Page 65 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

“S-sorry.” Lyle belches. “I just came over to say hello to Brother Ironheart.”

He teeters forward, slamming his palms on the table to catch himself. I jolt. Ferria eyes the man with twisted lips.

Lev stands and claps a hand on Lyle’s shoulder. “I think it’s time to call it a night, Brother Portwill.”

“Aw, not yet. There’s so much to talk about.” He straightens and sways. “Like our guesses about what the Elders are doing with that prisoner in the cells.”

Every man around me stiffens. Even Dian, who’d been busy whispering sweet nothings into his betrothed’s ear, rears back and glares at the drunk man.

“Shut the hell up, Portwill,” Dian snaps.

Blyne and Welm level equally hard stares on their fellow soldier.

“What prisoner?” Ferria asks.

“It’s nothing,” Lev says, the knuckles on the hand holding Lyle’s shoulder turning white.

“You’re lying,” I challenge.

Lev’s eyes slide to mine, then back to Lyle for a loaded moment before he finally releases him. “He’s speaking of the prisoner the Fae brought with them.”

I gasp. “What?”

At the same time, Ferria snaps, “Why in the six hells would he be in a cell?”

Lev grinds his teeth together. “I can’t tell you.”

Lyle hiccups a slurred, “Excuse me” and takes the opportunity to slink away from the chaos he just created.

My stomach churns. “That man was injured, Lev. Why wasn’t I summoned to help him?”

“Juniper’s been to see him,” he reveals. “He’s fine.”

Ferria and I share an equally surprised look before my gaze falls to the table.

How did I forget about the injured human the Fae dragged into the meeting hall?

“Hey.” Ferria reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing. “Relax. You’ve been busy.”

That’s no excuse.

I look between the men around me. “Why is that man imprisoned?”

Lev answers, “It’s the safest place for him to be until we can verify his identity.”

I frown. “Why do you need to know his identity?”

“He arrived with Fae, Elara,” Dian says, glazed eyes clearing. “He could be a spy, for all we know.”

Ferria snorts. “He wasn’t even conscious when he arrived.”

Welm speaks up. “And if he’s not a spy, then he could truly be a member of the rebellion. The Elders can’t risk him roaming free until we⁠—”

“Enough, Welm.” Lev’s eyes flash. His jaw tightens as he grits his teeth.

Welm drops his gaze, picks up his drink, and takes a long sip.

My eyes flick between the men. What’s really going on?