“Uh...his insistence on seeing you.”

How did this man get promoted to sergeant? “Let me give you a quick lesson on assassins, Sergeant. They don’t walk up to the border and announce their plans. Nor do they wear conspicuous clothing. You’re both dismissed.”

“But our captain told us to stay with the Sitian at all times.”

“I outrank your captain. Wait out by the castle’s gate.”

The messenger wrung his hands as Valek escorted him inside his office. Bad news, or was he just nervous about being alone with the infamous Valek?

Valek leaned against his desk. “What’s so important?”

“I’m...er... Second Magician Irys Jewelrose sent me.”

His first thought was something had happened to Yelena. It took all of Valek’s considerable willpower to keep from shaking the rest of the information from the messenger. “Go on.”

“She’s very concerned about Liaison Yelena. There’s been...”

He straightened. “What happened?”

“The Master Magicians have uncovered a plot to harm the Liaison.”

“I already know about the assassination attempt in the woods.”

“They’re uncertain if this is related to that attack or a new one. And since the Liaison is vulnerable, Master Jewelrose thought you should be informed right away.”

“Vulnerable?” Ice rushed through his body. He gripped the edge of his desk. “What do you mean by vulnerable?”

22

JANCO

As the pain in Janco’s head increased, Onora prepared for a magical attack. After a few minutes, nothing happened. No one attacked. Yet the agony continued. Janco’s vision blurred, and from the corner of his eye he spotted the reason. An illusion. Or rather, a magical illusion right in the middle of the freaking forest.

The pain in his right ear intensified as Janco drew closer to the magical illusion. Onora followed him with her knives drawn. As far as illusions went, this one was rather lame. It matched the forest exactly. Bare trees, bushes, piles of dead leaves—all normal for being in the middle of the Snake Forest.

That meant it hid something important. Janco held his hands straight out as he walked toward the illusion. He grimaced as his head pounded.

“Uh, Janco, there’s a tree right— Oh!”

He pierced the illusion and a strange burning sensation flashed through his body. At least the agony in his ear dulled.

“Janco, are you all right?” Onora asked. “Where are—”

He reached through the magical border and yanked her inside. She yelped in surprise, but recovered quickly.

As he caught his breath, he scanned their surroundings. Wagon-wheel grooves marked the forest floor and led to a mouth of a cave a few feet away. The illusion camouflaged the cave’s entrance so the border patrols would walk right by it.

Onora peered inside then entered. She returned with an unlit torch. “Looks like the cave’s in use. Could this be a hideout?”

“Was there any evidence that someone is living in there?”

“It’s narrow and I couldn’t see far. There might be a bigger cavern farther in.”

“Then light the torch and we’ll go have a look.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Define crazy.”

“Walking right into a trap.” She stabbed the tip of her dagger at the cave.

Janco crouched on the ground. “The wagon marks are a few days old. No fresh boot prints. I don’t think the cave is occupied at the moment.”

“So now you have a cave vibe, too?”

“Okay, Little Miss Assassin, what do you suggest we do?”

“Hide and wait. See who comes out or goes in.”

Oh. Actually, that was a pretty good plan. Annoyed he hadn’t thought of it, Janco crossed his arms. “For how long?”

“For as long as it takes.”

“What about our mission?” And then it hit him. “This could be what we’re searching for—a way for the smugglers to cross the border without being seen.”

“If it tunnels under the border into Sitia, and if it isn’t just a hideout.”

“Killjoy.”

“If I was going to kill, it wouldn’t be joy.” Onora gave him a pointed look.

He laughed. “You wouldn’t be the first person who wished me dead, sweetheart.”

She flinched at the endearment and shoved her weapons into their holders to cover her...anger? No. Fear? Not quite. More like an old nightmare that hadn’t faded. He waited for her to threaten him with bodily harm if he used “sweetheart” again, but Onora kept quiet. Smart. If she’d fussed, he’d use it all the time just to goad her. Ari had called it childish, but Janco used it as a tool. He needed to discover just how much tolerance she had and where her breaking point was.

“How did you see through the illusion?” she asked. “Do you have magic?”

“Oh no. Not at all. I’m allergic to magic.” He explained about the warning pain. “I had no idea what it hid.”

“Since you can sense it, you should find a position outside the illusion, and I’ll stay inside,” she said.

He glanced around. There wasn’t much room. “Where—”

“Not many people look up.” She shoved her boots and cape inside her pack, then stashed it out of sight. Onora climbed the rough stone wall next to the cave’s mouth until she reached the apex. Settling into a comfortable position, she shooed Janco.