Page 40 of His Noble Ruin

“He and our son removed a few grates from the tunnels,” said Etna. “Although, thatwasover twenty years ago.”

“Show me where to go,” I said.

“Not so fast,” said Marcus. “They carry rainwater downhill from the center of the city. If the grate has been replaced, there might be no way to get back up.”

“I’m a good climber,” I said.

“I don’t know,” said Etna. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have suggested it.”

“Please,” I said. “I have to get out of here.”

She and Marcus looked at each other sadly.

“Fine,” said Marcus.

I followed them through the kitchen and out the back door. There, by the fence that separated their porch from the one next door, was a square grate set into the ground. I stepped closer and heard the sound of flowing water. With all the recent rain, it would be deep.

I opened my bag and took out the rank card. It served no purpose except to give me away at this point, so I dropped it between the bars of the grate, letting the water bury it. Then I took out the books, wanting to keep them safe, and handed them to Cael. “Take these.”

He tucked the books under his coat, shaking his head. “The two most incriminating books in the city. They’ll thinkI’mthe Academy assassin.”

“Theassassin.” I clenched my fists, looking down at the grate. “Who do they think I was trying to kill anyway?”

“Who knows?” said Cael. “The First Immortal. The queen. The heir. All of them were at the Academy that night.”

I looked up, an idea brewing in my mind. “The heir.”

If I survived the aqueducts, I might have one last chance to make my plan work—as long as Graham believed I wasn’t trying to kill him, of course.

I faced Cael. “I’m not going home. Send a message to my father. Tell him we can feed the rumors. Do whatever it takes to make them think the queen hired Bryn Yarrow to kill her son.” I felt a smile creep back onto my face. “She’ll lose a few votes, don’t you think?”

He didn’t look impressed. “There’s no point. Like I said, Brennin won’t trust you.”

I crossed my arms and lowered my voice. “Send the message. Now. Or I swear you will lose your reward.”

He glared back but didn’t protest.

I lifted the grate and peered down at the rushing water.

“I know it’s not my place to tell you what to do,” said Etna, “but I do wish you’d listen to your father.”

Marcus nodded fervently.

I hugged them both. “Thank you, but I won’t give up.”

They looked at me with sadness etched into the lines of their faces.

“Then be safe, dear,” said Etna.

I dropped my feet through the opening. “I will.” I gripped the rim and lowered myself into the water. The cold shocked my skin, but I didn’t let it show.

“Get moving, Cael,” I called through the opening. “I’m going to the library.” Once my father got that message, he might finally see what I was capable of.If I survive.

I held my breath and let go, falling into the swirling darkness.

ChapterFifteen

The water sweptme through the slippery tunnels. Now I understood what Marcus meant when he said I’d only be able to go downhill.

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