He opened his mind to her.
Home? she thought with longing as an image of the Magician’s Keep filled his mind.
Not yet, he answered.
Onora arrived after the horses were settled.
“Anyone else interested in us?” he asked her.
“No.”
“Good. Let’s have a chat with our new friend. There’s a narrow side street a few blocks up. When we enter it, find a spot to blend in and get behind the boy,” he instructed her.
“Yes, sir.”
Valek hefted their saddle bags, but Yelena kept her knapsack slung over her shoulder. The three of them sauntered along the sidewalk, then turned right. As soon as they were out of sight, Valek and Yelena hurried to the other end, while Onora disappeared. Too focused on them, the boy didn’t notice her absence. When they reached the end of the street, they retraced their steps.
Caught in the open, the boy froze for a second before whirling around and running into Onora. He tried to dodge past her, but she tripped him, following him down with a blade pressed to his neck. He immediately ceased struggling.
“Why are you following us?” Onora asked.
“I...thought you were...someone else.”
“Lame, boy. Try again.”
He sagged as if in defeat. “I thought you might need some help.”
Yelena stepped closer. “This is a strange place to offer help.”
The boy craned his neck to see her. “Circumstances aren’t important when lending a helping hand.”
She smiled. “He’s one of Fisk’s. Let him up.”
Onora pulled him to his unsteady feet. “Why didn’t you say so?”
He wiped off his pants. “Because it was just as likely that you would arrest me.”
“Then why follow us?”
A shrug. “A hunch. I thought you might be part of the resistance, but I wasn’t sure since I didn’t recognize you.”
“How about now?” Valek asked. “Do you recognize us?”
“Not really, but I know Master Fisk was working with a number of adults, and when I saw you two...well, there’s not many adults who visit the Unity Fountain in the middle of the day without kids.”
Valek had heard enough. It would only be a matter of time before they drew unwanted attention. “Let’s continue this discussion at the safe house. Actually, it’s the apartment above Alethea’s bookshop. Onora, take...”
“Phelan.”
“...Phelan, and meet us there.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Um... I’m not sure...” Phelan tucked his hands into his pockets. “I don’t even know who you are.”
“It’s safer for you if you don’t,” Yelena said. “But we are friends of Fisk’s. And we’re hoping to free him if possible.”
“Yeah?” He glanced around. “Where did you hide your army?”
Sarcasm, or a sardonic assessment? Valek would discover that eventually. Onora led the boy back the way they’d come.
Valek linked his arm in Yelena’s as they headed in the opposite direction.
“Is there food at the apartment?” she asked.
“Probably not.”
“Then we should stop at the market and purchase some supplies.”
“Hungry?”
She laughed. “Always. Or so it seems. I think that must be Leif’s problem, too.”
“I doubt he’s pregnant, love.”
“Ha. No. He must be always starving. Lately all I can think about is Ian’s beef stew and the raspberry pie Opal’s mom bakes and the sweet cakes Sammy cooks and—”
“I get it. You’re hungry.”
“Famished.”
“Let’s get to safety first. I’d like to learn from Phelan how dangerous a visit to the market would be.”
“Probably not as dangerous as having a hungry pregnant wife.”
Valek hoped she was joking.
A layer of dust coated all the furniture in the cramped two-bedroom apartment above Alethea’s bookshop. The agents who had been assigned to this safe house had aided in Valek’s rescue from the Krystal garrison and then returned to Ixia. Though small, this was one of Valek’s favorite locations. The windows overlooked the busy market. Lots of interesting things happened there. He’d neglected to mention the second safe house to Yelena. That one was near the Council Hall. And while it would be an ideal place to watch Bruns and his minions as they scurried to and fro, it would also be perilous to be that close.
While Yelena checked the cupboards for food, Valek built a small fire in the hearth. A cup of tea would soothe his wife for a while. Onora and Phelan arrived soon after he’d poured her a mug of her favorite blend. She chewed on a piece of beef jerky she’d found in her bags. Valek guessed Ari and Janco had taken the bulk of their travel rations with them to Booruby.
Phelan sat on the edge of one of the armchairs. Onora settled in the other while Valek and Yelena occupied the couch. Since she was the least intimidating of the three, Valek had asked Yelena to take point on the questioning.
“How did Fisk get caught?” Yelena asked.
The boy gripped the armrests. “Do you know about the Problem Gang?”
“No.”
“They are a rival group that formed a couple years after Master Fisk founded our Helper’s Guild.”
“I didn’t know they had a name.”
“They dubbed themselves the Problem Gang because they cause problems. It’s all the kids who would rather bribe, cheat and steal from people than help them. They also sell illegal goods and services.” He rubbed a hand on his leg. “They managed to get a spy inside our guild, and he or she learned we did more than just help and ratted us out to the Cartel.” He flashed a scornful grin. “For a price, of course.”