The Courier’s Collection

Chapter 12

12

RASHA LEFT THE BATH of the royal suite still wet, wrapped in a long, soft white robe. She was brushing at her wet hair and stopped short when she saw Ladi lying on her bed. Temi was trying to get her attention. Rasha shooed Temi away from the bed and sat down facing Ladi. There was only one reason she’d come here: she wanted to talk about something privately. The guards were outside the door, but the room was large enough to have a conversation without being overheard.

It was the safest room in the palace, as Temi would dispose of anyone entering the room without her, and she kept the room locked when she left. Temi had a strong nose, and he hadn’t reacted to anything in the room so far. Rasha had learned long ago, if all else failed, Temi had the amazing ability to sniff out the danger in any room.

Ladi hadn’t changed into her nightclothes yet, choosing to keep her boots on as she lay on top the bed. Rasha glared at the boots, and Ladi hastily swung them off of the bed.

“I have an idea,” Ladi said without preamble. “It’s about the spy here in the palace with us.”

“Yes, I’ve been concerned about that too. I’m watching the council for any changes in their behavior, but it’s difficult. People react differently during a war than they would normally, anyway.” She thought of Keabasi and hoped she was wrong about the mermaid councilwoman.

“Yes, but there’s one thing a traitor can’t resist,” Ladi said, leaning forward.

“What?”

“New information. Anything they can feed their allies. It has to be something big. Something that will propel them into action. We’ll try to catch them passing information to the beasts. We know they’re using some kind of covert communications. Something we can’t track.”

“What could they be using that we can’t detect?” Rasha asked.

“I don’t know. But it’s worth a try.”

Rasha nodded.

“Put it into action. I meet with the captains tomorrow morning. Let’s lead them where we want them to go, instead of letting them surprise us.”

“Agreed,” Ladi said, but she didn’t get up to leave.

“Is there something else?”

“Yes, it’s about Jak.”

Rasha wanted to roll her eyes, but she tried to keep her face neutral. Ladi looked down at her lap.

“What about him?” Rasha asked, her patience waning as she waited.

Ladi took in a deep breath and sighed, then looked at Rasha’s face.

“He’s married.”