My captain nodded. “Given the recent capture efforts, it makes sense. As does waiting for the ball to act. The knights patrol the castle grounds and cover every entry point during royal events, but with so many guests, it’s possible for someone to slip through.”
“Someone like me,” Rowan said. “As you recall, the guards and knights couldn’t stop me the night of the autumn ball. I came to you on the castle balcony undetected. If our target is as powerful as Reign says he is, it would be all too easy for him to find his way in.”
I felt sick. “And what better time to make his move than when so many people are gathered? He could snatch Sawyer and disappear into the crowd.”
“Not only disappear but turn that crowd against any guards that try to pursue them.” Rowan stared longingly at his empty glass. “We believe he’s behind the fights in the kingdom. Using dark magic to enhance people’s negative emotions. Turn their fear against them and cause them to lash out. It all adds up.”
“What’s the point of that?” I asked. “Just to be an asshole?”
My spy cracked a smile. “No, little treasure. The brawls and unrest have distracted our forces, as your captain said. Knights and spies alike. Keeping our focus on various threats and allowing our target and anyone working with him to move pieces across the board behind the scenes.”
“You said Nocturne is an order of magical mercenaries.” I fidgeted in place. “This guy might not be connected to Haran at all. Anyone could’ve hired him.”
“True.” Maddox nodded. “Word has spread by now of Voltas and Bremloc arranging an alliance through marriage. Several kingdoms across the sea would have reason to intervene, seeing as to how it’d unite two already powerful armies; Bremloc’s soldiers and the naval fleet from Voltas.”
“The trade as well,” Duke said. “Because of the canal.”
“I would be inclined to agree with that theory if not for one thing…” Briar sat back down and rubbed the back of his neck. “King Silas has hired the services of Nocturne once before. With Prince Elias.”
I froze. “What?”
He looked at me with a slight tremble in his chin. “The details around the matter are mainly speculation, though there are rumors that King Silas searched for Prince Elias for months with no success. Thus, he hired Nocturne to track him down.”
Fear squeezed my sternum. The mercenaries had killed my dad? And now one of them was in the kingdom.
The smallest flicker of pain showed in Maddox’s eyes. “So, it’s safe to assume King Silas has resorted to hiring them again.”
“It’s very likely, yes.”
Callum brought me closer to his side. Lake looked at me, ears lowering and purple eyes faintly glowing. Rowan glared at the floor, a tic prominent in his jaw. That was the one thing none of them had known. The missing piece of the puzzle that brought everything into focus.
“Whether this mercenary is affiliated with Haran or not is of little consequence in regard to finding him.” Baden turned in his chair to face us, not seeing Quincy steal the brownie from the plate. “He’s caused harm to this kingdom and its people and must answer for it.”
“How will you find him?” I asked, blood pressure rising. “He’s not just an ordinary soldier. He has powers. You’re knights, not mages.”
“With our help.” Rowan slid from the barstool and retrieved his flask from the cloak he’d draped over the nearest chair. “The bastard can’t hide forever. Reign lost his scent last night but detected a faint trace of it leading toward the mountains.”
“Okay.” My stress level had skyrocketed in a matter of minutes. “What’s the plan now?”
“Our orders are to locate the mage and bring him in for questioning,” Maddox said, lacking inflection. Serious and to the point. “We’re meeting with the other knight captains at dawn to arrange a search party.”
Duke nodded. “As my fellow redheaded brother said, the bastard can’t hide forever. We’ll find him.”
“Redheaded brother?” Rowan cocked his head, as if considering the title. “I’ll allow it.”
I almost laughed at that, but the knots twisting in my gut made me feel sick.
“Don’t worry, Ev.” Callum tipped my face up to his. “We’ll be prepared this time. For demons and anything else we may encounter.”
“I’ll be there as well,” Rowan said. “Using the shadows to travel and keep watch of our surroundings. And I’ll use the Bone Crusher to save one of these fools if need be.”
“Save yourself,” Maddox told him with a sneer. “We are more than capable of protecting ourselves.”
“Wait.” Despite my nerves, I smiled. “Does this mean all of you will be working together? Spies and knights?”
“Unfortunately.” Rowan took a swig from his flask. “Captain Glutton better not get in my way.”
Briar snorted.
