Page 58 of Truth's Blade

“So, where did Marchant go?” Theo asked her. His sword was back in his hand.

“He ran up the hill through the forest, but who knows if he kept going in that direction. I threatened him with the net and he bolted.”

“He would not want to have that net on him,” Theo said softly. “He would lose all control.”

“Also.” Melodie hesitated, then fluttered her hands in distress. “Gus told me . . .”

Theo had moved closer to her, his gaze worried. “What is it?”

“He said . . .” She drew in a breath. “He said that Marchant has run a slave trade for years. I can only believe the children are his latest victims.”

Theo went very still, and she could see him trying to bank his rage. “How has he managed to keep from drawing attention to himself all these years?”

“Maybe because he sells to powerful people.” She didn’t think any but the truly wealthy could afford to buy a magical person.

She had lived with the fear of it happening to her, but sometimes she wondered if the fear was overblown. Now she knew better.

“Well, he’s come to my attention, now,” Theo said. “And I’m going to make him regret it.”

CHAPTER 23

The door burst open,and Marchant—because the soldiers had told them that was his name—stepped in, sides heaving, hand gripping his hip.

He caught Viviane’s eye, grimaced in pain, and did a quick scan of the room, visibly counting heads. Then he stepped back and she heard the door lock behind him.

She could hear him running down the gravel path.

He hadn’t spoken a single word.

“Theo,” Gallain murmured. “Theo got him thinking his captives might be gone.”

“Or Melodie,” Caro said.

“Maybe,” Ivan agreed, nodding. “So how do we get ready to run?”

“We’ve been mulling that for days,” Jon said. “We’re out of ideas.”

“What about the tray?” Caro said. “It looks like it’s metal.”

The soldiers had eaten their food and the tray was empty except for the water jug.

“Possible,” Ivan agreed, pulling it closer. He set the jug aside and stood, holding the tray horizontally.

He lifted his massive arms, aimed at the metal disc that held the chain to the wall, angled it, and smashed it down.

The tray buckled.

Ivan swore, his face a little red, and he bent the tray inward with his bare hands.

“Marchant’s had practice,” Viviane said, so he didn’t feel bad. “I think he’s been holding people in here for a very long time.”

“He’s got every possible means of escape covered. Maybe a few managed to get out in the beginning, and he learned all the weak points.” Jacinta flopped back against the wall.

“You think Theo bested him, somehow?” Viviane asked, because she wanted to hold onto the little flare of hope burning inside her.

“He clearly doesn’t have Theo, and he thought we might have been rescued, which is why he came in here all wild-eyed.” Gallain shrugged. “That’s got to be good for us.”

Yes, that had to be good for them. And Theo had never, ever let her down.

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