Free Wild Card by Lisa Shearin

Nathrach. “I quite agree. It is among the vilest acts one being can perpetrate against another. The head of the Khrynsani started the game. Stealing the souls of children is right up his dark alley.”
    I scowled. “What’s he look like?”
    “He won’t be here.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Sarad Nukpana would see this gathering as beneath him.”
    “Never heard of him.”
    “Pray that you never do.”
    “Where’s the game being held?”
    “They would want privacy, security, and a location where it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see goblins.”
    “The Goblin District.”
    “A logical choice.”
    “That’s not a small island, and we don’t have much time. You’ve lived in Mermeia for three months. . .”
    “Now you’re asking me for more than information. You’re asking for involvement.”
    “I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to it, and neither would Janek. The city watch has plenty of goblins and mages, but a mage with knowledge of the Khrynsani would certainly be welcome. I’m not asking you to put yourself at risk. If you have any idea of places where they could be, Janek and his people will take it from there.”
    “And you.”
    “And me. If they try to take those gems and run, I can track those children’s souls.”
    “The city watch has seekers.”
    “They do, but I’m better than they are.”
    “Beautiful and modest.”
    “I don’t see myself as either one. As to me being better, it ain’t bragging if it’s true. And I’ve already linked to the child in the ring. It’s a little boy—a little boy I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure wakes up tomorrow morning in his own bed with his parents by his side. I have a client who paid me to retrieve her property, property that now has children’s souls imprisoned inside. In my mind, that gives me multiple clients: the one who paid me in gold, and the others who are pro bono—those kids’ families.”
    Nathrach shook his head. “You don’t understand, Mistress Benares. The Khrynsani mage running the game is Sarad Nukpana’s second-in-command, Pavane Taregani. He will personally take possession of the jewels once they are cashed in. In fact, he will probably leave soon afterward, leaving others to oversee the game. He would have brought ample gold to pay the winner. Nothing your city watch has can go up against him, or those he brought with him, and survive. What I’ve observed thus far of the watch, even from those whose magic leans toward the dark. . . they are competent, but hardly impressive.”
    “Then help us.”
    “To do what? Paint yourselves as a target for retribution? Because I guarantee that nothing will draw Khrynsani vengeance to this city faster than attempting to stop this game. If that happens, there will be nothing the watch of this city could do to protect its citizens.”
    “So you believe we should just sacrifice the lives of the few to ensure the safety of the many.”
    “You say you’ve heard of the Khrynsani, but you do not know them. I do. I know them because I know their leader. I know what they can do because I’ve experienced what they’ve done.”
    I took a not so wild stab in the dark. “Your wife.” I kept my voice soft and respectful, as if she was in the room with us. For Tamnais Nathrach, she probably always was.
    “Yes. Among others who had the misfortune of being close to me. With more to come—including any who they perceive to be a threat to them or their plans.”
    “Those are the kind of people who need to be stopped,” I said quietly.
    “I do not disagree. The Khrynsani are like a nest of vipers. If you decide to strike them first, you must be prepared to be faster and utterly merciless. If you do not kill them all, you will not live to get a second chance. The Khrynsani perpetuate evil on a daily basis—hourly even. I am hardly in a position, nor do I feel the desire, to launch a crusade against them. They will come here for one night, play their game, and they