WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?
Private Kaylin Neya thought her home couldnt possibly get more crowded. But when one of her housemates, Annarion, decides to undertake the Barrani Test of Name, his friends refuse to let him face his task aloneand Kaylins sentient home, Helen, is the only structure capable of shielding the rest of Elantra from the magnitude of their power.
Annarion and Mandoran almost caused the destruction of the High Halls once already. Add nine of their closest friends, and the danger is astronomically higherespecially since these guests are at the heart of a political firestorm. Imprisoned almost a millennium ago, their recent freedom threatens the rulership of several prominent Barrani families, and the machinations of those Lords make it almost impossible to tell friend from foe.
As political tensions ramp up, the shadows beneath the High Halls are seeking a freedom that has never been possible before. Kaylin must find a way to keep those shadows from escaping, or that freedom will destroy her city, the empire and everything she holds dear.
The Chronicles of Elantra
by
New York Times bestselling author
Michelle Sagara
CAST IN SHADOW
CAST IN COURTLIGHT
CAST IN SECRET
CAST IN FURY
CAST IN SILENCE
CAST IN CHAOS
CAST IN RUIN
CAST IN PERIL
CAST IN SORROW
CAST IN FLAME
CAST IN HONOR
CAST IN FLIGHT
And
Cast in Moonlight
found in
HARVEST MOON,
an anthology with Mercedes Lackey and Cameron Haley
Cast in Deception
Michelle Sagara
Copyright
An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2018
Copyright © Michelle Sagara 2018
Michelle Sagara asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Ebook Edition © January 2018 ISBN: 9781474074681
Version: 2018-01-05
Praise for New York Times bestselling author MICHELLE SAGARA and The Chronicles of Elantra series
No one provides an emotional payoff like Michelle Sagara. Combine that with a fast-paced police procedural, deadly magics, five very different races and a wickedly dry sense of humorwell, it doesnt get any better than this.
Bestselling author Tanya Huff on The Chronicles of Elantra series
Readers will embrace this compelling, strong-willed heroine with her often sarcastic voice.
Publishers Weekly on Cast in Courtlight
The impressively detailed setting and the books spirited heroine are sure to charm romance readers, as well as fantasy fans who like some mystery with their magic.
Publishers Weekly on Cast in Secret
Along with the exquisitely detailed world building, Sagaras character development is mesmerizing. She expertly breathes life into a stubborn yet evolving heroine. A true master of her craft!
RT Book Reviews (4½ stars) on Cast in Fury
Each visit to this amazing world, with its richness of place and character, is one to relish.
RT Book Reviews (4½ stars) on Cast in Silence
Another satisfying addition to an already vivid and entertaining fantasy series.
Publishers Weekly on Cast in Chaos
Sagara does an amazing job continuing to flesh out her large cast of characters, but keeps the unsinkable Kaylin at the center.
RT Book Reviews (4½ stars) on Cast in Peril
Über-awesome Sagara picks up the intense action right where she left off... While Kaylin is the heart of this amazing series, the terrific characters keep the story moving. An autobuy for sure!
RT Book Reviews (4½ stars) on Cast in Sorrow
With thanks to
HexaDoken
Ijon
Jenova
Medicris
Mifu
Popsoap
Sgt. Shivers
Team NoD
TehVappy50
TerminusEst13
The Stronghold Team
Torr Samaho
WaTaKiD
Yholl
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Booklist
Title Page
Copyright
Praise
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
1
You wake her up.
Kaylins eyelids felt glued shut. She opened them anyway. Above her head, a tiny dragon appeared to be running in place.
Why me? Its not my decision thats causing the difficulty! That was definitely Mandoran.
She didnt immediately reach for the dagger under her pillow. She did, however, push herself into something that resembled a sitting position. Her familiar leapt up on her shoulder, where he squawked at the hair that then fell into his face.
You were the one who said we should warn her. Annarion.
Kaylin knew that the two Barrani men could argue with their mouths shut. They knew each others True Names, and had their miniature version of telepathy. Grimlymorning was her best time of day only if you made a list and turned it upside downshe slid off her bed and toward a night robe, determined to remind them that they could argue silently.
If the two of you could shut up for five minutes, Ill wake her up. That was Tain. Kaylin froze and changed clothing direction; there was no way she was going back to sleep.
I think shes awake now, Helen, her sentient house, said, with just a hint of disapproval.
Good.
Say that in five minutes, Kaylin thought, shoving her arms into her shirt. The buttons were on the inside, which was not where they were supposed to be. Helen, can I have some light?
Light immediately flooded the room. The familiar squawked his resentment. Kaylin was saving hers for possible future need, but she was now worried. Is Teela here?
Not yet, dear.
Tain didnt drop by for a random social visit. Not without Teela.
Whats happened?
Its not an emergency, was Helens gentle reply. Or at least not yet.
* * *
Dont give me that look, Tain said, before Kaylin could open her mouth.
Why are you here?
Ask Mandoran. Tain looked about as happy as Kaylin felt, which was unreasonable given that Barrani didnt need sleep unless they were badly injured.
Kaylin, however, swiveled in Mandorans direction.
Teelas coming over, he said.
What happened?
Nothing yet.
Why is she coming over?
The two younger Barrani exchanged a glance. To Kaylins surprise, it was Annarion who answered. Shes coming to ask Helen if she can move in for a while.
Kaylin turned to Tain.
I havent spoken to her yet, Teelas partner replied. His eyes were blue.
I believe, Helen said, interrupting them before Kaylin could speak, you can ask her yourself. Shes almost at the front door.
Dont look at me like that, Mandoran told Kaylin. This has nothing to do with me. I voted against it.
Against what?
When Mandoran failed to answer, she passed the frown on to Annarion, who looked both defiant and uncomfortable. Im taking the Test of Name.
Tains eyes darkened to a midnight blue, and if Kaylin hadnt been human, hers would have joined them. Youre what?
Im going to the High Halls to take the Test of Name.
* * *
Kaylin was not stupid, in spite of what many of her early teachers had believed. She could put two plus two together and end up with four. If Teela is coming over to ask if she can stay for a while, Kaylin said out loud, does that mean the rest of the cohort are coming to visit as well?
Not without your permission, Annarion replied, guilt shifting the corners of his eyes and mouth.
Look, some of us think its an incredibly stupid decision. But we know its dangerous, and none of the rest of us have taken the Test, either. If he goes, were not going to let him go on his own.
Teelas taken the Test.
Mandoran exhaled. Yes. We know. Thats part of the problem. She cant come with us. He stared, quite deliberately, at his feet. Since this meantto Kaylinthat he was trying not to look at anyone else, she frowned.
She cant go with you.
No. Not if she follows the customs and laws of the High Halls.
Kaylin did look up then. But Tain hasnt taken the Test of Name.
Silence.
Kaylin said, Oh, no. No. I am not getting between the two of you while youre arguing. You wont kill each other, but the collateral damage will probably kill anyone who isnt Barrani!
We are not arguing, Tain replied. His voice was chilly, his eyes the same dark blue.
Annarion apparently also found his feet interesting.
Tain was not a Lord of the High Court. He was Teelas partner, and Teela was. But the other Barrani Hawks were like Tain. A second class of citizen, a lesser class, in the eyes of most Barrani Lords. Hed never seemed to give a damn. But clearly, he did now.
She wondered who, among the cohort, had voted against Annarion taking the Test. Mandoran and Teela, certainly. But had any of the others?
Yes, she said, out loud. The cohort can stay here as our guests. Given what happened with the two of you, she added, looking at the Barrani who were still staring at their feet, I want some of the city to remain standing.