“I would appreciate that.” The princess was infinitely helpful. “You should also call your parents.”
“I already did,” Evan promised. “They were being mysterious about something big going down tomorrow. Mom was hedgy, but I can tell something’s going on. Have they contacted you?”
“No, but I don’t expect them to.” It mostly worked the other way. I called the royals to let them know what was happening. In this case I was more of a trusted employee. They would tell me what I needed to know when I needed to know it. “And don’t be surprised if they don’t talk freely even over secure lines. There are always ears listening.”
“I think they’re leaving Frelsi,” Evan said quietly.
“Uhm, they’re totally leaving Frelsi,” Fen replied. “They’re going to Dallas tomorrow or probably now, given the time thing. Lee’s excited. He’s going to steal something. Oh, and it turns out Myrddin is Dean’s dad. That was a piece of hot gos.”
“What?” No one had told me.
Evan nodded. “Yeah, apparently Myrddin showed up and figured out that his son was back. Also Mom kicked our uncle in the gnads, and something’s up with Rhys and Shy. It’s a lot to take in.”
Trent growled a little. “You talked to Lee on an open line?”
“No, we’re on a secure text. Come on. You know we keep in touch,” Fen argued. “It’s always been like this.”
“But things have changed.” Trent never stopped walking. “The royals are back, and now things are infinitely more dangerous. We have to have new protocols, and that means being far more careful. There’s a reason we’ve used the mirror system sparingly. If the queen has something she needs to steal, we should be quiet about it.”
I knew exactly what she would be going for. My mind was still whirling about the news that Dean was Myrddin’s son, but I shoved it to the background for now. We needed to concentrate on getting back our weapons. “She left some magical bag in her apartment at the Council building.”
“She’s going after Myrddin’s grimoire,” Evan said.
A thrill of hope went through me because there was more than a magical book in that bag according to the queen. “And Gladys.”
I might get my sword back, and I couldn’t wait. It felt wrong to be on this plane without her.
I rounded the corner with renewed vigor because I trusted the queen. If she thought this was the right time to steal the bag, then I would have Gladys back as soon as I returned to Frelsi. One more reason to get this job done as soon as I could.
A hand reached out to stop me. Fen had his nose up. “I smell blood.”
“Me, too,” Trent agreed.
I jogged down the hallway, praying they were wrong.
“Evan, wait,” Fen called out.
Trent knew better. He simply kept up with me. He was by my side when we got to the open door and realized things had taken another turn.
Jade was on her knees in the foyer, Relda’s body in her arms and a knife at her side. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she registered shock as she realized we were standing there. “I didn’t…I didn’t do this.”
But it certainly looked like she had, and I had another problem to solve.