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promotion.”
    “Shut your mouth, Cadogan.” Kael drove a heel into Emery’s knee. “The only time you will speak is to answer my questions.”
    Emery pressed his lips together, stifling a cry. He peered up at Kael, clenching his teeth in an expression that resembled a grin.
    Kael turned to Nolan, scowling. “Let’s pretend you aren’t an idiot. Do I need to open the book for you?”
    Nolan resisted the urge to chuck the book at Kael’s head; instead, he placed the Book of Records on the dirty floor and sat. The cold stones seeped through his breeches, sending a shiver through him. He arranged the jar of ink, removed the cork stopper, and readied his quill. After all was in order, he found Emery’s brown eyes fixed on him. Nolan choked a breath and looked away.
    “What were you doing at the pub?” Kael began.
    “Usually, people go to pubs for drinks,” Emery answered. “I figured Aunt Bonty’s was as good a place as any to get one.”
    Nolan flinched as Emery’s head wrenched to the side. Kael’s eyes blazed golden-yellow, and fresh blood painted his knuckles.
    “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear,” Kael said. “Why are you here in Alton?”
    Amusement hinted in the corners of Emery’s bleeding lips. “I already told you,” he said. “I wanted a drink.”
    The telltale sign of fury flickered on Kael’s face. Nolan recognized it all too well.
    Without warning, Emery slammed to the ground.
    Kael appeared on top of him, straddling his chest, his hands squeezing Emery’s throat.
    Nolan jumped to his feet. He thought Kael would stop, but the fury that lined his face only increased. Emery struggled, gasped for breath, and then made no sound at all.
    Nolan’s eyes widened. Kael was arrogant, yes. But he’d never seen him like this. He’d lost it. And now, he would kill this man, right in front of him. Conflicting thoughts flashed through his mind. If Kael killed him, Nolan wouldn’t have to worry. His secret would be safe.
    The prisoner’s face turned purple. As much as Nolan wanted the threat taken away, he’d have to live with this image the rest of his life. He couldn’t do it. It’d make him as bad as Kael.
    Nolan grabbed Kael’s arm and yanked. “Kael, stop!”
    Something hit Nolan hard, and he flew backward. Pain shot through his head as it collided with the wall.
    Kael stood, nostrils flaring, as his Shay light blazed. “Keep your mouth shut, Nolan! I’m the king’s general. You will respect me. Just write down what’s said like the stupid little scribe you are.”
    Kael picked up the Book of Records and tossed it in Nolan’s direction. Then he turned to Emery and kicked him solidly in his side. Emery curled into a ball and moaned.
    “You may think you can get away with your little games, Cadogan,” Kael said, “but if you hide your answers from King Alcandor, you’ll wish I had killed you instead.”
    Emery coughed and wiped his lips, leaving a streak of blood and saliva across the back of his hand. “You wouldn’t kill me,” he wheezed. “That would take the pleasure away from the king doing it himself. And you wouldn’t want to disappoint the king, now would you?”
    “Why did you come to Alton?”
    Emery smiled. “Aunt Bonty’s is near the center of town. You really should try one of her ales.”
    “You lie!”
    Emery answered, almost too quiet to hear, “If you had Empathy, you’d know for certain, eh?”
    Nolan’s jaw dropped, and he quickly closed it so Kael wouldn’t see. Though Kael beat him, wore the Rol’dan colors, and led the entire army of the king, this Emery fellow was the one in charge.
    “If you were hoping I’d kill you,” Kael said, “you’ll have to be disappointed. But don’t worry, Cadogan, once you see the king, you’ll get your turn.”
    Kael kicked the quill and ink. The bottle fell over, oozing thick, dark ink onto the floor. “Nolan, in your records state that the traitor was uncooperative and needed to be reprimanded. And inform