39. Caliel

39

Caliel

Karst found Tez and I in the mess hall.

By then, the entire stronghold was buzzing with the news that Daize had been exposed as a traitor.

My gut clenched when Slade's father entered and zeroed in on Tez and me. The next few minutes would determine whether I lived, or died.

Karst's expression was not promising. Thunderous would have been an understatement. He loomed over our table, and said, "Come with me."

I managed a terse, "What the fuck for?" because Tez had assured me that Slade would not meekly follow.

Karst's eyes glowed, and he snarled. "Follow me, you stupid bastard, or I'll throw you to the Dragons. Which is what you deserve."

Okay, then. That was pretty clear. We rose and followed him out of the mess hall. He led us straight out the back entrance and into the drizzle.

Once we were out there, hoods raised against the weather, he turned first to Tez. "How far did you track the Priests?"

"Down the river," Tez answered. "But not far. They used Dragons from there, and I lost them."

Karst wheeled on me. "You've heard about the photos?"

I nodded. "How the hell did they get photos?"

His eyes narrowed. "You tell me. We checked the angles, and they were taken from the roof. The Dragons I put up there said you sent them after the girl."

"I did," I affirmed. "Daize came fucking with enough guards. I figured ours were better used going after the girl. Didn't know that someone would use the roof to take pictures."

"Never mind that I'd put them there, so you didn't have the right to make that fuckin' decision," Karst's lips peeled back from his teeth as he asked the crucial question, "But where were you?"

"I stayed for a bit, but then left to prowl the city, asking questions," I said, as if surprised by the implied accusation. "Do you really think I was the one taking those? Why in the realms would I do that?"

Karst hesitated for a moment, before saying, "If I really thought you did, we would not be having this fuckin' conversation." He exhaled, hard. "But if I breathe one word of this to Victor, you will go down in flames, and you know it." His teeth came together with a click. "He's on the warpath, and I barely ducked a scorching for leaving the roof unguarded. Which I didn't do. I didn't spend years training your worthless hide for you to be this stupid. And I will not burn, so you can continue to be an idiot." He glared at me. "This is your last warning. Next time, I'll let him have you."

The knot in my gut untwisted, ever so slightly. I did not know that Karst truly believed me, but he had already covered for me. I was damned lucky.

"Someone no doubt made a fortune off fucking those pics," I snarled. "Any idea who?"

Karst hesitated, as though confused by what I had just said, and then ground his teeth together. "Every one of these damned mercs would sell their mother for money. But I want you to find the culprit." He glowered at me. "Those photos are your fault. If you'd left the Dragons in place… do not mess again with my decisions."

He turned away and stalked off. Tez exchanged a relieved look with me. We were off the hook—for now.

More Dragons soared overhead. In daylight, we saw that these were smaller, definitely underworld caliber. Two groups approached Victor's landing ledge. Each was flying in formation around a central figure.

There was some jostling as they determined who would get to land first. Then a familiar figure emerged as a human, and called to them. The central Dragons from both groups came forward to land and shift to human. And a large man strode into view to speak to them, before all four vanished back inside.

Daize was still here. And the others had to be minor underlords. No sooner had they disappeared than another formation came.

"He's gathering the coalition," Tez stated.

"The question is, how many underlords have joined him?" I asked. "Those are Dragons, but there are many others. How large is the army he is building?"

We exchanged a grim look. The underworld, combined with the Legion that might remain loyal to Daize, could put together a formidable number of fighters.

"I think we are looking at Daize's answer to the photos," I said.

Tez nodded. "He's going to war."