Page 33 of The Stars are Dying

I unhooked my arms, shaking my head with the horror that filled me. I took a step back into the cage, but Zathrian’s arm hooked around me to prevent it.

“Never again,” he growled.

Zath tried to pull me, but I was riddled with a fear so true, haunted by my many memories of Hektor taking the lives of those who had displeased him. For what Zath had done…my stomach cramped at the thought of the display Hektor would make of him.

“You have to go,” I pleaded.

“Listen to me,” he said firmly.

My hand curled around the iron bar at his shift toward me. Impatience twitched his jaw, but I could suffer his disappointment so long as he was safe.

“You must trust me. We’ve already wasted too much time, and there is not a fucking chance I’m leaving you alone here for another second. So you either use those legs, or I’m seconds away from hauling you over my shoulder.”

Zathrian spoke like a commander, how I imagined one would speak to a soldier out of their wits with fear in battle. I’d read a short tale once, one of history, that lingered with me still for the heart-wrenching notion of what it took to fight for what you believed in.

My hand slowly uncurled from the bar.

Zath’s hard frown eased a little in relief. “We need to go,” he said, softer now, extending a palm.

I looked at it, trying to silence the thought that to accept was to seal his end.

“What the hell is taking so long?”

I gasped at the feminine voice that hissed through the darkness. “Cassia?” I whispered, afraid I was mistaken by the silhouette in the doorway.

She ignored me to say, “We have less than five minutes before someone notices the bodies.” Her tone was one I’d never heard before, so focused and demanding.

“How?” I choked out.

“Not now,” she said then dipped out of view again.

Zathrian grabbed my hand, but before he dragged me out I reached back, smiling in triumph as I felt the dagger and thanking the stars for their mercy. I willed them to keep watch over us as we jogged out to the hall.

“Where are we—?”

A hand clamped over my mouth before I could finish, strangling my scream. I tore my hand from Zath’s as he drew a long dagger, aiming his blade, but my worst fear was coming to pass. How could I have believed we’d make it out when my chain to Hektor would always return me here, into his arms?

Cassia lifted her bow, nocking an arrow with expert attention on her target.

“You’re staying right here, of course,” Hektor said in a chilling calm. His arm encircled my waist, and I turned nauseous at the vile stroke of possession. His palm eased away from my mouth, only to brush my hair over my shoulder.

“She’s not staying with you for another fucking minute.”

I’d never heard such venom from Zath.

“What a disappointment you have turned out to be,” Hektor said darkly. “Though I’ll admit I never saw this coming, and for that you have my respect. A fine spy indeed. But I cannot wait to make an excellent show of your death—”

“No,” I said. The word clawed through my throat like sandpaper. “I’ll stay. It was my fault, and I’m sorry. Just let them go.”

As Hektor’s warm breath blew across my ear, I turned so painfully stiff.Pull yourself together.Zath shifted, fury lining his threatening face, but I pleaded with my eyes for him to let me go.

“I like to hear you owning your mistakes.”

Hektor stroked down my neck, over my shoulder, and I trembled at his touch, which felt shameful with our audience. I dropped my eyes in cowardly submission, unable to stand my only two friends seeing me like this. Vulnerable. When I’d spent so much time with words convincing them I was not.

The string of Cassia’s bow snatched our attention. “My father could have this place shut down and you executed for this.”

“For what?” Hektor challenged with cool arrogance. “You are trespassing onmyland, Cassia Vernhalla. I think you’ll find I have a rather upstanding but private agreement with the reigning lord. I will give you this one chance to leave alone. Forget this and your father will not hear of it.”

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