Things were lookingup.
“I’m sure,” I say, my soul saddened. So much can go so wrong with whatever she has planned. If she’s here, then she suspects Misery is near, I bet. Or else why protect me, now?
A vigorous gust sweeps through the open window, fluttering the fabric of the hammocks and gently moving strands of my hair. The room actually darkens as Cypress’s obsidian irises alter into shining black voids for eyes.
Once, that would have affected me greatly. It even did, back in the Undercroft.
Theshowhas very little influence on me now, just wanting to get this over with.
Facing the witch, her eyes are already boring into me. “Well? Are you here to put something in my skin?”
Silence.
I glare at Cypress, and something hits me in the chest that tells me she will do whatever she wants, whether I like it or not. “Does it matter that we have a plan now?” I ask.
She tilts her head. “What kind of plan?”
I swallow thickly, rubbing my face as I say, “Shade, a gladiator from Skull’s Row, was working for Misery. We interrogated him on Tempest’s ship. He told us what Misery wants.” I point at her. “Did you know he was after my skin? The magic in my veins? Oh, and they want to breed me. So that’s fun.”
The smallest smile tugs at her lips. “There is something special in your veins, my dear Jane. And don’t worry about thelatter; that will not happen. I do not foresee it in any of my visions.”
“Well, still, I don’t want to risk myskingetting used. Shade said Misery is growing really weak, and will need to go back to his lands soon. So we’re just going to wait him out.”
The small smile slowly unfurls into a larger one. “You cannot wait Misery out. What will happen is he will grow more tenacious and risky. Which meanslives, Jane. Blackwell originally sending Soren for you was Misery’s first attempt to have you. He did not take you then and there because it would have been hard to leave the harbor without many following. In numbers, Misery does not have strength. Not in the Balar Coasts. Not in his current state.
“Miserywasplanning to attack Rosmertta’s, because he was running out of time. And now that you wasted two more weeks on that ship, he is willing to use what remaining influence he has to take you in whatever way deems necessary.” She raises a brow. “The remaining power he has can wipe out everyone at this camp before they know it.”
“He’d have to get here first.”
Anything recognizable as human is gone from her face. “He already is.”
My head juts out slightly, a hand rising to my chest as if I felt her steal the air from my lungs. “Hewhat?”
“As I said, he will use everything he has right now. You do not want him to be able to read your heart or soul if he’s near you. Silence will be your greatest shield.”
A sickening sensation twists my heart at realizing how deep this failure is. “How did he get here? How does Tempest not sense him?”
“If I had to guess, he’s draining his followers until their life is gone. It’s potent, but taxing. He will need significant rest afterthis. I only know he’s here because I’m keeping the closest eye on him.”
“He can’t sense you?”
“I’m using my own sacrifices to ensure that’s true,” she grimly replies.
That bleak reality momentarily settles on me, truly hearing what she just meant. “What if I refuse?”
“Then I will do this to you while you’re unconscious.”Her abject gaze holds no space foranyremorse.
“We seriously can’t try to outrun him?” I cannot believe I bought into that plan with such confidence, only for it to turn to smoke.
“Not when he is already here.”
“No—I just… It doesn’t feel right just letting you do this. This isn’t right.Noneof it is.”
I want to yell. What if I screamed as loudly as possible? Would it be worth it? Could Soren hear me, then? Anyone, other than Cypress?
I don’t fully hear her when she says Misery ishere. Honestly, it sounds like a fucking lie to me. Sure, if he showed up on that shoreline outside my window, I might tell her just get it done with because I’ll takeanythingI can get to fight him.
Soren. There’s regret now, in not telling him. And yet my mind screams it wouldn’t have made a difference. How cantheystop Cypress?
