Chapter Six
THE GENERAL
My shadows shrouded me, blurring my movements. My connection point with one of Nolan’s own wasn’t a far walk. My departure from King Nolan’s Keep was a simple affair, especially at this hour. I strode through cobbled streets into the more decrepit side of Maripol.
Finn’s new defector would be waiting for me, if she’d followed his instructions.
Her arrival at the location of our meeting was a test in itself.
I had yet to meet the girl, but Finn had scouted her weeks prior.
She had been easy to turn. I knew Finn could handle this, but I wanted eyes on all of the people we’d recruited, especially defectors.
I needed to make sure they were truly on our side now.
Howls cut through the night. The wolvins’ escape from the king’s castle was the least of my worries. I grinned. They would make for a welcomed distraction during this meeting. The building ahead sat abandoned and in disrepair; my men knew well how to construct a ward of illusion.
The tingle of the ward washed across my skin when I crossed the threshold. A few low-burning candles illuminated the entryway, casting dancing shadows from the disrupted flames.
I walked down a small hallway that led into an open space. Covered windows prevented curious eyes. The girl was already at the table, her fidgeting fingers the only tell of her anxiety. She tensed at my approach.
“Who are you? Where is Finn?” Confusion and wariness evident in her tone.
“You can call me General.”
Surprise crossed her face briefly. Her eyes darted around, clearly uncertain about what to do next. She pushed back her chair, readying to stand.
“You can stay seated. No need for deference.” She glanced around, still unsure, then slowly returned to her seat. I observed her every move, my shadows curling around her, scenting for any hint of Nolan’s magic. My metal affinity hovered right below the surface, ready to weaponize at any moment.
Shadows flared around the room cloaking us deeper in secrecy. “I make sure every moving part of the rebellion is in working order, Delah. After this meeting, we likely won’t meet again.”
She flinched at my address. Or my shadows. I couldn’t tell. She needed to know with whom she dealt with, but I also needed her relaxed enough to report and retain information. Too much fear would hinder her recall and impact our time. I needed to make this quick.
“You’ve been in contact with Finn. He apologizes for his absence. Were you able to get the information?” I pulled out a chair across from the girl. She was much younger than I expected. But Finn assured me she could be trusted. She had already provided vital information related to the drekis.
“Y-yes.” She tried hard to master her trepidation.
I didn’t have the patience to coddle her.
I assessed her, observing her subtle tells, her furtive glances.
With my shadows so active, I knew the runes on my neck would attract her attention.
I growled at her direct perusal. She would likely buckle under any interrogation by Nolan, so we would not disclose any more information than necessary for both of our sakes.
And she would need training. I motioned for her to continue.
“They are experimenting with new strains of Glint to see how magic is affected. There are rumors that stolen magic is being used to feed something. They are just rumors though, no one has seen anything. King Nolan’s second, Maelic, has me checking out Glint houses.
I am testing elixirs on some of the addicts to see if it impacts the rate of magic siphoned. ”
She worried her bottom lip as I drummed my fingers on the table’s worn surface.
“I’m also now on track to become a Vestal Anchor.”
My head jerked up. We both knew what that would mean.
“Do they normally conscript elixists? Can’t your sister in the Scourge pull some strings?
” Finn had mentioned Delah lived with an elite spy, another bonus to having her on our side.
If Delah had been recruited, then our time would be cut short.
Maybe I should have her feel out other elixists that would be open to defecting.
Delah shook her head. “Ruin is a delicate situation.”
Ruin? Interesting…
“But do you think she could be flipped? If she knew what you knew?” I remained still, keeping my eagerness contained.
“Her hatred runs deep. I would have to tread carefully. But I will try.”
I leaned back, hissing frustration through my teeth.
I didn’t want to blow our cover by becoming overzealous.
All that we did was purposeful and methodical.
Over the last several years, we had infiltrated Haluma, turning King Nolan’s people against him, and planting our own.
Right under his nose. We needed the foundations of his realm to crack and implode.
Ruin had fallen into my lap with her hope to bargain with me.
I’d meet with her this evening. This opportunity gave me an in that would have taken me months, if not years, to accomplish.
Manipulation wasn’t my preferred style, but Ruin could be the key to the king’s final undoing.
Her level of clearance, the stage right before becoming a dreki, was invaluable.
I would do whatever I needed for my people.
At the thought, the rings on my fingers flared.
The black titanium melted around my fingers, waiting for my magic to form them into something violent.
“There’s a festival tomorrow. Plenty of Glint should be floating around. And you’ll be there.” I didn’t wait for her response. My chair scratched against the floorboards as I stood. Delah’s fear had smoothed around the edges yet she shrank into herself as I reached my full height.
Whether she wanted to attend the festival or not didn’t matter to me. She was involved now, and my command was law.
I pulled my shadows back into me. “Welcome to the Liberation.”