Page 52 of The Lost Siren

“Lyoness.”

I blew air through my lips, sitting back in my chair. Hebelievedme. Hehadto if he risked a trip to the Draken homeland.

“What did he find?” I asked, my voice hushed with anticipation. Sabien shook his head.

“He didn’t say. He came back covered in dirt and ashes, but otherwise not a scratch on him. The look in his eyes…it was just…”

“What?”

“Haunted.”

I rubbed my face with my hands.

“Benedictdoesbelieve me then?” Sabien clasped his hands, playing with the leather straps around his waist.

“I’ve known Bair since we were infants. We grew up together.”

I closed my eyes. “I’m sorry, Sabien. I don’t know what to say.”

He rested his head in his hands, glancing at me through a slit in his fingers.

“Just…if Bair truly betrayed us and offered you your freedom, with anything you could possibly want at the Overlord’s side… why would you refuse that?”

That was the last question I expected.

“Isthatwhy Benedict doesn’t believe me? He thinks it was a deal I couldn’t refuse?”

Sabien threw his hands up and mussed his blonde hair. How could someone look so much like someone else, yet be a completely different person?

“Benedict doesn’t understand yourmotivations. It’s no secret you don’t get along, despite his claim on you.”

My hands drifted to the back of my neck, which was still sore. The wounds refused to heal. Sabien went very still when he saw them.

“Did Benedict do that to you?”

I nodded as I carefully rubbed the tender skin around the wound.

“It looks painful.”

I shot him a murderous look, and he put his hands up.

“You should go to Benedict; I doubt he’d leave it after finding out you’renotthe murderous, lying wench he thought you were.”

“You have such a way with words,” I grunted, the wheels in my head spinning. If Benedict believed me, maybe the task tomorrow wasn’t needed, was it?

“Something is going on with you and my father. I just want you to know, you shouldn’t trust him.”

I swung my eyes back to Sabien’s, honest worry flickering across his face.

“I don’t trust him. Unfortunately, I need him to bring in a specific task for tomorrow. After that, my…timewith him hopefully ends.”

Sabien stood and bowed.

“For your sake, make sure it does.”

This task was big; and no one knew it yet except for me. I had no idea what D’Arcy had planned, but I was going to prove once and for all to Benedict he could trust me.

I donned another set of men’s clothing, making sure my daggers and short sword were secured and within reach. Next, I grabbed my black traveling cloak, throwing it around my shoulders and donning the hood so my face was hidden. I ignored the lavish breakfast laid in the sitting room, plucking only an apple as I headed to the arena. Instead of taking the hallway that would lead me to the balcony, I kept walking until I found an opening into the bleacher area. I took a deep breath and walked into the light.

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