Page 93 of The Study of Magic
Valek followed Signe into the hallway. Ari ignored Valek as they walked to a quiet corner.
“Sir, there’s a situation that Captain Janco and I need to address,” Ari said to Signe.
“What happened, Captain?” Signe asked.
“It appears Yelena Zaltana has been kidnapped.”
Valek fisted his hands so hard his nails dug into his palms.
“Appears?” Signe asked with the same mild tone.
“She had two guards protecting her from an unknown aggressor. We were with her this afternoon, sparing, and doing self-defense training, and had parted ways. Except, Captain Janco had a…twitchy feeling, and we doubled back to check on her. Her guards had been knocked unconscious and she had disappeared.”
Valek kept his bland expression, but inside he burned with rage.
“Did you alert the proper Sitian authorities?” she asked.
“Yes, we alerted the guards at the gate, and they passed the message along to the magicians.”
“What more can you do? They have magicians and security people.”
“The guards said a gardener wheeled a cart past them earlier and left the Citadel through the east gate. We suspect Yelena was in the burlap bag inside. At first light, we can track that cart and find Yelena.”
“Aren’t the Sitians able to do this as well?”
“They’re sending search parties throughout the Citadel. They’re convinced she hasn’t left.” Ari sucked in a breath in an obvious attempt to control his emotions. “They don’t trust Janco’s instincts. I do.”
Signe met Valek’s gaze for a moment. “Then you should proceed on your own. Keep me posted, Captain.”
“Yes, sir.” Ari dashed away.
“Don’t get caught,” Signe said to Valek before she returned to dinner.
Get caught? There was nothing he could do! Frantic with worry and livid that someone dared to kidnap Yelena, Valek prowled the streets of the Citadel, hoping Yelena would reach out to him through their connection. He’d gladly give all his energy to her again.
He went to the market to find Fisk. Perhaps the boy had seen or heard something. It was a slim chance, but he had nothing else to do. However, the market was closed. Valek followed the searches that had been dispatched from the keep. It was obvious they had no idea where Yelena had gone.
If she died…No.Not going there. Not now.
An hour before dawn, he found a spot to watch the east gate. Ari and Janco arrived at first light and left the Citadel. Valek followed them. They inspected the grass around the dirt road going east, then they followed the road.
After an eternity, they slowed and turned south onto a narrow path overgrown with weeds. Eventually, a small, abandoned farmhouse came into view. The barn had crumpled, and the fields had gone fallow. A small shed looked to be the only structure not on the verge of collapse.
It took all of Valek’s willpower not to charge to the rescue. He waited as Ari and Janco made a loop around the structure. The new locks shone in the sunlight—a bright contrast to the peeling paint and rusted hinges.Hurry up!
As if obeying Valek’s mental command, Janco pressed his ear to the door, and signaled,She’s in here.He yanked out his lock picks and unlocked the door. Then he stood back, and both men drew their swords.
On the count of three, Ari signaled.One. Two. Three.
They kicked the door open. Valek’s heart stopped beating.
“Yelena are you all right?” Ari asked.
Janco went inside the shed. “Keys?” There was silence. “Guess I’ll have to do it the hard way.”
Valek crept to the shed’s door and peered inside. Ari pointed his sword at some man. Ferde? Yelena’s wrists were manacled and attached to a chain hanging from the ceiling. But she appeared to be uninjured. Valek almost staggered to the ground in relief.
Janco had his lock picks out, but Yelena shook her head. “I’ve got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I’ll meet you there.”
