When the four guards at the gate joined the fight, they had sheer numbers on their side. Tackled from behind, he was slammed to the ground. His knife flew from his hand, and his wrists were secured in a heartbeat.
A cheer rose. “Got him!”
“Excellent job tracking him, Captain Marrok!”
“Woot! We caught the Scourge of Sitia! Let’s hang ’im now.”
Anger, more than fear pulsed in Valek’s heart. Yelena would be unprotected. He needed to make them understand that she was in danger.
They yanked him to his feet, and he came face to face with the Wannabe King.
“Yelena—”
“Is going to be waiting a lifetime for you to show up to your little romantic rendezvous,” Cahil said. “You’ve a date with a noose.”
“She’s in danger.” Valek tried again.
“Not likely.”
“She’s meeting that killer. Going to sacrifice herself for Opal. He’ll become too powerful if he succeeds with the ritual. You need to?—”
Cahil punched him in the face. Valek rocked back, but stayed upright as pain ringed his head and blood filled his mouth.
“I don’t need to do anything. Nothing. Except hang you, of course. This time First Magician won’t ignore me. Let’s go,” he said to his unit.
Valek was dragged back into the Citadel and through the now empty streets. He searched for Ari and Janco, hoping they wouldn’t try to rescue him, that they’d stick to the plan and follow Yelena.
During the trip, Valek waited for an opportunity to escape. Unfortunately, Cahil’s people took no chances. And they didn’t take him to the Council Hall, either. They cut through a couple dark alleys to a row of three-story homes. The older buildings were well cared for but in need of some renovations. Not the best neighborhood, but not the worst either. They accessed a back entrance of a house on the end of the row. Cahil’s house?
Valek was led down a set of stairs into the basement. A bit of hope rose. There might be a better chance to escape from a home-made prison than the Council Hall’s cells.
Someone lit a lantern. Hope died. A metal bunk had been secured to the far wall along with a set of two chains that ended in manacles. There were no windows. Cahil’s people stripped Valek of his Sitian clothes and cut off his sneak suit. Dilana would be upset that he’d ruined another one, even though the seamstress should know by now to sew a couple extras for him.
It was better to think of Dilana’s reaction rather than the fact that all his lock picks and weapons were now inaccessible. They allowed him to dress in a plain jumpsuit before they secured him, chaining his wrists and ankles to the wall. At least the chains were long enough that he could lie down on the small bunk, but that was as far as he could get.
Cahil’s gaze scanned him from head to toe as he gloated. “The only reason you’re not dead is because I need to play nice with the Sitian Council. But expect to swing by sundown.”
“Please tell the council about Yelena,” Valek said.
“The ‘please’ is new. Guess someone is finally realizing that you don’t trick me without any consequences.” He glanced at his unit, who all stood around him, crowding the small space. “Goel learned that lesson, too.” He turned. “Let’s go.”
His unit dutifully followed him up the stairs. Except Captain Marrok. He lingered long enough to meet Valek’s gaze. A question creased his brow.
“Yes,” Valek said. “He killed Goel.”
Marrok pressed his lips together but didn’t look surprised. He grabbed the lantern and mounted the steps.
“I want four guards on this door,” Cahil ordered. “And hourly checks that the manacles are still secured. This killer is not?—”
The door banged shut, leaving Valek in darkness. Leaving him with nothing but the damp aroma of mold and his thoughts. They swirled and spiraled. He’d underestimated the Wannabe King. There was a real danger he would hang tomorrow. But it was not knowing what was happening with Yelena that plagued him the most. Had she captured Ferde and rescued Opal? Had she been captured? Killed? Utterly helpless, he could do nothing for her. Nothing.
Valek decided he’d prefer to be physically tortured than be left with nothing but his imagination. He searched for something, anything, within reach that he could use to pick the locks but found nothing.
The night dragged like no other in his life. Years spanned between the checks from Cahil’s people. Sleep was impossible. Yelena’s name thudded with every heartbeat. He tried reaching out to her through their special heart link.
Come on, love. Talk to me. I’m here. Take my energy, my strength, my life if you need it.He’d gladly go to the noose if it meant she lived.
* * *
