“I’m not happy about it, either. But I won’t be gone long,” Yelena said in a soft voice. “We can rendezvous and return to the castle together.”

“Have you forgotten there’s an assassin after you?” he asked.

“I’ll head straight for the Magician’s Keep. I’ll be safe there.”

“Then take Ari and Janco with you. Please.”

“Will the Commander agree?”

“I’ll make sure he does.”

“All right.”

He pulled her into a hug as he accepted the inevitable. “This is the last time we say goodbye.”

“Don’t say that. We have many more goodbyes and hellos left.”

“I meant—”

“I know, and that’s a sweet sentiment, but even you know it’s impossible.”

“You mean you won’t let me lock you in a tower so you can never leave?”

She gazed up at him. “Tempting...but no.”

“You’ll promise to be extra careful?”

“Of course.”

They finished packing just as the guard knocked on the door to inform them that Ari and Janco had arrived. The man retreated back to his post. Valek slung his pack over his shoulder and grabbed Yelena’s.

He grunted. “What’s in here? Rocks?”

“Books. And don’t you start being all...” She tugged on the handle. “I can carry it.”

“Being all what?” Keeping a firm grip on her pack, he strode to the door.

She hustled beside him. “Being all...my-wife-is-pregnant-and-she-can’t-do-anything...overprotective.”

“Me, overprotective? You must have mistaken me for another man,” he teased.

She swatted him on the arm.

“You’re the one who had to pack books.” Valek waited while she opened the inner door. “What kind of books?”

“Ones about how to spy and stuff.”

“Nothing’s better than actual training.”

“I know, but I can still learn a few new tricks.”

“Tricks?” Janco asked as they exited the main entrance.

“Yes. You’ll need your bag of tricks,” Valek said. “You, too, Ari.”

“Why?” they asked in unison.

Valek explained their new mission. “All you have to do is protect Yelena.”

“Easier said than done,” Janco muttered, then shot her a sweet smile. “What about the Commander?”

“After you pack, we’ll swing by his office and I’ll obtain permission. I’m sure he’ll want to ensure she arrives in Sitia without incident. She may no longer be the Liaison, but he wouldn’t risk a diplomatic incident. At least, not yet.” He fervently hoped.

As they headed to Ari and Janco’s apartment, Valek asked Ari about Reema.

“She left this morning,” Ari said.

“Any problems?”

“None.”

“She loved her gifts,” Janco chimed in.

“What gifts?” Yelena asked.

Valek swallowed a groan as Janco listed the various weapons they’d given the girl.

“Opal’s going to kill you,” Yelena said.

“Not me,” Janco protested. “Ari bought them. I just gave her a set of lock picks.”

“Ari?” Yelena turned to him.

“Sitian knives are too flimsy. She’s going to need a quality set.”

“For what? To defend against the other eleven-year-olds in her class?” Anger turned her words sharp.

Ari hunched his shoulders. “To defend against those who would use her to get to you.”

Which was the reason Reema was at the castle in the first place. Yelena snapped her mouth shut. Then she exhaled. “You’re right. Sorry, Ari.”

“And we all know Reema’s going into the family business,” Janco said.

“Family?” Yelena rested her hand on her stomach.

Before anyone noticed her unconscious gesture, Valek tugged her hand away and laced his fingers through hers. Excitement about the baby tapped a quick tempo in his heart, but a deep bass of worry also played along. He kept his expression neutral.

“Yeah. You know...” Janco swept his arm out, indicating all of them. “Us. She’s the next generation of sneak.” He grinned with glee. “I almost feel sorry for those future criminals. They won’t know what hit them.”

“So we’re all sneaks?” Ari asked.

“Sneaks, spies, defenders, heroes, masterminds, tenacious bastards—it doesn’t matter what you call us. We’re the ones who will do whatever it takes to stop those who believe they’re entitled to wealth and power at the expense of others.”

“The family business,” Yelena said, smiling. “I like that. Well said, Janco.”

Valek squeezed her hand in agreement. For once Janco didn’t preen.

The boys packed in record time. Valek wished his admittance into the Commander’s office matched their speed. Eventually the Commander allowed him to enter and heard his request.

The chair creaked as the Commander leaned back, studying Valek. “Granted. Have them collect information on the Council before returning to Ixia.”

“Most of the Councilors will recognize them,” Valek said.

“They can still get a sense of the Council’s mood and look for signs of an invasion. Tell them to look for a possible way to get our agent inside. Perhaps one of the Councilors needs a new adviser.”