["Terrasen.\tAedion\thad\tbeen\tplaying\ta\tvery\tdangerous\tgame\tsince\tarriving\there\u2014since\this kingdom\tfell\tten\tyears\tago.\tAnd\ttricking\tthe\tking\tinto\tthinking\tthat\the\u2019d\tbeen\twearing\this ring\t all\t this\t time\u2014that\t was\t indeed\t information\t Aedion\t would\t be\t willing\t to\t kill\t to\t keep safe.\tYet\tthere\twas\tother\tinformation\tChaol\tcould\tuse,\tperhaps,\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthis\talive. Regardless\tof\thow\tshattered\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\twhen\tshe\tleft,\tCelaena\twas\tsafe\tnow.\tShe\twas away\t from\t Adarlan.\t But\t Dorian,\t with\t his\t magic,\t with\t the\t threat\t he\t secretly\t posed,\t was not.\t Aedion\t took\t a\t readying\t breath\t to\t kill\t him.\t Keeping\t Dorian\t protected\t was\t all\t he\t had left,\t all\t that\t had\t ever\t really\t mattered.\t If\t these\t rebels\t did\t indeed\t know\t something \u2014anything\u2014about\t magic\t that\t might\t help\t to\t free\t it,\t if\t he\t could\t use\t Aedion\t to\t get\t that information\t\u2026 It\twas\ta\tgamble\u2014the\tbiggest\tgamble\the\u2019d\tever\tmade.\tAedion\traised\this\tsword. With\ta\tsilent\tprayer\tfor\tforgiveness,\tChaol\tlooked\tstraight\tat\tAedion.\t\u201cAelin\tis\talive.\u201d Aedion\tAshryver\thad\tbeen\tcalled\tWolf,\tgeneral,\tprince,\ttraitor,\tand\tmurderer.\tAnd\the\twas all\t of\t those\t things,\t and\t more.\t Liar,\t deceiver,\t and\t trickster\t were\t his\t particular\t favorites\u2014 the\ttitles\tonly\tthose\tclosest\tto\thim\tknew. Adarlan\u2019s\tWhore,\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tthe\tones\twho\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thim\tcalled\thim.\tIt\twas\ttrue\u2014in so\t many\t ways,\t it\t was\t true,\t and\t he\t had\t never\t minded\t it,\t not\t really.\t It\t had\t allowed\t him\t to maintain\t control\t in\t the\t North,\t to\t keep\t the\t bloodshed\t down\t to\t a\t minimum\t and\t a\t lie.\t Half the\t Bane\t were\t rebels,\t and\t the\t other\t half\t sympathizers,\t so\t many\t of\t their\t \u201cbattles\u201d\t in\t the North\t had\t been\t staged,\t the\t body\t count\t a\t deceit\t and\t an\t exaggeration\u2014at\t least,\t once\t the corpses\t got\t up\t from\t the\t killing\t field\t under\t cover\t of\t darkness\t and\t went\t home\t to\t their families.\tAdarlan\u2019s\tWhore.\tHe\thad\tnot\tminded.\tUntil\tnow. Cousin\u2014that\t had\t been\t his\t most\t beloved\t title.\t Cousin,\t kin,\t protector.\t Those\t were\t the secret\t names\t he\t harbored\t deep\t within,\t the\t names\t he\t whispered\t to\t himself\t when\t the northern\twind\twas\tshrieking\tthrough\tthe\tStaghorns.\tSometimes\tthat\twind\tsounded\tlike\tthe screams\t of\t his\t people\t being\t led\t to\t the\t butchering\t blocks.\t And\t sometimes\t it\t sounded\t like Aelin\u2014Aelin,\t whom\t he\t had\t loved,\t who\t should\t have\t been\t his\t queen,\t and\t to\t whom\t he would\thave\tone\tday\tsworn\tthe\tblood\toath. Aedion\t stood\t on\t the\t decaying\t planks\t of\t an\t empty\t dock\t in\t the\t slums,\t staring\t at\t the Avery.\t The\t captain\t was\t beside\t him,\t spitting\t blood\t into\t the\t water\t thanks\t to\t the\t beating given\t to\t him\t by\t Ren\t Allsbrook,\t Aedion\u2019s\t newest\t conspirator\t and\t yet\t another\t dead\t man risen\tfrom\tthe\tgrave. Ren,\t heir\t and\t Lord\t of\t Allsbrook,\t had\t trained\t with\t Aedion\t as\t a\t child\u2014and\t had\t once been\t his\t rival.\t Ten\t years\t ago,\t Ren\t and\t his\t grandfather,\t Murtagh,\t had\t escaped\t the butchering\tblocks\tthanks\tto\ta\tdiversion\tstarted\tby\tRen\u2019s\tparents\tthat\tcost\tthem\ttheir\tlives and\tgave\tRen\tthe\tnasty\tscar\tdown\this\tface.\tBut\tAedion\thadn\u2019t\tknown\u2014he\u2019d\tthought\tthem dead,\t and\t had\t been\t stunned\t to\t learn\t that\t they\t were\t the\t secret\t rebel\t group\t he\u2019d\t hunted down\tupon\tarriving\tin\tRifthold.\tHe\u2019d\theard\tthe\tclaims\tthat\tAelin\twas\talive\tand\traising\tan army\tand\thad\tdragged\thimself\tdown\tfrom\tthe\tnorth\tto\tget\tto\tthe\tbottom\tof\tit\tand\tdestroy the\tliars,\tpreferably\tcutting\tthem\tup\tpiece\tby\tpiece. The\t king\u2019s\t summons\t had\t been\t a\t convenient\t excuse.