Page 76 of Hidden

“Well?” Ademar shifted forward, leaning on the cane. The jewels dotting the embroidery of his tunic winked coldly in the cheerless light.

“I follow where Lila leads.”

Ademar shot him a look of pure loathing as he stuffed the keys in his pocket. “So you do, and she has little protection in this place. Your loyalty to my sister is the only reason you’re still breathing.”

“Not everyone shares your sentiment,” Rafe replied. “Someone pushed me down the stairs.”

“Lord Farras,” Ademar replied. “I saw them together in the kitchen. She detests him even more than I hate you, and that’s saying something.”

“Then why leave her in his company?”

Rafe studied Ademar, comparing him to the video of the Magician. He was tall and fair. He could imagine him moving with the grace and energy of the enemy. And Lila’s brother would do what it took to survive. Was selling poison to wolf cubs beyond him? There was no telling with the fae.

“Lila is my sister, and I don’t answer to you, wolf.” The flames inched closer to Rafe’s flesh. “And you don’t understand the complexities of the game I play.”

“No, I really don’t.” The heat intensified. Sweat rolled down the small of Rafe’s back.

Ademar’s mouth twisted. “Well, here is the simple version. Lord Farras is a dangerous enemy, and he already suspects that I don’t share his every opinion.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m sure Lila mentioned that he left me on my own to capture Captain Teegar of the Royal Guard. It was a test I couldn’t afford to fail. As a result, I’m implicated in his schemes. I’m not a free actor.”

“What does he want?”

“Farras plans to crown himself king before he’s done. He’ll crush anyone to do it.” Ademar shrugged. “Correction, he’ll get his hangers-on to do the crushing. Milord does not dirty his hands.”

“Is this a confession or a preamble to incinerating me?” Rafe asked. “I always worry when I get information for free.”

“Oh, don’t worry.” Ademar’s smile chilled Rafe to the pit of his stomach. “You’ll pay for this. What were you and Lila doing in my study?”

Rafe thought of a dozen lies, but opted for the truth. He couldn’t yet see where this was going. “We were looking for help. She wanted to send a message. Find someone to slow Farras’s roll. I don’t think it worked.”

“Of course not. She’s no idea how my system works.” Ademar muttered something under his breath about delicate equipment and amateurs. “And when it failed?”

“We planned to get a message out a different way.”

Ademar grimaced. “Release a fae prisoner to make it past the perimeter spells?”

Lila’s brother was quick. Rafe had to give him that. He nodded, doing his best to ignore the smell of his boots’ soles starting to melt.

“Lord Teegar?” Ademar asked sharply. “He is a traitor.”

“According to Lord Farras. Do you trust his opinion?”

Ademar jammed a hand through his fair hair. “I don’t know.”

Rafe thought carefully before he spoke again. “Can Teegar be trusted to leave here and find backup? Will that backup be someone who will help your family so you don’t have to tie yourself in knots for a lord you don’t respect?”

Ademar’s eyes narrowed. “Be careful how you speak of your betters.”

The flames shot high for a heartbeat, dazzling Rafe’s eyes. He clamped his jaw shut, willing down his roar of fury. Then the fire faded to its previous size. Ademar leaned against the wall, a predatory smirk on his face.

“Fine.” Rafe’s throat ached with thirst. “I know you and I have very little in common, but we share one thing. We both want safety for our packs.”

“So?”

“You say you’re not a free actor, but you’re not powerless.If you want change, then make it happen.”

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