Page 119 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

“Even so, from their last known location, our search parties would have a hope of picking up their trail. Skleros may even know where they are being held now and which ‘colleagues’ of the Dexion’s are keeping them.”

Cassia stood with her courtly poise, but the sound of her heart hammering filled the quiet hallway. She looked into his eyes, her own pleading. “A Gift Collector will not surrender what he knows easily. We must try to negotiate.”

This was their chance to save the hostages from the Akron’s Altar. Lio could not hold to the promise he had just made his Trial brothers, but they would be the first to understand. “A Gift Collector will not listen to reason.”

“I must agree with Basilis,” Eudias said with conviction. “If she negotiates with Master Skleros, she could surely accomplish great things, as she did with the members of the embassy.”

“I have the utmost respect for Lady Cassia’s accomplishments as a negotiator, but how can any diplomat change a Gift Collector’s mind? We have nothing to offer him that he wants. We have no secrets to use against him. If there is a shred of goodness in his heart to which we can appeal, I am not aware.”

“And yet negotiation is our only recourse,” Cassia insisted.

He met her gaze. “Is it?”

“It must be,” she entreated him. “How can any diplomat consider the alternative?”

“Gift Collectors truly are the archenemy, Lady Cassia. They are immune to the greatest weapon of Hesperine diplomats. Words. What would you have me do?”

“Remain on the path of peace. Don’t endanger yourself or your people by engaging your archenemy.”

Eudias was watching the exchange between Lio and Cassia. “Oh, Ambassador, are you thinking of enlisting one of your people’s renowned thelemancers? Could such a formidable master break through a Gift Collector’s mental defenses? What a duel that would be.”

Cassia turned toward the apprentice. “What mental defenses?”

“It is not only Gift Collectors’ tolerance for physical pain that is legendary. They have specialized, secret strategies for withstanding mental attacks.” The apprentice whispered, “Dream wards.”

She faced Lio. “A dangerous mage duel will not help the Summit.”

“Basilis is right. We cannot afford to antagonize the Gift Collector. At least let her attempt to negotiate with him before trying any…contentious alternatives.”

“Out of the question,” Lio replied. “A dangerous negotiation will not help the Summit, either. I would fear for Lady Cassia’s safety in the presence of the Gift Collector.”

Cassia took a step closer to him. “We would fear for the safety of the Hesperine thelemancer who would engage with Skleros. You must not take all the risk upon your—people. This is a crisis that concerns all of us. We are talking about a Hesperine rescue party on Tenebran soil taking action against Cordian mages.”

Lio shook his head. “The more people we involve in this, the longer it will take.”

“Combined pressure from Orthros and Tenebra will be more effective than either of our lands acting alone,” Cassia argued. “If we announce our new agreement, the mages will realize they are at a disadvantage. We should negotiate with Cordium with the Tenebran embassy present.”

“Cordium?” Lio asked. “You suggest we involve the Dexion in this as well?”

“Yes. We won’t need to get the information from Skleros if we can persuade Chrysanthos to get it from him for us.”

“Oh, Basilis,” Eudias interjected, “are you sure you do not wish to go directly to Master Skleros for information? Can the hostages afford for us to negotiate with the Dexion first? It could take a great deal of time. He and Master Skleros have everything to gain and nothing to lose by staying allied against us.”

“I am certain,” Cassia answered. “Chrysanthos will fall to our persuasion much faster, for he is not immune to words.”

Lio could smell Cassia’s fear for him, but also sense the workings of her mind that he trusted so well. “How do you intend to convince him to help us?”

“Skleros aided both sides of the battle for the position of Dexion,” Cassia said. “No matter who won, he would have the victor’s favor. What if he went a step further to secure his advantage and handed victory to the side he preferred?”

Fire blazed in Lio’s memory, and he smelled the burnt corpse of the mage who had wielded it. “That is entirely possible.”

“I have absolutely no evidence to suggest that is the case,” Eudias objected.

“I do.” Lio looked at the apprentice. “I think you are aware the necromancy that allowed the Dexion to enter Orthros in disguise is the same that enabled Dalos to hide his identity at Solorum, and Skleros performed it for both of them.”

Eudias averted his gaze.

Cassia tried to catch his eye. “Gratitude makes us strong.”

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