Page 72 of Wild Flame

I tried to play it off, not wanting to explain. “There was an incident last night. I’m fine now.”

“Assassins were sent to kill her. They were dealt with,” Malik replied in one of the coldest tones I had ever heard him use.

Rin stared at him for a moment, then nodded. “Good.”

Rakim stood at her side, and Tajan was present as well.

Introductions were made, and we all took our seats. I sat beside Malik while Helene took my other side. Rakim and Rin sat across from us, while Taj took the empty chair beside his king. Azrun and Nova found spots on the floor near their riders, but Taj, Rakim, and Rin’s dragons weren’t present.

“I apologize for the delay in having this meeting, but I wanted to make sure a representative from each of the kingdoms was present,” Malik began.

“If you want a representative,” Rakim said, “why Rin and me?” There was an undercurrent of challenge in his tone. “And for that matter, why wait for Princess Helene when you already have a princess of Halmar at your side?”

Malik didn’t hesitate to reply. “Leida is my Hassai and soon to be queen of Zehvi. She is involved in this, and I value her insights. But she will soon have split loyalties. Halmar needs a representative with no such issue.” Malik shot him a pointed look. “And everyone here, save for Leida, was present at Three Points during the most recent trials. I asked you all here because I need your help, and I believe it may have something to do with the attack on Three Points. You and Rin have particular knowledge of that event, and this is not something I felt should be discussed in a letter.”

I swallowed hard. I quickly thought back to what I knew of the events at Three Points, from what little Helene could tell me. Rogue riders had attacked Three Points, the location where the dragon rider trials took place every three years—though I still didn’t know where that was since its location was only known to dragon riders. Princess Mercedes, the daughter of the queen of Baldor, had been behind the attack. She had been trying to create dragon riders—including herself—by unnaturally forcing the bond with magical potions. But she didn’t succeed, and haddied in the process. In a strange way I felt like I could relate to the princess—not that I could ever condone what she had done or the unnatural, cruel means by which she had tried to achieve her aim—but I could understand her desire to be a rider and what it was like to be one of the few members of your family who wasn’t one. I knew how alienating that could be. And how that might drive someone to do something extreme.

“Help with what?” Helene asked, bringing me back to the conversation. “And what does Three Points have to do with it?”

Malik’s jaw hardened before he spoke, and I found myself wanting to reach over and clasp his hand. Instead, I curled my fingers in my lap.

“Three weeks ago, a member of my Fangdar and his dragon attacked Taveran during our Unari Celebration. Twenty-two were killed and a small portion of the city was damaged.”

No one looked surprised by this information.

“Why?” Rakim asked.

Taj looked at the other spymaster. “Haven’t your spies already told you that?”

Rakim shot him a cold smirk. “There is speculation, but I should like to hear your version of events.”

“Don’t trust your people, Rakim?” Taj shook his head in mock sympathy. “I’m surprised. Aren’t most of them friends of yours from your less than reputable past?”

“My relationship with my informants is none of your concern,” Rakim drawled. “And having a ‘less than reputable past’, as you call it, is rather helpful for someone in our position. You would know that if you had held the position longer than a few months.”

I wasn’t sure where to look as I watched the proverbial chess match playing out before my eyes between the two spymasters. I was enjoying it immensely and got the feeling the two men were as well as they tested and prodded each other.

Taj opened his mouth—no doubt intending to counter what Rakim had said—but unfortunately Malik stepped in.

“The honest truth is, we don’t know why the attack happened,” Malik admitted, giving Taj a hard look as he continued. “Ramin claims no memory of the entire event. The last thing he remembers is walking into a side street with his wife, being attacked from behind, and then waking hours later with no memory of what he had done.”

“And you trust this rider?” Helene asked. “You believe this Ramin is telling you the truth?”

“He is a member of the Fangdar,” Taj said in answer.

“If you believe your man is telling the truth and was not aware of his actions,” Rin said, “then what do you think happened?”

“I think he was being controlled,” Malik said, “most likely by some kind of magic. And if my theory is correct, then whoever is doing this has the ability to control another’s mind and influence their actions. What happened in my city is just one example of what can happen when that person is a dragon rider.” Silence fell as everyone considered how horrifying an idea that was. “No one should have that power over another. It's evil. If someone has that capability, it affects all of us. And they must be stopped.”

Rakim just stared at him. “I agree. But how are we to know that you are not secretly behind this? Your father would have loved using such a weapon.”

“Despite what you might think of me, I am notmyfather.” Malik put particular emphasis on the wordmyand stared back at Rakim with a pointed look I didn’t understand. “And do you really think I would bring it to your attention like this if I were behind it?”

Again, the room fell silent.

Rakim and Rin shared a look. Then the spymaster looked back at Malik and said nothing, which I supposed was his way of agreeing to hear him out.

It was my sister who ventured to get us back on topic. “So you believe the attack on Taveran and what happened at Three Points are connected, then?”

---