Page 59 of The Lost Nation

Benedict turned, trying to glare me down. I stood my ground, my face tight. I wouldn't back away from this. It was too important.

“Fine," he finally relented, looking away from me. "I'll speak with the mountain men, but I no royals from the other kingdoms. I don’t have the patience for posturing.”

I grinned with my fangs, instantly analyzing the planburgeoning beneath my fingertips. “Cantrada. Then Aldur, and we’ll grab a mountain man on the way back in.”

Benedictgrabbed my arm and away we went.

???

My time spent with Conan in the forest hadn’t been for pleasure—I’d been learning about our allies, our enemies, and everyone in between. That meant I knew exactlywhoto grab, andwherethey would be. Benedict would have to trust me, which made my plan that much easier to execute.He didn't want to involve royals, and I wouldn't. Notdirectly.

We appeared in the woods between Cantrada and Aldur, using the same bridge we'd been caught under all those months ago. I explained briefly to Benedict where we were going, and who we were looking for.

Benedict frowned when I told him.“Davos...why does that name sound familiar?”

I made an effort to keep my breathing even, and my voice steady.Benedict wasn't stupid, and it was imperative he didn't catch on until it was too late.“Davos is the one who got the rebels into Severn’s palace in Cantrada,” I reminded him.

Benedict’s eyes narrowed. “You mean the one who bungled the poison and tipped off the vampyres?”

I sighed. “Whichever you like. He’s the one I recommend grabbing.”

Benedict gave me a look, and started walking towards the city. I stopped him. “Before you go, there’s something we need to do.”

I walked over to a nearby Pargainsa tree, and slashed a deep wound into its bark with my claws. I said a silent apology to the earth witches, then split the tree further open. Dark, black sap bled into my hands, coating it with a sticky, tar-like substance. I grabbed a few more globs with my hands, then smeared them onto Benedict’s chest.

“What—”

“We can’t have the drakenkingbe identified as a petty kidnapper. " I chastised. "Hold still.”

Of course, that was onlyhalfthe reason, but Benedict didn’t need to know that yet.Luckily, he didn’t ask any further questions—he simply stood still as I covered his purple scales.

When I was done, helistened as I told him where to go, and who to grab. With a huff he disappeared. It was a tense few minutes of waiting, then he shifted back in front of me, shoving a cowering mess of a man at my feet.

I hadn’t been in the rebel sewers with Wren, Benedict and Kieran, but Benedict’s sneer was enough to know we’d found the right man.

He lifted a trembling hand to brush his blonde hair out of his eyes.“What do you want? What’s this about?”

His hair hung to his shoulders, but looked unkempt. Prominent bags puffed under his eyes, and he appeared thin and unmarkable.

Benedict sniffed him in disdain. “Cantradian freedom doesn’t seem to be treating you well. Why is that?”

Davos spun in anger, pointing a quivering finger at Benedict. “Becauseyoutold Spike and the others thatIbetrayed you! That the poison in the vampyres' drinks wasfaulty!I’m a prisoner among my own people because of you!”

Benedict shot me a glance, as if questioning his suitability for our ritual. Then he got closer,his fangs an inch from Davos's neck. The man went still as a board.

Benedict sniffed him.“Doyouknow you’re related to Thad?”Benedict asked, his voice a suspicious, deadly growl.

Davos cringed from fear and shock, and I blinked in surprise. This was working out better than I could have ever hoped.

“What are you talking about?” Davos shrieked, trying to lean away from the large draken that held him by his collar.

Benedict tilted his head to the side, considering. “A distant cousin likely, but it’s there all the same. You’re getting rather old though. Do you have a son?”

Davos went white, panic overtaking him. “You leave himoutof this—”

Benedict tapped a spot on his neck, and Davos fell over unconscious. I quickly bound his hands and feet, and Benedict looked almostbored.

I rolled my eyes at him “Now Aldur. Carry him, and let's fly so we don't tire you out from shifting." I ordered.

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