Page 130 of Esperance

“No.”

She tried a different track. “The Rising targeted everyone on that mountain—including me. Darrin was even killed. Why?”

Samuel shifted his weight. “You would never have been harmed. The rebels weren’t opposed to killing those who support the empire.”

“Ivan doesn’t, and he was nearly killed.”

“He doesn’t support the empire, but he doesn’t stand with us.” Samuel shook his head. “We don’t have time for this. We’ll be missed soon, and there is much I need to say. With a murderer among us, we don’t have as much time as we thought we would. We can’t stay here, just waiting to be killed by someone who clearly has their own designs. Have you located the empirical seals?”

“Yes.”

“Have you made copies?”

“Not yet.”

“I need you to do that before the Feast of Remembrance.”

Amryn’s stomach clenched.

The Feast of Remembrance was only five days away. The religious holiday was a celebration of the Divinities—a chance for people to remember the divine, and recommit to living better lives. Even in Ferradin, the celebration lasted hours—usually halfway into the night—and it always included food, dancing, and the wearing of masks. The masks represented what life would be like without the Divinities—no identity, no soul, no purpose. To end the festivities, the masks were all removed and a prayer of gratitude was offered. The clerics had already started decorating the giant ballroom, and Ahmi was hard at work putting the finishing touches on Amryn’s dress and mask.

Whatever the Rising had planned for the Feast of Remembrance, Amryn knew it wouldn’t be anything to celebrate.

“Why?” she asked, her voice a little hoarse. “Why do I need to have the seals copied by then?”

“Because during the celebration—at midnight—Argent will be assassinated, along with Jayveh and Carver.”

Her heart stopped.

Samuel continued, speaking in a rush. “The emperor’s entire scheme will have failed, and we will leave here together, along with a few other friends. All I need you to do is get those copies and go to the ladies’ tea room a quarter before midnight. That way, you won’t be anywhere near the strike when it happens. Once they’re dead, I’ll come for you and we’ll make our escape from Esperance with the others. Don’t pack anything except those seals—we have supplies for the journey stashed outside the compound. You’ll be back home in Ferradin within a month, and all of this will be a memory.”

The pang in her chest stole her breath, but she managed to ask, “How will you kill Argent and the others in the middle of a ballroom?”

His jaw tightened. “Leave that to me. You just need to worry about getting those seals. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any questions about your role?”

“No.”

Samuel nodded once. He glanced around them, but no one was near; Amryn couldn’t feel anyone except Samuel.

“Don’t worry,” he said quietly. “This will all be over soon.”

Those words rang in her ears as Samuel walked away, and they continued to echo in her mind as she left a few minutes after him.

Her pulse raced as quickly as her thoughts. But one thing was clear.

Carver.She needed to find Carver.

She started down the long corridor that would take her to the exit closest to the training field. She knew he’d gone there after lunch, and he should still be there. She could—

She froze.

She couldn’t go straight to Carver. Not after that meeting with Samuel. What if someone was watching her? Watchinghim?

She needed to be cautious. She would have to wait until he came to their suite to prepare for dinner.

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