Page 76 of The Thief's Mark

As Cal played the part of the arrogant thief, sauntering into the center of the room, Griff focused his aura-sight back on the councilors to gauge their reactions. Most appeared curious at this new stranger in their midst—all but one, where he caught the faintest flicker of fear.

Griff turned his head to focus his attention fully on High Scholar Vesalain. There was no mistaking it—she had recognized Kelsith. Griff muffled a small smile.Got you.

“Before you interrogate him,” Griff said, striding out to stand beside the disguised Cal. “I have a few questions for you…High Scholar.”

High Scholar Vesalain quickly masked her surprise behind a frown. She gave a curt nod. “Of course, Inspector. I’m happy to provide any information I can to help elucidate this troubling case. Ask your questions.”

“Thank you, ma’am. You’ve been outspoken in your support of peace with Nalax, have you not?”

The High Scholar blinked, appearing taken aback by the question. “Er…that’s correct. The Sanjarkan Republic has long served as a trusted arbiter among our neighbors. I believe that all conflicts, no matter how dire, can be solved without resorting to bloodshed.”

Griff nodded, beginning to slowly pace with his hands clasped behind his back. He caught Cal’s questioning look and flashed him a reassuring smile.Don’t worry, I’ve got this.

“A noble sentiment, High Scholar. It must have frustrated you, then, to observe the rising tensions between the High Commander and High Merchant of late. With one advocating for war and the other for a restoration of free trade, either one ofwhich might weaken Sanjarka’s position to negotiate. You said as much to me earlier tonight, did you not?”

High Scholar Vesalain’s frown deepened. Her uncertain gaze flicked to Cal, then to the other councilors. “Something to that effect. But perhaps you misunderstood. I have nothing but the highest respect for my fellow councilors, even when we disagree.”

“I’m sure you do.” Griff paused before the High Scholar, hardening his gaze on her. “Which was why you concocted so elaborate a plot to get one of them out of your way.”

The High Judge shot to her feet. “How dare you!”

“That’s a serious accusation to level against a councilor, Inspector,” High Judge Septima said, a note of warning in her voice.

“It is,” Griff agreed. He didn’t take his eyes off of the High Scholar’s quickly paling face. “And I do not make it lightly.”

“This is outrageous!” The High Scholar’s voice quavered as she pointed at Griff. “I demand that he be removed at once! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I did not come here to listen to such nonsense!”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s nonsense,” Cal said in a perfect imitation of Kelsith’s voice. He flashed the High Scholar a smirk. “And I have a feeling no one else here will either. Not after they hear what I’ve got to say.”

“You were behind everything,” Griff said. Though he was still looking at the High Scholar, he knew it was really the rest of the Pentarchy he was speaking to now. “You used the Pentarchy’s discretionary funds to hire the Brotherhood to smuggle in a void relic so that you could use it to kill the High Commander. It wasn’t enough for him to die—you wanted him to die in a way that would take attention away from Nalax and give Sanjarka a new threat in the Empty Eye cultists. That’s why you waited until tonight to make your move: a high-profile assassinationon a national holiday? It’s hard to imagine something more incendiary. And even if someone put the pieces together and saw through the ruse, everyone knows about the High Merchant’s recent spat with the High Commander. He made the perfect scapegoat.”

With every word Griff spoke, he could sense the High Scholar’s aura churning with more wild emotion. Her gaze darted about the chamber as if seeking escape. A flutter of panicked yellow in her aura gave away her intent to bolt an instant beforehand. What Griffdidn’tanticipate, however, was her twisting the jeweled band on her finger and vanishing from view with a brief flare of runeflame.

An invisibility charm!

Griff cursed, scanning the chamber amid startled cries from the other councilors. Thankfully, normal vision wasn’t the only means he had of seeing. It didn’t take long for him to spot a faint flicker of color over by the trap door. Whatever magic High Scholar Vesalain was using wasn’t perfect. It had helped cloak her aura, but it had failed to disguise it completely.

“This way!” Griff shouted, barreling toward the trap door.

It creaked open ahead of him, seemingly of its own volition. He reached it seconds later, squinting at the stairs down.

Cal appeared at his side, his gaze roving over the stairwell and the nearby landing. “Where is she? Do you see her?”

Griff caught another flicker near the bottom left of the stairs and pointed. “There!”

He started down the stairs, but he’d barely taken a handful of steps when Cal leaped past him. Griff’s eyes widened in shock. The Void-cursed fool had literallythrownhimself down the stairwell!

Cal crashed through the space just ahead of where Griff had pointed. Griff heard a heavythumpfollowed by a pained cry asCal toppled to the landing, his arms wrapped around seemingly nothing but air.

Griff hurried down the stairs after him. “The ring!” he shouted. “Take off her ring!”

Cal grappled with the air for a moment, then let out a triumphant shout as the High Scholar flickered back into view amid a burst of dissipating runeflame. “Got you!”

The High Scholar struggled a moment longer in Cal’s grip, her eyes wild. She stared up at Griff as he approached.

“Please, Inspector. Surely,youof all people understand. I did only what I had to for the sake of Sanjarka. Pern’s warmongering was a threat to us all! This was the only way to preserve peace!”

Staring down at the frantic councilor, it wasn’t pity Griff felt this time, but disdain. “You’ve lost sight of what really matters, Councilor. And now, you will pay for it.”