“That was daring.”
Dana shrugged. “It was worth it. With that ring on his finger, HIDDEN CINDER’s status in society is now more secure.”
“For now.”
Dana held luz heartbeat steady. “I don’t understand.”
“You will when you read these.” Ramos pulled a sheaf of letters out of viz coat and handed it to Dana. “These were intercepted on the way from Walcrest. Analysis completed its work just last night.”
Dana allowed her eyes to widen in surprise. The letters were from Lord Kalan to Dwayne. The Circle must have had them all this time. “Are there specific orders regarding these?”
“You are to use your discretion. After all, only you possess the necessary perspective to induce the desired response in HIDDEN CINDER.” Ramos leaned forward. “Sol-Lab grows impatient.”
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Dana carefully placed Dwayne’s letters in luz lap. “HIDDEN CINDER’s research is almost complete as is his development into a full Ri mage.”
“Are either of those of benefit?”
To the Church, ve meant. Dana raised an eyebrow. “Surely, an increase in Souran demand for azade is?”
Ramos smiled. “Yes, it would be.”
“Then it’s my recommendation that HIDDEN CINDERS present circumstances remain.” Dana affected boredom by glancing out the window. “Was there anything else?”
“Who do you think this ‘Granite’ is?”
“No, I don’t.” Dana frowned honestly. The question implied Ramos knew. “I haven’t had the time to run an OEI,” meaning Observe/Enumerate/Investigate, “on Sen Jerome’s.”
Ramos shook his head. “I must remind the Kennel to emphasize the big picture to its residents. You don’t need an OEI to figure this out. Just ask yourself: who needs the License Key?”
Three candidates immediately came to mind: Lady Luisa Pol and her interest in Soura’s magical past, Baron Otto Thadden and his desire to establish his ramshackle administrative regime as legitimate, and the dean of Soura’s only magical war college, who’d stolen Dwayne’s research, and who regularly gave speeches about burning out the blight.
Ramos was right. Once the question was asked, the answer was obvious.