Talon sat alone in the hidden archives, reading a book on elemental control. Manipulating the elements was a tricky skill that not everyone could learn, regardless of their talent, but Talon had taken to it and could currently control air, create fire, and summon lightning. It had taken him two months to use lightning properly and he’d had to sneak out of Carhan to a forest that was a little over an hour’s ride to test the skill and get back before it was too late in the night.

Qidan still asked him how he was learning these techniques and Talon refused to answer. He would never tell him, even if Qidan was loyal. It was too tricky. It would be easier to learn these techniques if he had a teacher but that was impossible for now. Reading about the techniques was useful, but sometimes the text didn’t describe exactly how to do something. That was why it took him so long to learn some techniques, like creating fire. His progress felt slow due to these limitations. How powerful would he become if Qidan started teaching him? There was so little information about how the mages at Mortham Tower taught their students.

Talon closed the book and put it away. It was late and he was tired. Stifling a yawn, he opened the bond and sensed the general area where Qidan was. His advisor was in his chambers, most likely sleeping. Talon always liked to verify the mage’s position. He couldn’t let Qidan find the hidden archives.

Talon placed his hand on the wall and walked out. He needed to get stronger with the power. Tempting as it was to ask Qidan, he just couldn’t do it. Qidan knew about his lack of knowledge. The advantage was Qidan not knowing how many skills Talon knew. His advisor thought he possessed a lot of techniques due to the skills he’d shown so far and he wanted to keep it that way.

“Hello, nephew,” Besurlde said suddenly, snapping Talon out of his thoughts.

“What are you doing up so late?” Talon asked. He didn’t want another lecture about how he should conserve his resources.

“Walking around, thinking,” Besurlde said. “Where are you off to?”

“Bed,” Talon said, stifling another yawn. Perhaps he was pushing himself too hard.

“Goodnight then,” Besurlde said, and continued down the corridor.

Talon watched him turn the corner before continuing to his chambers. This was the third time this week that he had seen Besurlde walking the halls this late at night. His uncle appeared stressed, but why? I bet he wonders what I’m doing up, Talon mused and headed to his chambers. Two royal guards were posted outside. With the recent news of Ivan wanting him dead, Talon had the guards check his room every thirty minutes to make sure nobody was hiding there.

He acknowledged the guards with a slight nod, then entered his room. He summoned the power, relishing the invincible feeling it gave him, then set wards around his room. Talon did this every night. Who could tell how many other lords were plotting behind his back?

Once he was satisfied the wards had been set correctly, Talon blew out the candles and crawled into bed. Sleep took him quickly.

Something vibrated inside his head, rousing him. He didn’t move or open his eyes but made sure to breathe slowly. Someone had entered his chambers. They were standing at the door, not moving.

The ward tracked all movement in the room. Whoever entered wouldn’t be able to move an inch without him knowing. Talon felt the power fill him. It was an effort not to open his eyes. He was exhilarated. If this was an assassin, they could throw a projectile at him. They would be in for a surprise if that happened. He needed to capture this person alive.

A few heartbeats later, the individual started moving, slowly, toward Talon. He waited and then the assassin moved quickly and was almost at his bedside in less than a second.

The assassin froze as Talon jerked upward and wrapped the person in invisible strings, then slammed him into the wall next to his bed. Talon’s eyes adjusted to the dark, and could see the person was dressed in black clothing and wearing a mask.

“What?” the assassin grunted, trying desperately to free himself. The knife he was holding remained stuck at his side. “You can use the power?”

The assassin seemed shocked and scared, much to Talon’s satisfaction. It would be much easier to get him talking. He glanced over at the open door and noticed blood pooled on the ground, along with a limp arm from one of the guards.

Anger coursed through him. He had forgotten about the guards! He should have defended them too.

“How dare you!” Talon roared and tightened his grip on the assassin, who began gasping for air. With his other hand, Talon shut the door with a gust of wind.

“S-s-stop!” the assassin pleaded, his eyes bulging as he tried to get air into his lungs.

Talon loosened his grip and watched the assassin gasp for air. He pulled the man’s mask down. He was young, with blue-green eyes and short golden hair. He had a small nose, with freckles all over his face.

“Who sent you?” Talon asked.

“I can’t say.”

A cruel smile spread onto Talon’s face. He was hoping this fool wouldn’t answer. The invisible strings tying the assassin down tightened. The man’s eyes widened as they cut into his skin and blood started seeping from his arms and legs.

“Tell me who sent you,” Talon repeated.

“I don’t know, I swear!” the man said desperately. “I swear it! A man in a robe handed me money and told me to kill you. That’s all I know, I swear!”

Talon tightened his grip further and the assassin screamed. “I DON’T KNOW ANYMORE. PLEASE STOP!

