When Han opened his mouth to speak, Dancer raised a hand to stop him. “She was trying to protect me—from the Bayars and the Demonai. But once it was clear I was gifted, it became too big a secret to keep. I knew it would come out sooner or later.”

“She should have named him,” Han growled, “and brought him to justice.”

“We may think so,” Dancer said, nodding, “but she has a bone-deep fear of Bayar that she cannot shake. Being attacked so close to home destroyed her confidence. She has never felt completely safe since.” He paused. “Bayar is going to pay for that.”

Han put his hand on Dancer’s shoulder, squeezing it. “You’re my best friend,” he said. “I don’t care who your father was.”

Dancer shrugged. “I hope Cat feels the same way. I’m going to tell her. I don’t want to keep secrets from her, either. Not anymore.” He fingered his amulet. “Let’s not say anything to Willo—not until after the queen’s funeral, anyway. She’s worried enough as it is that I’m going. She doesn’t want me anywhere near Bayar.”

“That’s up to you,” Han said, still trying to get his head around this news. “It’s your secret. But I think you should talk to her soon.”

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - T W O

MAKING A
POINT

You have to trust Han Alister, Raisa told herself over and over. Even though he hates you now. You don’t have a choice.

Well, in fact, she did have a choice. Lots of choices. She could go with the well-insulated sneak-in-and-out plan her father favored. Or the abduction plan Reid Nightwalker was pushing.

But she wanted to honor Han by trusting him, since she hadn’t trusted him before. She only hoped she was making the right decision.

It didn’t help that Nightwalker had made it abundantly plain that he didn’t trust Han Alister, or his plan. Han had sketched it out the day before, in a brief businesslike meeting. Just the three of them, like he’d said. And Raisa had approved of it.

Then they had shared it with the others. Who didn’t approve.

Nightwalker could be relentless. And persuasive. The sun wasn’t even up, but he’d been distracting her for the last hour while she tried to get ready to travel to the memorial.

The topic was Han Alister and his plan.

“He’s a jinxflinger,” Nightwalker said. “How can you trust him to side with you against the Wizard Council?”

“Isn’t that the idea?” Raisa said, rubbing her eyes. “Wasn’t that why Elena Cennestre recruited him? He’s supposed to be the secret weapon.”