Isla stared at me slack jawed.

"So, we're just… just… lapdogs for the Lagos brothers now?!"

She threw the paper she was holding to emphasize her point. It flipped in the air and slapped her in the face.

I laughed despite myself.

"Think of the upside. Once we get to the mountains, we'll be one step closer to finishing this quest."

"We just have to kidnap someone first."

"Van thinks he's guilty. Reed will make sure."

"That's just an execution with extra steps. Inquisitors care more about closing cases than finding the truth."

She closed her eyes, rubbing the bridge of her nose. I used to have the same opinion of Inquisitors, but Reed was different. She preferred a light touch.

"You should get some sleep; I'll do some scouting on Arwen after I eat something."

Isla's eyes snapped open.

"You can't do that alone."

"Castille and Dugan are busy out front, and you need to rest after your all-nighter."

She shook her head.

"I'm coming."

"Won't the lack of sleep affect your will?"

"Yes, I'll have less will, but I've managed before. I don't want you out on the streets without backup."

I smiled at her.

"I didn't know you cared."

Isla rolled her eyes.

"Please take this seriously. This town is on the brink of war. The last thing we need is a party member bleeding out alone in some alleyway. Let me cover you."

I stopped to consider her. Some backup wouldn't hurt. What about Thor? The boar was passed out on the floor. At least someone was getting some sleep.

"Fine. Don't slow me down."

A smile spread on her tired face.

I reached for my new jacket, pulling it off the hanger.

"And how are you doing to sneak around wearing that?" Isla asked.

I slipped it on. The hunger woven into the threads reminded me of my empty stomach.

"I'll show you."

I burned my will, activating the jacket's enchantment. She yelped as her gaze jerked away from me.

After that moment of surprise, she shut her eyes and crawled off the bed. Isla shuffled toward me, groping the empty air.

I stifled a laugh, pressing myself flat against the closet. Isla walked closer until her hands grabbed the unbuttoned opening of the garment.

"I got you!"

She opened those piercing blue eyes, staring up at my face while she pressed against me.

"I was right! Touching you nullifies the effect."

I couldn't look away from her—didn't want to. My face flushed red.

"You're a genius."

She flashed a bashful smile.

"I had good teachers."

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

# # #

After getting dressed, we walked down the main floor of the Pit. More of the girls were awake, crowding around the front windows.

Dugan was healing his tenth person from the crowd. A layer of sweat covered his face, but he had not faltered. Castille enlisted Cassandra, Denise and a few of the other girls to tend to those who only suffered minor wounds.

"Incredible will," Isla said, staring at Dugan from the window.

"Yeah, he seems fired up."

"Conviction. I see..."

Isla trailed off.

I left her to ponder. I had better things to do. I went around the bar to find some plates. It was easy, with everyone focused outside. Setting the plates on a table, I laid out the rations I took from Thor's saddlebags. After a few minutes, Isla joined me. We ate quickly. I wanted to scout, and she was hungry from her all-nighter.

Leaving the Pit, I waved over Castille to explain what happened with Van Lagos.

"It's a good plan given the circumstances," Castille said. "I would come along, but Dugan..."

She trailed off, staring at Dugan as he worked.

"I need to watch him. I've never seen him like this."

"His focus and conviction are both high," Isla said, turning on her lecturer's voice. "I don't think he'll stop until everyone here is healed. He'll need rest after this."

Castille folded her arms.

"The people in this town have never seen a healer. Cassandra has already convinced Dugan to look at Denise when he's done here. He won't be resting anytime soon. And speaking of rest. Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I'll be fine," Isla said in an exasperated voice.

"Mmhmm."

"We'll be fine, Castille," I said.

"And why can't Thor go with you?"

"We tried waking him, but he's comatose. I think it has something to do with Dugan," Isla said.

Castille frowned but said nothing.

"Do you even know where to find Arwen?"

"I was hoping Cassandra had some leads, but I don't want her too involved. Messing with Arwen could have blowback."

And I should at least try to keep my promise.

"Well, there are always our friends at the Guild."

Castille jerked her thumb at the Guildhall across the street.

I sighed.

"I don't like depending on them."

"It couldn't hurt," Isla said. "The Sanctifiers will have the best intelligence in town, and you were going to hand him over to them anyway."

They were right.

I walked across the street and banged on the doors of the Guildhall. I was too embarrassed to tell Isla and Castille the real reason for my hesitation. I didn't want Reed to know I was working on her case.

I frowned, imagining her smug smile.

Isla and I were led through both doors of the Guildhall to find Dew Able doing paperwork on one of the public desks. He ushered us to the second floor and knocked on the door of what used to be his private office. A servant in a new black-clad uniform opened it, and we saw the last thing I expected to see.

The table and couches were pushed to opposite ends of the large room. In the middle of the empty space, Reed swung her long, spiked club in repeated, downward motions. She was out of the black, double-breasted jacket of her uniform, showing off the sleeveless white tunic underneath.

The compact muscles of her arms rippled with each repetition, and after a moment, I caught myself staring. I turned away to look at Isla, who stared at Reed in the same trance.

At least it wasn't just me.

After two more repetitions, Reed stopped and smiled at us.

"If it isn't my favourite agent. I'm glad you're in one piece. Those beggars looked ferocious."

"We had it under control."

"Did you? Then, I don't want to see what out of control looks like. Is there a reason for your visit?"

I paused for a moment and sighed.

I'd come this far. May as well spill.

"I have a lead on the assignment."

She quirked an eyebrow, glancing at Isla.

"Which one?"

"The Lagos one."

"Oh, you work fast."

Reed put the club down, leaning its pommel against her well-defined shoulder. She clapped twice, rattling the golden bracer around her right forearm.

I was so focused on her biceps that I almost missed that accessory. The piece of armour clashed with the Sanctifier's sombre dress code.

Strange. Why a golden bracer instead of silver or steel?

Two servants waiting against the walls stepped forward to move the couches and low table back into place. They wore the same black uniforms as the servant who let us in. The style of the uniform and the way they made the wearer blend into the background gave away their tailor.

Shay.

Reed sat down on the nearest white cushioned couch, placing her club beside her like another guest. The servant who dragged over the couch returned a moment later with a goblet of wine and a clean rag to pat herself down. Dew stood near the door, fidgeting with his lands beneath his black robes.

The Inquisitor gestured to the couch opposite of her.

"You may sit."

Isla and I sat on the opposite sofa.

"Wine?"

Reed gestured at a servant holding a glass decanter. The man's stoic face was familiar. He was one of the guards who let us into the Guildhall the day before.

"I like what you've done with the place, Reed."

Her lips curled in a tight-lipped smile.

"This Guildhall wasn't operating to my standards. Some personnel changes where required."

She glanced at Dew Able, who dabbed his face with the sleeve of his black robe.

"I suspect most will enjoy their new… subordinate positions."

She looked back at me, her smile turning mischievous.

Isla elbowed me in the ribs.

Oh, right!

I coughed, clearing my throat.

"Ahem! Van Lagos thinks Arwen is behind the poisoning."

Reed grinned, leaning back into the sofa and resting her arms over the top.

"Now that's interesting."

"Van is using the right of retribution to go after him. We don't have hard evidence yet but if I bring Arwen to you, can you get a confession?"

"A real confession," Isla said.

Reed glanced at the long, spiked club beside her.

"I can. Do you need anything else?"

I sighed.

"I need to find him."

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