\t Ren\t and\t Murtagh\t had\t instantly","admitted\tthat\tthe\trumors\thad\tbeen\tspread\tby\ta\tformer\tmember\tof\ttheir\trebel\tgroup.\tThey had\tnever\thad\tor\theard\tof\tany\tcontact\twith\ttheir\tdead\tqueen.\tBut\tseeing\tRen\tand\tMurtagh, he\u2019d\tsince\twondered\twho\telse\tmight\thave\tsurvived.\tHe\thad\tnever\tallowed\thimself\tto\thope that\tAelin\t\u2026 Aedion\tset\this\tsword\ton\tthe\twooden\trail\tand\tran\this\tscarred\tfingers\tdown\tit,\ttaking\tin the\tnicks\tand\tlines,\teach\tmark\ta\ttale\tof\tlegendary\tbattles\tfought,\tof\tgreat\tkings\tlong\tdead. The\t sword\t was\t the\t last\t shred\t of\t proof\t that\t a\t mighty\t kingdom\t had\t once\t existed\t in\t the North. It\twasn\u2019t\this\tsword,\tnot\treally.\tIn\tthose\tinitial\tdays\tof\tblood\tand\tconquest,\tthe\tKing\tof Adarlan\t had\t snatched\t the\t blade\t from\t Rhoe\t Galathynius\u2019s\t cooling\t body\t and\t brought\t it\t to Rifthold.\tAnd\tthere\tit\thad\tstayed,\tthe\tsword\tthat\tshould\thave\tbeen\tAelin\u2019s. So\tAedion\thad\tfought\tfor\tyears\tin\tthose\twar\tcamps\tand\tbattlefields,\tfought\tto\tprove\this invaluable\t worth\t to\t the\t king,\t and\t had\t taken\t everything\t that\t was\t done\t to\t him,\t again\t and again.\t When\t he\t and\t the\t Bane\t won\t that\t first\t battle\t and\t the\t king\t had\t proclaimed\t him\t the Northern\tWolf\tand\toffered\thim\ta\tboon,\tAedion\thad\tasked\tfor\tthe\tsword. The\tking\tattributed\tthe\trequest\tto\tan\teighteen-year-old\u2019s\tromanticism,\tand\tAedion\thad swaggered\t about\t his\t own\t glory\t until\t everyone\t believed\t that\t he\t was\t a\t traitorous, butchering\t bastard\t who\t made\t a\t mockery\t of\t the\t sword\t just\t by\t touching\t it.\t But\t winning back\tthe\tsword\tdidn\u2019t\terase\this\tfailure. Even\tthough\the\u2019d\tbeen\tthirteen,\tand\teven\tthough\the\u2019d\tbeen\tforty\tmiles\taway\tin\tOrynth when\t Aelin\t had\t been\t killed\t on\t the\t country\t estate,\t he\t should\t have\t stopped\t it.\t He\u2019d\t been sent\tto\ther\tland\tupon\this\tmother\u2019s\tdeath\tto\tbecome\tAelin\u2019s\tsword\tand\tshield,\tto\tserve\tin the\tcourt\tshe\twas\tsupposed\tto\thave\truled,\tthat\tchild\tof\tkings.\tSo\the\tshould\thave\tridden\tout when\t the\t castle\t erupted\t with\t news\t that\t Orlon\t Galathynius\t had\t been\t assassinated.\t By\t the time\tanyone\tdid,\tRhoe,\tEvalin,\tand\tAelin\twere\tdead. It\twas\tthat\treminder\the\u2019d\tcarried\twith\thim\ton\this\tback,\tthe\treminder\tof\twho\tthe\tsword belonged\tto,\tand\tto\twhom,\twhen\the\ttook\this\tlast\tbreath\tand\twent\tto\tthe\tOtherworld,\the\u2019d finally\tgive\tit. But\tnow\tthe\tsword,\tthat\tweight\the\u2019d\tembraced\tfor\tyears,\tfelt\t\u2026\tlighter\tand\tsharper,\tfar more\tfragile.\tInfinitely\tprecious.\tThe\tworld\thad\tslipped\tfrom\tbeneath\this\tfeet. No\tone\thad\tspoken\tfor\ta\tmoment\tafter\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard\tmade\this\tclaim.\tAelin is\talive.\tThen\tthe\tcaptain\thad\tsaid\the\u2019d\tonly\tspeak\twith\tAedion\tabout\tit. Just\tto\tshow\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tbluffing\tabout\ttorturing\thim,\tRen\thad\tbloodied\thim\tup\twith\ta cool\tprecision\tthat\tAedion\tgrudgingly\tadmired,\tbut\tthe\tcaptain\thad\ttaken\tthe\tblows.\tAnd whenever\t Ren\t paused,\t Murtaugh\t looking\t on\t disapprovingly,\t the\t captain\t said\t the\t same thing.\t After\t it\t became\t clear\t that\t the\t captain\t would\t either\t tell\t only\t Aedion\t or\t die,\t he\u2019d called\toff\tRen.\tThe\their\tof\tAllsbrook\tbristled,\tbut\tAedion\thad\tdealt\twith\tplenty\tof\tyoung men\tlike\thim\tin\tthe\twar\tcamps.\tIt\tnever\ttook\tmuch\tto\tget\tthem\tto\tfall\tin\tline.\tAedion\tgave him\ta\tlong,\thard\tstare,\tand\tRen\tbacked\tdown. Which\t was\t how\t they\t wound\t up\t here,\t Chaol\t cleaning\t off\t his\t face\t with\t a\t scrap\t of\t his shirt.\t For\t the\t past\t few\t minutes,\t Aedion\t had\t listened\t to\t the\t most\t unlikely\t story\t he\u2019d\t ever heard.\tThe\tstory\tof\tCelaena\tSardothien,\tthe\tinfamous\tassassin,\tbeing\ttrained\tby\tArobynn","Hamel,\t the\t story\t of\t her\t downfall\t and\t year\t in\t Endovier,\t and\t how\t she\u2019d\t wound\t up\t in\t the ridiculous\tcompetition\tto\tbecome\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\tThe\tstory\tof\tAelin,\this\tQueen,\tin a\tdeath\tcamp,\tand\tthen\tserving\tin\ther\tenemy\u2019s\thouse. Aedion\tbraced\this\thands\ton\tthe\trail.