Page 107 of Staff of Nightfall

Chapter 39

Adelaide gripped Dresden’sarm, steadying herself as she nearly fell over in the middle of the entrance to the guards’ courtyard from the pain in her leg. There had been a short window without pain—meaning Regulus wasn’t in pain. She had changed her dress during that window, then headed to the barracks to ask Beale if he had heard anything about where the sorcerer might have gone. But getting there was proving difficult. Every wound inflicted on Regulus not only caused her pain but drained some of her energy to heal him. The pain in her leg faded. She let go of Dresden’s arm and straightened.

“Why are they doing this?” Her voice trembled.

Dresden shook his head, his eyes pinched. “Maybe to see how much he can take. Or to keep you weak. Maybe just for the fun of it.”

Her stomach clenched. She could see Nolan hurting Regulus just to hurt him. But surely Regulus would have told him that it hurt her, too. She remembered Nolan kicking her face and shattering her nose. And then he killed her father. Clearly, he didn’t care about not hurting her. At least there was a twisted upside to that. Maybe it meant he didn’t want her anymore. But, no. She recalled the glint in his eyes as his hand slid up her leg. He simply no longer cared if she wanted him.

They had only gotten a few yards into the courtyard when she grabbed her throat.Can’t...breathe...Stabbed. They had stabbed Regulus in the throat. Dresden wrapped his arm under hers, supporting her. A tear slid down her cheek as she dropped her hands from her throat.

“The pain is that bad?”

“It does hurt. But not as much as it’s hurting him. And that’s worse than the actual pain.” She pulled away and ran across the courtyard. “I have to find him!” She clenched her teeth and tried to ignore the stab of pain in her left hand.

She threw open the door to the barracks. Beale and Antar sat in the briefing room. They looked up as she entered, stopping mid-conversation.

“Has any information come in about where the sorcerer might be?”

Beale shook his head. “No, but that’s not—”

“Someonehad to have seen something!” She stomped her foot. “Someone must know—” She gasped and clutched her stomach as something prodded, pinched, and twisted. She grimaced against the pain, against the knowledge of what was happening.

“Are you okay?” Beale stood and reached toward her.

She held up her hand and he stopped. “I’m fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “It’s Regulus. We have this bond. I can feel—” She leaned against the doorframe as pain sliced down her bicep. “His pain. They’re torturing him.”

Beale and Antar exchanged a look. “I don’t understand,” Antar said. “Why don’t they just kill him?”

“They can’t.” She had forgotten they had never explained Regulus’ abilities to the officers, only to the king. “The bond. It constantly heals him so he can’t be killed.”

“He...what?” Beale shook his head. “That’s impossible.”

“How’re you feeling, Lieutenant Antar?” She looked pointedly at his leg.

Antar flushed. “Tired, but otherwise fine. Thank you. I should have said that already.”

“You’re welcome, but that’s not my point. My point is, why should it be impossible?” She pushed off the doorframe. “Now, Ihaveto find Kirven and Regulus. This torture is a constant drain on my power. The longer they hurt him, the less energy I’ll have to fight Kirven.”And the more pain Regulus will experience. And me.Something stabbed between her ribs. She groaned and grabbed the spot.

“She feels only a fraction of his pain,” Dresden said behind her, his voice tight. “If she’s in this much pain, Regulus is...” He gulped. “He needs help.”

Beale shook his head. “I’m sorry, Belanger. My orders are to send you to the king, not out looking for the sorcerer.”

“Fine.” She straightened. “I’ll find them without your help.” She turned and nearly ran into Dresden standing in the doorway.

“Belanger.” The tone of Beale’s voice stopped her. “If you leave now, it won’t just be abandoning your post. It’ll be counted as desertion. You’ll be hanged.”

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