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“I’m sorry.”
Madinia’s face somehow turned colder. “I don’t need your apologies. Just stop feeling sorry for yourself. Instead of dwelling on how the people you love are in danger, try turning your attention to how lucky you are to love and be loved by that many people.”
She was right. After watching Cavis be murdered, I was crippled by fear. I still woke screaming several times a night, fresh from nightmares where Lorian was the one being tortured. And then Asinia. And then Tibris. My mind provided constant fuel for the nightmares, and during the day, my thoughts spun uselessly, attempting to control the uncontrollable.
I opened my mouth, but Madinia let out a low hiss. “Here he comes.”
Rothnic walked with the careful stride of the impaired. He didn’t stumble, but his movements were slow, steps meticulously precise.
I’d left the hourglass with Galon, unwilling to risk wearing it through the city. Using my power without it felt…awkward and slow in comparison. But I pulled at the threads of my magic, drawing up my power and focusing on everyone except Madinia and Lorian.
“That’s him, Lorian,” I said in a hushed whisper. “Tell Vicer.”
“Leaving now. Be careful, wildcat.”
I could hear in his voice just how little he wanted to leave me.
“I have the dragon,” I said, and Madinia let out an amused snort.
“Let’s get this done,” she said.
We’d positioned ourselves perfectly. Rothnic would have to walk directly past us. Hopefully Galon was ready with our distraction.
My heart raced. Rothnic was ten footspans away. Eight. Six.
My pulse quickened. His cold gray eyes appeared almost black in the dim light, and his features seemed to have sharpened.
Four. Where was our distraction?
Madinia stepped toward Rothnic. He lifted one hand to wave her off and then froze.
“You.”
She grinned. “Me.”
“You killed my son.”
“Believe me, the bastard had it coming.”
A carriage drove past, several drunk passengers singing a bawdy tune. Finally.
Rothnic charged. I leaped forward, tripped him, and guided him into the wall. His face hit with a thunk, and I positioned my knife at his throat. The sound of the men in the carriage echoed down the street.
“Walk,” I said.
He was shaking with rage. I let him feel the cool metal of my blade, right up against his throat. “Don’t make me tell you again.”
I watched him consider his options. Madinia stepped closer, using his body as a shield to hide the fire burning in her palm. “It would be so easy,” she crooned.
It would be easy. And Madinia knew Rothnic would hunt her for the rest of his life for what she’d done to his son. I gave her a warning look, and she shrugged at me.
Rothnic allowed us to steer him down the alley, stiffening as he noticed Vicer and Marth waiting at the end. Marth was leaning against the wall, arms folded, while Vicer watched us approach with his hands on his hips. “What took you so long?”
Madinia muttered something under her breath, but I was too busy waiting to see Vicer’s power. I’d wondered what it was since the moment I’d seen him again after so many years. He’d once told me his power was useful to the king, but he hadn’t been able to talk about it.
I’d understood. Even with a power as useful as his was rumored to be, it hadn’t been enough to save his lover. She’d been a hybrid with the misfortune of having been captured right before Gods Day. Vicer hadn’t been released until after she’d been burned at dawn.
Lorian’s gaze was on me once more. I could feel it. I glanced up but couldn’t see him.
