arms and had fallen asleep. He rocked her gently back and forth.
“Balvraine is a very small AltVeritas. You are well traveled in The First Dimension. They say it is about the size of Rhode Island. There’s only one ruling family, the Moldevines. They’re the ones that have The Scepter.”
“Were you able to determine why they want it?”
Ava shook her head and then took a sip of tea. “I have no clue. But regardless of their reasons, every day it is gone from Vyronas, we are risking danger. Every day they have it, they could cause major damage with it. It needs to be recovered.”
Kieran nodded his head in agreement. “So why is it you think I need a partner?”
“Well….” Ava began, but Carrick interrupted.
“Because it’s very heavily guarded and strength alone isn’t going to do it. It’s going to take someone with exceptional magical skill to get in. And let’s face it, bro, you tend to neglect your magical training.”
Kieran had to concede that point. It’s not that Kieran was without magical ability. Descended from the warrior caste, his magic was quite potent. But he tended to favor might over magic. Kieran had assumed he’d be able to storm his way through to recover The Scepter. It appeared it would take a little more finesse.
“I think I know the answer, but let me ask. If it takes someone with exceptional magical skill, why doesn’t Ava just breeze in and take it back.”
“You do know the answer,” Carrick smoothly replied. “Because I’m not letting her out of my sight and we also have a daughter that needs us here. Our adventurous days are over.”
“And,” Ava added, “this could be just the thing to bring you from the back from the brink of boredom. You can go ahead and fall at my feet in worship at any time that I’m giving you this opportunity”
Kieran snickered. As if. But he wouldn’t argue.
“I’m your man. So, tell me… who do you want to partner me up with?” Kieran was looking down at Emma as he asked the question. He missed the quick look that Ava and Carrick gave each other before answering.
“Annika Foss.”
Kieran’s head snapped up. “What? No way.”
“Don’t discount her Kieran,” Ava chided. “She’s had her issues but when it boils down to it, she has one of the strongest magical glamours that exists. You’re going to need stealth to get into the palace in Balvraine and disguise is the way to go.”
Kieran thought about Annika Foss. He had not seen her since they were kids and he had heard that she now spent most of her time in The First Dimension. He didn’t know her well but she was known as the black sheep of the Royal House of Foss. They were located in Myridian, a neighboring country and strong ally to Kestevayne. Rumor had it that she had a falling out with her father and had left Vyronas for good. Which was quite the scandal as she was the only heir to the royal line. Rumor also had it that it would now go to her stepbrother.
“I’ll take your word that she’s the best when it comes to glamours, but why do you think she’ll even help us out?”
“We don’t know for sure but I’m sure you can find some way to convince her,” Ava replied.
“Let me get this straight. You want me to go track her down and convince her to help me? I would be wasting valuable time.”
“We have a bit of a grace period. Because my blood was used to create it, the Scepter will not give its allegiance over easily to its new owner, particularly since it was stolen. I’m sure they are working hard to garner its magic, but we have time.”
Carrick added, “But we still want you to move quickly. We want you to leave for New York to find Annika now.”
“She’s in New York?”
“New York City to be exact. I have some contacts that can get a message to her for a meeting,” Ava supplied.
Kieran leaned down and kissed Emma’s head. He stood up and handed her over to Carrick. “I’ll go pack now.”
Ava set her cup down and walked up to Kieran. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck Kieran. I have all the confidence in the world in you.”
Kieran gave her a quick squeeze, clapped Carrick on the back and headed back to his apartment to pack.
CHAPTER 3
Kieran hated New York City. It was