Chapter Two
“I do not need a team,” Rion said for the third time. It was the same argument before every assignment. Nàdair’s rules were strict when it came to missions. Warriors were to be sent in a group of three or more. Two to carry it out and one to report if anything went awry.
He was the only exception to that rule. Mostly because half the time his team members tried to take matters into their own hands where his life was concerned. It never ended well. “You and I both know they’ll just get in my way.”
Alec quirked a brow at him as if to accuse Rion of enjoying it. He’d done that more than once, too.
“They’ve already been assigned.” Rion tapped his foot on the marble floor and glared at his brother. A look that sent others running in fear. It certainly made the male standing beside the throne uncomfortable enough to inch back a step. Rion bared his teeth. He’d never cared for the male or the way he often looked at Saoirse. But Alec had chosen him as an advisor. Short of killing him, he was here to stay. Rion’s gaze traveled down to the ring around his finger depicting a crow. Such a gaudy thing.
Alec propped his face up with one hand, watching Rion carefully. He let the ring on his other finger tap against the arm of the throne. At least Alec had more taste where jewelry was concerned. The guards stood pensive, as they always were in Rion’s presence.
Rion ground his teeth. A team of gods-only-knew how many. All with blades poised to strike him down as soon as Rion turned his back.
When Rion didn’t reply, Alec waved his hand toward a slave. The female jumped to attention and ran for the side door, opening it with her head bowed.
Her chains rattled, and Rion cringed at the grating sound. He hated the iron and wondered how many might possess magic if they were ever set free. Probably a lot more than the Fae wanted to give them credit for.
A female prowled into the room with a predator’s gait. She held her chin high. Sharp features surrounded analytical eyes and—he recognized her.
Rion’s mouth gaped as he stared at the very female who’d stumbled upon him less than a month ago.
He looked her up and down. Her wounds had healed and her face was far more pleasant to look at without the swollen eye. Too pleasant.
She wore casual clothes today instead of the black fighting leathers he’d seen her in before. Her sandy bronze hair was swept up into a braid that circled the top of her head and she’d gone as far as weaving pale blue flowers between the strands.
She’d tucked her tan tunic into her black pants and wore a belt with a pouch on one side. No knives. No weapons.
Her gaze locked with his and Rion sucked in a breath. She surveyed him too, raking her amber gaze up and down his form. Rion didn’t move, but he couldn’t stop the magic that rose up to surround his body in response.
She smiled, actually smiled, before turning to Alec. Rion gaped.
The female gracefully dropped to one knee and bowed her head, something Rion had never done. “My Lord.” Her voice. It was definitely the same female.
Alec offered her a warm smile. A true smile. “Selina,” he nearly purred. “Rise.” She did, the movement just as graceful.
“You summoned me, My Lord.”
Alec’s gaze shifted to Rion momentarily, but Selina’s didn’t follow it. She was solely focused on her High Lord, as a good warrior should be.
Alec gestured to Rion. “I’m told you’ve already met. Rion, this is Selina. She’ll serve as your commander for this mission. She’s been briefed on the sensitive details.”
Rion glanced between them, then crossed his arms. “You expect me to walk into this blind?”
“I expect you to follow orders,” Alec bit out. Gods, Rion would love to pummel him just once.
Instead, he took a calming breath. Surely, he could rationally talk his way through this. “I’ve never failed a mission. I don’t need anyone’s help.”
“Glad to know you won’t ruin my reputation, then.” His gaze slid to hers. His blood sparked at the challenge in her eyes. “But even I can’t infiltrate multiple locations at once without the risk of an information leak.”
“Is that what we’re doing?”
She tilted her head. A cat studying its prey. “Perhaps if you decide to tag along, you’ll find out.” She looked him over again. “That is, unless you’re not up for it. Or is it because I’m a female? Surely you don’t share the attitude of those who refuse to follow a female’s lead? It would be very . . . human of you.”
Rion glared at her. She was baiting him already. Great. She’d likely try to kill him before the mission even began. “It has nothing to do with your gender.” He’d followed Saoirse’s lead on plenty of missions.
She turned to face him fully, and Rion was keenly aware of Alec’s watchful gaze. “The targets are very high profile. It requires absolute secrecy. You won’t be the only one going in blind.”
“And what happens if you die?”
She smirked. “Well, don’t you just inspire confidence?”
“I’m being practical. If you’re the only one who knows the details, then—”
“In the event of your commander’s death, you’d return here to await further instructions,” Alec cut in.
“You might be powerful, Rion of Brónach, but I assure you, my team is one of the best. You’re simply a requested asset.”
“Requested?”
She gave him a sideways smile. “I’ve heard great things about you.” He doubted it.
“And?”
“And I have an appreciation for Fae with your . . . tendencies.”
She’d discover those tendencies soon enough when she tried to put a knife in his back. “I think you’re relying on too many rumors.” Most were exaggerated to near child-like levels. Some whispered about him as if he were death incarnate. Others feared he’d kill them for simply being in his way on the street. He’d even heard things about cannibalism that had his stomach turning.
If Fae believed those things, it was no wonder they wanted to usurp Alec for tolerating his existence.
Alec’s authoritative voice cut in. “You have three days to prepare.”
Selina turned back to Alec and bowed deeply at the waist. “Consider it already done. I promise a swift return.” Without looking at him, Selina pivoted on her heel and disappeared through the side door from where she’d emerged.
Rion stared after her, then turned back to his brother. “Is the mission time sensitive?”
Alec didn’t look at him, as if he couldn’t be bothered. “You’ll receive all your information from your commander.” A dismissal. Rion balled his hands into fists, debated arguing further, then decided it wasn’t worth his energy. Fine, let Alec send him with this female and her team. When he returned with their blood on his hands, his brother would have no one to blame but himself.
Rion marched from the throne room, opting for the main door. He ignored the way the guards tightened their hold on their weapons and even smiled at one in passing just to antagonize the male. Saoirse often told him to leave them be. It wasn’t his fault they were afraid of a bedtime story. Ancient texts indeed. More like how to scare your children into behaving in the best way that benefited society.
Selina. An asset, she’d called him. Just a tool to be used and discarded. But the way she’d smirked at him. The way she’d challenged him knowing full well who he was.
He smiled despite the irritation of the whole situation.
Maybe this mission wouldn’t be so bad after all.