LITMIR.BIZ

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      “There’s nothing to worry about, Valek. All is well.”

      Valek paused and stared at the Commander. “I’d still like to—”

      “No need. I’m sure you have quite the story to tell, but it’s late and I’m in no mood to hear it. Report to the war room first thing tomorrow morning.” He glanced at Onora. “Just you, Valek. You’re dismissed.”

      The Commander’s complete lack of curiosity about Valek’s mission alarmed him along with the comment that there was nothing to worry about. The Commander never believed all is well. Ambrose considered relaxing your guard to be something that would be exploited by your enemy in no time. However, Valek couldn’t press the issue. Not with Onora standing there.

      “Yes, sir,” Valek said.

      They left and closed the door. Valek remained in the hallway, considering his next move.

      “Magic?” Onora asked him with concern.

      “Not that I felt.”

      “Then what’s wrong?”

      “Everything.”

      * * *

      Valek sent Onora to help with the horses and to instruct Janco to complete a perimeter check of the castle, including the barracks, stables, kennels and training areas, seeking magic. If Owen was here, he’d be hiding behind one of Rika’s illusions. Valek concentrated on all the interior rooms and halls inside the castle. The odd-shaped structure had more hidden places than a labyrinth. Starting in the dungeon and working his way up, he searched for a stickiness in the air that meant magic was in use.

      The air remained clear until Valek encountered a brief touch near the rooms reserved for his officers. He followed the tackiness down the hallway. One lantern remained lit, casting a sickly yellow glow on the gray stone walls. A door jerked open, and Valek yanked his knives from their sheaths.

      Ari’s six-foot-four-inch frame filled the threshold. He brandished a long dagger, but relaxed when he spotted Valek. “I’ll be damned. You were right.”

      “I was right about what?” Valek asked.

      “Not you.” Ari stepped aside. “Reema. She said you were creeping around.”

      Reema poked her head out from behind Ari. Her blond corkscrew curls fanned her face like a lion’s mane. That explained the magic. While no one, not even Master Magician Irys, could pick up on Reema’s magic, both Valek and Opal suspected she used it. But it didn’t explain the strength. Before, Valek had to be standing right next to her in order to sense her power. That puzzle would have to wait.

      “I wasn’t creeping. I’m checking for intruders,” Valek said.

      Ari straightened. “What can I do?”

      “Stay with Reema.”

      The big man pressed his lips together, but kept quiet.

      “Are the others back, as well?” Reema asked. “My dad and Janco?”

      “Janco and your aunt Yelena are with the horses.” Valek crouched down to her level. “Your father didn’t come. He’s in Sitia with your uncle Leif. You’ll have to stay here a little longer.”

      “Oh.” She stared at him a moment. “Does that mean the bad men who are after Aunt Yelena haven’t been caught?”

      Valek glanced at Ari.

      “I didn’t tell her,” he said.

      She huffed. “I’m not stupid.”

      No, she wasn’t. “Yes. And you’re safe here. That’s why your father wants you to remain with us.” Valek hoped.

      “Can I see Aunt Yelena?”

      “Tomorrow. Right now you need to get back to sleep.” Valek followed her into Ari and Janco’s quarters, which included two bedrooms and a large living area with couches, armchairs, tables and desks. No need to guess that the one overflowing with papers, books and files was Janco’s.

      Ari’s bedroom door stood ajar and Reema headed toward it. Valek turned to Ari, questioning.

      “You ordered me not to let her out of my sight,” Ari said. “I brought in another bed for her.”

      “Good. Has there been anything strange going on?”

      Ari ran a meaty hand over his short, curly blond hair. “You mean other than tonight? No. Why?”

      “Just checking.”

      “Come on, Valek, it’s me. What’s going on?”

      “Not now. We’ll have a briefing in my office in the afternoon.”

      “That gives Janco time to tell me all about it from his...unique perspective. Are you sure you want to risk it?”

      Valek smiled. “He’ll be too tired to tell stories.”

      Ari laughed. “Janco is never too tired to tell stories.”

      * * *

      Valek finished his search of the castle. Not wishing to disturb the advisers and high-ranking officers sleeping, he didn’t check inside the rooms. All was quiet in the guest wing, but he touched each door just in case. None of them were sticky with magic. Valek continued ghosting through the hallways, but encountered nothing alarming.

      Janco waited for him outside his office. The poor guy sat on the floor, leaning against the hard wooden door, sleeping. Valek nudged him awake with the toe of his boot.

      Janco jerked and grabbed the hilt of his sword. “What? Oh.” He released his grip and shuffled to his feet.

      “Did you find anything?” Valek asked.

      “No. No illusions or creepy-crawly magic.” He stretched his arms above his head while yawning. “None of the guards saw anything strange or heard voices. Though there was something I wish I didn’t see.” Janco rubbed his eyes. “Sergeant Falice hooking up with Sergeant Dallin behind the barracks. Yuck.”

      “Get some sleep. We’re meeting here this afternoon.”

      “Yes, sir.” Janco wobbled away.

      Valek glanced out the window at the end of the hallway. About one hour until dawn. He headed to his suite across the hall from the Commander’s. Private Berk remained on duty.

      “Liaison Yelena is waiting for you inside, sir,” Berk said.

      “Thank you.” Valek entered and closed the door behind him.

      Yelena had lit the lanterns ringing the main living area. She’d sprawled on the couch and was fast asleep. He picked her up. She hardly weighed anything. As he carried her upstairs to his bedroom, she muttered a few indecipherable words. Yelena roused a bit when he laid her on the bed.

      “Did you...?”

      “Sleep, love. We found no signs of Owen.”

      She patted the space next to her.

      “Wish I could.” He pulled the blanket over her as he told her about the afternoon meeting. “I’ll have the kitchen staff send up a late breakfast for you. I want you to eat it all. Understand?”

      “Yes, love.”

      “That’s my line. You’ll have to think of something else.” He kissed her and left.

      Exhaustion dragged on his body like a sopping-wet cloak. Valek stopped at the kitchen for a few bites to eat and to order the tray for Yelena. Sammy, the head chef, promised to send her a huge stack of sweet cakes.

      The combination of the food and a cold shower revived him. Dressing in a clean uniform, Valek combed his hair. The wet strands hung past his shoulders. Valek tied it at the base of his neck with a leather string. The Commander had stopped remarking on the length when Valek explained that

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