Page 108 of The Study of Fire
Yelena appeared to consider Cahil’s words. “How do you plan to get us inside?”
“As my prisoner. She knows I went to find you. I’ll bring you to her. Since my feelings for you haven’t changed, I won’t have to act like I hate you. Sensing nothing wrong, Roze will probably order me to take the rest”—Cahil pointed to Ari and Janco—“to the cells.”
“Why would I cooperate with you?”
“Because I’ll have Leif, and I’ll make a bargain to keep him safe in exchange for your cooperation.”
Valek hated to admit it, but Cahil’s strategy had a small chance of success.
“Cahil, when you take the others to the cells, can you free everyone inside?”
“As long as Roze is occupied.”
Valek smiled. “What’s the plan, love?”
* * *
Back inside his crate, Valek wondered if they would survive the day. Yelena sat with Cahil on his horse. Ari and Marrok had their hands tied behind their backs, acting like prisoners. Leif rode on Kiki with a minion who held a knife to his throat. Janco and Gale hid in the other crates.
The wagon moved slowly. Valek straddled the open panel, watching the cobblestones. They went through the Keep’s gate without pausing. The resistance force had been updated to wait ten minutes after they entered the Keep before rioting. Cahil had said the Daviians had built a large bonfire in the grassy glen between the apprentice barracks at the very center of the Keep.
Valek poked his head out. When he spotted the side of the dining hall, he dropped to the ground. The wagon continued toward the Apprentices’ wings. He hustled over to the building’s shadow. There was no one in the area.Good. He kept to the shadows and moved closer to the glen. There were enough trees and shrubs to hide him from sight.
However, it didn’t matter if he was hidden or not. Everyone’s attention was on Cahil and Yelena. The glen had been covered in sand. He wondered if that was Avibian sand. Blood stained it, and stakes had been driven into it. A bonfire roared in the center. The killing ground for the Kirakawa ritual.
Valek’s heart sank when he recognized the next victim staked in the sand. Moon Man. Bloody cuts crisscrossed his abdomen, legs, and arms. Although in pain, Moon Man still managed to smile at Yelena. “Now we can start the party,” he said.
Here we go.
Roze frowned at Moon Man, and he writhed in agony. Gede stood beside her. Other warpers ringed the fire pit, watching with predatory gazes.
“I see you finally managed to get something right, Cahil,” Roze said. “Bring her here.”
Cahil dismounted and dragged Yelena from the horse, dropping her onto the ground. When he leaned over to yank her to her feet, Valek saw him whisper something to her. Then Cahil clamped his hand around her arm and pulled her to Roze. They stopped a few feet from the fire.
Roze gestured to a couple of nearby warpers. “There are two hiding in the boxes. Take them.”
The warpers and a few soldiers advanced on the wagon. After some banging and lots of cursing, Janco and Gale were hauled out.
“There are three compartments, but one is empty,” a warper called.
Roze looked at Yelena.
“For me. So I could get inside the Citadel,” Yelena said.
“At this distance, Yelena, do you realize your mental defenses are nothing but a thin shell? I will see your lies before you can form them in your mind. Remember that.”
She nodded.
Roze laughed and ordered the soldiers to take the prisoners to the cells. “I’ll deal with them later.”
Although they had wanted Cahil to escort the prisoners, the change didn’t ruin their plans. Once the wagon was out of sight, Roze peered at Yelena and the Wannabe King.
“Your capture was too easy,” she said. “You must think I’m a simpleton. No matter, I’ve only to expand a sliver of power to find out what you’re planning.” Roze stared intensely at Yelena.
“Why?” Yelena asked.
“Nice try. You are in my power now. Sitia is saved.”
