Page 55 of Seer Prophet

“I did not lie to you. I am one of the Children of the Bridge.”

“Which means… what? Precisely?”

The older seer exhaled, running a hand through his long, dark hair.

“We are an old sect, Esteemed Sister,” he said, his voice slightly less guarded. “I was not aware of them at all until I was chosen to be a member. That occurred several decades ago, in my three hundredth year. I was in the Adhipan prior to that, which is how I know brother Balidor. And, indirectly, your husband.”

“And who is your leader?” I asked. “Now? Who do you work for now?”

He only looked at me.

“Really?” I clenched my jaw. “We’re going to play this game?”

“I cannot tell you that, Esteemed Sister. I am sorry, but I cannot.”

“Then you probably won’t be surprised that I can’t trust you,” I said.

Dalejem’s eyes met mine, right before he exhaled. He shook his head, once. “No, sister, I am not surprised. However, I would think you could trust your husband… and brother Balidor.”

I fought back a harder flush of rage.

I bit my lip, but my silence didn’t last long.

“You probably shouldn’t be invoking my marital relationship right now, brother.” My voice a few degrees colder. “Or telling me whether and how I should trust my husband. Unless you really want a body part of yours broken. Or perhaps removed.”

I saw his eyes flinch.

To his credit, the infiltrator’s mask didn’t waver apart from that.

Definitely Adhipan training.

“You must do as you see fit, Esteemed Sister,” he murmured, bowing.

“Really?” I fought to keep the fury from my voice. “Must I? Well, perhaps you can tell me this. Why is my husband having to tell you to keep your fuckinghandsoff him, brother? Not once, buttwicein my hearing?”

Silence fell on the darkened guardhouse.

“Well?” I prodded. “You were doing so well. A few things you said just now actually made sense. Don’t lose your nerve now.”

He started to make the respectful sign of the Bridge.

That only pissed me off more.

“Don’t give me that obsequious crap.” I gripped the doorway tighter. “If you’re such a big follower of mine, you should know I’m not fond of liars. Especially liars who’ve already given me a pretty solid reason to dislike them.”

Pausing to clench my jaw, I nodded towards him.

“Answer the question. What do you want with Revik? How do you know him?”

He flinched openly that time, and my skin flushed with heat when I realized it was because I’d used Revik’s given name.

“Are you going to answer me?” I asked angrily.

“No,” he said.

Looking up, he winced at my expression, holding up a hand in a peace gesture.

“Mistress, I am sorry, but I cannot. It is not for me to say. It would be wrong of me to tell you. I am not the right person for this.”

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