Queen of Secrets

12

“Tell me how to get there.”

He spat blood on the floor in response. I wanted to ram the dagger into his chest, but it would be better if we kept him alive for questioning. I was about to dip the blade into his blood again and make him tell me, when he suddenly lunched at me with a hidden knife. The guard at my side rammed the assassin through with his sword, protecting me and likely saving my life—but also killing the only person who knew where to find Garon,

“Thank you,” I told the auburn-haired guard, who bowed low.

Another guard retrieved the dagger in the assassin’s hand. “This knife has the crest of Ilidan on it.”

I took it from him and frowned. “They probably hoped we would believe it was Ilidan who wanted me dead.”

“Or perhaps it was Ilidan and the man was lying about Prince Nial?” the guard asked.

“Maybe.” I handed him the assassin’s knife. “Lock Nial up anyway and inform my brother of what has occurred. I’ll be back soon to question the prince.”

He nodded as the other guards hefted the dead assassin up, his head lolling to the side. The gash in his stomach was deep and seeped blood all over the ground. My brother would be furious when he saw the Ilidan crest, and would no doubt believe this was all the work of Queen Casnia. I would have to get a confession out of Prince Nial to stop the war from escalating.

But first I had more pressing concerns. I had to save Garon.

Eight

Garon

T

hings had been going so well. I’d protected Dahlia, cut down Corgin, and had nearly defeated Vermot when five other Ravens had emerged from the darkness and surrounded me the second my disguise vanished. That was when I’d realized they weren’t after Dahlia anymore—they were after me.

I’d managed to fight them off at first, but then they were on me. My sword was knocked from my hand and I lunged for it but was knocked down. I managed to slip away on my hands and knees, but a hand grabbed my ankle and held me back. I yanked hard and managed to free my foot from my boot, but then the others grabbed me moments later and threw a hood over my head. Something hard hit me, and everything went dark.

I came back to life when my feet banged against cobblestone and the cold air smelled of horses, piss, and chimney fire. We were in Ralston, where I assumed I was being dragged back to the Ravens’ headquarters for my punishment.

We stopped and someone performed a series of knocks on the door. Thinking quickly, I kicked off my second boot, hoping Dahlia might be able to find it somehow. A foolish notion, but all I had at the moment was fear, anger, and a dash of hope.

They dragged me inside and down the narrow halls, until I was tossed onto a cold floor, my hands bound behind my back and my ribs aching anew. Whatever tonic Fellina had given me must have worn off by now, along with my disguise.

Was Dahlia safe? Had she taken Nial down? That was all that mattered. Except if they killed me now, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t go after Dahlia again. As long as Kabel was alive, he would be a threat to her.

Someone ripped the hood off my head and I blinked at the sudden brightness from the torches on the wall. My stepfather stepped out of the shadows in front of me, while Vermot stood behind him. Other members of the Ravens watched from the sidelines, but didn’t interfere. Traya was one of them and she gave me a quick nod, reminding me of what she’d said earlier.

Kabel loomed over me, rubbing his hands together. “We gave you a mission and you failed to complete it. Upon your return, you were punished for your insolence. But instead of accepting your punishment, you escaped and betrayed us.” He drew his sword, which was inlaid with onyx and had black birds flying across the metal—the sword of the Raven Master. “And now you must pay.”

I glared up at him. “You betrayed us first. The Ravens used to work for the royal family of Talador. It was our duty to protect the kingdom from threats both within and without. But you’ve twisted our purpose in a quest for money and power. You’ve turned us into lowly mercenaries and thugs.” I forced myself to get to my knees, though it was difficult with my hands bound behind my back and my ribs still aching. “And you are no longer fit to lead. We’ve all seen it for years, but accepting a contract against the royal family was the final straw.”

“I’ve made the Ravens greater than they ever were,” Kabel growled. The other Ravens in the room shifted, though I couldn’t see their faces behind their hoods. I had no idea if they agreed with me or with Kabel, though Traya looked proud at least.

I straightened up as best I could and met my stepfather in the eye. “I challenge you for leadership of the Ravens.”

The other Ravens muttered and whispered at this, while Kabel stared at me for a moment before laughing. “You wish to challenge me? You truly do have a death wish.”

“You’re going to kill me anyway,” I said, though he had a point. Kabel had been challenged by six other Ravens in the past—and he’d defeated every single one of them. My odds of winning were low, but at least this way I had a chance. “True, but now I’m going to humiliate you too.” He towered over me with a menacing smile. “Very well. We’ll see which one of us is fit to lead.”