Page 108 of Master of Storms
* * *
TheZilittucastlehad been built centuries ago, and the servants’ quarters were a rabbit warren.
They remained undiscovered for over an hour, until a hooded finger appeared out of the shadows, a spark of green glowing in her hands.
Marduk stalled Solveig’s hand as she reached for her knife.
This was a Chaos-wielder, and the chances of actually managing to unsheathe said knife were slim.
They’d have to talk themselves out of this now.
It was over.
Andromeda’s face appeared within the hood. She lifted a finger to her lips, then whispered, “Come with me.”
Marduk shot Solveig a look.
But they followed.
“What’s going on?” Solveig whispered. “Where are you taking us?”
Andromeda shushed them again, paused by a corner, peered around it, and then gestured them forward after her. “Hurry.”
She urged them toward a door even as metal-clad feet tramped elsewhere in the castle.
Once through it, Marduk came to a halt as he recognized the opulence. Gold and silk and an enormous four-posted bed….
He spun around, incredulous. “You bought us to your chambers?”
Draco would be furious enough as it was without scenting a rival male in his mate’s bedchambers.
Andromeda leaned against the doors. “Draco will not enter here. You may speak freely.”
“Why?” Solveig demanded. “Why would you hide us?”
“I could smell you both in Klara’s hut.” Andromeda glanced at Solveig. “You washed her dishes. It did not appear to be the actions of a woman who intended her harm. And you have always been respectful toward me, even when others have not been. What happened?”
He swiftly explained. “What does Draco intend to do with Árdís and the others?”
Andromeda clicked her fingers, and every candle in her room lit up. “He has them locked away in their chambers, with guards on all the doors. I don’t know what his intentions are. He’s trying to find the pair of you, the drekling, your younger cousin, and Ishtar.”
Marduk let out a breath. “Ishtar escaped?”
“Draco’s warriors tried to grab her and she disappeared into thin air. He’s convinced she popped into being in Klara’s hut and murdered her.”
“It’s not her. I will stake my life on it. My sistercan’thurt anotherdreki. She simply doesn’t have it within her.”
“I share a similar opinion.” Andromeda tapped her fingers on the edge of the table. “Whatever is going on leaves my sisters of Chaos vulnerable. They train them from birth to defend themselves if necessary. Klara should have been able to protect herself.” She looked troubled. “Whoever is doing this is born of Chaos.”
Solveig produced the cloak. “We found this. In the hut.” She took a deep breath. “Tell her the rest of it, Marduk.”
By the time he’d finished, Andromeda’s eyebrows formed an M. “You think your mother’s wraith is taking her vengeance out upon your family?”
“Klara seemed to think it was possible—that’s why we went to see her.”
“Andri escaped with the drekling girl. They were with Ishtar in the gardens.”
Trying to get to the tunnels….
