Chapter 21

21

He who stands to gain most can be trusted least.

~ Grandma Korbian

Kaylina and Vlerion followed Sabor into the castle, the taybarri remaining in the courtyard. As Targon had predicted, they didn't leave.

Too bad they wouldn't be able to do anything if Sabor dragged Kaylina down to the dungeon again. When several uniformed members of the Castle Guard came out of a side hallway and walked beside and behind them, Kaylina felt certain that would be their fate. She and Vlerion would have to negotiate for their freedom from behind bars.

Did Sabor know Vlerion wouldn't likely be able to change into the beast again so soon after his last shifting? She'd once given that information to Captain Targon to defend why she and Vlerion had risked kissing in the preserve. Targon and Sabor didn't seem to like each other, but she wouldn't be surprised if they shared information. Of course, Sabor had proven capable of gathering information whether anyone shared it or not.

Despite her concerns, the spymaster didn't detour toward the door that descended deep into the plateau under the castle. Instead, he took them to a third-floor sitting room with views over the castle wall to the Strait of Torn Towers. With day progressing, the fog was finally clearing.

Nobody waited in the sitting room, but as soon as they arrived, staff bustled in with the promised croissants, coffee, and tea. They laid plates, cups and saucers, and silverware on a low table between two sofas.

"Shall we stay in the room, Spymaster?" One of the guards pointed to a spot beside the door.

Sabor glanced at Vlerion. "No. I trust a ranger and loyal member of the aristocracy won't spring upon me with his blade." He took in Vlerion's bare feet and absent sword belt. "Or fists."

"Yes, Spymaster." The man nodded toward Vlerion, as if to say he hadn't wanted to stand watch anyway, and Kaylina remembered other times when it had been clear the guards didn't want to restrain or fight him. Even though they didn't know about the curse and that he could become the beast, they'd all heard or seen how deadly Vlerion was as a man.

"Besides," Sabor said, as if continuing the conversation, though the guards had shut the door after stepping out, "I intend to make what I believe is an appealing offer to you, Lord Vlerion. And perhaps to you as well, Ms. Korbian. I don't think you'll be tempted to extend your claws toward me." He glanced at her, a tight smile quirking his lips. It did nothing to make him look friendly. "Nor should you."

"I'm clawless." Kaylina looked toward the window and thought of the taybarri— they had claws—but the courtyard wasn't visible from this side of the castle.

Had Sabor chosen the room so her furred guardians wouldn't be able to help if she yelled? Vlerion positioned himself, not quite to block Sabor's view of her but to shield her from him. And protect her if he attacked?

"True," Sabor said, "but you might be able to get that potted rubber tree near the window to do dastardly things to me."

Kaylina probably shouldn't have looked wistfully at the tree's large leaves and imagined them smothering the spymaster.

Sabor's lips twitched. He could surely guess her thoughts.

"What is your offer?" Vlerion asked in a flat tone. "I don't suppose you know who's sending the sage assassins?"

"I am researching that." Sabor sat on one of the sofas and waved to invite them to the one opposite him, then poured himself a cup of coffee. "They rarely come to the kingdom and should know they aren't welcome here. Since our nation is vastly more powerful than their nomadic tribes, even if you include the modest might and standing military of some of the sandsteader settlements—" his disdainful sneer promised he didn't, "—they shouldn't risk the ire of Zaldor. It's brazen of them to hurl explosives about and attack an aristocrat here in our capital." He used a spoon to scoop sugar from a bowl, tapping it on the lip to level it, tipping out a few grains, then tapping it again until the amount suited him precisely, then stirred it into his coffee. "I have alerted the Kingdom Guard to their presence, and they're seeking however many remain."

Vlerion's grunt suggested he didn't think the Guard would be up to the task. After watching the assassins stand toe-to-toe with him, Kaylina didn't either.

"Interesting that you let their leader get away." Sabor watched Vlerion over the top of his cup as he sipped.

Vlerion didn't respond right away and kept his face neutral. Kaylina wondered if he remembered that moment.

