Page 96 of Veinblood
“Oh, be certain that I will make them angry enough to start a fight,” Corwin says, his voice steady despite the danger in what he’s volunteered to do. “Authority soldiers love reminding people who is in charge.”
Silver light flares along my arms before I can stop it. The power wants to be used. I can feel the mist stalker sliding over my skin, pushing against my control, eager to answer the emotions surging through me every time I think about what we’re planning to do.
“The lightning needs to be visible everywhere.” Jorana points to places on the map where Veinbloods are waiting. “Every part of the city needs to light up. Our people have been waiting decades for this, and we must get it right. We won’t get a second chance.”
Using my power on that scale means drawing on everything I’ve learned since Sacha’s familiar slammed into me on that hilltop overlooking River Crossing. When it turned the power inside me into something that can split the sky and announce the return of everything Sereven thinks he has destroyed.
“When they see your signal, the Earthveins positioned outside will bring down sections of the outer walls. The Flameveins inside the city will target Authority weapon stores and the barracks near the Lirien Spire.” Jorana taps the map, marking the targeted areas of the wall.
Bessa turns from the window. “They’ll melt every piece of Authority steel they can reach … even if they’re wearing it.” Her lips curve up into a vicious smile. “Especiallyif they’re wearing it.”
I stare down at the map, trying to imagine how this is going to play out. Veinbloods hidden throughout Ashenvale for the first time in over twenty years, waiting for lightning to tell them it’s time to step out of the shadows. Veinwardens who have kept faith and loyalty to a man thought dead, now ready to risk everything to give him back a city he lost.
“It’s time.” Corwin steps away from the table.
The words drop like a stone into still water. The time for planning is over. My heart picks up speed, and for a second, I go lightheaded. The breath I suck in is shaky. I pick up my cloakfrom the bed and wrap it around myself, lifting the hood and tucking my hair inside.
We leave the inn together, then split up as planned. Jorana heads to the administrative district, close to where I stayed with Sacha the first time we came here. She’s meeting some of the Knot there, and will focus on taking control of that section of the city. Bessa heads toward the plaza where the barracks and Lirien Spire are. She’ll be meeting Veinwardens along the route, and they’ll be there to support the Flameveins when they rise up to target the soldiers. Corwin and I walk together toward the market square, two more faces in the morning crowd.
The market is busy when we get there—vendors shouting their wares, customers haggling over prices, children weaving between stalls while their parents buy food. But even with hownormalit looks, there’s still an air of caution and fear.
Authority soldiers patrol in groups of three, their red-cloaked uniforms marking them as clearly as targets. They move with the casual arrogance of men who have never questioned their right to be here or their right to enforce laws that grind people into dust.
“There.” Corwin nods toward a cluster of soldiers near a spice merchant’s stall. “Stay here and watch.”
I position myself near a fountain where I can see the entire square. Lightning flashes spark when I rest my hand against the stone, and I have to snatch it back and tuck it beneath my cloak while I fight not to let the silver light shine through.
Corwin walks across the square, his saunter almost arrogantas he moves closer to where the soldiers are. He stops three paces from them.
“Excuse me.” His voice is pitched loud enough to be overheard by anyone nearby. “I need to report a theft.”
One soldier turns, expression bored. “What kind of theft?”
“The kind where your High Commander steals half my earnings in taxes, and your captains demand bribes for permits I already paid for.” Corwin’s voice carries across the square, drawing shocked looks from people nearby. “The kind where honest people can’t feed their families because Authority greed takes it all.”
The change in the soldier’s expression is immediate. Boredom becomes anger, casual authority becomes focused threat. “Would you like to repeat that?”
“Which part?” Corwin spreads his hands, the picture of innocent confusion. “The bit about doubled taxes, or the part about your corruption?”
Everyone nearby has stopped what they’re doing to watch.
“I suggest you stop talking or I’m going to arrest you.” The soldier’s hand moves to the hilt of his sword.
“What for? Stating facts?” Corwin’s voice rises, carrying to every corner of the square. “For mentioning that the Authority has turned Ashenvale into a prison where children starve so its commanders can wear silk?”
The soldier’s backhanded blow catches Corwin across the face. It’s obvious to me that he doesn’t even try to avoid it. He staggers but doesn’t fall, blood dripping from his split lip.
“Maybe a night in the cells will teach you some respect.” The soldier grabs Corwin by his shirt and shoves him hard against one of the market stalls, sending pottery crashing to the ground.
Gasps ripple through the watching crowd, and the merchant whose stall was damaged steps toward the broken items on the ground.
“Who is going to pay for this?”
“Issue a report to Administration.” The soldier turns away, reaching for the rope at his belt to take Corwin into custody.
The merchant’s face darkens. “You destroy my goods, and expect me to just stand here and watch?”
“Stand back!”
