“What a sweetheart. Has she contacted you?”
“Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time.”
I thought of Markus Sevelien telling Carnades to sit tight. Markus horded information like a miser horded gold. But unlike a miser, Markus didn’t keep what he horded; he used it. And like Imala Kalis, he used it when it would have maximum effect.
“I have a source in the goblin embassy,” Tam said. “I received one report, but I haven’t heard from him since.”
He calmly stated it as fact, not what it probably was-his source was dead or worse.
“I’ve heard that Rudra Muralin is in the embassy,” I said.
“He is.”
I scowled in frustration. “Muralin kidnapped Carnades when he was the acting archmagus and we still can’t touch him. Diplomatic immunity sucks.”
“And to go in after him would be an act of war.”
“I’m betting Sarad Nukpana has already gone in after him.”
“Rudra would be a good catch for him,” Tam agreed. “He’s powerful, influential, and has the full backing of King Sathrik Mal’Salin; but most important, he has been the Saghred’s bond servant before. Rudra would be the perfect body for Sarad to possess. And if Sarad has taken him, we will be finding out soon enough.”
“And both Muralin and Nukpana know about our umi’atsu bond,” I said. “If we move on them, they’ll move on us-if they haven’t made their first move already.”
I told Tam about Markus Sevelien.
“It’s starting.” Tam’s expression was as dark as his eyes.
“What?”
“Sathrik is sending those closest to him; your government is doing the same. They’re getting directly and openly involved.”
“They want the Saghred.” I knew that fact only too well.
“And in all probability, you to wield it for them. Before your father took the Saghred from King Omari Mal’Salin, the goblins had been waging a campaign of complete extermination against the elven people-and they nearly succeeded. For the past nine hundred years, neither goblin nor elf has had a tactical advantage.”
“By tactical advantage, you mean a rock that will suck out your enemies’ souls.”
“Yes.”
“As far as our governments are concerned, the Saghred is back on the market,” I said.
“Precisely. The goblins want to reclaim it-”
“And the elves want payback.”
This was about more than Tam and Mychael and me. This went much further than simple prejudice and centuries of racial hatred. It was about control over your enemies. The Saghred had become a symbol, a reason for the powerful and blood-thirsty to take those first steps toward something worse.
They were starting a war.
About the Author
Lisa is the editor at an advertising agency. She has been a magazine editor and writer of corporate marketing materials of every description. She lives in North Carolina with her very patient and understanding husband, one cat, two retired racing greyhounds, and a Jack Russell terrier who rules them all.
For more information about Lisa and her books, visit her at www.lisashearin.com.