"The beast chose that," he finally said.

He didn't look at Kaylina, perhaps not wanting to draw Sabor's attention to her, but he shifted slightly closer to her. The man was as protective of Kaylina as the beast was. It touched her that he cared, and she longed to place a supportive hand on his arm or back, but it worried her that Sabor knew that Vlerion cared. And might use that against him.

"You've no control over what the beast does?" the spymaster asked.

"Once I shift forms, no."

"No? You didn't direct the beast to go after the assassins tonight? Unless I've the order of events incorrect, they didn't start the night attacking you. You sought them out and convinced your furry half to hunt them down." Sabor looked at Kaylina, as if for confirmation.

Not wanting to give him anything, she attempted to keep her face as masked as Vlerion's. How did Sabor know as much as he did? She knew he had a spy—at least one—among the rangers, but she and Vlerion had spoken of his plans in private.

"I sought them out as a man because they attacked Kaylina in a park yesterday."

"And did you find them? As a man?" Sabor waved toward the sofa and drinks again. "Please, you must be hungry after a night of such vigorous activities."

Kaylina looked wistfully at the croissants and jam, her stomach rumbling. It had been a long night. She longed to eat and also to return to help her siblings with the grand opening.

"What is the point of these questions?" Vlerion didn't take a step toward the food. "As a ranger, it's my duty to assist the crown against enemies, but you've no reason to interrogate me about my private life."

"Your private life creeps into the realm of kingdom security. Do you deny that the beast usually has no control over his targets and is as much a threat to innocent subjects as enemies?"

"I do not deny that, but the beast killed no innocents last night. Of that I am certain. He was focused only on the assassins."

"Because they threatened his mate." Sabor smiled before sipping again, as if he'd made his point.

What was his point? Something about the link between Kaylina and Vlerion?

"They're also trying to kill me ." Vlerion touched his chest, though Kaylina knew that he wouldn't have risked calling forth the beast only to defend himself. Like her, he found it easier to fight for others than for himself.

"Of course," Sabor murmured, his smile lingering as he sipped. "But since, on Ms. Korbian's behalf, you seem able to focus the beast in the way that it could not be focused before, I am most interested in discussing this matter. Should she order it, would you—or the beast—go after a certain enemy? One who might not necessarily threaten her specifically but one who is a threat to the kingdom?"

"She's not my commanding officer."

"No, and I think the beast could not be directed by Captain Targon either. Perhaps I should have said if she requests it , as a favor, would the beast do it?" Sabor's tone shifted to a higher pitch to emulate a woman. "Dear mate of mine, those Kar'ruk invaders are vexing me. Please slay them mercilessly, won't you?"

"That's a horrible impression of me," Kaylina muttered. "I don't use the word dear . Or vex ."

Vlerion smiled slightly at her, probably thinking how she might not use the word vex but she could inspire the emotion in others, but he didn't make the joke. He probably didn't want to banter in front of Sabor or do anything to emphasize his feelings for her. Though he did that whether he spoke or not, in the way he stood so close to her.

"For the good of the kingdom," Sabor said, "which you've admitted you're sworn to, I would like to do some experimentation."

Kaylina scowled, remembering her concern about scientists studying her. Them .

"I invite the two of you to enjoy a special room in the castle, one with sturdy walls and a metal door which I have had further reinforced."

"That sounds like a dungeon cell," Kaylina said.

"It is not. It's in a tower with a window and a view. I have had bars placed over the window but only for the safety of those in the castle. Should you turn into the beast, I have to ensure you can't escape and harm the king and queen or anyone here. After all, this is my idea, and I'd be responsible for anything that happened."

"Why would I turn into the beast in a room in the castle?"

"It's a furnished room with a bed." Sabor extended a hand toward Kaylina.

Instead of looking at her, Vlerion squinted suspiciously at Sabor.

Kaylina might have worn a similar look.

"I understand lust is as likely to arouse the beast as anger or other strong emotions," Sabor said dispassionately, like someone who'd never experienced lust himself. "And with such a voluptuous female nearby, you've had to work hard to sublimate it."

