Page 86 of Forsaken Secrets

There were double doors leading down each side with names on plaques outside.

Most were blank, though. Were these the Seeker living quarters?

I couldn't help wondering what their lives were like when they weren't hunting and torturing us …

Finally, we reached a door with a sign on the front "Overseeker."

I nodded towards Kaiya, and she pushed the door open, squaring her shoulders and pasting a calm smile on her face.

Good girl.

I copied her and stepped in.

I'd expected something dark and depressing, but this study was like something I'd have seen in any wealthy lord's house. Bookshelves covered the walls, and a fire burned in the stone fireplace. I half expected to see a hound lolling in the heat there.

A man stood behind the desk, his bald head glinting in the firelight as he gestured for us to sit. He was not at all what I expected, and judging by his tattoo-less face, he was not a Seeker.

So, they had humans in charge of the Seekers?

I supposed it made sense — no one trusted Seekers. They were too close to being mages.

"What can I do for you kids?" he asked, voice pitched low.

Kaiya smiled and held her hand out. "Thank you for seeing us today, sir. We are here to help with a problem you've been having."

His eyes widened, but he shook her hand and then mine before dropping into his seat. "I see. And why have you chosen to go through me and not the normal channels?"

Kaiya shifted awkwardly. "It's a rather delicate matter."

He nodded and leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "Go on."

"You see. I believe we have a common problem … the estimable Lord Ellingsworth."

His eyebrows lifted. "I see. And what leads you to that conclusion?"

Kaiya leaned forward, shoulders straight. "It's not exactly a secret, sir."

The older man laughed, the sound low and happy. "Well, I suppose that's accurate. We've had some … issues … lately with Seekers disappearing, and some questionable happenings in the Ridge. All the evidence points to one person."

I swallowed hard. He'd come out and said that? If so, it meant that there was a lot more to it than we knew.

"Exactly. And that's why we came to you." Kaiya shifted in her seat. "I know you care most for keeping magic at bay — keeping the other humans such as us safe from Forsaken influences."

He nodded.

"I'm assuming that you haven't moved forward with your accusations because of lack of evidence?" She paused, and he motioned for her to continue. "Well, what if I said that we have a map to the evidence you need?"

His eyes lit up and his brows rose as he leaned forward, the chair creaking beneath him. "A map, you say?"

Kaiya nodded sharply. "However, we cannot give you said map without some assurances."

He chuckled softly and his lips twisted into a wry smile, eyes flashing dangerously for a moment. He was not a man to mess with. "Girl, if you have evidence and you don't tell me, you will be branded a mage conspirator and I need merely take you into custody and 'encourage' you to share anything you know — including said map."

Kaiya tensed beside me. We'd known this could be an issue. I'd never heard of a Seeker protecting people outside of their normal work.

I checked the window. It was open. We'd have to jump out of there if things went poorly.

"That all sounds a bit tedious and unnecessary on a day like today, though. Wouldn't you say? Besides, I'm sure you already know the consequences if you're lying."

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