Nix’s eyes snap open. She glares at the dark, dirty ceiling. “No. But the Talbots sent another message.” Her head turns and our gazes meet. She swallows hard. “A finger.”
My stomach drops.
Caligos have Vera and they’re torturing her.
“I wish I could say I was surprised.” My voice is void of any emotions.
Nix scoffs. “Same. We need to find her and get her back.”
I nod. “I assume you have a plan.”
“Barely. I have a direction. Remember the dragon I fought during the Trial of Wisdom?” I nod. “Well, I’m going to go find it, and bond it. Once I’m the Ezkai General with the dragon, I’m gonna bring Talbots to their knees.”
When I say nothing to that, Nix snaps at me, “Why are you looking like that at me?”
“Nothing,” I say, shaking my head. “That’s an ambitious plan.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not like I have many options.” She sighs. “Now, the reason why I’m here is because I need to get you out to help me. I’ve found a way.” After a pause, she adds, “Sort of.”
I don’t let myself get excited just yet.
I frown. “There’s a way out of death or imprisonment for me?”
She nods, and says again, “Sort of.”
Silence stretches between us.
“Phoenix darling, you have to give me a little more than that.”
She grimaces, and very slowly rolls over onto her side. I sit down on the floor next to the cot. We’re face-to-face. So close I feel her breath on my cheek from time to time.
“Sorry.” She manages to get the word out. “It’s a little hard to concentrate when it feels like something is trying to claw its way out of my womb. And I’m so cold.”
I toss the thin blanket over her and tuck it around her. She’s shivering worse than before, despite the sweating, and when I briefly touch her forehead, I realize she’s burning up.
“You sure you don’t want to call for Noire?” I ask, unable to keep the worry out of my voice.
Nix shakes her head. “I’m fine. He said there will be uncomfortable side effects while the draught they gave me burns my womb to ash.”
Before I can help myself, I brush a couple of loose strands away from her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know the Ezkai General had to give up having children.”
Nix shrugs, her eyes glistering. “Nothing to be sorry about. Being Ezkai General is stressful enough. Can you imagine adding children on top of that?”
My lips twitch at her attempt to lighten up the mood, but my heart is heavy.
My dear Nix doesn’t let herself live beyond her desire for vengeance. As if there won’t be a life to live once she claims the blood debt she’s owed.
“So, what’s this sort of plan of yours to get me out of prison?” I ask after a moment.
Her eyes roam my face, as if she’s weighing the options of whether she should tell me or not.
“I can’t pardon you, even as the new Ezkai General. Ekions are serious about their laws and traditions, and there’s no way for me to pardon the unforgivable crime,” she says quietly. I nod and swallow the ball lodged in my throat. “The only way out is to sacrifice your life.”
I frown. “So, no more prison time for me? I’m due for an execution?”
Knowing it’s a possibility feels very different from knowing it’s happening.
And soon.
