There’s an important matter we must attend to.”
My heart drops. “What’s the matter? Is it Jax?”
“Mr. Kregger is still in prison, well and good. It’s about that notebook with Caligos activity logs you retrieved from Talbot’s estate.”
A lump is lodged in my throat. I swallow it. “Yes. What about it? Have you found something useful?”
Noire’s face reveals nothing. “We’re working on it.”
He’s on the move again. I follow him. Noire leads me to a set of identical wrought iron doors.
He opens the door on the left and enters a dark room. Without hesitation, I follow. The stench of blood, sweat, and piss lingers in the heavy air.
I look around.
The light the oil lamps on the walls offer is modest. But it’s enough to light up the pools of dried blood on the stone floors beneath my feet, and the splatters of it on the damp walls.
In the middle of the room stands a lone chair. Next to it, is a tall, narrow table with a copper tray. On the tray lies a couple of blades and other tools I’m not familiar with.
In that chair sits a stalky fae man, naked. His skin is full of red ink, covered in blood and other bodily fluids I don’t want to think about.
My stomach swirls, uneasy. But I remain composed.
I’ve seen worse. I’ve done worse.
I don’t notice the two Ezkai dressed in black leathers and wearing masks at first. They loom behind the chair, blending in with the shadows.