\tIt\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\ttrue.\tNot\tafter\tten\tyears.\tTen\tyears without\thope,\twithout\tproof. \u201cShe\t has\t your\t eyes,\u201d\t Chaol\t said,\t working\t his\t jaw.\t If\t this\t assassin\u2014an\t assassin,\t gods above\u2014was\ttruly\tAelin,\tthen\tshe\twas\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion.\tThen\tshe\twas\tthe\tcaptain\u2019s\u2014 \u201cYou\tsent\ther\tto\tWendlyn,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\this\tvoice\tragged.\tThe\ttears\twould\tcome\tlater. Right\tnow,\the\twas\temptied.\tGutted.\tEvery\tlie,\tevery\trumor\tand\tact\tand\tparty\the\u2019d\tthrown, every\tbattle,\treal\tor\tfaked,\tevery\tlife\the\u2019d\ttaken\tso\tmore\tcould\tlive\t\u2026\tHow\twould\the\tever explain\tthat\tto\ther?\tAdarlan\u2019s\tWhore. \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t know\t who\t she\t was.\t I\t just\t thought\t she\t would\t be\t safer\t there\t because\t of\t what she\tis.\u201d \u201cYou\t realize\t you\u2019ve\t only\t given\t me\t a\t bigger\t reason\t to\t kill\t you.\u201d\t Aedion\t clenched\t his jaw.\t\u201cDo\tyou\thave\tany\tidea\twhat\tkind\tof\trisk\tyou\ttook\tin\ttelling\tme?\tI\tcould\tbe\tworking for\tthe\tking\u2014you\tthought\tI\twas\tin\tthrall\tto\thim,\tand\tall\tyou\thad\tfor\tproof\tagainst\tit\twas\ta quick\tstory.\tYou\tmight\tas\twell\thave\tkilled\ther\tyourself.\u201d\tFool\u2014stupid,\treckless\tfool.\tBut the\t captain\t still\t had\t the\t upper\t hand\t here\u2014the\t king\u2019s\t noble\t captain,\t who\t was\t now\t toeing the\tline\tof\ttreason.\tHe\u2019d\twondered\tabout\tthe\tcaptain\u2019s\tallegiance\twhen\tRen\ttold\thim\tabout the\tinvolvement\tof\tthe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion\twith\tthe\trebels,\tbut\u2014damn.\tAelin.\tAelin\twas\tthe King\u2019s\t Champion,\t Aelin\t had\t helped\t the\t rebels,\t and\t gutted\t Archer\t Finn.\t His\t knees threatened\tto\tbuckle,\tbut\the\tswallowed\tthe\tshock,\tthe\tsurprise\tand\tterror\tand\tglimmer\tof delight. \u201cI\t know\t it\t was\t a\t risk,\u201d\t the\t captain\t said.\t \u201cBut\t the\t men\t who\t have\t those\t rings\u2014 something\tchanges\tin\ttheir\teyes,\ta\tkind\tof\tdarkness\tthat\tsometimes\tmanifests\tphysically.\tI haven\u2019t\t seen\t it\t in\t you\t since\t you\u2019ve\t been\t here.\t And\t I\u2019ve\t never\t seen\t someone\t throw\t so many\tparties,\tbut\tonly\tattend\tfor\ta\tfew\tminutes.\tYou\twouldn\u2019t\tgo\tto\tsuch\tlengths\tto\thide your\tmeetings\twith\tthe\trebels\tif\tyou\twere\tenslaved\tto\tthe\tking,\tespecially\twhen\tduring\tall this\t time\t the\t Bane\t still\t hasn\u2019t\t come,\t despite\t your\t assurances\t that\t it\t will\t be\t here\t soon.\t It doesn\u2019t\t add\t up.\u201d\t The\t captain\t met\t his\t stare.\t Perhaps\t not\t quite\t a\t fool,\t then.\t \u201cI\t think\t she\u2019d want\tyou\tto\tknow.\u201d The\t captain\t looked\t down\t the\t river\t toward\t the\t sea.\t This\t place\t reeked.\t Aedion\t had smelled\tand\tseen\tworse\tin\twar\tcamps,\tbut\tthe\tslums\tof\tRifthold\tcertainly\tgave\tthem\ta\trun for\t their\t money.\t And\t Terrasen\u2019s\t capital,\t Orynth,\t its\t once-shining\t tower\t now\t a\t slab\t of filthy\twhite\tstone,\twas\twell\ton\tits\tway\tto\tfalling\tinto\tthis\tlevel\tof\tpoverty\tand\tdespair.\tBut maybe,\tsomeday\tsoon\t\u2026 Aelin\twas\talive.\t Alive,\t and\t as\t much\t of\t a\t killer\t as\t he\t was,\t and\t working\t for\t the\t same man.\t \u201cDoes\t the\t prince\t know?\u201d\t He\u2019d\t never\t been\t able\t to\t speak\t with\t the\t prince\t without remembering\t the\t days\t before\t Terrasen\u2019s\t downfall;\t he\u2019d\t never\t been\t able\t to\t hide\t that hatred. \u201cNo.\tHe\tdoesn\u2019t\teven\tknow\twhy\tI\tsent\ther\tto\tWendlyn.\tOr\tthat\tshe\u2019s\u2014you\u2019re\tboth\t\u2026 Fae.\u201d","Aedion\t had\t never\t possessed\t a\t fraction\t of\t the\t power\t that\t had\t smoldered\t in\t her\t veins, which\t had\t burned\t libraries\t and\t caused\t such\t general\t worry\t that\t there\t had\t been\t talk\u2014in those\tmonths\tbefore\tthe\tworld\twent\tto\thell\u2014of\tsending\ther\tsomewhere\tso\tthat\tshe\tcould learn\t to\t control\t it.