Vlerion crossed his arms over his chest again, his jaw tight, and didn't respond. His wide stance and cold gaze said he didn't want to continue this conversation.

"I'm offering you two a safe place where you can do as you wish without worrying about hurting others. That tower isn't soundproof, but it's well insulated and removed from the main part of the castle. You wouldn't need to worry about being interrupted. You—or the beast—could be with your mate." Sabor extended his hand toward Kaylina again.

Her mouth had gone dry with anxiety or terror or… she didn't quite know. What if Vlerion said yes to the offer?

As much as she longed to be with him, she feared the beast—and what he would do to her if he mated with her in that state. Even if a part of her found that more intriguing than she should, she thought often of Lady Isla's words that not all women survived mating with one of the beasts. And the scars on her neck spoke of her own experiences with Vlerion's father. For all Kaylina knew, she had scars all over her body from his claws. Who knew how harrowing those sexual encounters had been?

"I'm not going to let the beast touch Kaylina. Touch any woman." Vlerion's voice was firm, but he did glance at her, a hint of emotion in his blue eyes. Angst? Regret? Anxiety? Because he knew the beast had touched her before? He might not remember it, but he'd seen the claw rip in her shirt.

She hadn't blamed him for that, not then and not now.

Sabor cocked his head, as if surprised that Vlerion hadn't jumped on his offer.

"I'm also not interested in mating with the beast," Kaylina told Sabor, though he hadn't given any indication that he cared what she thought, that any part of this decision was up to her. His focus was solely on Vlerion, other than to point at her, offering her as a prize.

She loathed the man.

"No?" Sabor asked with the lip-quirk smile. "Some women fantasize about such things."

"I don't fantasize about having sex with furry beings, thank you very much." Kaylina couldn't believe she was discussing such a topic with a near stranger. A near stranger who didn't have her best interests in mind. She had no doubt of that. "Besides, Lady Isla promises that being with one of the beasts is not a good idea."

"Oh, I'm aware. She's quite determined to make sure you two can't consummate a physical relationship, isn't she?"

Vlerion scowled, and Kaylina wished she hadn't brought up his mother.

"I understand she's hired kidnappers and is trying to oust your woman from this part of the kingdom, Lord Vlerion." Sabor shook his head, as if he were deeply sympathetic, but the calculation remained in his eyes, as it had throughout this conversation. "I could talk to her on your behalf, let her know how safe the tower would be for?—"

"Stay away from my mother," Vlerion snapped.

"She's trying to get your woman out of your life. I wouldn't do that. If Korbian can control you once you've turned beast, we can use you. It's time to drive fear into the Virts once and for all. They're not afraid enough of the hangings— they use it as ammunition to win sympathizers… Even some of the nobles are speaking up for them. But they'll fear the beast. We know from those desperate newspaper articles they printed that they do. If the beast starts killing them…"

"I'm not a murderer," Vlerion said. "I won't allow myself to be used dishonorably."

"Even if Korbian kisses you?" Sabor arched his eyebrows. "Wouldn't you then?"

" She would not use me dishonorably."

"Even if I could talk your mother into leaving her alone so you two could be together? You could be together every night as long as you changed now and then to deal with the enemies of the crown. In the room I've had made." He issued an oily smile.

Bastard.

"You should be with the woman you love, with nothing standing between you," Sabor continued.

Kaylina and Vlerion hadn't used that word with each other before, and she didn't like hearing it come out of Sabor's mouth. His tone wasn't mocking, but it was… smug. Knowing. He felt certain Vlerion would come around to his way of thinking.

But Vlerion was angry. Oh, he kept his aloof mask, as he'd practiced so often, but Kaylina could sense the tension emanating from him.

"I have to believe you would appreciate it if I ameliorated the situation for you," Sabor added.

"I would not." Vlerion stepped around the couch so that he loomed close to the spymaster.

With his muscles bulging under his sleeves and the tendons standing out in his neck, Vlerion would have intimidated most people. Sabor sipped again from his mug, appearing confident that Vlerion wouldn't move against him.

