Everything about his manner suggested a desperate bluff, but Brynn lowered her blade anyway. It seemed impossible that this pathetic criminal could have details about Orzag, but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“Tell me more,” she said.
“I’ve heard rumors, you see. Lots of rumors. Some are about you, but some are about other topics. Topics that will interest you.”
His voice and demeanor calmed as he spoke, even though his words lacked any substance. Brynn frowned. He obviously was bluffing, but he had to realize she would catch on with how obvious he was. So then why…
The back of her neck prickled, and her gaze snapped to the corner of the room behind the rambling thief. There, hidden behind a curtain, lurked a mage she didn’t notice before, about to strike. And since she’d fallen into the trap, she might not have enough time to—
“Brynn, down!”
She dropped to the ground immediately in response to the hoarse voice from behind her. Dark magic exploded through the air where she’d been standing and consumed the hidden mage.
Wide-eyed, the thief fell silent. He looked back at his suddenly deceased mage. Then he stared past Brynn and made an incoherent choking sound.
Brynn got to her feet and glanced over her shoulder. “You enjoy being dramatic, don’t you, Xelrix?”
