Barges loaded with coal bobbed dockside. Men shoveled the black rocks into wagons, emptying the metal boats and paying the tender. Then the barge was tied to a team of horses and pulled back upstream to the foothills of the Emerald Mountains to be reloaded.

By the amount of inns and taverns, I guessed the town benefited just as much from the influx of tenders and merchants as it did from the goods.

I kept to the shadows until I felt safe. A new face probably wouldn’t attract attention, but a female one might. The majority of the laborers were men. No surprise, considering the backbreaking labor and strength needed to muscle the logs and shovel the coal.

After searching the entire town, I found no signs or clues that Ben had been here. None of the waitresses in the local taverns remembered serving them. Disappointed, I continued upstream, scouting two or three small towns each night, depending on the size.

Once I determined Ben and his gang weren’t in town, I moved on. I had no real strategy for figuring this out. It was a gut instinct based on odd or furtive behavior or unusual interest in my presence. I doubted Ben’s men would be working in a mill. After the place settled for the night, I’d visit the tavern for a meal and listen to the town’s gossip. Strangers setting up shop or buying abandoned buildings always caused the locals much concern, which they discussed at length.

When it grew too late, I rented a room and pumped the innkeeper for any news. Then I’d be on the road before dawn.

After three nights of finding and learning nothing besides the general grumbling over the price drop of black coal, I approached Lapeer without any expectations. The place matched all the other river towns. But once I neared, a familiar scent jolted me as if I’d been struck by lightning.

Curare.

27

VALEK

“We traced the smugglers to the foothills of the Soul Mountains,” Ari said, plopping into the chair in front of Valek’s desk. The wood creaked in protest.

“And?” Valek asked.

“We lost them,” Gerik said. He stood behind Ari, his posture rigid as if expecting a blow for reporting bad news.

It had been eleven days since Ari and Janco had left for their respective missions.

“Lost them how?” he asked.

“They either vanished over the mountain or under the mountain,” Ari said. “The trail signs just stopped, and we suspect magic is the reason for the disappearance, but we can’t be certain.” Ari shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but...we need Janco. He’s the only one besides you who could see through the illusion.”

Valek considered. “It makes sense for them to use the tunnels to enter Ixia and for them to conceal the entrance with magic.” Technically, no one in Ixia could sense it except Valek.

“Did Janco report in?” Ari asked.

“Not yet.”

“Should we be worried?” Gerik asked.

Valek exchanged a glance with Ari.

Ari shrugged. “Depends. If he’s found nothing, he won’t bother to send a message, and if he’s hot, then he won’t have time. I think it’s too soon to worry.” He turned to address Gerik. “Besides, your girl is quite capable of handling herself.”

“She’s not mine,” Gerik said in a gruff tone.

“So you say.” Ari smirked as he leaned back in the chair.

Interesting. “Anything else to report?”

“We did uncover where they’re distributing all the black-market goods,” Ari said. “There’s a warehouse in the factory district of MD-5, a few miles south of the General’s manor house.”

“Do you think General Ute is involved?”

“Not sure. We didn’t do a full investigation, just watched long enough to confirm the transfer of illegal goods.”

He mulled over the information. Getting inside the warehouse wasn’t as critical as finding the smuggling route into Ixia. Neither Ari nor Gerik had the skills or the size to stow away in one of the wagons heading to the Soul Mountains, and all his best people had been assigned to other missions. Plus if there was magic involved, only he would be able to detect it. Valek would have to go.

After Ari and Gerik left, Valek contemplated the best way to present this new information to the Commander. He outlined a plan, then worked on reports. When the sun set, he lit the lanterns and candles scattered around. He liked plenty of light.

Just as he returned to his desk, the window behind him creaked. In an instant, he was on his feet with his knives in hand. Valek turned. Arbon climbed through the window.

“That’s a quick way to get yourself killed,” Valek said.

“How else was I supposed to get in here? You’ve tightened security.” Arbon jumped down, landing lightly.

“Apparently not tight enough. You could have sent me a message.”

“Where’s the fun in that? Besides, I gotta keep my skills sharp.” Arbon grinned and made himself comfortable.

Valek remained standing. “How did you get in?”

“Come on, King Killer. You know better than that. How about a pat on the back? It wasn’t easy, ya know.”

Valek admitted he was impressed. And Arbon had done him a favor by testing his security. Obviously more measures needed to be implemented.

“Do you have the name of the person who put the hit on Yelena?” Valek asked.

“You know how tight-lipped assassins are about their clients, and—”

“Yes or no, Arbon. It’s not a difficult question.”