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Ismaeli skimmed the minds of the three lords standing near her. They were talking quietly and she didn’t like the way they kept glancing at the high table. Teagan, I need you to come skim a few people, she said as she drifted off from the area so she wouldn’t draw attention to herself.

Who? Teagan asked.

Lords Brennan, Iker, and Trevalen, Ismaeli said. Red and white, blue and white, green and gold. They’re standing together.

I see them, Teagan said. What am I looking for?

They’re planning to assassinate Ethian and Raewyn. I need more details to give Vera, Ismaeli said. Teagan sent his affirmative.

Ismaeli was not as fond of Vera as she had been of Ivanka, but the psychic bureau chief had stepped down that year and a new one had moved into her place. She’d been selected by the new investigation bureau minister, who Ismaeli also didn’t like. Hikaru was very efficient, and he got along well with Teagan, but he rubbed Ismaeli the wrong way so she often left Teagan to report to him.

Got it, Teagan said. He sent her the information.

Vera, assassination plot, Ismaeli sent.

On who, by who, when and how, Vera sent back crisply.

On my brother Ethian and his wife Raewyn, Ismaeli said. She gave the rest of the details that she and Teagan had been able to skim off the three lords.

Excellent work, Vera said. I’ll pass this on to Hikaru and we’ll collect those three.

Teagan caught up to Ismaeli and as the power brokers left, so did they. “That’s the third one this month,” Teagan said as they collected their guards and made their way back to their townhouse. “Are they still upset over Raewyn’s elevation to empress?”

“I’m not sure what it is, to be honest,” Ismaeli said. “I didn’t see a lot of stress in the court when he did marry her. I think it’s something Ethian’s done recently that’s irritated people. I need to check what’s been passed into law.”

“Good point. I’ll pull that up and we can look at it in the morning. With as early as Liese and Neriah love to come say good morning, we should get to bed,” Teagan said.

“I agree,” Ismaeli said, smiling. Her son and daughter were early risers and often surprised their parents by jumping into bed with them. They returned to their townhouse and went to bed, a nagging feeling of worry lurking at the back of Ismaeli’s mind.

Ismaeli woke first and got up. She dressed and went to find her children playing happily in their room with their nursemaid. “No early morning wake up call, my lady,” Sachiko said, grinning. “I intercepted them before they could sneak out.”

Liese pouted. “We just like to say good morning.”

“Yes, but you know we are up late each night, Liese. We need our sleep,” Ismaeli said, laughing at her daughter. “I hope you’re ready for lessons for the day.”

“I am,” Liese said.

“Good,” Ismaeli said. “Be good for your tutor.”

Teagan joined Ismaeli for breakfast. “I think I know what it was that passed that the court doesn’t like.”

“Oh?” Ismaeli looked at him. He passed her his pad. She read through the most recent changes to the laws Ethian had enacted. “He’s changing that? Starflare, no wonder they don’t like him. Right, we’re on assassin watch for a while then.”

“I’m glad to see I don’t have to tell you two what to do,” Hikaru said as he came into the room. “Your servants let me in. I don’t like leaving the palace but I wanted a word with you about things and you two don’t come up to the palace often enough for me to catch you.”

“Sorry, Hikaru. We come for court and that’s about it,” Teagan said.

Hikaru looked at them. “You can see the problems I do, correct?”

“We do.” Ismaeli had worked with Demetrios before Hikaru and saw all the same things he did. She’d been trained to see them. “Ethian is not popular with the court right now because of the changes he made. We’ll be on assassin watch for a few months until they get used to this.”

“I know you need your breaks, and I won’t ask you not to take them. Vera’s got a couple of other psychics that she can put into court for those nights you’re not there.” Hikaru was obviously concerned. “Just please try to be there as much as possible.”

“We will be, Hikaru,” Teagan reassured him. “We know how to do our job. We’ve been doing it for a while now.”

Hikaru smiled. He was a young man, in his late twenties, and for all his confidence Ismaeli realized he was not as sure of himself as he projected. “I don’t know why Demetrios thought I was the right person for this job, but it’s mine now and I can’t let Their Imperial Majesties down,” Hikaru said.

“Demetrios picked you for the same reason he was picked, Hikaru. Because you are competent, intelligent, and have the right skill set. Experience comes with time,” Ismaeli said.

“Thank you, Ismaeli,” Hikaru said. They spoke for a few more minutes and then he left.

“He just needs a little more time and he’ll get it,” Teagan said.

“I know he will.” Ismaeli decided she didn’t mind Hikaru as much as she thought he did. He was just new to the position and a little uncertain. She finished her breakfast and got on with her day.