Page 40 of House of the Raven
After five more minutes, Jago adds, “Are we lost? I feel like we’re lost.”
“No. I know exactly where we’re going.”
It’s been a long time since Father showed us this particular passage, but I still remember the precise route despite the many detours in different directions. Father said their purpose is to confuse any pursuers. Yet, at every fork we encounter, I’m never hesitant and recall his instructions.
When we come near the exit, I stop and face Jago.
“What?” He blinks at me.
“The exit is straight through there.” I point to the middle of three passages.
“So let’s go.” He starts, but I place a hand on his arm.
“Stay back, in case there’s someone out there waiting for me. I’ll let you know if it’s safe tocome out.”
“Why wouldn’t it be safe?” he asks.
“I don’t know, but no one saw you, right?”
He nods.
“If I get caught, they don’t need to know you’re here, and I’ll still have you as an ally.”
He looks conflicted for a moment, then seems to decide it’s a good idea. “All right.”
I hand him the lamp and keep going. The way out of the passage is through several jagged rocks and draping vines. I push the greenery aside, even tear some of them down to clear the way, and finally, I stumble into open space. I blink at the darkness, letting my eyes adjust, and when they do, my heart sinks.
A group of guards led by Guardia Bastien surrounds me.
“Puta madre!” I exclaim, and this time I do go for my dagger, while belatedly Cuervo croaks a warning overhead.
11
VALERIA
“The once-magnificent Realta Observatory was constructed in mere days, crumbled to ruins within minutes on the day the veil collapsed. For miles, the sound of shattering glass was heard. For centuries, our astronomical eruditos will feel its loss.”
Erudito de la Academia Alada, Diego Fontana XI - 10 AV
Ilunge forward, dagger raised, and go for the closest guard. He is taken aback by my attack and is too slow to draw a weapon or build any kind of defense. Seeing as he will pose no opposition, I change the grip of my dagger and slam the hilt against his temple. He crumbles to the ground, unconscious, his knees unhinged.
The guard behind him steps forward. She has long hair arranged in a braid that begins at her hairline and goes down the middle of her head. She’s more prepared and goes for a low attack, sweeping her leg toward mine in order to knock me off my feet.
I jump just in time to avoid being tripped and land in a crouch. I immediately spring forward, aiming for her middle. She falls backward and hits her head on the ground, hard enough to daze her. When I roll away, she stays there, blinking at the sky and shaking her head from side to side.
A third guard comes my way. This one looms large, standing at almost seven feet in height. I send a kick toward his stomach and nearly break my ankle. It’s as if my foot struck a brick wall. I stagger back, taking several steps away from the mountain of a man. I think I’ve seen him around, guarding different posts around Nido.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Princess Valeria,” he says, coming at me with his arms outstretched. “Please, come peacefully.”
“Hells devour you!” I give him the fig sign, whirl, and run.
I crash into a tree. I stumbled back, shaking my head, and trying to dissipate the stars flashing in my vision. When I can see again, I realize that what stands in front of me is not a tree but Guardia Bastien. He stands as impassively as if a mosquito tried to ram through him.
He snatches my right elbow so hard I cry out.
“Enough of this foolishness,” he says, relieving me of my dagger.
“Give it back. It’s mine.”
