Page 101 of Shadows of Winter

“I’m not. I just… want to help.”

Help Vlerion, she added silently, but Kaylina wished she could somehow help the girl and the workers in general. Couldn’t both sides come together and negotiate for improvements without warring with each other? Without blowing things up and killing people?

“Tomorrow night,” Milzy said.

“That soon?”

Milzy nodded. “It’s long past time for a regime change. If you’re thrown in jail, we can get you out.”

“Thanks,” Kaylina murmured and opened the door, the fresh air that wafted in making her realize how smoky and stuffy it was inside. How would they ever get this place fit to serve people?

Milzy, in a far brighter mood, skipped as she left the property.

Kaylina closed the door and rested her forehead on it. Regime change. Maybe she should have tried to get more details, but that might have been suspicious. Less than an hour after an arson, Kaylina wasn’t inclined to raise anyone’s suspicions and inadvertently turn herself into an enemy. A target.

“You know they’re planning to assassinate the king, don’t you?” a male voice spoke from behind her.

Heart leaping into their throat, Kaylina whirled. It wasn’t Jankarr but Captain Targon.

His face was hard, his eyes icy, and she knew he’d heard everything.

25

An idea may spark a movement.

~ Lord Professor Varhesson, Port Jirador University

“I didn’t know that, no.” Kaylina willed calm into her voice as she answered Captain Targon. The ranger wore a cloak, but his black leather armor was beneath it, a sword hanging from his belt. After seeing the veteran fight, she knew he was almost as dangerous as Vlerion. “You’re not Jankarr.”

An obvious statement, but she was nervous.

“You think he would have minded less that you were talking to a Virt spy?”

“I think he would have come out, flirted with her, and helped me learn more information.”

“The flirting part might be right.” Targon walked slowly toward Kaylina, considering her.

“I only asked because I thought Vlerion would want to know what night they’re planning things.”

“And you’ve sworn your loyalty to him now?”

“Well, he saved my brother’s life.” Kaylina pointed toward the kitchen. “And his mom likes my mead.”

Targon stopped, his eyebrows drifting up. Maybe there hadn’t been time for Vlerion to give him a lowdown of the day.

“You spoke with Lady Isla? At Havartaft Estate?”

“Yes. She sent a carriage for me.”

“Why?”

Kaylina opened her mouth but paused. Isla had said Targon knew Vlerion’s secret, hadn’t she? And Kaylina had caught the two men exchanging long significant looks she believed had been related to it. Even so, she worried she’d misremembered something, so she hesitated to speak it aloud, lest she betray Vlerion.

“Lady Isla is a mead enthusiast,” Kaylina said.

“Not that I’ve heard.”

“Maybe she doesn’t confide her drink preferences to you.”

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