Page 8 of Rebel in the Deep
And…Well, Nox was never one to be moved by a pretty face. Not when they’re already the prettiest person in the room.
The old pain is comforting in its familiarity. I haven’t seen them in fourteen years, not since they left Lyari on Hedd’s ship. A choice I thought would end with them dead. We fought bitterly over it. Ironic, that. At twenty-one, we were both so determined to fix the problem from inside the system, and had wildly different views on what that looked like. Nox was sure the crews themselves could be turned with the right leadership. I firmly believed that the change had to come from Lyari to take proper root.
We were both wrong.
“Bastian,” Morrigan says slowly. “Do me the respect of paying attention when I’m standing right here, enduring your presence.”
I might hate her, but she’s right. I can’t afford to mentally wander right now. It’s just hard tothinkwith the pain radiating through my body and the hunger gnawing a path through my stomach. “Apologies, Morrigan. I’m not at my best currently.”
“That could change in a moment.” Her voice goes low and coaxing. “Your family doesn’t have to be brought in for questioning if you simply tell us what you did to hide your glamour magic. It must have been difficult.”
The same question from a slightly different angle. I try not to think about the fact that she’s got to be lying—my familywillbe questioned. None of them have the same magic I do, but they did hide me. They know better than to tell the truth, though. It’sa loss if I die, but I’m not irreplaceable the way my brother and parents are. “They don’t know anything, whichyouknow because I’ve told you that several times.”
“Indeed.” The faintest sound as she shifts. “But I do have a new question for you.”
“I’d love to hear it.”
She chuckles. “All you have to do is tell me about the woman you’ve been seen traveling with. We can discuss it over a meal after you’ve had a bath.”
Siobhan.
She knows.
“A woman?” It takes everything I have to keep my body language relaxed, to keep my tone flippant. “You’re going to have to be more specific. I’m something of a rake, you see.”
Morrigan snorts. “That’s what they say in Lyari—and only Lyari. It’s interesting how your rakish tendencies don’t leave the city’s borders. Suspicious, even.”
I sigh and slump dramatically against the bars. “You know, it’s rude to suggest that I can only find bed partners who are familiar with the power my family wields. I’m not that kind of man.”
Instead of marching away in a huff, Morrigan laughs. “I believe you, Bastian. I don’t think you’re that kind of man at all. I think you’ve hidden your glamour magic for far more sinister reasons than anyone else on the Council can begin to guess.” Her voice lowers and comes closer. “What are you and your little girlfriend planning?”
“You can’t have it both ways, Morrigan. Either I’m a rake or I’m not.” I shrug. “If this is the best you can do, you’re wasting both our time.”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not.” She grabs the back of my neck and shoves the gag back into my mouth. “In case you were holding out for a rescue attempt, it’s not going to happen. Tomorrow, we reach reinforcements, and then it’s a short twelve-day journey to Lyari and your trial. The Council is going above and beyond, of course. It’s not every day they get to cut down one of the noble families’ scions.” She pauses. “Even a second son.”
The cut stings despite being one that’s been leveled at me my entire life. The spare, never the heir. I may notwantto be heir, but being treated as an afterthought from the moment I was born was a constant ache.
It’s only when Morrigan’s footsteps retreat that I fully process what she said. Reinforcements. A trial. I knew it was coming, of course, but it’s entirely different to hear those plans spoken aloud.
I’m not getting out of this alive.
The best I can hope for is to not take my family—or the entirety of the rebellion—down with me.
Chapter5
Nox
“Are you sure about this?”
I look at the circle of faces gathered in my cabin. Poet and Eyal. Bowen and Evelyn. Lizzie and Maeve. Siobhan. Some of the most powerful people I’ve ever encountered, and I still don’t know if it will be enough.
It has to be enough. “I’m sure. There’s no way to do this secretly, so every single one of us will be branded as traitors. You’re all here because you believe in a better Threshold, one not ruled by the Council and the Cwn Annwn. If Bastian is taken to Lyari, then we’ll be hunted. If we save him, then we’ll be hunted.” It should be Siobhan giving a rousing speech, but this ismyship andmycrew. “I recognize that you didn’t sign up for this, so if you want to sit this one out, I won’t hold it against you.”
Everyone gathered exchanges looks. Evelyn is the one to speak first, the adorable little witch with curves for days and awicked wit. “It’s really cute that you think we’re going to fuck offnow, as if we haven’t discovered exactly how terrible the Cwn Annwn are.”
Bowen wraps an arm around her shoulders and tugs her back against him. “What she means to say is that I’m deeply invested in righting the wrongs committed during my time as captain of theCrimson Hag. We’re with you.”
I expected nothing less from Bowen. He’s not exactly on a holy mission of redemption, but it’s damn close. Evelyn is one of those people who seems like she was looking for a cause to believe in, and she’s chosen the rebellion as hers. She’s got good taste.
