Page 71 of The Study of Magic
That evening, the Commander messaged Valek to report to his office. When Valek entered the office, he looked up from his desk.
“Why are you surprised? You asked me to come,” Valek said.
“I did. Why…” He sighed and rubbed his brow. “I never realized just how important eyebrows are in non-verbal communication.”
Valek bit down on a chuckle as he sat down. “I’ll lend you some makeup. You can draw eyebrows on until yours grow back.”
“I’m not very artistic. Looking perpetually surprised might be better than appearing like a super villain.”
“I’ll stop by your suite in the mornings and help. However, I’m sure you didn’t send for me to talk about your eyebrows.”
“No. I wanted an update on your exploits, and what issues you’re dealing with now the magicians have been taken care of.”
The report wouldn’t take long, since all his focus had been on Alea’s plans. “Ari, Janco, and I believe, Maren are in training to join my corps.”
“Believe?”
“She hasn’t committed, but I think she will. Maren is hard to read, which is why I think she’d be an asset to my team.”
“You’ve been relying on the captains since Brazell’s. Are you hoping for them to be your seconds?”
“Yes. I know Janco can be annoying at times, but they’re a powerful pair. In fact, I refer to them as the power twins. And I’d like Maren to join us as well.”
The Commander gave him a shrewd look. “You’re not thinking of retiring, are you?”
“No. I just think if something happens to me—like a chimney falls on my head—you’ll need at least three people to replace me.” Valek grinned.
“My, aren’t we confident today.” The Commandertsked. “Chimneys aside, what’s the next challenge?”
He detailed his plan for Star. “It’s the only way we’ll find the rest of her organization.”
“You’re inviting a viper into our midst,” the Commander said. “I’ll have to watch her closely, or she might slip poison into my food.”
“She won’t. Star has created a successful business under your leadership. A new commander would be an unknown. Perhaps worse. Her sole focus is going to be escaping and rejoining her people.”
“And you will facilitate that escape?”
“Eventually. There needs to be a few failed attempts before she believes she has escaped on her own and wasn’t just allowed to escape,” Valek said.
“I’m still going to watch her. And speaking of a new commander, who did you appoint?”
Ah, the Commander had figured out Valek wouldn’t allow Brazell to be named the Commander’s successor. Not when the change had been influenced by magic. “I switched it to General Franis because he’s the youngest. Or was. Ute is younger.”
“A good choice overall. But I’ve my eye on another. Time will tell.”
“Not me. Please.”
“Don’t worry. You’re not in the running.” The Commander waited.
Valek suspected he wanted Valek to ask why not, but as long as he wasn’t chosen, he was happy. “Thank fate.”
* * *
When Star returned to his office three days later, Valek asked the guards to remove her manacles and invited her to sit down. The defiance in her gaze had been replaced by a shrewd look. No doubt already plotting her escape.
He told her all the same things he told Yelena nine months ago. It was a lifetime position, the training could be lethal, no days off, no spouse, no children, no payment for her services. Star would get a room in the castle to sleep but she had to report to the Commander to taste his meals three times a day. Star’s gaze sharpened at learning she’d be free to move around the castle.
“And your first lesson starts now.” He retrieved the goblet he’d prepared and set it on the desk in front of Star. “Go on, take a sip.”
