Treasure and Treason Read online

  I felt myself start to smile. “If you were qualified to go up against the Heart of Nidaar, then you would be the first.”

  “You’re not qualified?”

  “None of us are. What we are experienced at is finding the people behind this and stopping them from doing it again.”

  “Uh…I don’t think I’m qualified for that, either.”

  “I’ll teach you. Consider it on-the-job training. All I ask is that you listen and do as I tell you.”

  “That sounds simple enough.”

  “But you know it’s not.”

  Talon gave me a sheepish grin. “I kind of have a history of doing my own thing, don’t I?”

  “There’s no ‘kind of’ about it. That needs to change. Right here and right now. All of our lives depend on each member of this team working together.”

  “And you think I can do that?”

  For the first time since I’d met my son, he wasn’t sure of himself. It was a good first step.

  I put my hand on his shoulder. “I know you can.”

  “You’re sure? Because I’m not.”

  “I’m sure of you. As to what we’ll encounter, no one can be sure of that. We’ll face it together and do our best.”

  “Do you think our best will be good enough?”

  “It has to be. If the Khrynsani or the Sythsaurians already control the Heart of Nidaar, our job is to take that control away. The fate of the Seven Kingdoms depends on what we do here in the next few days.”

  Talon swallowed with an audible gulp. “Okay, I’m about to admit something. I’m scared.”

  “That makes all of us. We push that fear aside and do what needs to be done.”

  “Is that called courage?”

  I smiled. “Yes, it is. And you have it, of that I’m certain.”

  Talon was quiet for a few moments. “Was my mother brave?”

  I clenched my jaw against an unexpected flood of emotion. “Yes, she was. She was one of the bravest women I’ve ever known.” I hesitated. “Talon, when this is over, I’ll tell you all I know about your mother.”

  He looked out toward the ships now rocking gently at anchor and merely nodded. “I would like that.”

  No, I don’t think you will. But it’s time. It’s past time.

  “I need you with me, Talon. You and Kesyn. I think when we go inland, we’ll be taking any trouble with us. But if whoever is using the Heart aims it at our ships again…Nothing will save them this time. The only way we can do that is to take control of the Heart away from whoever has it.”

  “And you think I can help.”

  “I do.” I gave him a crooked grin. “Plus, I know how hard it’d be to keep you from following after Agata like a lovesick puppy.”

  Talon waggled his eyebrows. “Woof.”

  *

  Phaelan caught up with me later.

  “I want to go with you.”

  I blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “Your ears are as good as mine. You heard me. I want to go to Nidaar.” He hesitated. “Okay, maybe want isn’t the right word. Let’s just say I can do more good there than here.”

  “You have a ship to repair.”

  “My first mate would be in charge of that anyway. Everyone likes and respects him. They’ll be fine. Gwyn can settle any disputes. They like her, too. There’s good fishing here, so food won’t be a problem, and our cooks know how to turn salt water into fresh.”

  I smiled. “One more bit of magic you don’t seem to mind.”

  “Any magic that saves my ass, my crew, and my ship gets a free pass.”

  I chuckled. “You do know that there’s not any gold in Nidaar, don’t you?”

  Phaelan scowled. “Yeah, I do. Jash really enjoyed telling me that.”

  “There’s no gold and you still want to go?”

  “That’s what I said.”

  I crossed my arms. “Very well. As the leader of this expedition, what skills will you bring?”

  “I can fight. And I can guarantee I won’t slow you down. Mainly, I’ve played the mundane before.”

  “The what?”

  “The mundane. Whoever is tossing that black magic mojo around can track you due to that ring and pendant, right?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “But you have to have them with you.”

  “Also yes.”

  “And every last one of your team is packing dark magic of every kind.”

  “Yes, and I’m failing to see where you’re going with this.”

  “Yeah, Raine said you can be impatient when you’re not in control.”

  I began to bristle. “Your point?”

  “You can’t tell me that it’s never come in handy to have someone with you who has absolutely zero magic, who doesn’t need to tamp down his magical mojo to go undetected. A special someone who is a master at slipping in and out of a place, hearing what needs to be heard, stealing what needs to be stolen.”

  “The Heart of Nidaar is attached to a mountain.”

  “Merely a challenge waiting to be overcome.”

  “Time is of the essence,” I said, “so we’ll be taking the dragons to the top of the escarpment and from there, on to the mountains.”

  “I’ve ridden a flying lizard once; I can do it again.” His expression hardened. “Tam, thirty-two of my people and yours are dead, and that’s just on the Kraken. Gwyn and Gavyn can oversee the repairs, but unless we get into that city and either steal or destroy that rock, ships to get home in aren’t going to do us a damned bit of good. Your dark mage team is one man down, and last time I checked, I was a man.”

  Bane had broken his leg in the attack on the Nebian ships. He was walking around, but was still using a cane. He would be remaining with the ships as defense.

