Page 76 of Vicious Princess
Taaslord Noire opens his arms. “Every Ezkai Academy cohort goes through something you may call a surprise mission to get a better feel of what your life might look like as an Ezkai. Tonight, it’s your turn.”
“This is your chance to quit, cadets,” General says. My stomach drops. “If any of you have doubts about joining the Order, this is the time to speak up and make the decision. Every mission may be the last one for an Ezkai; that is the way of life. And tonight’s mission is no different. Some of you may not survive. So I recommend you continue only if your heart is completely set on becoming an Ezkai.”
I square my shoulders and lift my chin. Not a single person in this room is as determined as I am. I’m ready to die for it.
I’m surprised to see three fae from our group turn around and leave the room. Unfortunately for me, Kata, Bloom and the giant remain.
When our gazes lock from across the room, Kata smirks. The smugness and arrogance in the way she appraises me makes me uneasy.Why is she so smug so early in the morning?
“Very well, cadets. Let’s get started,” the General says. “Please take a seat at the table.”
Everyone moves to take their seats. The thrill that runs through my veins makes me feel alive like never before. Tonight, I get a proper taste of what my life will look like once I’m an Ezkai.
The General and Taaslord Noire stand at the end of the long table, in front of the map.
“Those of you who come from prominent Ezkai families know that one of the biggest thorns in my side—and thoseof many Generals’ before me—is Caligos, the underground criminal organization that’s as ancient as the Order itself,” the General says. “These are not your ordinary criminals you may come across on the streets of Jaakii committing petty crimes. These are highly trained and skilled criminal families, many Decarios like yourself, who have large amount of influence, power, and resources. That’s why they’re so hard to crack. They run underground gambling parlors, traffic people and illegal goods and substances, amongst other things. TaaslordNoire, why don’t you brief the trainees on the situation?”
“With pleasure, General,” Taaslord Noire says. “One of their many dirty businesses is extortion of local small businesses. It’s not as prominent anymore as it used to be, because over the last ten years, the Order managed to tackle the smaller Caligos families who are most likely to dabble in these activities.”
Taaslord Noire pulls out a paper from the file in his hand and turns it around so we can see what’s on it.
It’s an illustration of a man with a long mustache and a pointy goatee. A long scar goes through the right side of his face, even through his eye. Taaslord Noire hands the illustration to the Ezkai nearest to him to pass around the table so we can have a better look.
“Despite our best efforts to stop Caligos from terrorizing local business owners, many who are located in Kozem still endure one of more powerful Caligos families led by this man, Yal Absom. Absoms are high-ranking in the Caligos organization and are well-known by the Order for all their crimes. The family head, Yal, has been hard to locate. Until recently.”
The illustration of this infamous criminal head lands in front of me.
I’m not sure if this was the illustrator’s intent or not, but from the way this man is portrayed, he looks like a noble. Or at least a very rich merchant.
His clothes are neat and luxurious. If not for the elaborate red-ink tattoos all over his arms from the tips of his fingers to his jawline and the horrid scar, I wouldn’t guess he’s one of the most wanted fae in the country.
I narrow my eyes at the tattoos. A very specific art style, one I’ve seen before, somewhere. But where?
Leti.
She didn’t have as many of them, but the ones that weaved around her arms were pretty similar in style.Huh, that’s interesting.
A new kind of worry settles in my bones. But I don’t have time to untangle all that right now.
Taaslord Noire approaches the map behind him and taps a finger on Jaakii’s harbor. “It turns out he’s been away either in Emera or Wetra, for quite some time. That’s why we had a hard time locating him. But a few days back, our Ezkai reported seeing him get off a ship and board a carriage that took him to one of the estates belonging to him in Yursus.”
I can’t believe a crime lord has estates in the same neighborhood where members of the Order and House Dzuni reside. Apparently, corruption runs deep no matter where I go.
“We have been watching his every move ever since,” Taaslord Noire says as he returns to the table. “Tonight, he’s hosting a Bloodiamond tournament at his estate. Many other prominent Caligos will be there, so it’s a great opportunity for the Order. And for you cadets to show what all of you are made of.”
“We’ll be crashing their party, cadets,” the General says with a cheeky smile. “Let’s see if we can get Yal Absom in the process. Ezkai, distribute the masks to cadets. You must wear them during a mission at all times to protect your identities.”
Ezkai rise, and we follow. One fae soldier hands me a thin black mask with holes for the eyes and the mouth.
Over the noise, the General adds, “The goal is to capture Yal Absom alive, to bring him in for questioning. However, if the circumstances demand, go for the kill. It’s better he be dead than on the run.”
“Yes, sir,” everyone says in unison.
A shiver goes down my spine.
“Try not to die, princess,” Roman whispers to me as we leave the war room. He flashes a smile before he slides his mask on. “I’ve grown to like sharing the bunk with you.”
I pat him on the shoulder and secure my mask in place, too. It molds over my facial features perfectly, like a second skin. “Right back at you, buddy.”
