Vivian sat in silence as the other Faction Heads all stared at her. She knew damn well that her features weren’t giving a single thing away. This was far from the first lie she’d told the other Faction Heads, and it wasn’t even closest to the biggest one.

But that didn’t stop her from mentally bashing her head against a wall.

Why did I say that?

“What?” the Imperator asked, leaning forward and pressing his hands against the table. “Did I just mishear you, Vivian? I’m thinking I must have. Did you say you’d already taken Spider on as your disciple?”

“I didn’t see that coming at all,” Baress said through a laugh. “Who would have thought. I thought Vivian was an ice queen too good to scrap with the rest of us. Looks like she had us all going. She’d taken her pick of the litter before we’d even had a chance to look. You sly woman.”

“You’re right,” the Imperator agreed. “I was convinced you actually thought you were too good to go picking a disciple. Genuinely didn’t think you were in the running with the rest of us. I suppose you weren’t if you’d already chosen one. And little wonder. That Spider… he’s been making more waves than a mage his rank has any right to.”

He has?

Shit. Who even is Spider? And why am I stepping in to keep Rake’s hands off him? This is none of my concern. I don’t want a disciple. They’re a massive pain in the ass. Training someone on the true path to godhood is harder than walking it yourself. Just because the rest of these bastards don’t see it that way doesn’t mean I can compromise my duties. This isn’t worth it.

“Why did you say nothing?” Rake asked. “That was cruel.”

“How was I to know you’d go and choose the one person I had my eye on?” Vivian asked, keeping her expression flat.

“You should have told him to keep a lower profile if you didn’t want anyone scooping him up,” the Imperator said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“The Imperator might be right, Vivian,” Baress said with a sympathetic shake of her head. “Dangling a fruit like that in front of us… even I was keeping one eye on Spider. I didn’t much think his personality would match with mine, though. He doesn’t strike me as the respectable sort. But if you’re already training someone up, you shouldn’t let your dear friends go thinking we have a chance of snatching him.”

Damnation, Spider. What is it that you’ve done to get all of their attention? I’ve been so focused on the Tournament that I haven’t been paying attention to the happenings. There’s no way this is just about the Truthseeker. It practically seems like this man was a legend before he even showed up to the tournament.

But how would someone in his bracket have managed anything truly that worthy? It makes no sense at all. Shit. This is bad. And now I can’t back out.

Why did I open my blasted mouth?

“I don’t keep a tight leash on my students,” Vivian said with a shrug. “Spider’s actions are his own.”

“So you’re using this whole tournament just to train up your disciple, Vivian?” The Imperator arched an eyebrow. “That’s not against the rules, but you’re riding the line. If you show any favoritism…”

“I have absolutely no plans of doing that,” Vivian said. “And if you can prove that I have, you are welcome to do so. You will find that I have offered him no assistance whatsoever.”

That much, at least, is true. He doesn’t even know he’s my disciple. Damnation, he doesn’t even know we’ve met.

Vivian’s eye nearly twitched at that thought. She didn’t have any idea how she was meant to handle that conversation. That would have to be a problem for later. At the moment, all she needed was for the topic to change and for the other Faction Heads to accept her lie so she could—

“I am displeased,” Rake said flatly. “He would have suited the Endless Path well. I sensed the hunger within him. It is rare to find a ruthless mage who still holds restraint. I invoke my rights of challenge.”

Fuck.

“Oh,” the Imperator said with a huge grin. “I did not see that one coming. He really wants your student, Vivian. I hope you’re not too attached to him.”

“Are you an idiot?” Vivian asked through clenched teeth. “You think you can take my disciple out from under me? Do you remember the last time I took one?”

“Yes,” Rake said flatly. “You have nothing to offer, Vivian. Your goddess is not here. Your path does not align with Spider’s. A much such as that will always choose the way that benefits him the most. A monster can only learn from another monster.”

Vivian kept her face flat.

“Do what you will,” she said. “But know that is only a challenge. Offer what you wish. But if you think that my empire is without resource, then you are sorely mistaken.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“I know you have resources,” Rake said, his sunken eyes boring into Vivian’s. “But mine are superior. It is power he seeks. And you do not offer it.”

Then Rake was gone, his body blowing away in a stream of dust. The bastard had always loved dramatic exits.

“I don’t think I’ve seen Rake speak that much in years,” Baress observed, taking a sip of tea. “That was impressive. He’s pissed. You might have a fight on your hands, Vivian. Is this Spider of yours really worth it?”

I don’t even have the faintest goddamn idea of what he’s capable of. I don’t even know why I stepped in. Damn it. How did this go so wrong? If Rake finds Spider and finds out I lied…

That wasn’t happening. She couldn’t allow it. The only saving grace was that, if Rake was this invested in Spider, the mage was definitely strong. A lot stronger than she’d thought. And if that was the case… there was a way out of this hole that she’d dug for both of them.

“Yes,” Vivian said. “He is the most capable mage in his tier. You have no idea how powerful he is. There is a reason I don’t even need to think about rigging the results of the tournament.”

