Blood of Innocents (Book Two of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) by Mitchell Hogan

specific.”
    Felice scoffed. “Unknown,” she repeated. “No ideas, no theories from such a bright young man?”
    With a shrug, Avigdor met her eye. “Odd, is it not?”
    “More than odd. Decidedly suspicious. The sorcerers that survived have a hundred theories as to how the Indryallans created the flames on the walls, but none of them will state they could replicate them for certain; and the Protectors, well… we haven’t found one yet.”
    “Yes. Caldan’s explanation is brief and, dare I say it… suspect.”
    Felice rubbed her pockmarked cheeks then her eyes. “I agree. He knows about the ‘unknown’ sorcery but offers no explanation. From what I gauged of the man, if he didn’t know, he would have some theories and want to let us know.”
    “Which means he gained some knowledge he isn’t sharing, or he already knew and is hiding it.”
    “I would say the latter.”
    “So would I.” Avigdor hesitated. “As I told you, he did mention he was an apprentice Protector, which… I found strange.”
    “Indeed. I think we can both see where this is going.” She took a breath. “The Protectors knew about this sorcery. Perhaps it was only recent knowledge, but I doubt it. The Indryallans targeted them, knowing they would be the only ones able to offer resistance, then went after the other sorcerers for good measure.”
    “Just in case they knew something, or the Protectors had contingencies in place.”
    “It’s what I would do. But the invaders’ sorcery prevailed, and the Protectors and Sorcerers were decimated. Judging from the lack of resistance by the emperor’s soldiers, something went wrong there as well.” She gave Avigdor a stern look.
    “We’re still working on that. Information is scarce, as you know. It still looks like most soldiers’ commanders were either misinformed about the attack or surrendered quickly.”
    Felice nodded. “Which doesn’t imply this ‘unknown’ sorcery was used in this case.”
    “Probably not.”
    “What else did Bees have to say?”
    “Just that the Protectors were all dead, and we should try to warn Protectors in other cities, if we can, and that the invaders must want something in Anasoma.”
    “They must want something… well that’s obvious,” she said dryly. “Still, Caldan gave away more information than he wanted to; perhaps we would have been wrong to recruit him.”
    “There isn’t much deception in him; he’s an honest sort. If he’s holding back it must have to do with the Protectors.”
    “And we should warn others then, if we can, when he knew the Protectors in Anasoma were all dead?”
    “He did send Bees to deliver his message. And Bees has a way through the blockade.”
    Felice smiled. “True. So, Caldan thought ahead that far, at least, knowing you would see the possibilities.”
    With a nod, Avigdor said, “Using Bees, we can at least send messages to other cities and any outposts close by. Though anywhere close would already know the city is barricaded, what with traders and farmers and whatnot being turned from the gates.”
    “But they don’t have specific information, which we can provide. So… get together twenty of our men and women, split them into pairs, and decide on ten cities and outposts we should warn. They can take it from there, warn whoever they need to. We have other priorities, once that’s done.”
    Avigdor frowned. “Other priorities?”
    “We need to hit the invaders where we can. I’m not sitting back and doing nothing until help arrives. Let’s meet with Izak and see what else he knows from Bees—though not here; we need to keep this place hidden. If they can take out the sorcerers and Protectors, we wouldn’t stand much of a chance. Somewhere in Dockside will be fine; just make sure he comes alone.”
    “We should find out more about this sorcery. Perhaps questioning a prisoner would be enlightening? But we need to be careful, our people are being killed, or just disappearing, at a rapid