Page 77 of The Study of Magic
“Yes. Our.”
Valek smiled. “You mean underneath all that ice you actually have a heart?”
“Surprising, I know. But it’s top secret.”
“As always,allyour secrets are safe with me.”
The Commander’s gaze held weight, as if he tried to figure out what exactly Valek had meant.
Before he could question him, Valek saluted and left. He stopped in Kenda’s office.
“Rough night?” she asked.
“I’ve had better.” He explained what he needed.
“What type of information are you looking for? What she’s doing? Who she’s associating with? Her schedule?”
“None of those. I just need to know she’s well. That no one is targeting her or harming her.”
“And if there are people after her?”
Kill them all.He took a steadying breath. “Provide assistance.”
“Yes, sir.”
Valek returned to his suite to unpack. He considered the problem with Star. If Yelena called for help again, nothing would stop him from going to Sitia. Nothing. The Commander had made a good point about Star taking advantage— He paused as the solution to his problem materialized. Valek laughed.
* * *
“You’re back,” Kenda said. “The messenger just left.”
“I’ve figured out a way to predict when Star will bolt again.” Well, the Commander had.
“Do tell.”
“I’ll leave for a mission. She won’t be able to resist the temptation.”
“And this mission?”
“To wait for her to escape.”
Kenda considered. “She has been practicing lock picking. The timing will have to be right, though. Too soon and she won’t have the skills.” She drummed her fingers on the table. “I’d give her ten days.”
“What if we keep the antidote in your office? It would make sense because you’ll have to give it to her while I’m gone.”
“Then a week.”
“All right. We can start dropping hints about my trip a few days before I supposedly leave.”
“Where are you supposedly going?”
“Back to MD-5 to help General Ute with a problem.”
* * *
It was business as usual for the next seven days, except for the wonderful day a message arrived that Yelena was well and appeared to be enjoying her time at the Magician’s Keep. Valek rested his head in his hands as the crushing weight lifted from his shoulders, and he could finally draw a deep breath.
On the forty-seventh day of the hot season, Valek, Ari, Janco, and Maren mounted horses and headed east to MD-5. During the short ride from the castle complex, Valek learned a few things. One, Maren had never been on a horse before, and two, Janco’s reflexes were far faster than Valek had expected. When Maren was bounced from her saddle, Janco managed to scoop her up before she hit the ground.
