her if we cause a noteworthy event.” The Captain shifted. “That is in line with what Daniels is thinking. They have very similar thoughts about what comes next.”
Lucius said, “Causing an event?” as Sanders asked, “What kind of event?”
“We would need to take a Graygual stronghold. Or maybe another Inkna stronghold. That would send a message about our ability to the land. Shanti’s people would know where to find us; Xandre will react, and hopefully reveal his location. Those hoping to join our cause would see that we are a strong adversary. Burson is adamant that we will bring others to our cause—they are just waiting for the sign. Taking a Graygual or Inkna city would be that sign.”
“So, let me get this straight, sir.” Sanders frowned at Mela before directing his focus elsewhere. He didn’t have that mental mumbo-jumbo. If she kept staring, Sanders would take that as a challenge and rock her world. The practice yard was used on his terms. “You want to take some of these warriors and go pick a fight?”
“Basically, yes. Hopefully it’ll force Xandre to show his hand. Or at least his general location. After that we disappear for a while, and get in position.”
Sanders shrugged, his gaze returning to those light blue eyes. “Sounds like a treat, sir. Now excuse me—I have to go kick a woman in the teeth.”
3
Marc rose slowly, peering over the hedge. Ten feet in front of him, sitting next to an open window, sat a freshly baked, golden-crusted, beautiful pie. Steam wafted invitingly, daring him to come closer and have a taste.
He licked his lips.
A head popped up over the fence on the other side of the yard. Leilius scanned the empty space in front of him before dropping back down.
Marc rolled his eyes. They were supposed to be working together to steal this pie. Without speaking, they had to sneak into the yard, steal the pie out from under the fiercest, most observant cook in the whole city, and bring it back without getting caught. Somehow, being good at this was supposed to make it easier to read the Shumas, who rarely spoke in battle.
Eloise seeing them, and accosting them later, would count as getting caught. She couldn’t run with her bad knee and excess weight, but she didn’t have to. One word to Marc’s or Leilius’ parents, or even to one of the other women, and they’d be as good as dead. Or worse. Shitting liquid for a month was not on his wish list.
Marc shivered as he glanced at the open window in time to see Eloise’s large bust. His legs went limp, dropping him down to the dirt. She had been bending to put another pie in the window. If he had been in sight, she would’ve noticed him. The woman was too observant by half.
How the hell were they going to do this?
Marc rose up again, finding Leilius across the yard looking in his direction.
He lifted his eyebrows and widened his eyes. Well? What should we do now?
Leilius lifted his eyebrows, brought an open hand up, and shook everything.
That wasn’t even sign language. It was gobbledygook. Couldn’t Marc have been paired with Xavier or someone who always took charge? It would’ve made things so much easier.
Marc shook his head and mouthed, “What?”
Leilius stared at him. He scrunched his brow and put a hand to his ear.
“I can’t yell it, you freaking idiot,” Marc muttered. He glanced at the window. Empty apart from the two pies. They needed to hurry. Eloise only let her baked goods rest for a short time before she took them away in anticipation of serving them to the ladies’ luncheon.
Marc waved Leilius toward the open window before he dropped back down and started creeping closer. He’d follow the hedge until it met the wall, then he’d climb over, out of sight, and continue close to the ground until he was under the window. After that, it was lift, snatch, and run. Easy.
A queasy feeling swirled Marc’s stomach. He hoped timing was going to be on his side.
At the wall he peered over the hedge again. Seeing the way was clear, he scrambled over as quickly and quietly as possible. The branches bent and cracked. What was once a trimmed rectangle turned into a haphazard spray of green, the ends at all different angles.
Now he really couldn’t get caught.
A large thump came from the other side of the yard. Leilius scrambled toward the wall before bending down to check