Page 45 of The Study of Magic
“He also said you were stopping here first, and I knew once you hit that hot water, I’d be waiting all night.” She glanced at the window. Blackness painted the glass. “Let me examine you quick, so we can both get to bed.”
Channa poked and prodded much like Cylvia had. Amazingly, there were three places on his upper body that didn’t hurt. Progress.
“You’ve had a number of close calls, Valek, but this one is the closest. I’d tell you to rest for at least a week but know it’s pointless.”
Right now, the thought of staying in bed an entire week sounded just fine. “In this case, you could order me.”
“I could. How about a promise? That if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or can’t keep your balance, you will go to bed.”
A good compromise. “I promise.”
“I’ll be checking on you these next couple days,” she said before leaving.
Valek toweled dry and changed into a cleanish uniform. While he’d love to head straight to bed, he needed to inform the manager of his corps, Kenda, about the threat. They’d have to update the security protocols of the castle’s guards to keep alert for signs that magic was in use. There were only a few noticeable clues, but it was better than nothing.
Even at this late hour, Kenda was in her office. Despite keeping track of his vast network of spies and a million other details, her desk was neat and organized. She was instrumental in their success.
She stood up when he entered, took one look at him, and said, “What the hell happened to you?” Kenda was also frank.
“I was attacked.”
“By what? A pack of snow cats?”
“A tree.”
Sinking in her chair, she covered her mouth, but couldn’t hide the shine in her eyes. “Looks like the tree won.”
“Ha. Ha.” Valek explained what happened and briefed her on the threat of Alea and the other magicians. “I haven’t had time to consider all the implications yet, but I’m going to assume they know we were planning to ambush them here.”
“Well, that explains why I’m getting reports from our agents that the generals have been acting out of character. These magicians must already be influencing them.”
“Then we really need to get them all here. At least to detox them from the Criollo.”
“Should we send our people to provide extra security for the generals?”
“That’s a good idea.” He rubbed his forehead. Thinking hurt. “We have time to figure out how to find and kill the magicians. One problem at a time.”
“That would be ideal, but we’ve been dealing with another problem since you left.”
CHAPTER8
“Another problem?” Valek asked, even though he really didn’t want to know.
“Yes. Do you want to hear it tonight?”
“Not really.”
Kenda ignored him. “This problem goes back to the middle of the cold season. Remember that woman you sent to me? Calls herself Captain Star?”
Yes, he did. Star oversaw a vast network of criminals. A network, Valek hoped to destroy. “Did she escape?”
“I wish.” Kenda pinched her finger and thumb until they were almost touching. “I’mthisclose to sending her up to the Northern Ice Pack and feeding her to the snow cats.”
“Is she not cooperating?”
“She won’t shut up!”
Confused, Valek rubbed his aching head. “Isn’t that a good thing? Star has information we need to uproot the rest of her organization.”
