“That should do it,” she said. “Declawed as ordered.” She paused, and her expression took on a sad, bitter note. “Why are we doing this?”

Var raised an eyebrow.

“Why are we bringing her with us? What do you mean to accomplish?”

Relos Var looked surprised. “Are you questioning me?”

“You’ve stripped a woman—” She stopped. “No, not a woman. You’ve stripped a girl’s power, and now you’re throwing her to the wolves. That’s not like you.”

He chuckled. “But we haven’t stripped her power. Only her crutch. She never needed to develop her gifts any further before. Call this motivation. As for what I have planned…” Var glanced back at Qown before returning his attention to Senera. “What do I always have planned, dear child? I’m making sure the prophecies are fulfilled. The demon-claimed child, remember?”

“The demon-claimed child gathers the broken, witches and outlaws, rebels outspoken, to plot conquest and uprising while winter’s malice hides her chains in the snow king’s palace. The Devoran Prophecies, book 3, quatrain 17.” Senera’s mouth twisted. “Fine. I’ll allow the snow king’s palace is in Yor, but I don’t see how she’s going to plot a rebellion while a prisoner there. Anyway, isn’t Duke Kaen the demon-claimed child?”

“He might be.” Relos Var grinned. “But between you and me, I’ve always felt that interpretation was a bit forced.” He looked down at Janel’s body and stopped smiling. “My metal’s on her. But you know what I say. If you want to win a horse race—”

“—bet on every horse,” Senera finished. “Shall we go, then?”

“Not quite.” Relos looked remorseful. “I’m afraid we have one more gaesh to perform first.”

He turned around and stared straight at Brother Qown.

And Brother Qown knew he hadn’t fooled Relos Var after all.

33: A FRIENDLY REUNION

Jorat Dominion, Quuros Empire. Three days since Kihrin discovered who controlled the Gryphon Men

“Did Relos Var gaesh you, then?” Kihrin asked.

Qown shuddered. “What do you think?” Then he grimaced. “My apologies. I’m being rude. After three years of not being allowed to talk about it…”

Janel shoved her chair back and walked out of the room, toward the stable.

Qown stood. “Oh. She—”

“Did she know who Father Zajhera really was?” Kihrin stood as well.

Qown looked helpless. “No.”

Kihrin remembered how she’d spoken of Father Zajhera, how the Vishai priest had helped her recover from Xaltorath’s possession. Dorna’s words: When Janel came back to Tolamer, the father came with her …

A noise rang out. It sounded like something had just slammed into the front door. Everyone in the tavern paused.

Dorna stood. “I’d best go—”

“No.” Kihrin raised his hands to the group. “Let me.”

Not that he waited on their permission. He followed Janel.