Page 5 of The Elven Spymaster's Thief

My brother crossed his arms over his chest. “You cannot coerce friendship. I said you need a friend, a distraction, not that you should manipulate someone into forced companionship.”

“I didn’t manipulate her.”

“No,” Casimir grimaced. “You verbally spun her in circles, attempted to influence her with magic—”

“Which failed,” I pointed out with perverse pleasure. It made the winning of her company all the sweeter, I realized.

“—and then dangled what you hoped would tempt her into an impulsive decision.”

“I knew it was what she wanted.” She had been petitioning for her brother’s release for years. I had denied them all. It wasn’t as though I didn’t compensate the man sufficiently for his service. And we were fighting for a good cause.

“How?” Casimir asked but then abruptly straightened. “She is coming.”

I didn’t need to be warned. I could sense her approach. “I know.”

He scanned the room. “Where is she going to sit?”

I shrugged. “Wherever she pleases.” I spread the map across the center of the table and dug out the most recent intel report. “Magus Diabolos’ minions have been seen as far north as Warlord Kaelen’s land just as I warned.”

“Good morning,” my brother said.

I looked up in time to see him incline his head stiffly toward my companion. Irritation flared through me. Now Casimir would be charm itself.

“How was your first night?” Casimir practically drooled over her.

“Please!” I glared at him. “You know how she did. She barely slept. Don’t play innocent.”

Casimir glared at me. “Your orders, brother?” The sharp tone in the last word erased any impression of affection between us.

“Go speak with Kaelen and warn him.”

Casimir bowed to me perfunctorily and disappeared in a loud crack of violently removed air.

“Now he will sulk for days.” I groaned and turned back to my work.

Silence.

She didn’t speak. She didn’t move. Yet, my senses were preoccupied with the fact that she was there, and she breathed.

Then, she moved.

“How do I know my brother is free? When can I see him?” She walked to the windows overlooking the gardens.

“When our bond sealed, your brother’s broke. I honor my promises.”

I sorted through missives and reports before checking the map. Far too many mentions of rumors. I needed facts. Reaching for my magic, I summoned another shadow elf. Tyron, a dark-skinned warrior materialized next to me. “Go to—” I hesitated. I had an interloper that I couldn’t trust. “Go there.” I pointed to the southern border of the woodwose’s holdings. “Find the magus stirring up trouble there and report.”

“Understood.” Tyron blinked and disappeared.

I summoned another. “Go here.” He left.

A third appeared. “Bring me Goring,” I instructed.

This one hesitated.

“What?” I demanded.

Blagden, one of the most ruthless and efficient elves in my service, was the dark shadow looming next to me. Unlike the others, he had not changed from his shadow form. A blank silhouette of darkness without feature or highlight to add depth, he still managed to make me feel his glare of suspicion. “There is a human in here.”

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