Page 110 of Forsaken Secrets

"If you found a bond mage, you should have immediately reported it to Dimiri or I. Can you imagine how helpful she would be to the Rogues?"

The Rogues? Were these the notorious Rogues? A fresh spasm across my back broke that thought. I was running out of time.

My body could only be pushed so far.

"Come on." That voice was Eli! I was sure of it. He sounded more serious than I'd ever heard him, though. "You were busy with your own work and I thought I could handle this. Besides, do you see those relics? You know Dimiri will be happy to have them — especially if it keeps them from the hands of the Empire."

My heart leaped. If he was here, this person must be someone he knew. They sure sounded like they knew each other. But how did he know someone from the Rogues?

"I suppose. How did you convince her to help find them, though?"

Convince her to help find them? My hands balled into fists at my sides.

What in the seven hells was going on?

"I told her I needed help learning to explore safely."

My heart twisted, and my eyes burned. I'd fucking trusted him — I'd come down here so I could warn him … and he'd been lying the entire time!

"And I may have promised her a cut of the proceeds in return for her help."

I should have just left the damn lordling on the cliff that day. It would serve him fucking right!

The other voice chuckled, the sound frustratingly cheery. "Of course you did. We'd better take them and get away before Dimiri finds out about that! Did she teach you anything at least? You're one sorry climber."

I couldn't handle it anymore. With every word those men said, my heart broke further. Was anything he'd told me true?

I took a steadying breath, then grabbed the wall next to me and tried to pull myself up. The movement tugged on my shirt, though, and fresh heat poured down my back.

Pain split through me, my head spun, and my stomach lurched.

The darkness that had been pressing into my vision expanded until it was all I could see and I finally gave in.

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