  “You’re also one of the bravest I’ve had the honor to know,” I said solemnly.

  Phaelan opened his mouth, started to say something, then closed it again.

  I smiled. “And the good captain is at a loss for words.”

  “Can you blame me?”

  “I am not easily impressed,” I told him. “During this voyage, you have earned my esteem, my admiration, and my respect. I do not give these lightly or often. I give them to you now. In turn, I offer you my friendship and the loyalty that goes with it.” I felt one side of my lips curl in a crooked grin. “That being said, I’m in charge of the expedition, and if you go, you will be taking your orders from me.”

  “Raine admires you and she’s told me a lot about you,” Phaelan began, “but hearing about someone, regardless of how highly I think of the one doing the telling, doesn’t impress me. Seeing it for myself does. During the past four weeks, I’ve witnessed what Raine’s told me firsthand. You’ve got my admiration and respect.” The elf pirate’s smile was slow and dangerous. “Plus, I’ve seen you cut loose on your enemies—and from the back of a diving dragon no less.” He made a show of hesitating. “I think I can take orders from such a man.”

  “We leave at dusk,” I told him.

  “Not a problem.”

  I put my hand out and Phaelan shook it. I bared my fangs in a fierce grin. “Welcome to the team, Captain Benares. Let’s go finish this.”

  The End

  About this Series

  Thanks for reading Treasure and Treason. I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews help other readers find books and I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. Please take a moment and write a review for Treasure and Treason.

  Suggested reading order for the Raine Benares Series:

  Magic Lost, Trouble Found

  Armed and Magical

  The Trouble with Demons

  Bewitched and Betrayed

  Con and Conjure

  All Spell Breaks Loose

  Wild Card (a Raine Benares novella)

  Wedding Bells, Magic Spells

  Treasure and Treason, A Raine Benares World Novel

  Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lisashearin, or like my Faceboo
k page at https://www.facebook.com/LisaShearinAuthor?skip_nax_wizard=true.

  Visit my Website at http://lisashearin.com.

  Sign up for my newsletter at http://lisashearin.us11.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=681363f47430f46d0d895d1b9&id=8e94bd9428.

  You may also enjoy my SPI Files Series.

  The Grendel Affair

  The Dragon Conspiracy

  The Brimstone Deception

  The Ghoul Vendetta

  Night Shift (anthology), containing Lucky Charms, a SPI Files novella

  Also by Lisa Shearin

  The Raine Benares Series

  Magic Lost, Trouble Found

  Armed and Magical

  The Trouble with Demons

  Bewitched and Betrayed

  Con and Conjure

  All Spell Breaks Loose

  Wild Card (a Raine Benares novella)

  Wedding Bells, Magic Spells

  Treasure and Treason

  The SPI Files Series

  The Grendel Affair

  The Dragon Conspiracy

  The Brimstone Deception

  The Ghoul Vendetta

  Night Shift (anthology)

  containing Lucky Charms, a SPI Files novella

  About the Author

  Lisa Shearin is the New York Times bestselling author of the Raine Benares novels, a comedic fantasy adventure series, as well as the SPI Files novels, an urban fantasy series best described as Men in Black with supernaturals instead of aliens. Lisa is a voracious collector of fountain pens, teapots, and teacups, both vintage and modern. She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her husband, four spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds, and enough deer and woodland creatures to fill a Disney movie.

  For more information about Lisa and her books, visit her Website at:

  http://lisashearin.com.

  Twitter: http://twitter.com/lisashearin

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaShearinAuthor?skip_nax_wizard=true

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Lisa_Shearin

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  Newsletter: http://lisashearin.us11.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=681363f47430f46d0d895d1b9&id=8e94bd9428

  Acknowledgments

  They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a team to make a book. I wouldn’t be able to do this without the simply amazing ladies at Nelson Literary Agency and NLA Digital: Kristin Nelson (my agent), Lori Bennett (production manager), and Angie Hodapp (interior design). Then there’s the legendary Betsy Mitchell (my editor), the incomparable Martha Trachtenberg (my copy editor), the supremely talented Aleta Rafton (my cover artist), and the marvelous Logan Hyatt (my assistant).

  I also needed help naming three of the dragons in this book. I received so many great suggestions. The winning name for the little firedrake on the cover was “Indigo” sent in by Kirsten Parriott. For two of the much larger sentry dragons: Scott Balliet thought of the name “Amaranth” and David Gray came through with “Mithryn.” I can always count on my fans to come through with character names or book titles. You guys are awesome!

  For my fans who have always wanted to read a book about Tam and Phaelan…ask and you shall receive. This one’s for you.

  Praise for Lisa Shearin

  All Spell Breaks Loose

  “Exceptional…Shearin has proven herself to be an expert storyteller with the enviable ability to provide both humor and jaw-dropping action.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “All Spell Breaks Loose not only lived up to my expectations but was even BETTER!”

