Page 37 of Lich's Mate

“Meera, come here.”

Vex gives me a quick glance but then shifts his focus to her.

I invite her to sit down on a chair at my table. “Tell Vex everything you know about the xaphan guards.”

She nods and looks Vex in the eye, not cowering in front of his harsh stare. I feel a smile threaten to creep onto my face and quickly cough to cover it.

“They’re ugly, merciless bastards.” The disgust on her face can be heard in her voice. “But they’re not stupid. I was only with them for a little while, but they know what they’re doing.”

“We know that,” Vex says, impatiently folding his arms.

Not faltering, she continues. “They seem to have a secret code for communicating what they’re doing.”

This catches my attention and makes Vex raise his eyebrows.

Now this could be interesting.

“Go on,” I say, curious to hear more.

“While we were traveling, they liked to talk loud and scare us with discussions about what our futures looked like. But when it came to discussing the ‘business’ side of things, they used intricate hand gestures.”

I glance at Vex before looking at Meera. This is compelling information.

“I didn’t have time or enough opportunity to learn what their gestures meant, but there were several that were repeated. There was a specific way they tapped their fingers to their necks, and I remember them forming symbols with their fingers when talking about us.”

She taps her index finger against her chin.

“They also used karasu to send messages. I saw one of them take a piece of paper from a pouch tied to one’s neck, read it, write a reply, and return it. The thing flew off after getting a piece of meat from one of the guards.”

“How did they manage to tame such creatures?” Vex wonders aloud.

“My question is, how did you and your men miss this?” I feel proud of Meera for noticing such details but disappointed that one of my top spies didn’t.

Vex squares his shoulders. “Maybe because we haven’t been able to get very close to their caravans yet. Or, this could all be taura shit. I don’t think we would have been able to overlook such communication efforts.”

Meera raises an eyebrow. “Are you calling me a liar?”

He glares at her. “Perhaps that is exactly what you are. Perhaps you’re trying to scheme your way into Kavian’s bed?—”

Meera stands up to face Vex. “What did you just say?”

“That’s enough.” I hold up a hand, silencing both of them.

Meera doesn’t back down even when faced with the intimidating Vex. She’s such an interesting creature. Gods, she excites me!

I turn to Vex. “Get some of your men to focus on this. Maybe if they know what to look for, they’ll pick up on these gestures.”

He doesn’t seem happy about it, but he nods. “Yes, my lord.”

“Oh, and make sure to look out for those karasu. If we can intercept the messages, we might gain an advantage.” I sit down in my chair, already thinking of the intel we could learn if Meera is right.

Vex’s voice infiltrates my musings. “Gorran’s associates will soon return to Ikoth to deliver the slave trade profits directly to him. Shall I go ahead and infiltrate that group myself to gather information?”

I nod. “Yes. No one else is capable enough. I trust only you with this task.” I dismiss him with a flick of my wrist.

I wish I could go as well, but I need to plan strategies and keep Meera safe. I’m better off here than in the field.

Vex returns my nod, gives Meera a polite nod, and wordlessly leaves the room.

---