Page 4 of Heat of the Everflame

“Vance,” I said in greeting, though it came out like a snarl. “I recall being afriendwhen I gave you access to the royal boat.”

“Was that loyalty?” he shot back. “Or was it a woman desperate to win back her betrothed after she betrayed him and locked him in her dungeon?”

My stomach twisted at the mention of Henri. I wouldn’t give Vance the satisfaction of admitting it, but he was right—I’d helped the Guardians in a last-ditch attempt to repair the broken trust between myself and my childhood love.

It had been immeasurably reckless considering what I knew the Guardians were capable of, but I had been so lost over my father’s death, so consumed with rage at the Descended over his murder, I had naively convinced myself that I could find a way to help Henri while keeping the Guardians from taking things too far.

I should have known the Guardians wouldalwaystake things too far.

Cordellia glanced between the two of us. “You never told me she helped with the planning for our attack on the island, Vance.And you certainly never mentioned she was a member of your cell.”

“Attack?” I repeated. “What attack?”

Vance shrugged lightly. “Her membership was so brief, I barely remember it. And I did tell you she has been useful, even if she isn’t trustworthy.”

“I’mnot trustworthy?” I took a few steps toward him. Cordellia wheeled her knife back in my direction to keep me at a distance. “I kept your secrets, didn’t I? And I saved your life the night of the ball.Andwhen the guards spotted us in the canal.”

“And now I’ve returned the favor,” he snapped. “You were spared from the attack. Consider my debt to you and your mother repaid in full.”

“What debt to my mother?” I stormed closer to Vance, even as Cordellia’s godstone blade came within inches of my skin. “Where is she? And what happened on the island?”

“Step back,” Cordellia warned as she pushed herself between us.

My focus shifted to her, my voice rising with my anger. “You try to drown me, forcibly drug me, refuse to explain anything, and throw me in chains.” I raised my fists, jolting the shackles with a loud clink. “I’ll ‘step back’ when one of you starts giving me answers.”

One of the archers loosed an arrow, the edge of it whizzing past my ear as it barely missed my head. A few severed strands of my snow-white hair floated to the ground.

I held my glare in refusal to back down, channeling my father’s lessons as his voice whispered guidance in my ear.

Never give in to a warning shot, or they’ll only learn to shoot more often.Don’t provoke a fight unless you intend to see it through.

I locked eyes with Cordellia and leaned in until the point of her dagger sat against my throat. A dare to act—and a very dangerous gamble.

“You know my mother, so you must also know my father,” I rumbled. “And if you know anything abouthim, then you know I don’t need magic or weapons to defend myself if I have to.”

“See?” Vance sniped. “She’s already threatening us. I told you she couldn’t be trusted.”

I slid my gaze to Vance and held his stare until he huffed and looked away.

“Step back, Miss Bellator,” Cordellia said evenly. “Cooperate, and I’ll give you answers.”

Vance struck up his protests again, this time walking close to Cordellia and whispering his complaints too quietly for me to decipher. I watched a spark of irritation flip across her face before she reined it back in. She did not seem like a woman who let her frustration show easily—the fact Vance had pushed her this far told me there was a crack in the bond between the two Guardian leaders.

A crack I needed to widen.

I lowered my hands and took a slow step back as I dipped my chin in deference. “Forgive my anger,” I said to Cordellia. “Where he is involved, I have a difficult time giving my trust. Like you, I’ve found Vance has a habit of withholding critical details. From women, at least.” I gave her a loaded, knowing look. “Only his male colleagues were fully informed.”

Vance scoffed. “I worked with your mother for years.Shenever had a problem with me.”

“Really?” I cocked my head and frowned. “That’s strange. She and I often discussed who in Lumnos she trusted with sensitive information, and she never once mentioned you.”

He jabbed a finger in my direction. “You’re just trying t—”

“That’s enough, Brother Vance,” Cordellia scolded. “I can handle this.”

He stiffened and turned his glare on her. “I think you meanFatherVance.”

“Only in Lumnos. Here in Arboros, you are a Brother, same as any other man.”

---