With a deep exhale, I move along towards the dining table. I don’t even want to look outside to the back garden where I spent so many weeks meditating and training with Kazh, with Vera’s intent eyes watching from afar.
I take a seat at the head of the dining table just as Bart returns with the tray, Hel and Hojo following him. I nod at the girls, and they greet me the appropriate way before joining me at the table.
Once the tea is poured and we are all seated, tense silence settles. I glance back at my Ezkai, but their faces are covered with masks.
They’re two cold, black, leather-clad statues carved out of marble. The contrast is stark against the warm interior of Vera’s studio.
Hojo’s soft voice breaks the silence first. “Do you bring any news about Vera?”
I meet her gaze, full of worry. For a moment I’m too choked up to speak. But I clear my throat and say, “Unfortunately, I don’t have much to offer. We have confirmation that she’s alive.”
For now.
I don’t voice that, though. Her apprentices don’t need to hear it.
The collective sigh of relief from the three of them twists my heart even more. Hojo closes her eyes and whispers a prayer of sorts. Bart rubs his sharp jaw, which has been rigid with tension, and Hel simply stares at me with her huge red eyes, waiting for more.
“But we don’t have the location where she’s being held. My Ezkai are following all the leads,” I say.
“We’ve been asking around,” Bart says.
My gaze snaps to him. I arch an eyebrow in question.
“During parties with the Order and House Dzuni, to see if anyone knows anything,” he adds.
“I understand. That’s extremely dangerous,” I say, voice stern. “Caligos managed to snatch Vera from right under our noses. Imagine what they can do to you if they think you’re a threat.”
Bart purses his lips. “With all due respect, General, I’m well versed in Caligos ways.”
My gaze slides down to the red ink marking his flesh. I clench my teeth so hard it hurts.
“We’re all in danger while they rule from the shadows,” Bart adds. “You included, General.”
I cup the steaming jasmine tea between my gloved palms. “I’m aware. I would rather not lose any people on my side at the moment. So, leave the Caligos and Vera to me.”
From Bart’s gaze, I can tell he wants to argue with me. I understand the desire to help. It’s Vera we’re talking about. She’s precious to me, and I’ve only known her for months. While they’ve known her for years. They were saved by her.
But I’m the Ezkai General. And Bart knows how to play Ekiosh politics. So he simply nods.
I steal another glance at my Ezkai before I ask the next question. Surely Noire picked them, because I can trust them to not run their mouths.
I’m not sure I want to risk it, so hoping for the best, I say, “Vera kept such a beautiful garden, with so many flowers local to Ekios and other lands. Now that she’s gone, who’s taking care of her precious plants? It would be a shame to let them wither in her absence.”
Bart follows my gaze to the soldiers. For a heartbeat, he’s silent. But then he looks at me and smiles. “A most well-kept garden indeed. We’re taking care of it well, rest assured. Ri helps a lot. She knows a lot about what it takes to keep a thriving garden with cared-for flowers, even in the current climate.”
Something unreadable passes between us.
I smile back at him and nod. “Good to hear. If winter proves too cold, let me know. I’ll see that it’s handled.”
Thank fuck Vera’s apprentices are just as sharp as she is. So, the Savage King operations are still alive, despite Vera’s absence. That’s a relief, even if small.
“Absolutely. We’ll protect what’s hers,” Bart says, then dips his chin. “Thank you, General.”
“Now, I have a favor to ask you all. Nobleman Juti, what do you know about him?”
Hel rolls her eyes with a groan. “Insufferable asshole. Unless he’s drinking, snorting, smoking, fucking, or bathing in life’s other pleasures and luxuries, you won’t find him doing anything useful.”
My eyebrows hike all the way to my hairline.Interesting.
