Tyrez had told me that Jacques had been looking for any hint of Bellatis, with their distinctive long braided hair and tall, athletic forms. But much like Dragons, they tended to be arrogant and obvious.
Trained by the Guild, I wasn’t your typical Dragon. I would have drifted in, gathered my intel, and ghosted out. No one would be any the wiser that I’d been there. I didn’t think Galeran played by my rules, but he was too smart to send his distinctive-looking warriors into these places. We were looking for him, after all. I focused on virgin realms for that reason—with no clue as to the existence of other realms, the residents tended to notice if something wasn’t normal. Even Galeran’s mercs might stand out.
The Torshin certainly had.
I carefully folded the map and tucked it away before heading across the market. Almost instantly, my instincts prickled.
I was being watched.
Pretending to peruse a cloth merchant’s wares, I reached out with my senses, reading energies.
And found him.
I ducked down the rows of rolled textiles, aware that he was also alert to my every move. Because he could sense me, as easily as I, him.
We knew each other too well.
I led him on a merry chase because I had the time to kill, and he deserved it. Out the back of the cloth merchant’s booth and past the jewelsmith, who perused me with suspicion.
“I think that guy just stole something from the Sartoriouk,” I said, gesturing over my shoulder.
The jewelsmith’s eyes narrowed, and she withdrew a small club from beneath her countertop.
My lips twitched as I moved on. A moment later, I heard a yelp, and a discussion ensued.
“Shards, lady. What was that for?”
“Did you steal something from Sartoriouk?”
“No, I most certainly did not. And I am also not inclined to purchase anything from you, I may add.”
A stone wall framed the market’s eastern edge, and I planted my butt on it to wait.
He was moving rather fast through the booths, but he froze when he saw me sitting there.
“Haki,” I greeted.
“Talakai,” he replied. “Siccing that jewelsmith on me was a nice touch.”
“I’m a little rusty, or I would have ensured she had a bigger club.”
He lowered his hood. “Jacques told me he was meeting you here.”
“Jacques talks too much.”
“Well, heisan informant,” Haki pointed out.
I sighed. “Why are you here?”
He straightened. “I am here to say I’m sorry.”
I eyed him. He had saved me from Xumi, only to give me back to her. “You had no choice. I know that.”
“She had Kala.” His voice broke on her name.
And just like that, the last of my resentment vaporized. Because the truth was, if that bitch had Anna in her clutches, I would have done anything to save her.
“I understand, Haki. And I forgive you.”