Abruptly, the man went limp and shuddered. Blood was dripping to the floor from the assassin’s wounds. Talon believed the man. He didn’t expect an assassin to know who hired him.

“Do you have any guesses?” he demanded.

“I-I… don’t…” The assassin struggled against the invisible bonds once more, unable to hide his fear. “I swear. Some beggar came up to me, gave me some money and a note. The note told me to kill the beggar and you. I killed the beggar, burned the note, and planned my attack. That’s all I know. Let me go, please.”

Whoever was after him was smart, Talon had to admit. Whoever had hired this man, had made sure there was no proof of it.

“You know I can’t do that,” Talon said quietly. Without hesitation, he motioned with his hand. The assassin went flying out the window. Glass shattered and the man screamed until he hit the ground. Talon looked down to see the limp body lying motionlessly on the ground.

He walked out of his room and stared at the dead guards. A young man and woman, Ryden and Lydia, both of whom had served his father for over five years. Talon had to shove down the sadness creeping up in him. Two royal guards dead. The assassin had to have been skilled to best them both.

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Talon stood there for a time, mesmerized by the dead bodies. He didn’t snap out of it until he heard running. Six royal guards showed up, their blades drawn, and were surprised to see him.

“Your grace, you’re alive!” Rickard said. He was the oldest of the group and very skilled with a sword.

“Yes,” Talon said softly, forcing his gaze away from the dead. “I was lucky. I was going to use the bathroom when an assassin came in. We got into a wrestling match. Whoever it was fell through the window.”

Rickard motioned the guards into the room to check it out. “A servant reported the body and we came as fast as we could. I feared the worst.”

Talon rested his hand on the guard’s shoulder. “You did well. Make sure Ryden and Lydia get proper burials and have money sent to their families.”

“Of course,” Rickard said.

“The room is clear,” one of the guards reported.

“Rickard. I want the council gathered,” Talon said. He had a plan. Perhaps the one who sent the assassin wasn’t prepared for this, he hoped. “Drag them to the council chambers. Watch their every move and don’t let them leave your sight. Bring them here by force if necessary.”

“Why-” Rickard went silent upon seeing the look on Talon’s face. “As you command, your grace.”

Rickard left three guards behind and hurried off. Talon went back into his chambers and ordered the other guards out. They were concerned about the blood on the floor but he explained that it was the assassin’s. They then took up watch outside the room as Talon dressed. He put on a fancy red and gold coat and wore his crown. His sword dangled on his hip. Tonight, he needed to look like a king. Perhaps, Tarmella willing, he would figure out the identity of his father’s murderer.

Talon didn’t get very far before Qidan appeared. “You missed the fun. An assassin tried to kill me.”

Qidan’s face remained impassive, revealing nothing of how he felt. “I see. I’m glad you survived.”

The truth? Talon couldn’t tell. “I’m going to meet the council. Will you look into the attack and see how the assassin got in?” He had to phrase it like a question or the guards would be suspicious if he ordered a mage around.

“I can do that,” Qidan said.

“Thank you,” Talon said and continued toward the council chambers. There were guards everywhere now. He could barely walk five feet without seeing a new one. Rickard was worried about another attempt on Talon’s life. There would be no other attacks; not tonight, anyway.

He stopped in front of the council chambers and took a deep breath. He was nervous as he opened the door and walked in. Six guards were in the room. The four other council members turned to face him. They had clearly dressed in a hurry and were annoyed at their disrupted nights. Daermod was fully clothed with a bright yellow vest, with three rubies on his chest. There was a touch of concern and nervousness in his posture. Hectar was also dressed and fidgeting a little. Alayna was covered in a robe. Her eyes were filled with fury as she looked around the room. Besurlde was fully dressed and was the only one who appeared not to care that he was dragged here in the middle of the night.

Alayna broke the silence. “Your grace, what is the meaning of dragging us here in the middle of the night like a bunch of criminals? I was in the middle…” she blushed and cleared her throat. “What is the meaning of this?”

Talon glanced at the others to see if anyone else would ask. Alayna’s reaction was expected. He spread out his arms. “Sit down,” he commanded and took his usual spot. With a quick motion of his hands, the six guards left the room.

“I brought you here because someone tried to kill me tonight.” Talon watched each of them closely. All of them looked surprised. If one of them did send the assassin, they wouldn’t make it easy for him to tell who.

“How?” Daermod asked.

“Were you hurt?” Alayna said at the same time.

“I’m fine,” Talon said. “I should tell you that I know my father was poisoned and I believe someone in this room was responsible.”

The others declared their innocence before he could say anything else. “I would never!” Daermod sputtered. Alayna and Hectar defended themselves more calmly, but their voices drowned each other out. Only Besurlde was silent, watching the exchange but saying nothing himself.

Thirty seconds of nonstop talking became too much. “Quiet!” Talon shouted and the room went silent. He turned to his uncle. “Why do you say nothing?”

