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Not that I expected such a thing from the Warden.
“Good work bringing order back to Larkwood so quickly,” she said, somehow managing to appear just as calm and collected as she had before, as if she hadn’t lost control of the entire place a week ago.
Thankfully, Kit responded so I didn’t have to. “It was necessary to prevent any further loss of life.”
Which was true—I’d told myself that as I’d helped to put down fights, as I’d worked to calm tempers and regain control. I’d reassured myself about the greater good as I’d locked down the more rebellious shades who hadn’t wanted the riot to end. I didn’t do it because I wanted the shades beneath the Warden’s thumb, but because with the reinforcements the Warden had brought in, if I didn’t help to bring order, they’d do it by destroying each and every shade who even looked at a guard wrong. A riot emboldened the imprisoned and made those in power quick to anger and retribution.
Kit, no doubt, felt the same. Our actions had saved many shades, had protected ones who would have otherwise been slaughtered, even if everyone at Larkwood saw us as the enemy over it. That was a place both Kit and I should be used to by now.
“This is what I like about you two. You help to bridge the gap between people and shades.”
Her use ofpeoplerather thanhumanchafed, as if shades were animals unworthy of basic consideration.
Still, I kept my face carefully blank.
“You’re both pragmatic enough to understand how the world works, to accept both your place and that of others. I appreciate that in a person, which is why I have given you both a lot of leeway. I will admit, I was worried when the riot broke out where your allegiances would rest.”
Neither of us spoke, just waiting. The Warden had never cared for back-and-forth conversations anyway, so I doubted she wanted a response.
“I’m aware that you both spent time with Hera, more than what is normally appropriate. When she somehow managed this little rebellion of hers, I wondered which side you two would come out on. I’m not usually unsure about a person’s allegiances, since predicting the behavior of others is one of the reasons I’ve managed to achieve as much success as I have. However, it seems she left you behind. Perhaps she realized neither of you would betray Larkwood or your own best interests, so decided you served her no further good? The fact remains that neither of you took part in the riot, that you both worked toward restoring order when it was over. For that reason, I have a task for you.”
Tension shot through me at that. The Warden didn’t hand out tasks from the goodness of her heart. When she wanted something, it was never anything good.
“What task?” Kit asked, his words slow but devoid of feelings.
“I need you to return the four of them to Larkwood.”
“Why us?” I asked. “You’ve got more than enough regular guards to do it, especially with the reinforcements you called in. Kit never leaves Larkwood, and I don’t do it that often. What good would we do?”
The reality was that I didn’t want to be the one to drag her back. Someone would—they’d find her and bring her and the others back here—but I couldn’t bring myself to be that man.
She’d never forgive me, never look at me with that soft sweetness again. Even if a part of me wanted the job just to protect her, to make sure she made it back safely, I couldn’t have her look at me like that.
The Warden smiled, a coldness there that made my skin crawl. “Kit can find her, right?”
Kit didn’t answer outright, staring back without speaking.
“You bound her to you, did you not? That was why she was conscious during the last Medical trip. It also means you can find her, doesn’t it?”
Still, Kit didn’t respond. What the hell was that about? Why didn’t he deny it? Normally, Kit played the game well, managed to convince the Warden of whatever he wanted, but right now, he said nothing.
“There’s no reason to deny it,” the Warden said. “I know the truth already. That’s why you’ll go, why you’ll venture out and bring her back, because she’s yours.”
“If she is sent right back to one of your pet projects in the North Tower, how would that benefit me at all?” Kit asked, a bitterness to the question.
The Warden leaned in, placing her forearms on her desk. “What if she didn’t have to? I’m not convinced she could be useful there given your bond with her. What if I gave her to you? I’m quite certain you could keep her under control if you needed to.” She turned her gaze to mine. “And for you? After she made a fool of you, don’t you want a little payback? Dragging her back to where she belongs would go a long way toward soothing those wounds, wouldn’t it?”
I clenched my hands on top of my thighs to keep myself silent. This woman understoodnothing.Even if I hated Hera, even if I still believed that she had betrayed me, I couldn’t imagine willingly hurting her like that.
“I’ll do it,” Kit answered before I could say a word. I whipped my head in his direction, hardly able to understand his words.
“I thought you would,” the Warden said, her tone saying she’d expected this outcome all along. “You are my favorite dog, you know? I’ve been here for thirty years and since we came to our understanding there at the start, you’ve never failed me.” Her gaze moved to me. “But if he wavers, do not hesitate to put him down.”
I swallowed hard, then nodded. There wasn’t another answer to give to an order like that.
Which meant, for whatever reason I couldn’t understand, we were going to go find the woman who had left us both.
Chapter Three
