Page 65 of War Hour

Thoman had been as blunt as they came, and his forthrightness never left me wondering what he was feeling or what was going on in his head.

Torryn, on the other hand, seems determined to be the very opposite. Holding onto every secret, every bit of information, like giving me even a crumb more than what is absolutely necessary will be his downfall.

At first, I blame his schedule, being rushed in and out of meetings and only catching a glimpse of him. I blame timing because, whenever I scope out the training room or find my way to his court’s tower, Sar or Ardis gives me the runaround.

Just like today, Ardis says Torryn is in a meeting and isn’t around.

I nod in understanding before making my way out of the tower.

Even if I’d sooner Trial again before trusting a word out of Neith’s mouth, that didn’t mean Torryn and I didn’t need totalk. Especially with the judgment hearing impending, we need to be on the same page. How could we expect to take down Lord Drytas if we are at odds with each other?

Then, not even twenty paces from the tower doors, I run into Ardis—again.

Freezing where I stand, I watch as Ardis walks by, offering a short “Good morning, Lysta.”

Too flabbergasted to even process what I’m seeing, I wave and let him continue on his way as he enters the tower where the other Ardis had just been.

And it all makes sense. Torryn is using his mirror shifting to slip me whenever I come looking.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head at Torryn’s trick.

So, he wants to play games?

Ready to face him head on, I recruit Evander into my plan, seeing as how Sar and Ardis seem content to leave Torryn to his own devices.

Evander greets Torryn just outside the room I wait in.

“Lord Torryn, good afternoon. I was hoping to speak with you on an important matter.”

My stomach twists, praying my plan will work. Torryn is far from predictable, but Evander seemed confident he could say the right thing to get Torryn into the room with me. I only hope he is correct.

There’s a scuffle of steps before Torryn responds, his tone hard and curt.

“A matter that shouldn’t be between me and your father?” He doesn’t bother hiding the smug tinge to his words, reveling in shoving the chain of command in Evander’s face.

Evander’s voice becomes stiff, but I’m grateful when he doesn’t take the bait but instead continues with the plan without a hitch.

“No, this matter involves Lysta.”

The hall goes quiet for a beat and I lean in.

“Is she all right? Why is she not with you?”

Panic seeps into Torryn’s voice as he interrogates Evander.

I can’t help but grumble to myself in frustration.

So, he cares enough to be worried, but not enough to talk to me?

Evander’s voice gets louder as he steps closer to the door.

“She’s fine, I promise. Can we discuss it in here?”

Evander had shown me to a small meeting room seldom in use, its location just past the other where Torryn was expected to exit.

Torryn steps through first, and I steel myself, waiting for the inevitable outburst. As his dark eyes meet my own, his face hardens, lips thinning into a line.

Evander meets my eyes before backing out of the room in a hurry, shutting the door behind Torryn.

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