Thirty-Two
Roa stepped out into the darkened alley and swung the gate closed. In the distance, Roa heard the noise of Firgaard. The music and shouting of its night market. With so many travelers visiting the capital for the Relinquishing, most of Firgaard was bursting at the seams. But this stretch of road was barren. Silent.
She couldn’t get the taste of Dax out of her mouth. Couldn’t banish the memory of him lying next to her in the bed, his heart hammering against hers, their legs tangled up together.
Who would she be when this was all over?
A monster,realized Roa.
But to stop now was to lose Essie forever.
Suddenly, silhouettes emerged from the shadows. Rebekah’s men. By Roa’s loose count, there were at least four dozen. Possibly more hidden in the shadows.
Why were there so many? The plan was to infiltrate the palace during the Relinquishing.Tomorrow, not tonight.
The face of the one who led them was hooded, but Roarecognized the height of her. The line of her shoulders. Her proud gait.
Rebekah stopped before the queen and held out her hand, palm up. “Give me the key.”
Roa peered over Rebekah’s shoulder. “Where’s Theo?”
“Your friend proved to be... disloyal.”
Roa’s mouth went dry as cotton. “What?”
“My men are searching for him now,” Rebekah said. “There’s been a change of plan. Give me the key, Roa.”
Roa touched the key at her throat but didn’t hand it over. “Give me Essie first.”
“How do I know there aren’t a legion of soldats waiting for us the moment we step inside?”
Roa stared into the deep shadows of her hood. “How do I know Essie’s safe? Or that you won’t kill her the moment you get what you want?”
Rebekah motioned to one of the men behind her. He stepped forward and lifted a familiar cage. Inside a one-winged hawk cowered, her silver eyes flashing in the night.
“I’ve been betrayed once tonight. I’m not risking a second time.”
“And I’ve risked everything tonight,” Roa countered. “So you need to trust me with this one small thing.”
Rebekah was silent. After a long moment, she growled: “Fine. Keep it. Just take us in.”
Roa’s heart felt heavy as a stone as she led them toward the gate. She swung it open and went in first. Rebekah stared into the darkness ahead, breathing deep.
“I’ve been waiting a very long time for this day,” she said.
The men at her back followed them in.
This is wrong.The thought beat through Roa’s mind like a pulse.All wrong.
She shook her head. She couldn’t afford to think like that. She’d always known what the consequences were.
There was no going back.
When they arrived at her rooms, Roa pushed open the hidden door and stepped inside. Rebekah stepped in after her. The night was blue-black beyond the windows. The lamps burned low. Wilting jacaranda flowers still littered the floor.
“How many guards stand outside your door?” asked Rebekah.
Roa told her.
