Emberhawk - Jamie Foley Page 0,60

paint their masks. They carved the bone-like chitin into daggers and wore them as a sign of the highest rank—Brooke’s personal guard.

How is she a farm girl, a highly educated trapper, and a d’hakka-killer?

Ryon ran his thumb along the stinger, which had been scrubbed until gleaming. “I’d say we’re even.”

“Oh, no, no, no.” Kira snatched the stinger back. “That wasn’t a gift.”

Ryon frowned. “Do you have any idea how much that’s worth?”

“A vague idea.” Kira set it on the bench. “Getting it out wasn’t easy, but I figured it’d be worth taking.” She grinned triumphantly. “It’s not for sale.”

Ryon realized he was staring and tore his gaze away before she could notice. “Okay, well, I’m not married.” He lay back, took the small scroll she’d given him, and unfurled it. His sketch of his little family stared at him from the ink rendering.

“That’s my sister.” Ryon pointed to each face in turn. “And our mom. And Mayla and Gael—they’re orphans. We run an orphanage in Jadenvive for Emberhawk kids. There were several who lost their parents during the Sacrificial War, or children of refugees or exiles.” He waved the slip at Kira. “Katrosi people don’t tend to want to adopt Emberhawk kids, and a lot of times they’re bullied, so we started an orphanage just for the root rats.”

Kira’s eyes widened as she took the parchment. “Oh.” She slowly replaced it in the scroll pouch. “That’s . . . really sad. I thought the Katrosi were a friendlier people.”

“The majority of them are. But I don’t blame them for not wanting to be associated with the Emberhawk. Many lost sons, brothers, and fathers during that war. All to stop the Emberhawk from sacrificing their own people.” Ryon knew his expression must be slipping his own opinions into the explanation, but he didn’t care. “The chieftess does allow them in the city. And the royal treasury pays for a portion of the orphanage’s expenses just like the primary orphanage. And we get plenty of donations.”

“You mean ‘us’?” Kira said.

“Huh?”

“You said the chieftess allows them in the city.” Kira watched him with curiosity brightening her face. “Aren’t you Emberhawk?”

Ryon sighed. “By blood only.” He looked away to gaze up at the ceiling. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t refer to me like that. It can be . . . dangerous.”

The room was silent for a long moment, but Ryon didn’t look at Kira to try and decipher her thoughts.

“Sylendrin said you looked like Lysander,” Kira said quietly, “who you said was the rightful Emberhawk king.” She paused. “I feel like you’re hiding something.”

Ryon took a deep breath and felt his muscles stretch at the top of his lungs. “I hide a lot of things. It’s kind of my job.”

“And what is your job, exactly?”

Ryon released the breath in a rush and tried to hide his annoyance. “Look, I really appreciate you killing that d’hakka and saving my life and all.” Even though you’re the one who shot me in the first place. “But there are some things I just can’t tell you, okay?”

“I already know you’re a scout.”

Ryon stared at her. How could she possibly know? The scroll pouch on her waist tugged at his gaze. She’s not a Phoeran elementalist, so she couldn’t have seen Brooke’s writing . . .

Kira whispered, “I saw your orders.” She leaned back on one arm. “Pretty neat trick you have with the invisible ink.”

Ryon did his best not to react. His mind reached for the memory of the last order Brooke had left with the candy maker in Navarro, wondering how much information had possibly been compromised.

“‘B’ is for Brooke, which is the name of the Jade Witch, right? The Katrosi chieftess?”

Ryon clenched his teeth. She’s already too involved in all this!

Kira examined him as if he were an exotic bird with a fascinating crest. “Did you kill that lieutenant?”

“No,” Ryon said firmly. “I’m sorry, but I can’t—”

“You’re a killer, aren’t you?” Kira’s hand rested on the hilt of his dagger. “I saw the order.”

Ryon glanced at the door and lowered his voice. “I have killed, but only when absolutely necessary. I’m a soldier. But I refuse to fund an orphanage by creating more orphans in the process.”

Kira watched him for a long moment and said nothing.

“I’m just given orders like that because . . .” Ryon stopped himself from saying Brooke’s name, even though Kira had already guessed it. “The chieftess wants me to become an azure mask. But I don’t want to get