Page 51 of Untamed

In the tiny room, a long table took up most of the space. Cosme, Minerva, and Jaime sat alongside each other on a bench. Jaime waved Laude over to join him, leaving space for one more person. Across from them, Fermín and Lucas occupied part of the opposing bench. I scooted next to Cosme’s blond-haired friend, Lucas.

An awkwardness settled in the air as I neared Lucas, and Zichri shuffled on the other side of me.

“Princess Beatriz,” Lucas greeted.

Thank the Ancient One that Lucas didn’t lean in for a formal greeting kiss.

Tap-tap-tap.

Another man with mousy-brown hair and a thick mustache entered the room and shut the door.

Cosme asked the newcomer, “Anyone else nearby?”

The mousy man slid the lock in place and leaned against the door rather than attempting to fit on the bench. “All sailors are on deck and a couple of others are relieving themselves above.”

My face contorted as an involuntary gasp escaped my lips.

Cosme lifted the corner of his mouth and clicked his tongue. “Good. Don’t look so disgusted, Beatriz. Ignacio’s gifted with extraordinary hearing, which brings me to the matter of watching our words.” He fixed his stare on me. “Dotados meetings and their content must be protected. We don’t know what giftings others possess.”

“Are you accusing me of being indiscreet?” I asked, muscles tensing in my neck.

“No.” Cosme folded his hands. “I’m making you aware of why we meet so late and why so many precautions are taken. The information we discuss could be used against us. It’s a matter of Giddel’s future.”

“How does this impact Himzo?” I folded my hands, ready to word spar if that’s what it took to loosen Cosme’s tongue.

Fermín let out a chuckle. “Should the rest of us get some bread to watch the tournament?”

I sucked in a sharp breath. “I haven’t had the luxury of being included in a single meet—”

“Then listen up,” Cosme ordered. “I’m tired and want to go to sleep soon.” The command in his voice ricocheted off the wood-paneled walls.

Zichri’s palm hit the table. His mouth pressed into a firm line I hadn’t seen before. “No one is to speak to Beatriz in that manner.”

Flames danced in the lamps sitting on the table. Deep shadows cut across Cosme’s face, hardening his already stern expression. I dipped my chin, inhaling a delightful breath. A muscle in Zichri’s jaw flexed, setting a fire of gratitude and appreciation in my heart.

Cosme passed a look over each of us around the table. “Minerva falling off the ship exposed her ability to make and travel through portals. Be on the lookout for sailors talkingabout her. I don’t believe anyone onLa Laviais our enemy, but men tend to have loose tongues after indulging in too many spirits. That could be an issue once we reach the shores. Ignacio, I need you to stay with the sailors once we land.” Cosme cocked his head toward Zichri, signaling for him to continue the briefing.

Zichri leaned on his elbows. “The Black Knight looks to attend the masquerade. He wants to settle a new betrothal with Monserrat. Though Cosme’s going to try to reestablish his betrothal, we don’t hope for any real success. We need all of you to find out who’s leading the New Alliance and how wide the network has grown. The leaders are making big promises about using relic powers.”

“Powers?” I asked. The moment the word slipped out, I snapped my mouth closed.

Cosme’s glare landed on me though the sharp edge to his voice had dulled. “My informants tell me kings are promised the ability to live forever, have prophetic dreams, enhance their giftings, and all on demand.”

“Is it wicked to be able to do these things?” I asked.

Laude bit her lip and shared a look with me. She knew about the pocket watch dangling from my neck.

Zichri nudged my side. “It’s wicked if the powers bestowed by the relics are twisted for their own gain or to harm others. That wasn’t their design. The good part is that the relics have a keeper.” The orange light reflected in his eyes with a glint of something else he hoped to share.

“Yes, they do, but,” Cosme’s abrasive tone shattered Zichri’s warmth, “the keeper’s a person, and the relics could do immeasurable damage in the wrong hands. When we get to Aracibel, we must apprehend the Black Knight. The promises about all the extra powers are fool’s gold. You can’t get extrapowers without the relics, and each of them are accounted for except the last one.”

I stilled. They knew about the pocket watch.

Laude’s eyes widened and her lips smashed together in a conspiratorial fashion.

Did you know that my pocket watch is a relic?I swallowed hard pushing thoughts at her even though she couldn’t hear them.Stop making those faces at me. Everyone is going to notice.

A flicker of power glowed along my skin, and I clenched my fists.

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