"You will stay away from her," Vlerion said.

"If that is your wish, certainly." Maybe the looming did unsettle Sabor, because he set the mug down and stood, his hands at his sides and whatever weapons he might have secreted under his tunic. "But you do want to be with Ms. Korbian, do you not? I thought this generous offer would appeal to you. After all, we don't invite other rangers to spend the night in the castle. This is an honor and an opportunity for you to be with a beautiful young woman without worrying about repercussions."

Sabor shifted to stand almost side-by-side with Vlerion to look toward Kaylina, inviting him to look too. "Even I, so rarely moved by such things, can appreciate her beauty. There's a certain exoticness to her, is there not? Originally, I thought it was her southern roots, but perhaps it is the druid blood within her that lends her that intriguing and tantalizing appeal. She must excite you." Though he faced Kaylina, he watched Vlerion sidelong. "You must wake nights, hard with desire, devastated that she isn't within your arms. Look at her voluptuous?—"

"Would you mind not speaking about me like I'm a statue instead of a person standing in the room with you?" Kaylina asked.

Irritation flickered in Sabor's eyes, but all he said was, "I'll admit her tongue is sharp. It's certainly not responsible for her appeal, but some men might enjoy taming the likes of her. Surely, the beast would."

Kaylina reached for her sling. By all the craters in the moon, she wanted to brain him with a lead round.

"Cease." Vlerion gripped Sabor's arm, fingers tight, and something sparked in his eyes. The wild glint that heralded the beast's emergence.

It hadn't been that long since his change, but maybe it had been long enough. Or maybe Vlerion had been wrong about his hypothesis. Maybe the beast could come again within hours of changing.

Alarm flashed across the spymaster's face. Maybe he knew he'd gone too far. How much trouble would Vlerion get in for attacking him?

Kaylina bit her lip and didn't lift her sling. As a commoner with a knack for irritating aristocrats, she would get in a lot more trouble for attacking the spymaster.

"Just ask me what you want, Sabor," Vlerion said softly. Dangerously. "If it's for the good of the kingdom, I'll do my best to help. You don't have to play games and try to manipulate me. The kingdom has my oath." His voice was taut with irritation, and it sounded hard for him to make himself add, "You have my sword."

"The kingdom wants the beast's sword. Fangs."

"The kingdom does or you do?"

"I am the kingdom. I serve the crown, the same as you."

"I wonder," Vlerion murmured.

Sabor jerked his arm as he stepped away. Vlerion released him, and he almost overcompensated—maybe he'd expected resistance—but he recovered easily enough. "You don't have to accept my offer. I'm not here to manipulate you."

Vlerion scoffed.

Sabor lifted a hand—an apology. "All right, it's my nature and what I do. Manipulation is how I serve the crown and learn everything I do to keep its interests safe. But can you blame me for wanting the beast to also serve? You're an excellent warrior, Vlerion, and a boon to the rangers, but when you change into that form, you're nearly indestructible. Even those with magical weapons, like the Kar'ruk, and magically enchanted bodies, like the sage assassins, aren't a match for the beast. I'll work with you to get what I want, and I'll make sure you—or the beast—are rewarded with what you want." He pointed his chin at Kaylina. "If it's not a secured room in the tower, then tell me where. I'll set it up."

Vlerion stepped away from Sabor. "It's too dangerous. Too dangerous for Kaylina and for all around when the beast changes. If you think you can control things when that curse unfurls… you're foolish. The druids were too powerful." He waved for Kaylina to come with him and faced the door. "Find another way for me to serve, Sabor," Vlerion said over his shoulder as he walked out.

Kaylina followed him, but she couldn't keep from looking back to gauge Sabor's reaction—to see if he would let them walk out.

He did, but he had parting words for her, his first that were for her alone instead of for Vlerion's benefit. "Watch out for kidnappers, Ms. Korbian."

The urge to fire her sling at him returned. Instead, she made the same rude gesture she'd once given Jana Bloomlong.

Sabor snorted and returned to his coffee.