Perhaps,he signed.Sule did not appear to think so.
Dax looked down at the glowing map.
“If he believes someone can return Leena, he will listen.”
Cole’s expression changed as the implication settled.
“He would not abandon Norse.”
“No,” Dax said. “But grief may convince him that bringing Leena back is the same thing as protecting their son.”
Malakai stood and moved away from Sule’s chair.
If someone promised him access to her, he may have gone willingly.
The room became silent.
Sule was the most powerful of them, but strength meant little if he entered a trap without intending to resist.
Cole lowered his voice.
“What is the plan?”
Malakai looked toward Dax before signing.
We continue searching. We protect Norse, hold the stronghold, and keep the heretic-marked fledgling contained until we understand why she was sent into our path.
“Veya,” Dax said.
Malakai’s gaze settled on him.
Dax held it.
“Her name is Veya.”
Malakai considered the correction before inclining his head.
Veya remains contained. We do not allow Rhen’s indifference or your attachment to distract us from the fact that heretic magic was attached to her for a reason.
Dax could not argue with that.
Cole looked around the room at the empty chair, the unanswered reports, and the city waiting beyond their defenses.
“And if Sule is making a deal?”
Malakai’s hands moved slowly.
Then we pray the price is something the rest of us can survive.
Chapter 29
The compound perimeter remained quiet except for the wind pushing dead leaves against the outer fencing.
Vance’s boots ground to a stop near the tree line when the shape ahead resolved into something other than discarded clothing.
A human body lay among the wet leaves with its arms spread across the ground. The man’s throat had been torn open, his ribs appeared damaged beneath his clothing, and almost every trace of blood had been drained from him.
Whoever had killed him had made no attempt to conceal the body.
