Page 151 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

And what about the diary?

Did he find the journal, see the feminine writing, and decide it must be irrelevant?

“Well?” the general prompts.

“Well, what, sir?”

He snaps the book closed with a scowl. “What is this book?”

“I don’t know.”

His eyes narrow. “Perhaps you don’t realize the predicament you’re in, Elara, but your survival depends entirely on your cooperation.”

I can’t suppress my shudder. “I am not lying when I say I don’t know where the Fae went.”

“But what other useful information do you have? Their numbers? Their plans this far south of the Veil? The identity of the Shadow Prince?”

“If one of them is the prince, they never told me,” I say, walking a thin line between truth and deception.

“Well…that is unfortunate.” He turns his head and shouts, “Steelvice!”

I jerk back and hiss when my head hits the stone wall. I breathe through the pain and brace myself as the sound of slow bootsteps reaches my ears.

The cruel captain rounds the corner. Cold eyes meet mine.

Silas said the rebels aren’t the ones holding him. The presence of upper military leadership leans toward that being true. But then what in the six hells is going on?

Ironheart and Steelvice speak in low tones. I can’t make out most of what they say, but when the human rebel’s name passes their lips, I slide my gaze to the side of the cell.

Silas slouches over, looking as if he fainted. Except I’m pretty sure it’s an act. He was too cognizant when speaking to me to have fainted out of nowhere.

I return my attention to the muttering men on the other side of the cell before I blow his cover. There’s no reason both of us need to suffer these men’s wrath. My heart thumps as I wait to learn what they plan to do to me.

Less than two minutes pass before Steelvice’s hate-filled gaze lands on me, reminding me of his dismissive, belittling actions in Odden’s tavern just a few nights ago.

“You don’t know where the Fae are heading?” he asks.

It takes me a moment to process his words and accept I’m not about to be threatened with violence for not cooperating.

I clear my throat and say, “That’s right.”

“And yet,” he replies with a scowl, “you were seen leaving the Late King’s Festival, hand in hand, with one of the Shadow Fae.”

What?

Rian said his shadows concealed us from notice.

I strive to keep my shock from my face, but the smirk tugging the captain’s lips tells me I’ve failed.

“The Elders invited the Fae to the festival, but the only one who made an appearance took the trouble to speak to you,” the captain continues, looking triumphant, like he’s caught me red-handed. “Then, hours later, you reveal he and his band of soldiers are leaving. Yet you say he didn’t tell you where they were going.”

“That’s right,” I say again.

Steelvice sneers. “Come now, Elara. We’re not fools. It’s obvious the male came to bid you farewell.”

“So?”

“So, he must’ve shared something of relevance with you.”