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And the Eagle.

I shrink deeper into the shadows.

This is just my luck. After escaping the Aviary and fleeing for my life, I took refuge in the one place no one would think to search, only to find myself within arm’s reach of the very man hunting me when I’m least prepared for it.

“We lost her in Intana,” he says. “Alpha Flight failed to apprehend her, but they are still searching.”

My breath, my heart, my racing thoughts—they all draw to a halt.

“Then we must draw her back.”

The Eagle hums. “We need the girl. My birds are out all over the kingdom; it won’t be long before we find her.”

He doesn’t say my name. But he doesn’t need to.

Yet, despite the Eagle’s words, a wave of relief crashes over me. Aella got away. And now I have a lead.

Intana. A coastal town in the Northern Kingdom. Aella’s out there, somewhere in the wilds of Arkhadia, which is exactly where we had planned to flee if the Aviary discovered our involvement in the prisoner’s escape. Maybe I could find her there. Maybe…

The thought crumbles in my mind as quickly as it forms. Arkhadia is vast, its forests dense, its mountains treacherous. It would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, a fool’s errand at best. And, worse, with the Aviary still hunting me, I could lead them straight to her.

I can’t let that happen. I won’t.

But if I want to protect Aella—if I want to protect myself—then maybe I need to do more than hide.

I swallow hard, the weight of the idea pressing down on me. Because there’s one common threat to us both: the Eagle. And the idea of taking on one of the most powerful men in the Sorrows is genuinely laughable.

The king’s voice pulls me back to the present. “How will this setback affect our progress?”

“It will not. There are other options already under way.”

The king’s steps slow. “And if they fail?”

“I assure you, they will not,” the Eagle says.

The king hums thoughtfully, his footsteps resuming their sturdy rhythm. “I want another report next week. The Games are fast approaching and we cannot—”

I hold myself as their conversation is cut off by their exit, the door shutting behind them.

Progress. Other options. The Games.

I try to piece together the fragments of their conversation, but none of it adds up. All I’m left with is sick certainty twisting in my gut, telling me that whatever they’re planning, it can’t be anything good.

“I know Master Dimos is unpleasant, but surely you’re not already trying to hide from him.”

I whip around, my hand flying to the concealed dagger at my thigh before I can stop myself. My pulse spikes, but I force my grip to loosen as my gaze lands on Maxim, his arms crossed and one eyebrow cocked.

“I’m not hiding,” I say quickly, brushing my hands against my skirts as if the motion could erase the tension crackling in the air. Then I pause and add, “Well, not from him.”

Maxim’s gaze sharpens, his easy demeanor hardening as his eyes flicker around the gallery. “What happened?”

I blow out a breath as I weigh my options. I know I should keep my head down, fade into the background like I’ve been taught, but the exchange between the king and the Eagle has already embedded itself in my mind. I need to say something.

“I think,” I say slowly, “I need to speak with the prince.”

“That makes two of us. Only, I can’t find him.”

Chapter 8