Emberhawk - Jamie Foley Page 0,104

more.”

The half-dozen orphans moaned in unison, except for Mayla, the four-year-old girl with hair the color of slate. She clung to Ryon’s leg and beamed up at him. “Thank you, Mister Uncle Ryon.”

“No whining,” Ryon’s sister, Aegwyn, called over the complaints, her hands on the apron draped around her hips. “Listen to Mayla. What do we say to Uncle Ryon?”

The children dispersed amidst a chorus of thank-yous, and Ryon patted Mayla’s short hair. “You’re welcome, Boogity.”

Her little nose wrinkled. “I’m not a booger.”

“I dunno . . .” Ryon squatted to kiss her forehead and tickle her neck. She squeaked and scurried away.

“They missed you.”

Ryon turned at the gentle sound of his mother’s voice. Her smile tugged the delicate lines on her warm cheeks. “Are you sure you don’t want the promotion, sweetheart?” she asked as she extended her arms toward him. “Not just for the money, but you’d be out of harm’s way as one of the chieftess’ personal guard.”

“Wouldn’t be as safe as the wilds for me. And I’d die of boredom.” He hugged her tight. “Don’t worry so much, Mom. If I made it through this past week, I can make it through anything.”

Her orange eyes dimmed. “It’s exactly that attitude that worries me.” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “You have a visitor in your room.”

Ryon blinked at her. “Who? You let someone into my room?”

His mother grew a sly smirk. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem for you since you made it through this past week.”

Ryon growled at her as he slipped around her small frame. Unease compounded in his gut as he passed through the small kitchen and dodged toys in the playroom. He climbed the ladder to his loft and ducked under the low ceiling of twisted roots.

Lysander sat cross legged on his bedroll, eyes closed in apparent meditation.

Ryon’s joy clashed with anger. “What are you . . .” he started to ask, but his voice made no noise. He leaned forward and shoved his cousin’s knee.

Sounds of the kids playing and the city bustling overhead returned as Lysander’s eyes shot open and fixed on Ryon. His shoulders relaxed. “How do you survive with all this noise?”

“How would you know? What are you doing here?” Ryon hissed. “How’d you get through the gates?”

Lysander furrowed his brow and watched Ryon’s lips. Ryon repeated the last question by signing letters with his hands.

“You have to evacuate these kids and get our family out of the city,” Lysander murmured.

Ryon stared at his cousin’s pale face, which stared back, serious as death. “What?” he signed.

“I don’t want to repeat it and cause a panic,” Lysander said.

“Just you showing up here should cause a panic,” Ryon signed. “Did you attack the Roanoke?”

Lysander’s expression darkened. “You know I’m not a threat to—”

Ryon hit him in the shoulder. “You are an assassin.” He enunciated the word “assassin” with his lips. “For Zamara herself.”

Lysander looked through the loft’s excuse for a railing as if worried they’d be overheard. “If you’re mocking me, it got old months ago.”

“No, she found me in the woods and admitted it,” Ryon signed. “How long has she been impersonating Deirdre?”

Lysander looked down at his boots, and his long black hair fell into his eyes. “Before the war, I think. Not sure.” He flicked a piece of dried mud from his sole. “How did you survive that? What did she want with you?”

Ryon really didn’t want to tell him. “She wanted me to marry Illiana.”

Lysander’s maroon eyes widened. “I . . . I would have to kill you.”

“I would kill me too,” Ryon signed. “What’s she planning? I assume that’s why you think we should evacuate.”

“It’s not what I think; it’s fact. She’ll burn this forest ’til every white tree is black.” Lysander rose into a crouch and made for the ladder. “Do it quickly. Felix can’t protect the entire city.”

“The city can protect itself. Where would I take the kids? We have nowhere else to go.” Ryon caught his cousin’s arm with one hand and gestured with the other, ensuring Lysander was watching. “If you’re taking orders from Zamara, you’re close enough to kill her.”

Lysander’s laugh was deep. “You think I haven’t tried? How do you think I lost my hearing?”

Ryon’s insides twisted into a knot. “Tell me everything again. I’ll listen now. I’m sorry.”

Lysander paused for a long moment, then pulled his arm free. “Don’t look at me like that.” He jumped down from the loft and landed without a sound. “I didn’t come