ora

oast on the table. "He claimed he had to inspect a northern dragon's nest. My

ted with

as my

ate estate Ethan had purchased for Cassia rig

d, furrowing her brow. "The guard

tricate vine patterns. "Ethan thinks he is clever. He forgot thi

me, capable of opening any door on an

al thin, almost translucent patches of cloth. "These are from the archives. Silenc

ra had access to all sort

nded it, topped with sharp spikes to deter any flying dragons.

strange lightness as I scaled a section of the wall where the sh

ant crunch of a guard's patrol. I moved thr

n the lock of the back

th the smell of expensive p

ed on the floor near the cold fireplace. I picked it

ner carpet woven with the Sawyer family's crest of crossed spears. It wa

ous bed faced a wall of windows. A sharp tension

ooth, palm-sized Scrying Stone.

e perfect h

hanging from the ceiling. It was made of countless small, glittering

d the Scrying Stone into a recess in the base of the central,

stone. It shimmered once, blending sea

leave r

y glass of wine rested by the bed. It was a simple glass cup, entirely la

sophistication wer

By the time I returned to the Obsidia

ing up for me.

d farsight-lens. I set it up on her balcony, adjusting the lens unt

his for?"

I explained. "I need to see them walk into the trap myself before I turn

from confusion to awe. "A

cornered animal

t. All I had to do w

nd my shoulders, clutching the small mother-

ant, dark building,

to their secret haven. They would have no idea t