Besurlde shrugged. “What’s the point? I see no point in begging you to believe I’m innocent. If you suspect one of us, nothing we say will convince you.”

He should have expected this from his uncle. Sometimes Talon forgot how intelligent Besurlde was. It was true: There was nothing anyone in this room could say that would exonerate them, unless he saw indisputable proof of their innocence.

“The guards are going through your quarters right now,” Talon said.

The others began shouting in protest again. Even Besurlde was angered by this. Talon allowed them to speak their minds. He ignored their accusations about breaching their privacy. Alayna was telling him that Lerin would have never committed such an atrocious act. Daermod said this would spread rumors throughout the capital.

Talon let them rant for a couple of minutes and then got annoyed. “Enough!” he said as calmly as he could. That didn’t stop the shouting. He stood up and slammed his hands on the table. “Enough!” he shouted and the room fell quiet once again.

Hot rage was coursing through him, and he was shocked at how he had almost reached for the power. That would have been a disaster and something he would need to train himself not to do, especially when angry.

“This would go much quicker if the culprit confessed,” Talon said and was not surprised when no one spoke. If only things could be easy, at least once in his life. “I suspected as much. You will remain here until the search is complete. Make yourselves comfortable.”

Talon walked toward the door and ignored the protests behind him as he left. Eight guards were posted, all standing at attention. “Don’t let anyone leave or enter this room without my command,” he said.

“As you command, sire.”

Nodding, Talon walked past the guards and back to his chambers. It would be a few hours before the guards completed the search of the council members’ chambers. He could only hope evidence was found. Otherwise, he would have no choice but to let the others go, making it harder to discover which of them was a traitor.

He didn’t try to sleep. Talon alternately paced and sat in his chamber, thinking. His mind was racing with possibilities. He recalled his father telling him that being king was a heavy burden. Talon had been a child and thought Lerin was being a typical adult. Talon himself had never wanted the responsibility. Oh, how he wished not to be king, especially now.

The decisions he had to make, especially since his coronation, were far more difficult than he’d expected. His father couldn’t have died at a worse time. How was he to find the traitor? How was he to unite the continent against the upcoming invaders?

What made things worse was his lack of trustworthy advisors. He didn’t trust the council now. He didn’t trust anyone. The only person he could trust was Qidan and that was only because of the bond he’d forced on him. There has to be someone I can trust. A knock on his door caused Talon to jump.

“Enter.”

Rickard entered and bowed. “Our search is concluded.”

About time. Talon brushed his sleeve. “And?”

Rickard motioned for another guard to come in. He was holding some parchment. “Ital found some notes in Daermod’s chambers.” Ital handed the parchment over to Talon.

Talon’s hands were shaking. He hoped this was the proof he needed. He read the parchment. It contained notes on how to kill someone and not be caught, such as with frixol, the poison that had killed his father. The notes explained failed attempts at getting Talon to drink the poison. Daermod noted that Talon was refusing to drink anything offered to him and that another method was needed to kill him.

His face darkened as he read. There were other lords and ladies on the list. None of the others on the list were crossed off and were still alive, so they must have been listed to be targeted later. Talon tore his eyes away from the paper. He had not expected Daermod to betray him.

“Let’s go then,” he said.

There were more guards around than before, at least eighteen. Rickard was prepared in case things went wrong. He approved. It would scare the others when they saw how seriously he took threats like this.

The halls were clear and guards were spread down to the council chambers. Rickard told him that all the servants had been escorted away and made sure nobody could wander around and see what was going on.

Out of all the guards Talon trusted, Rickard was high on his list. He obeyed orders and had never done anything to have his loyalty questioned. Talon found himself valuing loyalty more and more every day, even if he wasn’t sure he could completely trust the man.

Talon opened the council doors and allowed eight guards to accompany him. Daermod was sitting in the same spot, sipping some wine, and looked at the guards as they surrounded him. His eyes widened when he realized what was happening.

“Lord Daermod, you are under arrest for treason. You will be questioned until I am satisfied with the answers unless you are willing to confess immediately,” Talon said.

“Y-your grace.” Sweat was dripping down Daermod’s face and his hands shook so badly he spilt his wine. “I didn’t do anything, I swear!”

Talon moved his right hand and the guards grabbed Daermod by each arm and hauled him away. Daermod yelled frantically, protesting his innocence, until he was too far away to be heard anymore.

“The rest of you are free to go. Do not speak of this matter to anyone. There will be serious consequences if you disobey this order,” Talon said coldly. “Now go.”

Nobody needed to be told twice. Alayna was the first to get up and walk out of the room. Hectar was next and Besurlde hesitated at the door and glanced at Talon before leaving.

Talon told the guards to leave him and he headed for the hidden archives. There was no point sleeping: the sun was about to rise and he had work to do.