\t He\u2019d\t overheard\t debate\t over\t packing\t her\t off\t to\t various\t academies\t or tutors\tin\tdistant\tlands,\tbut\tnever\tto\ttheir\taunt\tMaeve,\twaiting\tlike\ta\tspider\tin\ta\tweb\tto\tsee what\tbecame\tof\ther\tniece.\tAnd\tyet\tshe\u2019d\twound\tup\tin\tWendlyn,\ton\ther\taunt\u2019s\tdoorstep. Maeve\thad\teither\tnever\tknown\tor\tnever\tcared\tabout\this\tinherited\tgifts.\tNo,\tall\the\thad were\tsome\tof\tthe\tphysical\ttraits\tof\ttheir\timmortal\tkin:\tstrength,\tswiftness,\tsharp\thearing, keen\tsmell.\tIt\thad\tmade\thim\ta\tformidable\topponent\ton\tthe\tbattlefield\u2014and\tsaved\this\tlife more\tthan\tonce.\tSaved\this\tvery\tsoul,\tif\tthe\tcaptain\twas\tright\tabout\tthose\trings. \u201cIs\tshe\tcoming\tback?\u201d\tAedion\tasked\tquietly.\tThe\tfirst\tof\tthe\tmany,\tmany\tquestions\the had\tfor\tthe\tcaptain,\tnow\tthat\the\u2019d\tproved\thimself\tto\tbe\tmore\tthan\ta\tuseless\tservant\tof\tthe king. There\t was\t enough\t agony\t in\t the\t captain\u2019s\t eyes\t that\t Aedion\t knew\t that\t he\t loved\t her. Knew,\t and\t felt\t a\t tug\t of\t jealousy,\t if\t only\t because\t the\t captain\t knew\t her\t that\t well.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t know,\u201d\t Chaol\t admitted.\t If\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t his\t enemy,\t Aedion\t would\t have\t respected\t the man\tfor\tthe\tsacrifice\timplied.\tBut\tAelin\thad\tto\tcome\tback.\tShe\twould\tcome\tback.\tUnless that\treturn\tonly\tearned\ther\ta\twalk\tto\tthe\tbutchering\tblock. He\twould\tsort\tthrough\teach\twild\tthought\twhen\the\twas\talone.\tHe\tgripped\tthe\tdamp\trail harder,\tfighting\tthe\turge\tto\task\tmore. But\tthen\tthe\tcaptain\tgave\thim\ta\tweighing\tlook,\tas\tif\the\tcould\tsee\tthrough\tevery\tmask Aedion\thad\tever\tworn.\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\tAedion\tconsidered\tputting\tthe\tblade\tright\tthrough the\tcaptain\tand\tdumping\this\tbody\tin\tthe\tAvery,\tdespite\tthe\tinformation\the\tpossessed.\tThe captain\tglanced\tat\tthe\tblade,\ttoo,\tand\tAedion\twondered\tif\the\twas\tthinking\tthe\tsame\tthing \u2014regretting\t his\t decision\t to\t trust\t him.\t The\t captain\t should\t regret\t it,\t should\t curse\t himself for\ta\tfool. Aedion\tsaid,\t\u201cWhy\twere\tyou\ttracking\tthe\trebels?\u201d \u201cBecause\tI\tthought\tthey\tmight\thave\tvaluable\tinformation.\u201d\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\ttruly\tvaluable, then,\tif\the\u2019d\trisk\trevealing\thimself\tas\ta\ttraitor\tto\tget\tit. Aedion\t had\t been\t willing\t to\t torture\t the\t captain\u2014to\t kill\t him,\t too.\t He\u2019d\t done\t worse before.\t But\t torturing\t and\t killing\t his\t queen\u2019s\t lover\t wouldn\u2019t\t go\t over\t well\t if\u2014when\t she returned.\tAnd\tthe\tcaptain\twas\tnow\this\tgreatest\tsource\tof\tinformation.\tHe\twanted\tto\tknow more\tabout\tAelin,\tabout\ther\tplans,\tabout\twhat\tshe\twas\tlike\tand\thow\the\tcould\tfind\ther.\tHe wanted\t to\t know\t everything.\t Anything.\t Especially\t where\t the\t captain\t now\t stood\t on\t the game\t board\u2014and\t what\t the\t captain\t knew\t about\t the\t king.\t So\t Aedion\t said,\t \u201cTell\t me\t more about\tthose\trings.\u201d But\tthe\tcaptain\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cI\twant\tto\tmake\ta\tbargain\twith\tyou.\u201d","Chapter\t20 The\tblack\teye\twas\tstill\tgruesome,\tbut\tit\timproved\tover\tthe\tnext\tweek\tas\tCelaena\tworked in\tthe\tkitchens,\ttried\tand\tfailed\tto\tshift\twith\tRowan,\tand\tgenerally\tavoided\teveryone.\tThe spring\trains\thad\tcome\tto\tstay\tand\tthe\tkitchen\twas\tpacked\tevery\tnight,\tso\tCelaena\ttook\tto eating\tdinner\ton\tthe\tshadowed\tsteps,\tarriving\tjust\tbefore\tthe\tStory\tKeeper\tbegan\tspeaking. Story\t Keeper\u2014that\u2019s\t what\t Emrys\t was,\t a\t title\t of\t honor\t amongst\t both\t Fae\t and\t humans in\tWendlyn.\tWhat\tit\tmeant\twas\tthat\twhen\the\tbegan\ttelling\ta\tstory,\tyou\tsat\tdown\tand\tshut up.\tIt\talso\tmeant\tthat\the\twas\ta\twalking\tlibrary\tof\tthe\tkingdom\u2019s\tlegends\tand\tmyths. By\tthat\ttime,\tCelaena\tknew\tmost\tof\tthe\tfortress\u2019s\tresidents,\tif\tonly\tin\tthe\tsense\tthat\tshe could\tput\tnames\tto\tfaces.