Page 62 of Kept to Kill
He donned his shirt that he’d left in a heap on the floor, taking one last look at Lily’s bruised arse before leaving her alone and slinking quietly down the stairs back to the parlor where he’d last seen Quin.
Inside, he found both his Brothers sitting in silence as if they’d been awaiting him. There were refreshments on the table. He chose a small bun that looked like it had raisins or currants in it and bit into it, savoring the taste while outwardly pretending indifference.
That was something he'd missed in all the time he’d been on the Mount; not being in this realm of foods. Of course they had all manner of foodstuffs in the God Realm, every bit of it fit for the gods. But here … perhaps it was because the mortals had such short lives. They were always inventing new tastes, new combinations.
The fayre available on the Mount was fine enough, he supposed. But the gods were set in their ways. They ate the same breads, the same cheeses, the same fruits and nuts. But mortals in this realm were artisans. Everything tasted unique in different regions, in separate towns and cities. Even within the Brothers’ camp. There were men from all different corners of this realm and others, and the many dishes available there reflected that.
‘Lily will be here soon,’ he said between mouthfuls. ‘Is there anything that we need to talk about before she comes down? We don’t want to frighten her.’
Quin regarded him for a moment. ‘No. She should know everything that we do. She’s our Fourth, after all,’ he said without a hint of irony. ‘Besides, whether it scares her or not, it’s safer for her to understand the importance of her role here.’
Mal’s eyes narrowed. ‘You consider her our Fourth now?’
Quin sat back in his chair. ‘Yes,’ he finally said. ‘I do. What I said before …’ He trailed off. ‘I want her to be as safe as possible.’
‘And if it’s too dangerous?’
Quin threw up his hands. ‘What is too dangerous, Brother? She’s a Fourth with power of her own. She has us at her back. That’s more than most who survive in this world have.’
‘Mal and I, she has,’ Bastian corrected. ‘Does she truly have you?’
‘She is my Fourth as well as yours.’
‘A Fourth you considered expendable. What’s changed, Brother?’ Bastian countered.
‘I—’ Quin stopped. ‘I don’t want her to be harmed and I would only break the bond if necessary.’
From his place by the wall, Mal uttered a low growl, his intense gaze on Quin. ‘You would unbind her from us?’ He sounded almost frightened.
Quin nodded. ‘If she wills it.’
Mal’s jaw snapped closed and he looked away as if he was afraid of what he might do if Quin stayed in his line of sight.
‘And what if she doesn’t want to perform her tricks for us?’ Bastian asked.
Quin’s lips drew into a grim line. ‘She must. What choice is there? It must be done and she is the only one who can do it.’
‘Why can’t we?’ Mal snarled.
‘We have spoken about this, Brother,’ Quin said, looking tired as he drew a hand over his eyes. ‘Kitore only stands because of the spells that protect it, ancient wards that prevent fire, floods, natural calamities. They’ve even repelled armies that have marched on its walls.’
Quin stood, directing his full attention to Mal. ‘The king already knows we’re here. No doubt we’ll be invited to the palace tonight or tomorrow. If our enemies die in unnatural happenstance, we’ll be the first to be thrown into the dungeons. Use your head. Lily’s gift is the best way. The only way. No one will even suspect it’s anything more than one of the maladies brought in on the ships from time to time.’
When they’d left the camp, Bastian had had no thoughts either way about putting Lily in danger. She’d simply been a prisoner with a use. How he could have thought such a thing was laughable, but now … he looked over at Mal. His Brother agreed with him that Lily should not be put in danger, but, unless Quin changed his mind, there was little they could do at the moment. Some Brothers laws couldn’t be cast aside.
‘What do we know about them? This enemy?’ Bastian asked.
‘They have influence in the palace and they are a driving force behind the witch killings as well. Between them, the king, and the Great Library, this city and half the realm is whipped up into a frenzy. They’ll be at a celebration of some sort tomorrow night. I’ll get more information from the unit we have in the city already, but that’s all we have for now. That and our contact has made it clear that he’s concerned by the dogma regarding the Army as well as secret talks with the king’s representatives.’
‘What is their dogma?’
‘They want the Army disbanded and the Brothers executed,’ Quin replied concisely.
Bastian took another bun from the table. ‘You say there’s a unit already here?’
‘Aye. They were seconded to the Great Library after they finished their education at its academy. Something Greygor put in place years ago to have eyes and ears here.’
‘Much good it did him,’ Bastian snorted. ‘Do we know nothing more? Who they are? Their numbers?’
