Leif picked up the spoon. “Which has made me feel all safe and warm. Now I’m wondering what type of uniform I’d have to wear when we’re conquered.”

Considering the Commander had banned all magicians, except me, from Ixia and executed most of those caught inside his borders, I knew that, at best, Leif and the others would be incarcerated in a magic-proof cell for the rest of their lives—or, at worst, they’d all be killed. I decided not to sour his mood any further.

Instead I said, “I’m sure the Commander will find a job that’s perfect for your qualifications. You’d look good in a stable boy’s uniform, or spiffy as a chamber pot manager.”

“Sure, you can laugh. The Commander likes you. And now you...” Leif ducked his head, focusing on the bowl in front of him.

“What? Now I’m not a Soulfinder anymore, the Commander will welcome me with open arms?”

He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “Something like that.”

“Then say it. I don’t want people dancing around the subject or treating me different...or locking me in jail ‘for my own protection.’”

“I was under orders from the Council,” Leif protested.

It had backfired. The second assassin had found me in no time. “And look how well that turned out.” Thank fate I still had a few tricks up my sleeves.

“Sorry. Won’t happen again,” Leif promised.

“Good.” I changed the subject. “Are you staying here until Father comes?”

“Yes. I expect he’ll arrive in about fifteen days.”

That was a long time to wait. Leif’s wife, Mara—a real sweetheart—wouldn’t ever complain, but she couldn’t be happy. “What will you do all that time?”

“We plan to search the surrounding towns and villages, looking for more of those hothouses.”

“We?”

“Devlen believes it’s a good idea. And he’s got a way with the locals. They talk to him.”

With Owen at large, Devlen’s daughter, Reema, would have to remain with Ari in the Commander’s castle until it was safe. Owen had threatened to kill her.

“Have you found any records here? That would make it easier.” And so would interrogating Ben. I wondered if Valek had “talked” to him before the authorities swooped in.

“It appears Owen didn’t keep any records at this location. Which is why I’m hoping to find another place where he may have left information behind.”

“Or you might find him.” The thought of the two of them hunting Owen alone caused a queasiness to roll in my stomach. Leif had been kidnapped by Owen before. And while Devlen was skilled with a sword, Owen’s magic outmatched Leif’s.

“Even better,” he said in a low, dangerous tone.

Not good. “At least make sure you take Hale with you.” I was glad Hale had been assigned to travel with us for added protection.

“Hale’s gone. He was ordered back to the Citadel.”

Interesting. “And you weren’t?”

“Oh, I was.”

“Leif—”

“Don’t ‘Leif’ me.” His green eyes sparked in annoyance. “You know as well as I do the Council will debate what to do for months. Meanwhile, Owen’s out there—”

“Along with Rika Bloodgood and Tyen Cowan. Two powerful magicians, which brings the total to three against you and Devlen.”

He squared his shoulders with that stubborn Zaltana determination.

I tried another tactic. “Owen’s smart. He knows both the Commander and the Council will be searching for him, so he’s going to lay low for the next few months while he figures out his next move.”

“That’s why we need to stop him before he can act.”

Leif had a point. I considered the situation. “Then the best use of your time would be to convince the Sitian Council to let you use your magic to interrogate Ben and the others.”

He grunted, but I wasn’t sure I’d convinced him.

We ate the rest of our soup in silence. After a few minutes, Devlen entered the kitchen. A deep scowl etched his dark face, and tension radiated from his powerful build.

“Still no luck?” Leif asked him, referring to Devlen’s repeated attempt to speak to Ben.

“Yelena, where is Valek?” Devlen asked, ignoring Leif.

“He said he had to take care of a few things. Why?”

Devlen cursed.

“What’s going on?” Leif asked.

“Ben, Loris and Cilly have all been assassinated.”

2

VALEK

As he prepared for the trip, Valek’s mind whirled with the implications of becoming a father, even though he knew Yelena might not be pregnant. Just the thought of a baby sent a giddy, wild happiness mixed with fear pulsing through his veins. No surprise his immediate instinct was the intense desire to protect both his heart mate and the baby. He imagined locking them both in a tower so no one could harm them. Pure fantasy at best.

His second reaction was to plan the logistics. Yelena would stay with him, of course, and they’d raise the baby together. Where would they live? In the Commander’s castle? No. In their cabin in the Featherstone Clan lands? No. That location was too well-known. And what if he was on assignment for the Commander?

Valek banished all his crazy thoughts with effort. Yelena needed to be a part of this discussion. And he needed to confirm a suspicion.