“What’s down there?” I whispered.
Claire’s eyes flicked to the door, then back ahead. “Nothing good.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one we’re allowed to give.” She said.
I hesitated. “Is it the caves? There’s a special spring down there, isn’t there?” Lia had already told me as much.
Claire didn’t answer, but her silence spoke volumes.
“What does the water do, Claire?” I asked, pulling her into a narrow alcove just off the hall.
She flinched, glancing around before closing her eyes like she was bracing for something.
“Look,” she said, teeth clenched, “all I know is that it’s important to Vael. Really important. Only hischosenare allowed down there.”
She opened her eyes and looked straight at me. “Please, Mary.”
“Maddie.”
“Maddie, then. Please. Let’s just get your friend and get the hell out. Okay?”
I frowned but nodded. If I tried to deviate from the mission, Leo would kill me.
Gods, I hoped he was okay. Last I heard, he was linking up with a couple of rebels—trying to infiltrate the tower from below.
We started moving again.
“Laundress Claire! Where do you think you’re going?”
Alfrey’s voice rang out behind us like a whipcrack.
Claire froze. Her posture stiffened, but she turned, keeping her gaze low.
“I’m just showing the new girl around,” she said quickly.
“I’ve a mountain of sheets waiting!” Alfrey snapped. “Get back to your post!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Claire gave a quick curtsey, then grabbed my arm and steered me back toward the washroom.
The stairs were only feet away. We had been so close! I almost growled in frustration. But I kept my head down, moving through the hall like any other servant—small, quiet, invisible.
Then the first blast hit.
BOOM.
The whole tower shuddered. Stone groaned. A sharp crack split the air above me.
Screams echoed through the corridor as plaster rained down. Two maids bolted, slipping on the polished floor in their panic.
I raced to the nearest window. Pulled back the curtain—
And there they were.
Red flags snapping in the wind.
At the front of the charge: King Ashton, cloaked in arrogance, flanked by a Shade I hadn’t seen in months.