\tShe\u2019d\tobserved\tthem\tout\tof\tinstinct,\tto\tlearn\ther\tsurroundings, her\tpotential\tenemies\tand\tthreats.\tShe\tknew\tthey\tobserved\ther,\ttoo,\twhen\tthey\tthought\tshe wasn\u2019t\t paying\t attention.\t And\t any\t shred\t of\t regret\t she\t felt\t at\t not\t approaching\t them\t was burned\tup\tby\tthe\tfact\tthat\tno\tone\tbothered\tto\tapproach\ther,\teither. The\t only\t person\t who\t made\t an\t effort\t was\t Luca,\t who\t still\t peppered\t Celaena\t with questions\tas\tthey\tworked,\tstill\tprattled\ton\tand\ton\tabout\this\ttraining,\tthe\tfortress\tgossip,\tthe weather.\t He\u2019d\t only\t talked\t to\t her\t once\t about\t anything\t else\u2014on\t a\t morning\t when\t it\t had taken\t a\t monumental\t effort\t to\t peel\t herself\t out\t of\t bed,\t and\t only\t the\t scar\t on\t her\t palm\t had made\ther\tplant\ther\tfeet\ton\tthe\ticy\tfloor.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\twashing\tthe\tbreakfast\tdishes,\tstaring out\tthe\twindow\twithout\tseeing\tanything,\ttoo\theavy\tin\ther\tbones,\twhen\tLuca\thad\tdumped a\tpot\tin\tthe\tsink\tand\tquietly\tsaid,\t\u201cFor\ta\tlong\twhile,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttalk\tabout\twhat\thappened to\tme\tbefore\tI\tcame\there.\tThere\twere\tsome\tdays\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttalk\tat\tall.\tCouldn\u2019t\tget\tout\tof bed,\teither.\tBut\tif\u2014when\tyou\tneed\tto\ttalk\t\u2026\u201d She\u2019d\tshut\thim\tdown\twith\ta\tlong\tlook.\tAnd\the\thadn\u2019t\tsaid\tanything\tlike\tit\tsince. Thankfully,\t Emrys\t gave\t her\t space.\t Lots\t of\t space,\t especially\t when\t Malakai\t arrived during\t breakfast\t to\t make\t sure\t Celaena\t hadn\u2019t\t caused\t any\t trouble.\t She\t usually\t avoided looking\tat\tthe\tother\tfortress\tcouples,\tbut\there,\twhere\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\twalk\taway\t\u2026\tshe\thated their\t closeness,\t the\t way\t Malakai\u2019s\t eyes\t lit\t up\t every\t time\t he\t saw\t him.\t Hated\t it\t so\t much that\tshe\tchoked\ton\tit. She\tnever\tasked\tRowan\twhy\the,\ttoo,\tcame\tto\thear\tEmrys\u2019s\tstories.\tAs\tfar\tas\tthey\twere each\tconcerned,\tthe\tother\tdidn\u2019t\texist\toutside\tof\ttraining. Training\t was\t a\t generous\t way\t to\t describe\t what\t they\t were\t doing,\t as\t she\t had accomplished\t nothing.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t shift\t once.\t He\t snarled\t and\t sneered\t and\t hissed,\t but\t she couldn\u2019t\tdo\tit.\tEvery\tday,\talways\twhen\tRowan\tdisappeared\tfor\ta\tfew\tmoments,\tshe\ttried, but\u2014nothing.\tRowan\tthreatened\tto\tdrag\ther\tback\tto\tthe\tbarrows,\tas\tthat\tseemed\tto\tbe\tthe only\tthing\tthat\thad\ttriggered\tany\tsort\tof\tresponse,\tbut\the\u2019d\tbacked\toff\u2014to\ther\tsurprise\u2014 when\tshe\ttold\thim\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tslit\ther\town\tthroat\tbefore\tentering\tthat\tplace\tagain.\tSo\tthey swore\tat\teach\tother,\tsat\tin\tbrooding\tsilence\ton\tthe\ttemple\truin,\tand\toccasionally\thad\tthose unspoken\tshouting\t matches.\t If\t she\t was\t in\t a\t particularly\t nasty\t mood,\t he\t made\t her\t chop wood\u2014log\tafter\tlog,\tuntil\tshe\tcould\thardly\tlift\tthe\tax\tand\ther\thands\twere\tblistered.\tIf\tshe","was\tgoing\tto\tbe\tpissed\toff\tat\tthe\twhole\tdamn\tworld,\the\tsaid,\tif\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\twaste\this time\tby\tnot\tshifting,\tthen\tshe\tmight\tas\twell\tbe\tuseful\tin\tsome\tway. All\tthis\twaiting\u2014for\ther.\tFor\tthe\tshift\tthat\tmade\ther\tshudder\tto\tthink\tabout. It\twas\ton\tthe\teighth\tday\tafter\ther\tarrival,\tafter\tscrubbing\tpots\tand\tpans\tuntil\ther\tback throbbed,\t that\t Celaena\t stopped\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t their\t hike\t up\t the\t now-familiar\t ridge.\t \u201cI have\t a\t request.\u201d\t She\t never\t spoke\t to\t him\t unless\t she\t needed\t to\u2014mostly\t to\t curse\t at\t him. Now\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\twant\tto\tsee\tyou\tshift.\u201d A\tblink,\tthose\tgreen\teyes\tflat.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\tprivilege\tof\tgiving\torders.\u201d \u201cShow\t me\t how\t you\t do\t it.\u201d\t Her\t memories\t of\t the\t Fae\t in\t Terrasen\t were\t foggy,\t as\t if someone\thad\tsmeared\toil\tover\tthem.