Serat was afraid of Janek and that kept him in line. For now. There was nothing he could do to change the past. No promises he could make for the future.

“The only thing that need concern you about Serat is that he not have cause to look at you twice.”

Caden bristled. “He is incompetent. A snake.”

“What would you like me to do? Kill him?”

Caden’s jaw tightened. “I want him removed. Surely, you can accomplish that without resorting to murder.”

“Can I? How exactly do you suggest I go about it?”

Caden crossed his arms over his chest, his leather armor creaking slightly with the movement. Inside the stable, one of the horses shifted its feet. Janek hadn’t formed the spell to affect animals. Sloppy. Under other circumstances, such an oversight might have gotten him killed.

“He called you a spy this morning after you left the hall,” Caden said. “Said you were the one reporting his every move back to the capital. You should watch your back. You may have scruples about who you murder, but I don’t think the same can be said of Serat.”

“So let him try. None of this is worth the risk of a meeting. Serat won’t move against me. He knows that any such attempt is unlikely to succeed and that he’s dead if he fails.”

Caden frowned, unused to having his demands refused. “What reason have you given him for your presence?”

“That I have come to him as an advisor. He doesn’t believe it, but it’s best to keep him guessing. He suspects Asil sent me here to keep me safe from the Temple’s cleansing. He toys with me, suggesting he might turn me over to the mages who have come for the Reaping. I’ve decided to encourage him in that. It gives me an excuse to avoid both Serat and the Order for a few days.”

Caden’s eyes widened. “He knows what you are?”

Janek shrugged. “Rumors abound. Serat’s attention is focused on me and that serves our purpose. We want him distracted.”

The sound of footsteps echoed down the alley, and they both fell silent. A man stopped to relieve himself against the wall and then made his way into the tavern.

When he was gone, Janek said, “With mages on Erys for the Reaping, it’s more important than ever that you keep your head down. Don’t summon me again unless your life is at risk.”

Caden bristled at that, lifting his chin and narrowing his eyes so that he looked down his straight nose.