A Shade of Vampire 79 A Game of Death - Bella Forrest Page 0,26

conversation with Corbin. I’d called him out, and he’d taken it. Valaine noticed my silence, quickly making the connection as we walked through the marketplace, lost in a sea of voices and laughter and gold coins jingling in leather purses.

“You’re quieter than usual,” she said. “Is it because of my father?”

“I do apologize if I offended you or him. But those things needed to be said,” I replied, my voice muffled by the sun mask. It made me stand out among the people, but there were so many pretty things around us, they were easily distracted, their gazes never lingering on me.

“Oh, I absolutely agree. It’s just that he’s not used to having his methods questioned. To be honest, I quite enjoyed the exchange. It was about time someone stood up to him.”

She smiled, her gaze wandering over the stalls as we made our way to the southeast corner of the marketplace. The gold guards were nearby, but we couldn’t see them. I could just feel their eyes on us, watching silently. It was a little creepy, given my distrust of their true allegiance.

“Standing up to him was not my intention,” I said. “It was just tiresome to go through the same motions without any results.”

“Questioning the gold guards was a good idea, though. Otherwise my father would’ve objected to your suggestion,” Valaine replied. “Tell me, any news from Esme and Kalon regarding Nethissis?”

I nodded slowly, lowering my voice. “The fox didn’t kill her. Esme reached out to me via Telluris. She’s at the tournament with Kalon, now, in the Blood Arena, waiting to speak to Trev Blayne. He might be connected to Nethissis’s death, somehow. The Darklings are almost certainly involved.”

She stopped, gawking at me. “What?”

“Once they got the gardeners’ trust, my sister and Kalon were able to pick up on some of the rumors that have been roaming through the city, especially among the palace staff. Apparently, last night wasn’t the first time that the Darklings got in. Which is why I’m particularly suspicious of the gold guards. I mean, who else could’ve given them access?”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Why didn’t you tell my father?”

“Because the master commander and the others of his high rank are all pushing the unfortunate accident narrative. They don’t want Nethissis’s death to be linked to any of their people. I can understand why, but that doesn’t mean I have to accept it,” I said. “Kalon was the one to advise against telling anyone, especially until we get more evidence.”

Valaine sighed, sadness settling in her dark eyes. We resumed walking, but I could feel the tension coming off her. “I’m truly sorry that Nethissis somehow became collateral damage here. Why would the Darklings kill her, anyway?”

“We did mention this earlier in the morning, upon her discovery, and I still stand by that possibility. She must’ve seen or heard something she shouldn’t have. Someone must’ve noticed her in snake form, someone must’ve realized… well, I’m not too sure about the details, but I see no other reason for wanting her dead.”

“And you think Trev Blayne is involved?”

“We’re not sure. Mind you, Esme and Kalon are following up on rumors right now. I’m sure they’ll tell us everything once they have more information,” I replied. “Either way, I think the key objective here should be to figure out what it is that the Darklings are after. I’m not buying that anarchy crap. It’s mindless. Anarchists have never fared well in the long run, and I’m saying this after studying numerous civilizations across the universe. A lack of specific purpose in political attacks is always short-lived. The Darklings wouldn’t have survived for millions of years here without an agenda. We just need to find out what that is.”

Valaine nodded slowly, pointing ahead. We’d left the marketplace behind us, reaching a broad corner with teahouses and flower shops. Parting in the middle, they gave way to a narrow alley with hanging lamps overhead. It seemed empty, leading into a maze of streets and cul-de-sacs where mostly Rimians and Naloreans lived.

“The former Darkling sanctuary is down there and to the left,” she said. “It was discovered and raided about twenty years ago. It’s the most recent of their known locations.”

“Who raided it?” I asked.

“Kalon, with a regiment of gold guards,” she replied. “Most of the Darklings fled the scene, and no one among the neighbors was willing to cooperate. They were all terrified at the time. I was working my way through a tournament then. My