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tremember\tseeing\tone\tof\tthem\tchange, where\ttheir\tclothes\thad\tgone,\thow\tfast\tit\thad\tbeen\t\u2026\tHe\tstared\ther\tdown,\tseeming\tto\tsay, Just\tthis\tonce,\tand\tthen\u2014 A\tsoft\tflash\tof\tlight,\ta\tripple\tof\tcolor,\tand\ta\thawk\twas\tflapping\tmidair,\tbeating\tfor\tthe nearest\t tree\t branch.\t He\t settled\t on\t it,\t clicking\t his\t beak.\t She\t scanned\t the\t mossy\t earth.\t No sign\tof\this\tclothes,\this\tweapons.\tIt\thad\ttaken\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\tfew\theartbeats. He\tgave\ta\tbattle\tcry\tand\tswooped,\ttalons\tslashing\tfor\ther\teyes.\tShe\tlunged\tbehind\tthe tree\t just\t as\t there\t was\t another\t flash\t and\t shudder\t of\t color,\t and\t then\t he\t was\t clothed\t and armed\tand\tgrowling\tin\ther\tface.\t\u201cYour\tturn.\u201d She\t wouldn\u2019t\t give\t him\t the\t satisfaction\t of\t seeing\t her\t tremble.\t It\t was\u2014incredible. Incredible\tto\tsee\tthe\tshift.\t\u201cWhere\tdo\tyour\tclothes\tgo?\u201d \u201cBetween,\t somewhere.\t I\t don\u2019t\t particularly\t care.\u201d\t Such\t dead,\t joyless\t eyes.\t She\t had\t a feeling\tshe\tlooked\tlike\tthat\tthese\tdays.\tShe\tknew\tshe\thad\tlooked\tlike\tthat\tthe\tnight\tChaol had\tcaught\ther\tgutting\tArcher\tin\tthe\ttunnel.\tWhat\thad\tleft\tRowan\tso\tsoulless? He\t bared\t his\t teeth,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t submit.\t She\u2019d\t been\t watching\t the\t demi-Fae\t warrior males\t at\t the\t fortress,\t and\t they\t growled\t and\t showed\t their\t teeth\t about\t everything.\t They were\tnot\tthe\tethereal,\tgentle\tfolk\tthat\tlegend\tpainted,\tthat\tshe\tvaguely\tremembered\tfrom Terrasen.\t No\t holding\t hands\t and\t dancing\t around\t the\t maypole\t with\t flowers\t in\t their\t hair. They\t were\t predators,\t the\t lot\t of\t them.\t Some\t of\t the\t dominant\t females\t were\t just\t as aggressive,\t prone\t to\t snarling\t when\t challenged\t or\t annoyed\t or\t even\t hungry.\t She\t supposed she\tmight\thave\tfit\tin\twith\tthem\tif\tshe\u2019d\tbothered\tto\ttry. Still\t holding\t Rowan\u2019s\t stare,\t Celaena\t calmed\t her\t breathing.\t She\t imagined\t phantom fingers\t reaching\t down,\t pulling\t her\t Fae\t form\t out.\t Imagined\t a\t wash\t of\t color\t and\t light. Pushed\therself\tagainst\ther\tmortal\tflesh.\tBut\u2014nothing. \u201cSometimes\tI\twonder\twhether\tthis\tis\ta\tpunishment\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tthrough\ther\tteeth. \u201cBut\twhat\tcould\tyou\thave\tdone\tto\tpiss\toff\ther\tImmortal\tMajesty?\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tuse\tthat\ttone\twhen\tyou\ttalk\tabout\ther.\u201d \u201cOh,\tI\tcan\tuse\twhatever\ttone\tI\twant.\tAnd\tyou\tcan\ttaunt\tand\tsnarl\tat\tme\tand\tmake\tme chop\twood\tall\tday,\tbut\tshort\tof\tripping\tout\tmy\ttongue,\tyou\tcan\u2019t\u2014\u201d Faster\t than\t lightning,\t his\t hand\t shot\t out\t and\t she\t gagged,\t jolting\t as\t he\t grabbed\t her tongue\tbetween\this\tfingers.\tShe\tbit\tdown,\thard,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tgo.\t\u201cSay\tthat\tagain,\u201d\the","purred. She\t choked\t as\t he\t kept\t pinching\t her\t tongue,\t and\t she\t went\t for\t his\t daggers, simultaneously\t slamming\t her\t knee\t up\t between\t his\t legs,\t but\t he\t shoved\t his\t body\t against hers,\t a\t wall\t of\t hard\t muscle\t and\t several\t hundred\t years\t of\t lethal\t training\t trapping\t her against\ta\ttree.\tShe\twas\ta\tjoke\tby\tcomparison\u2014a\tjoke\u2014and\ther\ttongue\u2014 He\t released\t her\t tongue,\t and\t she\t gasped\t for\t breath.\t She\t swore\t at\t him,\t a\t filthy,\t foul name,\tand\tspat\tat\this\tfeet.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\twhen\the\tbit\ther. She\tcried\tout\tas\tthose\tcanines\tpierced\tthe\tspot\tbetween\ther\tneck\tand\tshoulder,\ta\tprimal act\t of\t aggression\u2014the\t bite\t so\t strong\t and\t claiming\t that\t she\t was\t too\t stunned\t to\t move.\t He had\t her\t pinned\t against\t the\t tree\t and\t clamped\t down\t harder,\t his\t canines\t digging\t deep,\t her blood\t spilling\t onto\t her\t shirt.\t Pinned,\t like\t some\t weakling.\t But\t that\t was\t what\t she\u2019d become,\twasn\u2019t\tit?