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A knock sounded at the door.
All three of them went completely still. It was the natural reaction of prey, he realized. Like a family of deer reacting to the sound of a snapped branch. His jaw tightened at that thought. He hated the idea of them as thin-necked creatures with glassy eyes, simply waiting for their turn to die. That was not the Tin’Vori way, but a decade of surviving had reduced them to this.
Nevelyn nodded once. Cath hastily hid the newspaper as Dahvid glided across the room. He slid one hand through the false pocket by his hip, fingers hovering against the tattoo there just in case. The door opened with a groan. Two people waited in the hall. One was a previous acquaintance: Mat Tully. They’d gotten him properly drunk a few months before. He’d given up a great deal of information, and the rumor was that he’d gotten in trouble for it. Which had Dahvid curiously inspecting the person that Mat had brought with him.
She was short and thin. Her cloak was clasped at the throat by a silver leaf. Her hair stopped at the shoulders, perfectly straight, framing a hawkish face. Dahvid’s eyes flicked to her beltline. A horseshoe wand hung in plain sight. And on her wrist, a dragon-forged bracelet. Those are both vessels. The silence stretched, and the only one who seemed uncomfortable with it was their old drinking partner. Mat’s eyes were darting between the two parties. He was such an impatient creature.
“Dahvid,” Mat breathed out. “Good to see you again.… I’ve brought…”
The stranger silenced him with a look.
“That’s all I need from you, Mat. You may leave.”
He slipped back down the hallway like a chastised dog. Dahvid was even more curious now, but still he waited for his sister. A chair groaned behind him. Nevelyn crossed the distance and took her rightful place at his side. Ever since losing Ava, she’d been forced to step into the role of spokesperson. Dahvid knew she didn’t like it.
“Well?” Nevelyn asked bluntly. “Who are you?”
“My name is Ren Monroe. I am the enemy of your enemy. I came here to talk.”
Dahvid felt a small thrill in his chest. They’d been waiting for this moment. Naturally, they’d formed and set their own plan into motion. But they’d also hoped desperately for some sign that there were others in their position. People who despised the Broods. Potential alliances. He glanced at Nevelyn. She looked far more skeptical. Of course. It could be a trap.
“Ren Monroe,” Nevelyn repeated. “Are we supposed to recognize that name?”
“Maybe. Depends on how long you’ve been collecting those newspapers.”
Dahvid fought the urge to look over his shoulder. He knew the paper had been put away, so how could the girl know about their research? Ren’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“But truly, no. I am no one of consequence. Most Kathorians had never heard of me until last year. I was one of two Balmerick students to survive a malfunctioning portal spell. Four others died. We trekked back through the wilderness. That is also when I bonded to Theo Brood.”
The name drew out something visceral inside Dahvid. He felt his entire body constrict. This was not a casual reference. The stranger was claiming an intimate connection to the Brood family.
Bond magic. Which makes her one of them.
Nevelyn reached out just as Dahvid started to move. Her fingertips clawed into his left bicep. It was just enough pain to drag him back to the surface. Out from the blinding rage that was starting to color the entire room.
“You married a Brood?” Nevelyn asked. “And you expected what from us? Sympathy? I believe you’ve come to the wrong place.”
“No. Not married. Bonded.”
That was an odd distinction. Their parents had been bonded. Most bond spells were reserved for incredibly intimate relationships. Kathor might have changed in their absence, but he knew such pacts were normally rare outside of marriage.
“Explain,” Nevelyn said.
“It’s a long story. I know I’m asking a great deal to be allowed into your home and to have a proper audience with you. Let me make it easier.”
Ren reached slowly for the wand at her hip. The girl carefully unclasped the bracelet too. Dahvid’s finger hovered over his tattoo the entire time, but as they watched, she tossed her vessels onto the floor at Nevelyn’s feet.
“There. I am at your mercy now.”
Dahvid couldn’t help smirking. This was either very clever or very foolish. He couldn’t decide which. Nevelyn weighed the girl one more time and then stepped aside.
“Have it your way.”
Ren Monroe didn’t hesitate. She walked straight into the waiting jaws of the Tin’Vori family. Weaponless. The decision had shifted the dynamic. Now she was their prey. Nevelyn shot him a quick look that said: Stay on your toes and quit smiling so much.
They’d had a hundred conversations like this one. Former Kathorians who’d made a new life in Ravinia. Some were exiles. Others just preferred life in a free port that had fewer rules and less oversight. Together they had carefully extracted information from everyone they could. Even the smallest details might color in what the newspapers didn’t. So far, this was their most dangerous visitor. Which made her the most intriguing to him.
“And you’re the youngest sister?” Ren asked, her eyes on Cath.
