Page 23 of Lady of Darkness

Tava glanced at the book in her hands and then up at Ryker. “Should I know what language this is?”

Ryker gave a pointed look at Scarlett over his shoulder and left the room. After she was sure he was gone, she stood and walked over to Tava and took the book from her.

“What was that all about?” Tava asked, confusion in her voice.

“You truly do not know what language this book is written in?” Scarlett asked, her voice meek.

Tava shook her head. “It seems ancient, and I feel like I may have seen it before at some point, but it is not one I readily recognize. Canyouread it?”

Scarlett said nothing as she studied the text. It looked completely ordinary. Like the common tongue. How could Tava not read it? And if Ryker hadn’t been lying about the language, then had he been telling the truth about the humans in the Fae lands too? What could have been so bad here that they would seek out the Fae Courts?

“Here,” Tava said, handing a note to Scarlett.

Scarlett took it and instantly recognized Nuri’s neat penmanship. She wanted to meet with her tonight, and it was urgent. Which meant that Scarlett would need to skip her tonic and take the stronger one. Scarlett swore under her breath as she left the room.

She would meet with her. She could take a nap before doing so, but first…

First, she was going to figure out exactly who Ryker was because if hewasfrom the Fae lands like he claimed, he might have information on the one who had ordered her mother killed.

CHAPTER 7

SCARLETT

Scarlett crept along the trees as she trailed Ryker. He was on her favorite horse and had been riding along the river at a decent pace. She had to run to keep up, but now he was slowing. She braced a hand against a tree trunk as she worked to even out her breathing.

Scarlett had changed into a black tunic and pants after she’d deposited the book back in her room. She had planned to go and track down Ryker, but luck had been on her side. Ryker had been with Drake in the entry, and she heard him mention going for a ride before the weekly meeting Lord Tyndell held with his top generals, captains, and commanders. She was usually at the weekly dinners along with Tava. After the meal, they were dismissed so the men could discuss the week’s plans. She had followed Ryker in the shadows, and once she’d realized where he was going, she’d taken a few shortcuts she knew well to get ahead of him. He’d caught up with her quickly enough though, and now he was casually walking along the path.

The horse suddenly came to an abrupt halt, rearing back on his hind legs. Ryker pulled back on the reins to remain in the saddle. “Whoa,” he soothed, as the horse slammed back down on its front hooves.It pranced in a tight circle, and Ryker shifted, looking for the source of what had startled it.

Scarlett dropped to the ground to remain unseen, slicing her arm on a sharp rock. She hissed between her teeth at the sting, but it was quickly forgotten as a giant black wolf slunk out from the trees near the side of the road. It easily reached higher than Ryker’s waist. It growled low in its throat, and the horse stamped its hoof in response, backing up with a whinny.

Ryker quickly slid from the saddle and grabbed its bridle, making a soothing noise at the animal. The wolf tracked his every movement, its jade green eyes beginning to glow. Scarlett made to move, to do something to help him, but then she froze. Ryker did not seem at all concerned with the wolf. He watched it warily, almost as if heknewthis wolf. The wolf padded forward, coming to stop a few feet from him.

“Maliq,” Ryker said, reverence in his voice, as he bowed to the wolf.

Scarlett could only watch, unable to believe what she was seeing. Her head whipped to the side as a cool, cultured female voice filled the air. She had a hint of the same accent Ryker had.

“You show my wolf more respect than you offer me. How amusing.”

Ryker stiffened at the sound of that voice and glared at the woman who stepped into view before him. She had long mahogany hair. It reached past her waist and flowed slightly around her on phantom winds, despite the calm day. Her eyes glowed jade green just as the black wolf’s eyes did. She was a couple of inches shorter than Ryker. Twin blades were strapped to her back. She wore a white tunic with fitted brown pants. Fighting leathers adorned her as well with various daggers in place.

But none of that was what made Scarlett stifle the gasp that escaped from her. Wind swirled at the fingertips of the woman’s left hand while sand swirled along the wrist of her right. Magic. The woman was somehow wielding magic here.

“You are dressed for battle,” Ryker said. He was clearly well-acquainted with the woman.

“Perceptive as always,” the woman said, rolling her eyes. She reached down and patted the black wolf on the head, scratching behind an ear. “You would not expect me to come to the human lands without being properly armed, would you?”

Scarlett thought her head was going to explode at the words ‘come to the human lands.’

“What is happening at home?” Ryker demanded.

“That is not your concern right now. Your concern is the task I gave you,” the woman replied snidely, her green eyes flaring.

“Not if my people are in danger,” Ryker snapped.

His people?

The wolf growled low. “Shh, Maliq,” the woman said, soothing the wolf as if it weren’t a giant terrifying predator but a puppy. “This is not the place for this, Sorin.”

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