Based on the shuffling of two pairs of boots from the stairway behind me, our guard had arrived. Or maybe it was the citrus and spice scent that somehow found its way to me through the stale air, masking the festering liquor spilled on the bar.
Without acknowledging them, I accepted the mug Cypherion extended to me, then followed him down the aisle between small wooden tables and the alcoves. When we reached the last booth, he ducked inside. I slid along the wooden bench beside him, both of us keeping our hoods up.
“Cypherion,” a low voice said.
“Harlen,” Cyph offered.
Harlen. My head whipped toward Cyph. “The one who works for Titus?”
Thiswas his contact? No wonder he hadn’t wanted to tell us his name. My hand drifted toward the dagger at my thigh, the only weapon Cyph had let me bring, given that the others were too noticeable.
“He’s trustworthy.”
I kept one eye on the Starsearcher hidden in the shadows. “Didn’t he sell you and Vale out by passing your movements to the chancellor?”
“I did do that,” Harlen said. “But I was manipulated—as Vale was. Titus used me to get to her, and then punished me to get her to cooperate. But yes, I am guilty of what you claim, Revered Alabath.” Then, Harlen leaned forward, and?—
Cypherion swore. “Spirits, Harlen. You look…are you okay?”
One of his eyes was swollen shut, a nasty gash stitched sloppily across his cheekbone, and yellow and green splotches faded along his jaw.
“I’m fine.” Despite the bruising, he flashed a grin, but it tugged gruesomely at his stitches. “And before you ask, he hasn’t touched her.”
Cypherion swallowed. “What’s happening to her?”
“She’s...different. She’s spent most of the time locked in a room we used to think Titus used for readings.” He exhaled. “Though we now know that’s a fucking sham.”
Cyph’s jaw ticked. “Is he making her read?”
“Yes,” Harlen answered. “He beat me to make her cooperate because he won’t dare lay a hand on her. He can’t risk it given that she’s the only reason he’s maintaining a facade of power.” Cypherion’s knuckles turned white from how tightly he clenched his fists, and I laid a hand on his arm to remind him where we were. “She’s stubborn enough that she refuses to read when I’m there, for fear of what he’ll do if she’s not paying attention. But Vale has not been harmed physically.”
“Physically?” I asked. Cyph was nearly shaking with tension now.
“Like I said, she’s different.” Harlen seemed to choose his words carefully. “I don’t get much time alone with her, but even when it’s only us for a few moments, she’s hardened. Like there’s an impenetrable force around her.”
When we’d imprisoned Vale following the Battle of Damenal, she’d solidified that steel-will around herself. She became distant,hardened. This sounded even more severe than that.
“Titus held true to his word about helping her fix her sessions, though.”
“Of course, he did,” Cyph muttered, flexing his fingers. “It’s in his best interest.”
Harlen nodded. “He hasn’t asked me to read once since she’s been back.”
So, Vale was the chancellor’s puppet again. I straightened, one hand laying on the hilt of my dagger for support, the other remaining on Cyph’s arm. “How are we getting her out?”
“We?” Harlen asked.
“Harlen,” Cyph growled, “youdohave a plan, correct?”
“I do.” The Starsearcher nodded. “But you two will not be going into that manor.”
Cyph’s voice was laced with a threat. “I’m getting her back, even if I have to tear this entire city apart.”
“Yes, but it won’t beyou.” Cypherion opened his mouth to continue, but Harlen waved him off. “Everyone in your little cabal has a role to play, but yours is not there.” His expression turned serious. “I promise, I’ve thought it all through, Cypherion. This is the only way.”
“What am I doing, then?” Cyph’s words were gloomy but layered with authority.
“Tomorrow night, you will be in the fighting rings downstairs while Malakai and whoever he deems the best assistant break into the manor.”
