Page 82 of The Study of Poisons
The Commander rose and Valek gestured for Yelena to join them. The generals were bound to make angry accusations at each other, and it was best to go. Yelena wobbled slightly but caught her balance. A lightweight, she probably never drank so much alcohol at one time.
The war room erupted into loud arguments as soon as they left.
“That should stir things up a bit,” the Commander said dryly.
“I would advise against vacationing in MD-8 this year,” Valek said. His tone dripped with sarcasm. “The way Dinno reacted to your announcement about the southern delegation, I would expect him to pepper your beach house with sand spiders.” Valek shivered. About the size of a cat, their bite was venomous. “A horribly painful way to die.”
They walked, or in Yelena’s case, staggered back to their apartments in silence. When they reached the Commander’s suite, Valek said, “I’d watch out for Rasmussen too. He didn’t take the news of the change in your successor well.”
“I watch out for everyone, Valek. You know that,” the Commander said.
Except, Valek feared that the Commander’s vigilance hadn’t been enough this time. Ambrose closed the door behind him, signaling he was too tired for their nightcap.
He and Yelena entered their suite, but Valek was far from sleepy. He ripped off the jacket of his damn dress uniform and tossed it onto the couch. Pointing to a chair, he said, “Sit. We need to talk.” Well, heneededto discuss what happened in the brandy meeting.
She sprawled on the chair and looped a leg over the arm.
He paced the length of the living room. “Two things were very wrong tonight.”
“Oh, come on. I just dozed for a minute,” she said a bit too loud.
He stopped and looked at her. “No, no. You did fine. I meant about the meeting; the generals.” He continued to pace. “First, Brazell seemed unusually happy about the change in successor and the Sitian delegation. He’s always wanted a trade treaty, but he typically exercises a more cautious approach. And second, there was a magician in the room.”
“What?” Surprised, she sat up straighter.
“Magic. Very subtle, from a trained professional. I only felt it once, a brief touch, but I couldn’t pinpoint the source. But the magician had to be in the room, or I wouldn’t have felt it.”
“When?”
“During Tesso’s long-winded dissertation about corn.” Valek relaxed a bit. It had only been that one time during the six-hour meeting. “About the same time your snoring could be heard halfway across the room.”
“Ha,” she snorted. “You were so stiff at that meeting I thought rigor mortis had set in.”
Nice retort. “I doubt you could have looked any better sitting in that uncomfortable dress uniform all night. I imagine Dilana sprayed on extra starch with malicious glee.” Then he sobered. “Do you know Adviser Mogkan? He eyed you most of the evening.”
“I know of him. He was Reyad’s primary adviser. They also hunted together.”
“What’s he like?” Valek asked.
“Same kind of vermin as Reyad and Nix,” she said with searing anger. Then she slapped both hands over her mouth as if she’d just given away a secret.
That was the most emotion he’d seen from her regarding Reyad. Was it the alcohol talking or was she finally trusting him? “There were a number of new advisers at the meeting. I guess I’ll have to check them out one by one. It seems we have a new southern spy with magic abilities.” He sighed. “It never ends.” Suddenly tired, he perched on the edge of the couch.
“If it did, you’d be out of a job.” She climbed onto the couch behind him and grabbed his shoulders.
If she planned to strangle him, he doubted he could stop her because he’d frozen in complete shock. She kneaded the tight muscles along his back and neck, and he realized she was giving him a massage. He relaxed and enjoyed it. It’d probably never happen again.
“What would you do,” she asked, “if suddenly the world was perfect, and you had no one to spy on?”
“I’d be bored,” Valek said.Unless you were with me, love.
“Come on, seriously. A change in profession.” She dug her thumbs into the muscles at the base of his neck.
He almost groaned out loud.
“A fire dancer?” she asked.
Doubtful. “No. An arms teacher?” Valek countered.
