Page 197 of Blood of the Stars

Gaeren’s face heated as he reached for his sword, but the soldier paled, his own sword far out of reach.

“S-Sylmar?” the man asked. “What are you doing here?”

“Miklous.” Sylmar gave an almost respectful nod in the soldier’s direction. “I see they’ve demoted you to guard duty.”

Daisy and the others came closer, several holding their noses against the reek of blood and bowel spilled on the floor. Velden and Felk remained behind, likely still working at the lock.

Miklous recovered and managed a sneer. “After you left, Mayvus wasn’t sure she could trust me.”

Gaeren stood and turned to Sylmar, eyebrows raised. “After you left?”

Miklous laughed, then slowly stood, his breaths still heaving from their fight. “Have you not told them of your time with Mayvus?”

Gaeren stiffened and glanced at Daisy, whose face held an equal measure of shock.

“We’re well aware that he switched sides,” Iris said, stepping forward.

Miklous raised his hands in defense as Sylmar shoved his still glowing staff closer to the soldier’s face.

“Maybe you’re not all aware…” Miklous’ black eyes glittered as he focused on Daisy. “I’m guessing there’s a lot of things you didn’t tell the child.”

Daisy frowned, glancing at Sylmar.

“He’s not the only former Zealot,” Jasperus said. “Mayvus has a way of making enemies even among her followers.”

Miklous scanned the group, his gaze lingering on each face as though assessing who had once been a Zealot. “So she does.”

“Where is she?” Sylmar asked.

“It looks like you brought friends, so by now she could be anywhere.” He shrugged. “She could be at the south tower, assessing her defenses. She could be at the northern keep, hiding away with her sister. Or she might have already left. Durriken comes quickly when she calls.”

Daisy’s eyes slid shut.

“Gaeren,” Sylmar snapped, angling his head at Gaeren while keeping Miklous at bay with his staff. “Tune in to his memories.”

Miklous smiled and closed his eyes.

Gaeren complied, doubting he’d find anything of value with Miklous’ confident defiance. He stepped forward and placed a hand on the soldier’s wrist, rushing his way through the man’s memories. Mayvus’ face sprang before his mind countless times, but nothing that would give a clue as to her current whereabouts.

He stepped away and shook his head, his starlock burning with his annoyance. What a waste of magic.

“Check his hands,” Sylmar said.

Miklous laughed again, holding out his hands for inspection. “What, you think she got rid of my brand?” A dark mark rested on his palm, not unlike the bond mark on Gaeren’s palm. But this one looked crudely done, the mark having bubbled up far larger and darker. Like Durriken’s brand had been.

Sylmar’s face hardened, his scars looking harsher in the torchlight.

“She knows you’re here with me. So, yes”—Miklous leaned forward, feigning a conspiratorial whisper—“she could even be headed this way.” He barked out a deeper laugh, sending a chill through Gaeren’s chest.

Before Gaeren could even think to ask a question, Sylmar’s staff shifted to a shimmering sword, then swung down on Miklous’ arm, cleaving his hand from his wrist. Gaeren jumped back but still felt a spray of blood hit his face.

Miklous howled, cradling his stump to his chest as blood spurted and leaked across the floor and then his clothes. The others all took a step back, wary either of the blood or Sylmar’s rage. Sylmar’s sword shifted back to a staff, but he ignored Miklous, bending down to poke at the soldier’s severed hand.

Blood dripped from the hand, quickly draining it of color, but the mark also paled, the magic of the brand fading with it. Sylmar leaned on his staff and rose to his feet. “Thank you for that demonstration.”

Panic clawed up Gaeren’s throat, and he turned to Daisy, who tucked her hand against her chest. Her eyes held fear, but then her face hardened with resolve as she caught his gaze. He shook his head and backed away, but she reached out her hand and snaked it around his wrist.

“Which is better, killing me or taking my hand?” she hissed.

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