Page 271 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

He eyed her with suspicion. “When we freed Xan, we inadvertently freed everyone in the cells. Assuming he found his way out, I mean. We left him there.”

She swallowed thickly, getting herself under control.

“Obviously he is going to want to find you. Does he have a Tracking Mark on you?”

“Why would he do that if there is a bond in place that allows for the same?” she asked.

“You’d be surprised,” he muttered. Then louder, he said, “The point is, when he doesn’t find you in Faven?—”

“He knows I was moved,” she interrupted. “I was not given the blocking Mark until I was here. He felt the bond being stretched and knew I was taken a great distance from him.”

“Great,” Luka said dryly. “All the more reason to believe this is going to be one of his first stops while he tries to track you down. We need to move you somewhere else.” He looked at Xan. “Do you recall any holdings that wouldn’t be obvious?”

“Much has changed during my time of imprisonment, Luka,” he answered. “I suspect where he prefers to do business has as well. She would be your greatest source of information, but we cannot trust her.”

“What did you and Tessa discuss when she’d visit you?” Luka asked suddenly.

“We drank wine. Or rather, she did. She can talk. A lot,” she replied.

The male’s brow furrowed. “She doesn’t talk a lot.”

“She does when given the opportunity.”

Luka’s glare was harsh. “And what will you do if Valter finds you?”

“What can I do?” she countered. “I am bound to him.”

“Then you would return to him?” he clarified.

“You speak as if I have a choice to do anything else.”

His finger steepled along his temple now, he contemplated that before saying, “That is a valid statement.” He sighed. “Theon might know of a lesser-known holding, but he’s in a Tribunal Hearing all day today. I don’t think we’ll be lucky enough to have that much time, especially if Valter figures out how to get those bands off.”

“There is a place outside of Raven Harbor,” Eviana said tentatively.

“I know of it,” Luka replied.

“Valter does not enjoy going there. Says the city smells like fish.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I am offering a suggestion,” she replied. “A show of good faith, perhaps.”

“We’ve already established we cannot trust you,” he said.

“Believe what you will, but I do not desire to see him. He will be angry, and you know well how he expels such emotions,” she answered.

She watched the male as he clearly debated what to do. One of his first real tests at being Theon’s advisor and being forced to make a decision without consulting him first. Valter had never trusted anyone with such a role. He had close nobles like Julius and Mansel—had others who were trying to claw their way into such a position—but they were all disposable to him in the end. Theon, Luka, and Axel had forged something different. She’d watched it grow over the years, and while it allowed them to share burdens, it also created exploitable weaknesses.

“I can’t leave you there by yourself,” he said, rubbing a hand along his jaw. “Eliza and Razik are needed here, and Xan is not in any condition to monitor you.”

She waited, letting him come to the conclusion on his own.

“I suppose as long as you are in bands, I could leave Corbin and Lange with you,” he went on. “It won’t be for long. Just until I can talk to Theon.” His gaze bored into hers. “But I swear to the gods, Eviana, if you fuck with them or betray us, the only place you’ll be going is the Underground.”

As if that was any type of threat to her.

“May I retrieve things from my cell before we go?” she asked instead.

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