Page 138

“Never been better,” he responded as he downed another vial of direweed.

“Any progress on Rakkley’s location?”

He closed the cabinet and tossed the empty vials in a trash bin. “No, he’s been good at hiding his tracks. According to Obryn, Rakkley has created several false trails. Every time the council thinks they’re closing in on him, it’s another dud.” He shrugged out of his jacket. “But we might have something. A group of his Feeders attacked Kadaro. The demons had already wreaked havoc by the time I got there, but at least I got to take out some Feeders.” He pulled her in for a kiss and slid his hand into her hair. “How are you?”

“I’m good now.”

He laughed and his lips moved to her neck. Then he stilled. “What happened?” His voice was cold.

“What do you mean?”

“Feeder spit has a high concentration of acid. It leaves a mark.” His hand moved to her clavicle, trailing it with meaning. “Where were you today?”

“Training.”

He shook his head. “Ivercrest would never allow you near a Feeder. Don’t lie to me.”

“You already know the answer.”

“And yet, I would still like to hear it from you.”

“I was in Kadaro. Right when the Feeder attack happened. But I’m fine.”

His thumb rolled over the spot on her clavicle. “Why were you there, Mira?”

She swallowed. “I wanted to ask Tanaka a few questions. I thought he could help me with the amulet.”

Aidric was still. No emotion passed over the mask his face had become. But she saw the fire in his eyes. “Did he?”

She shook her head, hoping he would believe this lie. Her hands moved along the fabric of his jacket, searching for any signs of injuries.

“You shouldn’t have gone to Kadaro, or any other sphere, on your own,” he said.

“I thought it was safe.”

“Nowhere is safe for you. Rakkley is coming for you. You’re his entire focus at the moment. He will not stop.”

“Did he send the Feeders for me?”

“I don’t think so. We’ve seen an uptick in demon attacks. He is trying to gather strength.”

Strength to be able to extract Synth from her.

“Promise me you will be more careful,” he said.

She gave a nod. Another lie. But he didn’t seem to notice. He kissed her and she leaned against him, taking in every last bit of the moment.

Aidric went to take a shower, and she read the scroll from Corvin again, inviting her to a meeting in his office after sunrise. She had specified she wanted to speak to him alone.

Failure was not an option. Even if it meant using Dark Magic one more time.

Mira arrived at the council building just before sunrise and was escorted to her meeting with the Primemage. During the entire walk to Corvin’s office, she went over the details of her plan again and again. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on the strands of her Dark Magic. To hold on to them. She wasn’t sure how much Dark Magic this would require of her. She couldn’t exactly practice this.

The guard dropped her off at Corvin’s office and left.

“Miss Winters.” The Primemage indicated for her to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Such a curious message I received from you. How are you proposing we find Rakkley?”

She sat down and crossed her legs. “Could I get some tea?”