Page 8 of The Raven Queen

Fin

For two days, Lyra, Callon, and I followed the merc envoy through the forest toward Mantis. Their wagon of rocks and soil samples was heavy, keeping us at a slow pace as we lingered a few miles behind on horseback, out of sight. We were there for reconnaissance, not to make ourselves known, so using my Ability, I nulled us and used Tick and the other forest animals’ eyes to see what we couldn’t.

We’d learned little more about the mercs and what they were up to than what Lyra had already gleaned from them in the desert, but we knew they were being paid an exorbitant amount by way of a messenger. A messenger whom they were scheduled to meet in the Silver Bow Inn at the edge of the city tonight, when the full moon was at its peak.

By the time we neared the capital, the sun was already setting, which meant once we were inside, we could move about the streets in darkness with more ease. Still, we stopped, needing to leave the horses and Tick behind. The last thing I wanted was all of us locked inside the city walls should something happen; going in was always the easy part, but if the Mantis officials took any interest in us—specifically in me—it would be farharder to leave.

“I can’t wait to sink my teeth into a lamb shank,” Callon murmured as he grabbed an apple from his saddlebag. He patted his horse’s rump, shooing him to the brook to drink, and draped his cloak around his shoulders. Callon’s eyes glittered as he smiled to himself, lost in daydreams. “Or maybe I’ll find one of those kabobs, the ones with the caramelized dressing.” He groaned and licked his lips. “The markets here are famous for their spiced pork—” He kissed his fingers. “It’s the best I’ve had in the Seven Kingdoms.”

Lyra stared at him, incredulous, as she untied her cloak and sack from her horse’s saddle. “Didn’t youjustfinish the last of our jerky? Now you’re eating an apple whilelusting after your next meal.”

Callon bit a hunk out of the fruit and shrugged. “So?”

I loosened Dusty’s saddle and the bags tied to him, so he could relax a little while we were gone.

“So?” Lyra mimicked in a deep, flippant voice. “Do you ever stop thinking about food?”

Callon made a point to contemplate her question, then shrugged again. “Not really. Just ask my ma. She says it’s a good thing I work for Fin, or we’d be indebted to him even more for all the food I consume.”

Dusty nudged me goodbye and walked over to the water with the other horses.

“You don’t workforme,” I reiterated for the dozenth time, but Callon ignored me and continued.

“Besides, this”—Callon tossed his apple up, catching it with a wink—“is for the road. In case I need the energy.”

Lyra rolled her eyes and clasped her cloak around her shoulders.

“If you two are ready,” I prompted, knowing I’d be standing there until midnight listening to them bicker back and forth if we didn’t get moving. I tugged a hat over my head to hide my hair, ensured our weapons were stored out of sight since we couldn’t take them with us, and we headed for Mantis.

My steps were heavy and adamant as we made our way through the forest to the thick walls of the city. They sparkled in the waning daylight, but it was more ominous than beautiful. Mantis reminded me of a poisonous flower, a beautiful and blooming city luring its victims closer. Protection. Wealth. Comfort. It boasted all those things, but the citizens and visitors of Mantis—all the Sierra Kingdom, for that matter—weren’t given such graces for free. And I hated that we were walking into the city, knowing that once we were in, we were at the mercy of King Eduart’s goodwill and generosity, traits he wasn’t particularly known for.

Callon snorted about something, and Lyra hit him with one of the empty sacks we planned to fill with provisions while we were there. “Do you ever takeanythingseriously?” she hissed.

“Of course.” Callon tossed his finished apple core behind us. Tick smelled it and then continued to hang back, scoping out the area for any danger. “Doyouever smile?” he countered. “It doesn’t hurt, you know?” Lyra glared at him, and Callon threw up his hands in defense. “I’m just saying, you should work those smile muscles a little more before they atrophy.”

“You should shut your mouth more. You might actually get a woman that way.”

He laughed. “Touché.” And that earned a small, victorious smile from Lyra.

I couldn’t help but chuckle watching them. Even if they acted as if they didn’t get along, Callon had risked his life for Lyra on multiple occasions, and she for him.

Only months ago, after she’d arrived, he’d pulled her off a ledge when she’d slipped during a bandit attack at a trading post in Noctem, the kingdom southwest of here. And Lyra relied on Callon more than any of the men or women on our monitoring and scouting teams, trusting him the most. Because as silly and immature as Callon could be, he never screwed around with people’s safety. He’d been with me for years and seen too much death to find any humor in that.

Still, if Callon could find humor in just about everything, Lyra could always find the danger or stupidity in it, and their clashing personalities made for a few laughs and lighthearted moments that we were in short supply of these days.

The long missions, the trading trips, and the nights around the campfire were more pleasurable with them around, and despite my sour moods, I was grateful for them.

They continued bickering until the Mantis gates came into view. Then we all sobered.

Guards lined the stone parapets and flanked the barred portcullis. And as I assessed what we were walking into, I hoped that what should be a straightforward recon would be fruitful and go off without a hitch. I knew better than that, though. Callon said I was cynical and pessimistic, but I was realistic, and we needed to stay on our guard. Especially in this place.

“Explore all you want,” I told them under my breath. “But keep a low profile and make sure you’re back at the inn before midnight. I’ll stick to the outskirts of the city.” With only a handful of hours until the meeting at the inn, less could go wrong, and I was grateful for that, at least.

“Why the outskirts?” Lyra whispered, should any prying senses start probing. “Don’t you want to scout all that you can? We’re allowed in Mantis, right?”

“Aw, you’re cute,” Callon whispered, unable to resist. That earned him a huff from her and another eye roll.“Weare allowed in the city,” he clarified, pointing between the two of them. “But Fin here has a target on his back, and that moppy, red hair of his is hard to forget, no matter how haggard he’s looking these days.”

“You’re hilarious,” I muttered, but despite my smile, Lyra frowned.

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