  —Dangerous Romance

  Con & Conjure

  “Tons of action and adventure but it also has a bit of romance and humor…All of the characters are excellent…The complexities of the world that Ms. Shearin has developed are fabulous.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  “Action packed and fast paced, this was a fabulous read.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Con & Conjure is a great addition to a wonderful series, and I’m looking forward to All Spell Breaks Loose and whatever else [Shearin writes] with high anticipation.”

  —Dear Author

  Bewitched & Betrayed

  “Once again, Ms. Shearin has given her readers a book that you don’t want to put down. With Raine, the adventures never end.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  “Bewitched & Betrayed might just be the best in the series so far!…an amazingly exciting fourth installment that really tugs at the heart strings.”

  —Ink and Paper

  “If you’re new to Shearin’s work, and you enjoy fantasy interspersed with an enticing romance, a little bit of humor, and a whole lot of grade-A action, this is the series for you.”

  —Lurv a la Mode

  The Trouble with Demons

  “The book reads more like an urban fantasy with pirates and sharp wit and humor. I found the mix quite refreshing. Lisa Shearin’s fun, action- packed writing style gives this world life and vibrancy.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Lisa Shearin represents that much needed voice in fantasy that combines practiced craft and a wicked sense of humor.”

  —Bitten by Books

  “The brisk pace and increasingly complex character development propel the story on a rollercoaster ride through demons, goblins, elves, and mages while maintaining a satisfying level of romantic attention…that will leave readers chomping at the bit for more.”

  —Monsters and Critics

  “This book has the action starting as soon as you start the story and it keeps going right to the end…All of the characters are interesting, from the naked demon queen to the Guardians guarding Raine. All have a purpose and it comes across with clarity and detail.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  Armed & Magical

  “Fresh, original, and fall- out-of- your-chair funny, Lisa Shearin’s Armed & Magical combines deft characterization, snarky dialogue, and nonstop action—plus a yummy hint of romance—to create one of the best reads of the year. This book is a bona fide winner, the series a keeper, and Shearin a definite star on the rise.”

  —Linnea Sinclair, RITA Award-winning author of Rebels and Lovers

  “An exciting, catch-me-if-you-can, lightning-fast-paced tale of magic and evil filled with goblins, elves, mages, and a hint of love interest that will leave fantasy readers anxiously awaiting Raine’s next adventure.”

  —Monsters and Critics

  “The kind of book you hope to find when you go to the bookstore. It takes you away to a world of danger, magic, and adventure, and it does so with dazzling wit and clever humor. It’s gritty, funny, and sexy—a wonderful addition to the urban fantasy genre. I absolutely loved it. From now on Lisa Shearin is on my auto-buy list!”

  —Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Magic Shifts

  “Armed & Magical, like its predecessor, is an enchanting read from the very first page. I absolutely loved it. Shearin weaves a web of magic with a dash of romance that thoroughly snares the reader. She’s definitely an author to watch!”

  —Anya Bast, New York Times bestselling author of Embrace of the Damned

  Magic Lost, Trouble Found

  “Take a witty, kick-ass heroine and put her in a vividly realized fantasy world where the stakes are high, and you’ve got a fun, page-turning read in Magic Lost, Trouble Found. I can’t wait to read more of Raine Benares’s adventures.”

  —Shanna Swendson, author of Don’t Hex with Texas

  “A wonderful fantasy tale full of different races and myths and legends [that] are drawn so perfectly readers will believe they actually exist. Raine is a strong female, a leader who wants to do the right thing even when she isn’t sure what that is…Lisa Shearin has the magic touch.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Shearin serves up an imaginative fantasy…The strong, well-executed story line and characters, along with a nice twist to the ‘object of unspeakable powe
r’ theme, make for an enjoyable, fast- paced read.”

  —Monsters and Critics

  “Lisa Shearin turns expectation on its ear and gives us a different kind of urban fantasy with Magic Lost, Trouble Found. For once, the urban is as fantastic as the fantasy, as Shearin presents an otherworld city peopled with beautiful goblins, piratical elves, and hardly a human to be found. Littered with entertaining characters and a protagonist whose self- serving lifestyle is compromised only by her loyalty to her friends, Magic Lost is an absolutely enjoyable read. I look forward to the next one!”

  —C. E. Murphy, author of Raven Calls

  “Nicely done. I actively enjoyed the characters and their banter.”

  —Critical Mass

  “Fun, fascinating, and loaded with excitement! Magic Lost, Trouble Found is a top-notch read of magic, mayhem, and some of the most charming elves and goblins I’ve ever encountered. Enthralling characters and a thrilling plot…I now need to cast a spell on Ms. Shearin to ensure there’s a sequel.”

  —Linnea Sinclair, RITA Award–winning author of Rebels and Lovers

  TREASURE AND TREASON

  A Raine Benares World Novel

  Lisa Shearin