Page 22 of The Iron Flower

“Lukas,” I say, a thread of apprehension winding through me, “she can’t be the Black Witch. She just can’t. I think I’m her biggest enemy.”

“Relax, Elloren,” he says dismissively. “Fallon’s not the Black Witch.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“She’s powerful, but Fallon has nowherenearthe range of magic your grandmother had. Though she does have some truly impressive ice spells, I’ll give her that.”

“Yes, well, when she hears I came here with you, she’ll freeze my blood.”

Lukas smirks at this. “She won’t freeze your blood. She’ll just torment you a little.” He leans in close. “Or a lot.” He twirls me around dramatically and shoots me a wicked grin. “But it’s worth it, don’t you think?”

I scowl at him, but he ignores my displeasure. “Your friend Aislinn looks miserable. I passed her walking with Randall Greyson on the way here.”

“She doesn’t want to fast to Randall.”

“I don’t blame her. Randall’s an idiot.”

I furrow my brow at him. “I’m surprised to hear you talk that way about a fellow soldier.”

“He’s a talentless coward who should never have been allowed in the Mage Guard.” Lukas’s lips tighten with disapproval as he looks past me, surveying the scene around us. “What the Gardnerians are in dire need of is a worthy foe. One who would immediately pick off soldiers like Randall.”

“I thought soldiers were bullies who wanted easy targets,” I challenge him acidly.

Lukas gives a short laugh. “That’s what cowards who dress up as soldiers want. Real warriors want a real foe.”

“Real warriors like you?”

“Yes,” he says without hesitation.

“So, what is it you want in your foe, exactly?”

“Well, speaking metaphorically, what I want is a worthy grindstone.”

“To smash to pieces?”

His eyes take on a wicked gleam. “To sharpen my blade against.” I gasp as he abruptly pulls me close and grins at my surprise. “I hear your brother was here with the Lupine girl.”

Ire rises in me. “I really don’t feel like talking about this with you, of all people.”

Lukas laughs. “Why?”

“Because you probably hate their kind.”

“I don’t hate the Lupines.”

“Yet you would kill them if ordered to.”

“Yes, I would,” he agrees. “Just as Gunther Ulrich’s guard would kill everyone in this room if he orderedthemto.”

“It’s not the same.”

“It’sexactlythe same.” Lukas’s gaze turns serious. “Elloren, your brother needs to remember which side he’s on. He’s playing a dangerous game. Marcus Vogel is intent on recapturing a contested portion of the Lupines’ territory. Unfriendly diplomatic relations are about to take a hostile turn.”

Rebellion flares in me. “If we provoke a war with the Lupines, Rafe won’t fight them.”

Lukas’s expression goes granite hard. He abruptly slows us to a stop and guides me just off the dance floor, into a slightly sheltered grove of Ironwood trees.

“Your brother’s going to be drafted,” Lukas says, his voice low and unforgiving. “He may be without magic, but he’s the best tracker to come along in ages. He’ll be especially useful in fighting the Lupines.”

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