Page 77 of Kept to Kill
Three large men dressed in black trudged through the doorway. Quin tried not to let his astonishment at their statures show, but surprised he was. He had assumed that they would be moreacademicthan soldier. They had taken the trials a while ago, after all, and for all intents and purposes, he would have assumed their duties consisted of, well, scholarly pursuits.
But these men were not scholars first and foremost, that was certain. Each man was broad and substantial and clearly spent time in the training rings … or in the fighting pits from the looks of some of their scars.
They looked hardened despite their learned backgrounds. All were dressed in Brothers’ blacks but with a small red stripe on the front of their tunics, he noted, his eyes narrowing on that crimson line, the king’s mark and, therefore, the Scholar’s. But he said nothing about it, taking Del’s advice.
Their leader watched Quin like a hawk with piercing blue eyes, sizing him up, deciding if he was worthy. The man’s cropped hair was a deep ginger and he sported a well-trimmed beard of the same hue. There was a small but prominent burn scar high on his cheek in the shape of a five-pointed star.
‘Thank you for meeting with me, Brothers.’
The men bowed their heads.
‘And you, Commander. I’m Drake,’ their leader said. He pointed at the Brother on his left with the long blond hair tied at the nape of his neck. ‘Krase and …’ He gestured to the other one. A silver earring dangled from his ear and his black hair was woven in thick strands that went down his back, making him look anything but a learned man. ‘This is Vane.’
‘Sit,’ Quin invited them, and they did so.
A moment later, Jona came, bringing a tray of tea.
‘Refreshments?’ Quin asked.
They all declined.
‘Why are we here?’ asked Krase, getting straight to the point.
‘Did you ever meet Greygor?’ Quin asked him.
‘When we were chosen and then at the trials.’
‘We heard what he did,’ Vane said. ‘Old fool.’
He and Krase smirked at each other and Quin’s eyes narrowed. These men seemed to have little respect for the authority of the Commander. He hadn’t liked Greygor either, but he wondered if the Brothers would be saying the same thing about him when they left the house. He couldn’t give a fuck really, but he needed them on his side and he needed their loyalty. As Commander of the Brothers, he should have it by rights, but it seemed he would have to earn it from these Brothers.
‘Greygor betrayed us all,’ he said, looking at each of them in turn. ‘He led many men to their deaths, including my own unit Brother. We put a bolt through his heart.’
The Brothers nodded and he finally saw a small measure of respect in their faces.
‘You’re here because my unit needs your help,’ he admitted. ‘Our Fourth—’
‘You have a Fourth?’ the first one interrupted. They were all looking at each other, suddenly restless.
‘Yes. A recent thing.’
‘We heard it wasn’t …’ Vane said, and Drake gave his Brother a pointed look.
‘Fourths are rare.’ Quin answered his unspoken question.
Again, all three men looked at each other and something passed between them, though to Quin their expressions were indiscernible.
‘The Fourth is recognized only once the binding is complete, and … you have claimed her?’ Krase asked.
‘I have.’ Quin’s eyes narrowed. Why was everyone so interested in Lily? ‘She’ll be here in a moment. You can talk with her if you like.’
‘You would allow us to speak to her?’ Vane questioned, his jaded tone belying the importance he clearly placed on the answer as he stared intently at Quin, waiting for him to speak.
‘You seem capable of speech and so is she,’ Quin said dryly, covering his confusion at their odd behavior.
All three fell silent as the door opened and Mal and Bastian entered, Lily trailing behind them.
‘Brothers,’ Bastian greeted them quietly.