\tUseless,\tpathetic. She\tgrowled,\tmore\tanimal\tthan\tsentient\tbeing.\tAnd\tshoved. Rowan\tstaggered\tback\ta\tstep,\tteeth\tripping\ther\tskin\tas\tshe\tstruck\this\tchest.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t feel\tthe\tpain,\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tabout\tthe\tblood\tor\tthe\tflash\tof\tlight. No,\tshe\twanted\tto\trip\this\tthroat\tout\u2014rip\tit\tout\twith\tthe\telongated\tcanines\tshe\tbared\tat him\tas\tshe\tfinished\tshifting\tand\troared.","Chapter\t21 Rowan\tgrinned.\t\u201cThere\tyou\tare.\u201d\tBlood\u2014her\tblood\u2014was\ton\this\tteeth,\ton\this\tmouth\tand chin.\tAnd\tthose\tdead\teyes\tglowed\tas\the\tspat\ther\tblood\tonto\tthe\tearth.\tShe\tprobably\ttasted like\ta\tsewer\tto\thim. There\t was\t a\t shrieking\t in\t her\t ears,\t and\t Celaena\t lunged\t at\t him.\t Lunged,\t and\t then stopped\tas\tshe\ttook\tin\tthe\tworld\twith\tstunning\tclarity,\tsmelled\tit\tand\ttasted\tit\tand\tbreathed it\tlike\tthe\tfinest\twine.\tGods,\tthis\tplace,\tthis\tkingdom\tsmelled\tdivine,\tsmelled\tlike\u2014 She\thad\tshifted. She\tpanted,\teven\tthough\ther\tlungs\twere\ttelling\ther\tshe\twas\tno\tlonger\twinded\tand\tdid not\tneed\tas\tmany\tbreaths\tin\tthis\tbody.\tThere\twas\ta\ttickling\tat\ther\tneck\u2014her\tskin\tslowly beginning\t to\t stitch\t itself\t together.\t She\t was\t a\t faster\t healer\t in\t this\t form.\t Because\t of\t the magic\t\u2026\tBreathe.\tBreathe. But\t there\t it\t was,\t rising\t up,\t wildfire\t crackling\t in\t her\t veins,\t in\t her\t fingertips,\t the\t forest around\tthem\tso\tmuch\tkindling,\tand\tthen\u2014 She\tshoved\tback.\tTook\tthe\tfear\tand\tused\tit\tlike\ta\tbattering\tram\tinside\therself,\tagainst the\tpower,\tshoving\tit\tdown,\tdown. Rowan\tprowled\tcloser.\t\u201cLet\tit\tout.\tDon\u2019t\tfight\tit.\u201d A\tpulse\tbeat\tagainst\ther,\tnipping,\tsmelling\tof\tsnow\tand\tpine.\tRowan\u2019s\tpower,\ttaunting hers.\t Not\t like\t her\t fire,\t but\t a\t gift\t of\t ice\t and\t wind.\t A\t freezing\t zap\t at\t her\t elbow\t had\t her falling\tback\tagainst\tthe\ttree.\tThe\tmagic\tbit\ther\tcheek\tnow.\tMagic\u2014attacking\ther. The\twildfire\texploded\tin\ta\twall\tof\tblue\tflame,\trushing\tfor\tRowan,\tengulfing\tthe\ttrees, the\tworld,\therself,\tuntil\u2014 It\tvanished,\tsucked\tout\tinto\tnothing,\talong\twith\tthe\tair\tshe\twas\tbreathing. Celaena\tdropped\tto\ther\tknees.\tAs\tshe\tclutched\tat\ther\tneck\tas\tif\tshe\tcould\tclaw\topen\tan airway\t for\t herself,\t Rowan\u2019s\t boots\t appeared\t in\t the\t field\t of\t her\t vision.\t He\u2019d\t pulled\t the\t air out\u2014suffocated\ther\tfire.\tSuch\tpower,\tsuch\tcontrol.\tMaeve\thad\tnot\tgiven\ther\tan\tinstructor with\tsimilar\tabilities\u2014she\u2019d\tinstead\tsent\tsomeone\twith\tpower\tcapable\tof\tsmothering\ther fire,\tsomeone\twho\twouldn\u2019t\tmind\tdoing\tit\tshould\tshe\tbecome\ta\tthreat. Air\t rushed\t down\t her\t throat\t in\t a\t whoosh.\t She\t gasped\t it\t down\t in\t greedy\t gulps,\t hardly registering\tthe\tagony\tas\tshe\tshifted\tback\tinto\ther\tmortal\tform,\tthe\tworld\tgoing\tquiet\tand dull\tagain. \u201cDoes\tyour\tlover\tknow\twhat\tyou\tare?\u201d\tA\tcold\tquestion. She\t lifted\t her\t head,\t not\t caring\t how\t he\u2019d\t found\t out.\t \u201cHe\t knows\t everything.\u201d\t Not entirely\ttrue. His\teyes\tflickered\u2014with\twhat\temotion,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell.\t\u201cI\twon\u2019t\tbe\tbiting\tyou\tagain,\u201d he\tsaid,\tand\tshe\twondered\tjust\twhat\the\u2019d\ttasted\tin\ther\tblood.","She\tgrowled,\tbut\tthe\tsound\twas\tmuted.\tFangless.\t\u201cEven\tif\tit\u2019s\tthe\tonly\tway\tto\tget\tme to\tshift?\u201d He\twalked\tuphill\u2014to\tthe\tridge.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tbite\tthe\twomen\tof\tother\tmales.\u201d She\t heard,\t more\t than\t felt,\t something\t die\t from\t her\t voice\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t not\u2014 together.\tNot\tanymore.\tI\tlet\thim\tgo\tbefore\tI\tcame\there.\u201d He\tlooked\tover\this\tshoulder.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d\tFlat,\tbored.\tBut\tstill,\tslightly\tcurious. What\tdid\tshe\tcare\tif\the\tknew?\tShe\u2019d\tcurled\ther\thand\tinto\ta\tfist\tin\ther\tlap,\ther\tknuckles white.