Page 52 of House of Embers
“Sonali took them to Rosemont, and the king and queen have closed off Bryonica to the Society,” Audria admitted wistfully. “I wish she’d taken me with her, but I was imprisoned then.”
Kerrigan considered this statement. The healers had protested. Bryonica was against the Society. It was as Gerrond had intimated—the houses were in open rebellion over what had happened. Kerrigan could use this.
“Do you think you can convince Roake to take you on as the healer again?”
“Uh…maybe,” Audria said slowly as if she realized that Kerrigan was strategizing.
“Maybe or yes?”
“It’s Roake,” she said softly. “I could probably convince him of anything.”
Kerrigan nodded. She agreed with that. Roake had always been in love with Audria. “And this scholar is the one who will speak with the Dragon Council?”
Audria nodded. “What are you thinking?”
Kerrigan had a lot of ideas, one in particular she thought could work if she had Audria on her side. That was a bigifright now, but it was one worth pursuing. Especially if it could disrupt the Society’s plans.
“Do you want to change sides, Audria?”
“Yes,” she said immediately. Then a dangerous smile crossed her face. “Oh, Roake is going to hate this.”
Kerrigan laughed. “What else is new?”
“You’re not going to kill him, are you?” Audria asked. She frowned. “I know that he’s on the wrong side, but…”
“I don’t want to kill anyone.”
“That’s not a no.”
“I know,” Kerrigan said.
Audria accepted the answer. “What do I need to do?”
Chapter Eighteen
The Mission
A knife materialized in Wynter’s grasp, slicing upward toward Kerrigan’s middle. Kerrigan parried the attack, breaking Wynter’s hold on the weapon and sending it skittering across the torch-lit floor.
Wynter nodded and went to retrieve the weapon. “Your instincts are sharp.”
“As ever.”
“But you should have countered with your shadows, like we practiced.”
“Right. Right,” Kerrigan grumbled.
Chuckling could be heard as another figure appeared in the aerie. Wynter stiffened when she looked up.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I was in the area,” Dozan said.
“You know that we’re about to head out on the mission,” Wynter countered.
“I’m aware,” he said, slipping his hands into the pockets of his black pants. It was then that Kerrigan realized he wasn’t dressed in his usual suit. Instead, he was in flying attire with a cloak and gloves.
“You’re not coming,” Kerrigan said. “We’ve already decided.”
