“Roberta Bruce?” Huan stared at the dean.

“The Dean of the College of Martial Magic?” asked Zircon.

“Yes.” Bruce let her mask drop onto the deck. “All we here have done - the acquisitions, the eliminations, the pamphlets - and all we’ve been working for has been in service of restoring Soura’s might. Tonight, I abandon the course of caution and commit myself fully to this greatest and most worthy of projects. I promise you before winter comes our country will be rid of the rot at its heart.”

Kay reached for his mask.

“Oh, there’s no need for that,” said Bruce.

“There is, ma’am.” Kay’s mask landed on the deck. “I’m with you.”

“So am I, master.” Gold’s mask came off, revealing a sunned face and brown eyes. “Burn the blight.”

Zircon’s was next, the action revealing slicked back black hair and light blue eyes. “Burn the blight!”

Clay’s was next. “Burn the blight,” she whispered.

Then the newly unmasked turned to Huan.

“No.” He stepped back. “I don’t care about any of this. I’m not even Souran. I’m leaving.”

“I knew it!” Zircon marched towards him. “He’s a spy, a -”

Kay’s big hand landed on Zircon’s shoulder. “Sky will do as he wants.” When he looked at Huan, his eyes were full of pity. “That’s all Sky ever does.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Sky, you are welcome to leave.” Bruce tossed a pouch onto the deck. “There. What you’re owed.”

“We can’t let him leave!” Zircon’s outburst made Clay flinch. “He’ll identify us.”

“Yeah, I’m not getting involved anymore.” Huan scooped up the money. “I’m going.”

“Where to?” asked Bruce.

Huan shrugged. “Wherever I want.”

“West to the Empire? Across the sea to Wesen? Or,” the dean was suddenly too close, “south to Vanuria?”

Huan stepped back. “Why does it matter to you?”

“Because those coins,” she gestured at the pouch, “will do you no good outside of Soura.”

Huan scoffed. “Money is money.”

“Is it? Vanurian ship captains only take two kinds of currency: humans and rexas. What you have, what you’ve saved, is not enough to buy you the former, and the latter is comes through select banks in Adhua.”

“Ha!” Zircon made a rude gesture. “Good luck getting an Adhuan banker to deal with the likes of you.”

“I’ll just steal it then.” Huan shoved the pouch into his pocket. “I’ve done it before.”

Bruce lowered her voice. “Aside from the fact that the Adhuan banks are nothing like Huo Luo Fortress-” She knows! “-if you leave Bradford, you would give me no choice but to ensure your sister follows you.”

Huan’s blood chilled. “What?”

“Mei Ma has already proven to be the greatest obstacle to my plans. She must be dealt with.”

“Then why let me go at all? Why not just kill me?”

“Despite your failures, both at the Ball and tonight, you Huan Ma are a valuable and rare asset. Your participation makes what I have planned possible. As such, I offer you a new contract: rexas and passage to Vanuria in exchange for one last job.”

Huan narrowed his eyes. “You just said they’re impossible to get.”

“For you, yes. For me, also yes, but for him…” Bruce gestured to Zircon. “He trades in slaves and heretic money all the time. What do you say?”

The beast was pleased. This is a good deal.

Of course, it was happy, Bruce’s jobs had sated its desire for blood, but so far the they had been simple tasks: steal a book, chase a mage, slash a throat. Dean Bruce’s real plans had to be much more involved. On the other hand, any job had to be easier than trying to find a way into Vanuria on his own.

Huan removed his mask. “What do you need me to do?”