Page 44 of A Fate so Cruel

Chapter Three

“Rion.” He turned at the sound of his sister’s voice, the old wooden chair creaking beneath his weight.

He’d returned to the study after grabbing lunch. The tray still sat on the floor at the foot of the dresser. He’d chosen to fill his time by reading a new book on advanced chess strategies.

The glass chess board sat before him with pieces scattered across the tiled squares.

The study separated their two rooms. His sister had once played other games with him in this very room. They’d make up imaginary villains and pretend the bookshelves were castles they had to climb and defend, much to their father’s chagrin. But their villains had become quite real over the years.

He smirked at the memory and moved the glass chess pieces before she could pick apart his new strategy.

Saoirse sat across from him, her hair still damp from her shower. She wore a casual set of green silk pajamas that were patterned with tiny smiling cacti waving their arms.

A smile pulled at his lips.

“Really? Every time?”

“I didn’t say a word.”

“I could get you a pair,” she offered, pushing her hair back from her face. “Maybe it would change a few minds.”

“Ah, yes, why didn’t I consider that before?” He sarcastically waved a hand. “Tiny cacti to the rescue.”

She reached for the white pieces on the board and began setting them up. “I heard Alec assigned you.”

Rion reached for the black ones. “Apparently, I need a team.” He still hated the idea and didn’t try to hide it.

“Selina.” She practically spit the name. “I told him to choose someone else.”

Rion studied her, but she kept her gaze on the board. She’d walked in relaxed, but now her shoulders were pensive.

“Anything I should know?”

Saoirse met his gaze, hers full of warning. “Keep your guard up around her.”

He smirked. “Worried about me?”

She kicked his shin under the table. “You know damn well I worry about you.” Saoirse leaned back and crossed her arms. “She’s taken special classes and knows how to weave her words. Some claim she can even outright lie.”

Rion moved his first piece. “She knows how to manipulate, so what? It’s nothing I haven’t encountered before.”

“She’s never failed a mission.”

“Neither have I.”

Saoirse sighed. “I know, but . . . most of her missions aren’t . . . normal. She goes undercover and is a master at gaining the trust of her target. She’s set a record for getting things done faster than anyone we’ve ever seen.”

Rion indicated for her to move. “Is that what this mission entails?” He wasn’t sure how he’d assist a covert operation if they were supposed to blend in. Everyone knew him by name.

Saoirse finally moved, a mistake on her part. Rion moved again. “I don’t know. Alec wouldn’t give me the details.”

“I thought you were in charge of assigning missions.”

“Not this one, apparently.”

“Why?”

She moved her knight. “He just said the information was sensitive and he didn’t want to risk telling any more people than necessary.”

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