Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

Renhed spun without a further word, and, turning also, Siraay and the archon walked down the corridor in silence. To break the quietude the archon had decided to impose upon them would make Siraay appear anxious, or needful of information—not the sort of thing that would help the reputation she was trying to establish.

So instead she made her lips curl into a small smile and let her gaze soften as she scanned the hangings around them as they made their way down the grand staircase, their feet sounding in unison on the soft carpets.

The spymaster led the way down towards the training hall once more, and Siraay had barely begun wondering if that was where they were heading when the archon pivoted abruptly and pushed open a smaller door on their left. Stepping swiftly into the room, she wheeled and motioned for Siraay to follow her in.

Although her stomach tightened, Siraay didn’t see much choice, and after the slightest of pauses, she proceeded into the room.

The softest snick of a door closing, and Siraay spun on her heel, taking a long step backwards at the same time to put room between her and the archon—just in case.

The spymaster turned away from the door, a small, amused smile crossing her face as her eyes tracked the distance between the two of them. ‘You don’t trust me.’ She said this matter-of-factly, as if she was stating an obvious truth.

Siraay didn’t know what to say, so she didn’t say anything but kept herself alert for threats of any kind.

‘Which is good,’ Renhed continued, ‘shows you have sense as well as intelligence.’ She shrugged as she leaned her shoulders back against the closed door. ‘Not everyone has both.’

Siraay still hadn’t moved, but she was well and truly aware that the archon was now blocking the only exit to the room. Yet as silence descended once more, she decided that she wasn’t in any immediate danger, so she began strolling around the room a little, pretending to take it in.

‘You brought me here to talk about something?’ She made her voice soft, but she was sure that the archon could hear the steel in it. At least the room’s interesting, Siraay thought as she looked around.

Tall, broad shelves filled with large books spanned the walls of the room, and a high, round table was centred in the middle of the carpeted space. An old-fashioned library.

These days, most books were in electronic form, and one only needed a reading pad, and the right clearance, to view whatever texts one desired.

Renhed shifted slightly in her position against the door. ‘You’re direct. I like that. And yes—we need to discuss what you’re doing here.’

Siraay pivoted to face the archon. ‘I thought after last night it would be obvious,’ she said carefully.

‘It is. To me, at least.’ Renhed straightened. ‘While everyone else may have thought that you were just posing, with your little speech about leading, I can see that you actually mean what you say. That you want to be Chezran’s right hand in all things.’

Siraay considered Renhed for a moment. ‘That’s right.’

The archon nodded thoughtfully. ‘It was only a matter of time before Chezran chose a mate, and frankly, I’d much prefer you over Atalia.’

Siraay felt her brows rise in surprise. This conversation certainly wasn’t going the way she had anticipated. ‘You want him to choose me? Why?’

Renhed shrugged. ‘A couple of reasons. The first is, as I’ve already said—you have sense and intelligence. A combination that Atalia most certainly does not have. And while I imagine you both have a penchant for cruelty’—she smiled viciously, and Siraay knew that, in that matter, the spymaster could probably outdo nearly everyone else—‘you apply your sense first. A key difference, when it comes to winning battles.’

Siraay didn’t let the flattery distract her. ‘And the other reason?’

The female smiled again, amused, it seemed, by Siraay’s persistence. ‘And the other reason is that, with you as queen, I would have a higher standing than I do now.’

Siraay tilted her head as she considered the female archon. ‘You are already an archon—the spymaster—you wish to change that position?’

Renhed tilted her head, the short ends of her black hair brushing against her chin. ‘In a way. Think of it more as having further value placed on my position.’ She smiled again, the toothy smile of a cunning predator. ‘I want more influence.’

So that was it. ‘Chezran already listens to you,’ Siraay stated. She had seen it the evening before at the council session.

Renhed held up a finger. ‘He does, but it wars with the opinions of others—especially when the chief archon weighs in on a discussion.’

Siraay eyed the spymaster more closely, beginning to understand what was behind this conversation. ‘So what do you want from me, then?’

This seemed to be the question the archon had been waiting for, and Renhed straightened, taking a step towards Siraay, before she paused again. ‘I want you to support my ideas, back my decisions, and encourage Lord Chezran to listen to advice I provide.’

Siraay crossed her arms, regarding the spymaster evenly. ‘That will be difficult,’ she answered carefully. ‘I’ve been here barely a day.’

Renhed nodded. ‘And already you’ve gained an equal, if not higher, footing than Archon Atalia, who has been trying hard for seasons to win Lord Chezran. This plan helps both of us.’

Siraay grew more still as she considered the female’s offer. ‘And what do I receive in return for helping you?’

Renhed’s grin was much wider this time. ‘Knowledge. I’ll help you understand this place, the alliances, and the people here, and use my networks to your advantage. In return, you help boost my standing with His Lordship.’

Siraay raised her chin, considering the spymaster in a new light. Of course. Renhed would have eyes and ears both outside the palace and inside it. Would know what was happening before it happened. Would know everyone’s hidden secrets …

And in return, all Siraay had to do was