Page 4 of Hidden

“When Sala told me about her visitors, I dropped everything and hunted until I found out where you were,” Lila said. “You owe your family some answers. Whatever you’re doing is causing ripples.”

“Tell Sala I apologize,” Ademar replied. “I will ensure no future ripples will reach my sisters. And I don’t owe you anything. You’re the one who turned your back on us.”

That stung. “We’ve already lost two sisters. Excuse me for asking questions.”

He shot her a venomous look. “That had nothing to do with me.”

She stepped closer, refusing to let him avoid her glare. “Is it too much to ask for an explanation?”

“You can ask for anything. That does not mean you’ll receive it.”

His long-fingered hands clenched and unclenched, but his features remained cold, still marble. He was anxious, maybe angry, but he’d never acknowledge it.

“I had plans for the weekend.” She flung herself into one of the white velvet chairs. “Confess, and I’ll still have time to make it back to town before breakfast.”

Ademar’s gray eyes flicked away again. “You’re being trivial.”

“Since you won’t answer when I talk in my serious voice, you’re leaving me few alternatives.” Lila came to her real point. “I may be living in town and away from court, but I still hear whispers. People are worried about some bogeyman they call the Magician. I hear the king is considering a withdrawal of the fae from human habitations.”

Some believed contact with humans was weakening their magic. Lila didn’t believe it, but her opinion was irrelevant. The nobles couldn’t afford to take chances, especially not the kings and queens, whose birthright of power was far greater than even the most accomplished students of the magic arts.

“King Elroth isn’t thinking about leaving. He’s doing it. How is that relevant?”

“This way station is new and far better hidden than the old ones—so hidden that I wouldn’t have found it without specific directions. One might say it was fit for nobility that didn’t want to be found. Should I assume any of these facts are connected?”

He winced. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated enough to bring vampires to Sala’s door?” Frustration burned in her belly. “Where do they fit in? Did someone commit a crime? Did you?”

“The Undead have no business bothering us.” His gaze hardened. “We don’t owe them an explanation, either.”

Hot annoyance morphed into fear. “By the Abyss, Ademar, what did you do? What does it have to do with Lord Farras?”

“You’re making a drama out of nothing,” Ademar replied coolly. “Lord Farras invited us to wait for him here. He should have arrived by now, so I expect him at any time.”

“What’s he up to? And who is us? Is there someone else here?”

Ademar opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass. She jumped up, reaching for her gun, but Ademar caught her hand and held a finger to his lips.

“I was expecting an annoyance,” he murmured. “I was hoping to get rid of you before the annoyance arrived.”

“Who is it?” she breathed. Sweat trickled down the small of her back.

He bent, picking up a sword belt and scabbard hidden in the shadows beside his chair. Rising to his feet, he buckled on the belt and drew the sword. Candlelight danced along the blade, as if mocking Lila’s choice to carry a human weapon. In the hands of a warrior such as Ademar, trained in battle magic, fae steel had no equal.

A second crash shattered the silence, this time of splintering wood.

Ademar’s eyes sparked with anticipation. “It’s time to say hello.”

CHAPTER 2

Once the female fae had vanished from sight, Rafe spun around and loped back into the valley. There was no time to spare.

Earlier that night, he’d left a knapsack of clothes and supplies at the foot of an ancient tree, right where several deer paths crossed. He reached it in a matter of minutes. It took him slightly longer to change back to human form, dress, and text for backup.

Possible location. Concealment spell. Bring supplies.

He’d barely finished strapping on his weapons when a rush of air stirred the branches. With quicksilver reflexes, Rafe snatched his pistol from its holster, sighting on the fluttering leaves. A moment later, a woman stepped from the trees. Despite legend, vampires didn’t turn into bats or crows, but Izetta still moved like the wind.

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