Page 88 of The Fury She Holds
Faron exhaled a frustrated sigh.
“Is Egan searching for more of the mage’s coin?” Tal noted his absence. “It’s not his watch tonight.”
Carrick’s voice held a note of unease when he said, “Faron sent him off to confirm the location of apparitions.”
“Daire and I intercepted a correspondence that alerted their presence in the kingdom,” said the royal.
Fury roared through Tal at the mention of the captain. Flame enveloped her empty hand.
Faron held up his own hands in surrender. “We were discussing the orphans.”
Skepticism coated Tal’s face.
“I’m looking for a few reputable individuals who would be willing to take the children under their care. They would be compensated, and I would provide everything the children should need. I was hoping Daire could gather that information for me.”
Tal rolled her flame around her palm. “You think we haven’t tried that already? Anyone willing to take in a child is either in no condition to do so or has the worst intentions.”
“It’s a problem that more than just money and resources can solve,” Rain added dejectedly.
“There has to be a way,” Faron said.
“Yes, burn everything and start over,” Tal added under her breath.
“There are more corrupt than honest people. If we still had Pochette’s businesses under our control, we may have been able to turn things around, but it all went to shit,” Carrick added.
In a tone that Tal considered gentle even for Sybil, the seer said, “It’s a problem for another day, highness. Tell us about that letter.”
Faron sighed. “A courier approached us looking for someone by the name of Sceleratus.”
“That sounds familiar,” Sybil mused.
“It’s the name you found on the palace ledger,” Rain offered.
“Right. The one noting the large sum of gold.” Sybil nodded to herself.
Faron ran a hand over his tired features. “It appears even my ledgers need to be monitored. I’ll speak to someone on the council, but there isn’t anyone by that name under mycommand. It’s likely an alias. Regardless, I took the letter, and it confirmed that apparitions would begin appearing within the docks.”
The new development increased her focus and chipped away at Tal’s anger. When she spoke next, her voice lost its edge. “So, we find the courier and have him tell us where the letter came from.”
“It’s handled. I’ve located the mage’s hiding spot.”
“What?!” Tal jumped to her feet. “Why are we sitting around? Let’s get the bastard.” Tal snuffed her flame with a flick of her wrist.
Rain narrowed his gaze at the king. “How long have you known?”
“I came as soon as I had confirmation. He’s holed up at the incinerator, apparitions at every entrance—includingthe tunnels,” he added when Tal opened her mouth to speak.
Tal reached for her dagger. “Fine. So, we go in like last time. Use Sybil to guide us.”
“No.” “Absolutely not.” “Sounds like fun!” “Are you serious?”
The chorus of replies to Tal’s suggestion echoed around the room. Faron’s gravelly “No,” caught her attention. He had never before refused support for her decisions, and his change of heart did not go unnoticed.
“So many things could go wrong with that plan,” Rainier explained. “We don’t do things rashly, not now.”
“Have you forgotten that you were just beaten and bloodied by a pack of wolves not two days ago?” Carrick loved to remind Tal of how often danger found her.
She threw her hands up in frustration. “Then I don’t know what you want to do. Why are we discussing this if I’m not allowed to do anything about it?”
