Page 112 of Death of the Glass Angel
Tilting her head, Valkyrie followed his gaze. “Do you really believe this fate business?”
“Not entirely,” Talon admitted. “But the collapsed ruins thatdidn’tcollapse demand I expand my imagination.”
Valkyrie ran a hand through her thick, red locks. “For years, there have been but two forms of magic: evoking and cefran elements. To think, there’s another.”
“Worse.” Talon lifted his mug. “There might be two.”
Valkyrie chuckled and laid a hand over his.
She was not an affectionate woman; her fingers never curled around his, her arms never opened for an embrace. But if someone could be called his sister, it would be Valkyrie.
The door flew open, and Valkyrie pulled back her hand. Prince Dinu blustered inside, dusting a powder of snow from his coat and scarf before slamming the door with his foot. Mumbling complaints about the cold under his breath, he hung his jacket on the coat rack and retrieved something from the cabinet before approaching their table.
“How’d it go?” Valkyrie asked.
“Fine?” Dinu answered; his tone did not inspire confidence. “Poor little Janus had a right panic in the middle, though. Gave me some time to think, at least.”
Talon shifted in his seat. No wonder Des had returned from the dinner.
“There was a great deal of arguing, besides,” Dinu shrugged, “Which was to be expected, but” He enunciated, “Something of interest as well.”
Licking his finger, Dinu rolled open a parchment scroll and laid it on the table. A map of the mountain range and the Forebear’s monolith.
“I have a suspect,” Talon announced. “The same Kahn pointed the finger at.”
“But why would she kill her son?” Dinu murmured, studying the map.
“I haven’t decided that yet,” Talon admitted, choosing not to share about the old man and his fortunes. “But she’s the only one who makes sense. And I suspect one—or both—of her sons are working with her.”
“And Kahn dislikes her.” Dinu agreed. “But what’s her end goal? How does Janus fit in?” He looked up sharply. “Do you know him—our evoker?”
“I’m looking into it,” Valkyrie said.
“Good.” Dinu tapped his finger on the map. “Talon, keep eyes on Heras. Valkyrie, on Kahn.”
“Easy enough.” Valkyrie agreed.
“This path would be the perfect place for an ambush.” Dinu tapped the route they’d be taking. “I wonder. . .” He shook his head. “Bah. I’m just being paranoid.”
Talon dropped his feet to the floor with a thud. “Never hurts to set up a watch. I never sleep anyway.”
“Going somewhere?” Valkyrie asked as Talon stood.
“To look into Heras. I want to know the people’s opinion before we’re whisked away from the city.”
Valkyrie leaped to her feet. “Good idea. Taverns here are lively this time of night.”
Offering a quick bow to the prince, Talon grabbed the doorknob but paused when Dinu called out to him. “Are you going out in only that? It’s cold out there.”
Talon ran a hand down his coat and leaned on the door, eyebrows raised. “I didn’t realize you were my father.”
“Sorry. You look. . .young.” Dinu looked him up and down. “How old are you?” He shook his head. “Oh, gods, Avalon must be rubbing off on me.” He drank from his flask and shooed Talon away as he ambled to the other side of the room.
Snorting, Talon opened the door for Valkyrie. It was hardly uncommon for people to fawn over Talon, as if he were a sickly child. It must have been the eyes. They wooed everyone, save Lark and Valkyrie.
He’s so vain.The voices laughed.
So vain.
