mind proves just how inadequate you are for the job. Nevertheless, until we find a proper replacement for Zoltan’s Scholar position, we’ll have to settle for you.” Petra crossed her arms. “It’s not looking good for our mission. It’s bad enough Zoltan got caught, and now my son has returned as a prisoner, as well.”
Veliko’s forehead smoothed. He could smell blood, and he was ready to pounce. “Which of your sons, Whip?”
“Ansel. It doesn’t matter now. He won’t talk. I’ve already tested him repeatedly. Even starvation won’t break him. He’s young. There’s room for him to grow. I’m afraid that ship has already sailed for Zoltan.”
“Even so, Ansel is now a problem for us, Whip,” Veliko said. “He’s been exposed. Who knows about this?”
“Kalon. Esme. I presume the rest of the outsiders, as well. Ansel said they were keeping his capture a secret from the Lord and Lady Supreme, so I’m guessing that’s as far as it goes. No one else knows of his affiliation.”
“He was foolish, Whip. He should not be allowed to live,” Veliko declared. “The laws of the Darklings clearly state that—”
“I will rip your tongue out and feed it to the ghouls if you say such things one more time!” Petra hissed. “I will chop you into bits and pieces. I will drink your blood and set your remains on fire. Don’t ever go there. Ever again. You’re a substitute Scholar and an underachiever, at best. It is not your place to pass such judgments, especially against the son of the Whip.”
She spoke with a calm that chilled me to the bone. The other Darklings were clearly frightened by her reaction. Veliko maintained his smirk, but I could tell from the subtle changes in his expression that he feared her more than he let on.
“Pardon me, Whip,” Veliko muttered. “We can discuss this another time.”
Petra shot him a glare, fires burning like fluorescent sapphires in her eyes. “There’s nothing to discuss. I thought I made that clear. However…” She paused and cleared her throat. I took a cautious step back, sinking deeper into the corner with Seeley, Sidyan, and Lumi. “Your presence here might be a nuisance, but I think I have a task for you boys.”
“Yes, Whip,” Veliko said with a polite bow.
“Esme Vaughn of the outsiders is currently in my house, and she’s been digging a little too deep into the Darkling issue. She’s annoyingly persistent, and I’m concerned she’s also seducing my son away from our cause.”
“Kalon has proved impossible to bring into our faction,” Veliko replied. “Shouldn’t you brand him a nonbeliever and move on?”
“And let her take him from me? No!” Petra snapped. “I did not give birth to him and raise him for some foreign fang to corrupt him! We have work to do. Every ten thousand years, our very existence is endangered, and we must rise to the occasion every time. Our work is sacred and noble, despite us being reduced to working in the shadows like this. And I want my son, my dear Kalon, to be a part of it all. He’ll change his mind soon enough, as long as we get Esme out of the way. She’s getting on my nerves.”
Veliko glanced at one of his underlings, the shadow of a smile fluttering across his face. “What would you have us do?” he asked Petra.
“Take her. Alive would be preferred. I might have use for her later. She’s here in the house. I asked her to stay for dinner. I was going to ask Atlas to do the job, but since you’re all here, you might as well make yourselves useful.”
“What about our faction? For now, I’ve instructed them to head to Laramis,” Veliko said. “We can’t stay hidden forever. Valaine must die.”
“Let them stay in Laramis for now,” Petra replied. “They will be safe there. We have a few operations about to take place in the imperial city. Until then, it’s best if we all keep a low profile. Especially your men. Now, go. I want Esme out of here.”
“Where shall we take her?” Veliko asked.
I looked at Seeley. “We can’t let them do this.”
Petra fished a key out of her dress pocket. She gave it to Veliko. “We have a house south of the city. A beach villa near Tuskan.”
“Yes, I’m familiar with it.” Veliko turned the key over in his hand. “It’s quite remote and isolated. I’ll have my men stay with Esme there. I am needed back in Laramis with the rest