Page 110 of Treasured

The air was light, and mirth filled the courtyard as the three of us played. Snowballs flew, names were called, and I felt happier than I had in years. This was the life Marius should have always had. He was outside, running around and laughing as any child his age should.

A tear sprang to my eye, and I brushed it away. Papa would have been so happy to see Marius living the life he always deserved.

“Pay attention, Lulu!” A snowball hit my thigh, drawing me out of my thoughts.

Marius stuck out his tongue, running away from me.

I darted in my brother’s direction, stopping just long enough to form another snowball, when the iron gates guarding the abbey creaked.

Instantly, the air shifted. My heart skipped a beat, and my muscles tightened. I grabbed Marius, moving him behind me as Sebastian landed in front of us. He and I gathered shadows in our palms, and I released my wings.

“What’s going on?” Marius asked, tugging on my cloak.

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Stay behind me.”

A lock turned in the abbey gate, and then the distinct sound of metal opening filled the night air. My shoulders tensed as I waited to see who would walk through.

It was only a few seconds, but it felt like hours before a cloaked figure entered the courtyard. The moment they did, Sebastian exhaled. We’re fine, he said.

He released his shadows into the night and approached the familiar figure walking towards us.

“It’s alright,” I told Marius. “It’s just Phyrra.”

“Who?” he asked.

I forgot he wouldn’t know who she was. He’d already been very sick by the time the spymaster had rescued him from the Broken Mountains, and she’d left him with the Second Order of Isvana’s Chosen Ones to find us.

“She works for Sebastian,” I told him quickly.

Phyrra came closer, sliding a key into her pocket and dipping into a bow a few feet away. “I came as soon as I got your message, Bastian.”

Sebastian had mentioned he’d sent multiple missives to the spy, but since he wasn’t sure where she was, he wasn’t sure she would receive them. I wasn’t clear how his messaging system functioned, but obviously, it was effective.

“Good to see you, Phyrra.” Sebastian clasped Phyrra’s arm in greeting. “What news do you bring?”

“I’ve done what you asked.” She withdrew a slip of paper from her pocket. “This is the information you seek.”

My curiosity spiked as I eyed the sheet of paper, but I didn’t ask questions. Sebastian would tell me later, when the time was right.

“Thank you, Phyrra.” He read the note before putting it away. “Will you be staying at the abbey?”

“Not at the moment. I have many things left to do.” She smiled ruefully, her eyes twinkling. “A spy’s life is never dull.”

With that, Phyrra turned and ran out of the courtyard. Sebastian shut the gate behind her, rejoining Marius and me in a moment.

My little brother’s eyes were wide as he stared at the now-closed gate. “She’s a real spy?” Wonderment filled his voice.

“She is,” I confirmed.

I didn’t know exactly what Phyrra did for Sebastian other than manage his spy network, but I knew he trusted her. That was enough for me.

“Wow,” Marius breathed, still eyeing the place where Phyrra had stood. “I just met a spy.”

Sebastian tucked me against his side and addressed my brother, “I’m a literal vampire and the prince of this realm, but you’re impressed by a spy?”

“Obviously,” Marius said dryly, rolling his eyes. “Being a spy is far more interesting.”

Then, as if he hadn’t just practically insulted one of the most powerful vampires in Eleyta, Marius spun on his booted heel and started back to the abbey.

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