“Cell phones, computers, navigation systems all make it easy for someone to trace where you’ve been,” he says. “We’ve actually removed some of the microchips in this vehicle, so if someone did know this car belonged to my Family, they wouldn’t be able to track us.”

“Right,” I say. “That makes sense.” My weeks at the Academy immersed me in Old World traditional Strategia and I haven’t spent much time thinking about what the Families might be able to do with tech.

“Logan isn’t Angus, you know,” Ash says, and it takes me a second to process the non sequitur.

“The blacksmith,” I say, my thoughts edging dangerously close to the Ferryman.

“The blacksmith,” Ash repeats. And his sudden subject change makes me think he’s been thinking about Logan for a while. “What I mean is, what you did with Angus won’t work with Logan. Angus is pretty decent for a Lion, and despite his gruff manner he adheres to traditional diplomacy. Logan, not so much. He’s said to be ruthless and a legendary fighter. Some of the people who have tried to negotiate with him have ended up dead. If he weren’t the only lead we have, I wouldn’t risk it.”

Of course Angus is a Lion. I inwardly groan. How could I expect anything other than manipulation and double-dealing? “I thought you’ve never met Logan,” I say.

“I haven’t. But his reputation precedes him. Anyone who kills other Strategia during routine trades and then manages to resist numerous retaliation attempts becomes well known,” Ash says, and by the tension in his jaw I can tell he’s uncomfortable with the situation.

I shift in my seat, turning away from the rolling farmland and forests to get a better look at Ash. “If Logan is so different from Angus, how do we negotiate with him?”

“I’m going to try to entice him with a solid intelligence trade, one that doesn’t reveal anything about us personally or our plans,” Ash says. “But to be truthful, I’m not sure how well it’s going to work. I’ve only ever made straightforward deals. Someone like Logan would be assigned to a more experienced Family member.”

“Right. Of course,” I say. Ash is so capable and smart that I forget sometimes that he’s still a student at the Academy and doesn’t know everything.

“Whatever you do, do not tell Logan who you are,” Ash continues. “There’s a bounty on your father’s head. It’s not unusual that we would be asking about him. But Logan can’t know the real reason. He’s not an ally. As far as I know, he’s no one’s ally.”