“Bold,” the Imperator said. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Not that I’ve ever shied away from a challenge. I like this side of you, Vivian. I wish you were like this more often. It’s far preferable to the haughty airs that you like to wrap yourself with. Maybe there’s a bit more of the old in you in there than the rest of us thought.”

“Don’t get friendly,” Vivian growled. “The treaties only go so far.”

The Imperator laughed. “As you wish. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what this Spider of yours is capable of. It’s good to see you’re taking things seriously though… even if it will mean nothing in the end.”

The Imperator’s body bubbled. Then it split apart, a dozen snakes of flesh falling apart to splatter against the ground. They slithered through the stone, vanishing from sight and leaving not even the slightest trace of his passing behind.

Vivian’s lip curled in distaste. Baress just let out a soft laugh.

“Oh, what company we keep,” she said. “It’s a shame the rest of us couldn’t make it. I don’t suppose you’re willing to say if they’re wandering around the tournament somewhere?”

Vivian shook her head. “I’m remaining neutral, Baress. As always. Whatever the other Faction Heads are doing is up to them.”

And out of every single one here, you’re the absolute last one I’d be giving any more information than I have to.

“I see,” Baress said. “Well, then. Thank you for a delightful evening. I quite enjoyed myself. Your team handled most of those problems quite well. But keep an eye on those Truthseekers, darling. We don’t need another incident with them. Do let us know if you need help. If there’s one thing we can all agree with, it’s that they’re a nuisance.”

“I appreciate the offer,” Vivian said. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

“You do that,” Baress said. She rose from her seat. “I trust you’ve made preparations for similarly interesting events throughout the rest of the tournament? I do love a good fight as much as anyone else… but the chance to get up close and personal with my options is hard to beat.”

“You’ll have your chance,” Vivian said. “Don’t dig for anything more than that.”

Baress laughed. “I wouldn’t think of it. Goodnight, Vivian. Best of luck.”

A flicker of pale gray fire danced across the woman’s black armor. It rose up to swallow her whole, and then the room was empty save for Vivian.

There were several long seconds of silence.

Then Vivian’s eyes flicked to the shadows at the edge of the room. She gestured impatiently.

Darkness bubbled up. And then, standing before her, was a living shadow.

“Vivian. The Truthseeker—”

“You couldn’t track them,” Vivian said flatly. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes?”

“I couldn’t. But if you gave me more—” 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“I don’t care,” Vivian said. “I need good news, Maria. Not more failures. I’m on the edge. This is not the time to push me.”

Neither of them spoke for a moment. Then Maria’s shadow let out a small sigh.

“I found Sievan. He spoke with me.”

“Oh?” Vivian tilted her head to the side. Maria was a powerful mage. But Sievan was stronger. If she’d found him, it wouldn’t have been due to any success of her own. The Lord of Death had wanted an audience. Just what she needed. Another moving variable. “What did he want?”

“Not much,” Maria admitted. “He was just… watching. It appears he is old friends with one of the contestants. A mage by the name of Spider.”

Vivian stared at the shadow for a second. She’d already figured out that Sieven had somehow been involved in what had happened during the masquerade. But old friends was one hell of a step beyond meddling. A droplet of sweat beaded against the back of her neck.

Sievan wasn’t an enemy Vivian could afford to make right now. There were already far too many of those.

Just who is Spider?

“I see,” Vivian said emotionlessly.

“There’s something else I should say,” Maria said. “This Spider… it’s not the first time I’ve heard of him.”

“What?” Vivian asked. Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“He was one of those who took the badges I planted,” Maria said. She hesitated for a second. “When someone started going around killing my agents indiscriminately, I summoned him to my den. He escaped while I was questioning him. I couldn’t track him.”

“What?” Vivian asked. “Isn’t he below Rank 7?”

“Yes,” Maria said.

“You’re telling me that a mage leagues less powerful than you was able to slip out from right under your nose? In the seat of your power?” Vivian asked sharply.

“Yes,” Maria said. Displeasure tinged her voice. “That is exactly what I am saying.”

Damn it. Sievan is definitely involved. What have I gotten myself into?

“I see,” Vivian said.

“I—“

“No more,” Vivian said flatly. “Unless whatever you are about to tell me is either vital or somehow useful, I would strongly suggest you keep it to yourself. Can you track his badge?”

“No,” Maria said. “He figured out I was watching him with it and no longer holds it on his person. He’s concealed amongst all the other contestants unless he establishes contact with the badge.”

Of course. And even I would struggle to track down a single relatively weak mage in a tournament this large. I didn’t take a close measure of his soul. It’s not like I can’t just wait for his next round, either. Rake could find him before me.

“Then if there’s nothing else you have for me, leave. Do what I hired you to… and spend some time figuring out your explanation as to how a Truthseeker slipped into my masquerade directly under your nose.”

Maria was silent for a moment. Her shadow flickered and faded away.

Then Vivian was well and truly alone. She blew out a long, heavy breath. Then she set her jaw.

I need to find this Spider… and I need to do it before Rake or any of the other Faction Heads can.

And, unfortunately, it looked like there was only going to be one way to do that anytime soon.

She was going to have to seek out Sievan.