\tEvery\ttime\tshe\tglanced\tat\tthe\tring,\trubbed\tit,\tcaught\tit\tgleaming,\tit\tpunched\ta\thole right\tthrough\ther. She\t should\t take\t the\t damn\t thing\t off.\t But\t she\t knew\t she\t wouldn\u2019t,\t if\t only\t because\t that near-constant\t agony\t felt\t deserved.\t \u201cBecause\t he\u2019s\t safer\t if\t he\u2019s\t as\t repulsed\t by\t me\t as\t you are.\u201d \u201cAt\tleast\tyou\u2019ve\talready\tlearned\tone\tlesson.\u201d\tWhen\tshe\tcocked\ther\thead,\the\tsaid,\t\u201cThe people\tyou\tlove\tare\tjust\tweapons\tthat\twill\tbe\tused\tagainst\tyou.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\trecall\thow\tNehemia\thad\tbeen\tused\u2014had\tused\therself\u2014against\ther, to\t force\t her\t to\t act.\t Wanted\t to\t pretend\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t starting\t to\t forget\t what\t Nehemia\t had looked\tlike. \u201cShift\tagain,\u201d\tRowan\tordered,\tjerking\this\tchin\tat\ther.\t\u201cThis\ttime,\ttry\tto\u2014\u201d She\twas\tforgetting\twhat\tNehemia\tlooked\tlike.\tThe\tshade\tof\ther\teyes,\tthe\tcurve\tof\ther lips,\tthe\tsmell\tof\ther.\tHer\tlaugh.\tThe\troaring\tin\tCelaena\u2019s\thead\twent\tquiet,\tsilenced\tby\tthat familiar\tnothingness. Do\tnot\tlet\tthat\tlight\tgo\tout. But\t Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t to\t stop\t it.\t The\t one\t person\t she\t could\t have\t told,\t who might\t have\t understood\t \u2026\t She\t was\t buried\t in\t an\t unadorned\t grave,\t so\t far\t from\t the\t sun- warmed\tsoil\tthat\tshe\thad\tloved. Rowan\tgripped\ther\tby\tthe\tshoulders.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tlistening?\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tbored\tstare,\teven\tas\this\tfingers\tdug\tinto\ther\tskin.\t\u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tjust bite\tme\tagain?\u201d \u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tI\tgive\tyou\tthe\tlashing\tyou\tdeserve?\u201d He\tlooked\tso\tdead\tset\ton\tit\tthat\tshe\tblinked.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tever\ttake\ta\twhip\tto\tme,\tI\twill\tskin you\talive.\u201d He\t let\t go\t of\t her\t and\t stalked\t around\t the\t clearing,\t a\t predator\t assessing\t its\t prey.\t \u201cIf\t you don\u2019t\tshift\tagain,\tyou\u2019re\tpulling\tdouble\tduty\tin\tthe\tkitchens\tfor\tthe\tnext\tweek.\u201d \u201cFine.\u201d\t At\t least\t working\t in\t the\t kitchens\t had\t some\t quantifiable\t results.\t At\t least\t in\t the kitchens,\t she\t could\t tell\t up\t from\t down\t and\t knew\t what\t she\t was\t doing.\t But\t this\u2014this promise\tshe\u2019d\tmade,\tthe\tbargain\tshe\u2019d\tstruck\twith\tMaeve\t\u2026\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\ta\tfool. Rowan\tpaused\this\tstalking.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tworthless.\u201d \u201cTell\tme\tsomething\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d","He\twent\ton,\t\u201cYou\twould\tprobably\thave\tbeen\tmore\tuseful\tto\tthe\tworld\tif\tyou\u2019d\tactually died\tten\tyears\tago.\u201d She\tjust\tlooked\thim\tin\tthe\teye\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tleaving.\u201d Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\tstop\ther\tas\tshe\treturned\tto\tthe\tfortress\tand\tpacked.\tIt\ttook\tall\tof\ta\tminute,\tas she\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t unloaded\t her\t satchel\t and\t had\t no\t weapons\t left.\t She\t supposed\t she\t could have\tripped\tthe\tfortress\tapart\tto\tfind\twhere\tRowan\thad\tstashed\tthem,\tor\tstolen\tthem\tfrom the\tdemi-Fae,\tbut\tboth\twould\trequire\ttime\tand\tbring\tmore\tattention\tthan\tshe\twanted.\tShe didn\u2019t\ttalk\tto\tanyone\tas\tshe\twalked\tout. She\u2019d\t find\t another\t way\t to\t learn\t about\t the\t Wyrdkeys\t and\t destroy\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan and\tfree\tEyllwe.\tIf\tshe\tkept\tgoing\tlike\tthis,\tshe\u2019d\thave\tnothing\tleft\tinside\tto\tfight\twith. She\u2019d\tmarked\tthe\tpaths\tthey\u2019d\ttaken\ton\tthe\tway\tin,\tbut\tas\tshe\tentered\tthe\ttree-covered slopes,\tshe\tmostly\trelied\ton\tthe\tposition\tof\tthe\tcloud-veiled\tsun\tto\tnavigate.\tShe\u2019d\tmake the\t trip\t back,\t find\t food\t along\t the\t way,\t and\t figure\t out\t something\t else.\t This\t had\t been\t a fool\u2019s\terrand\tfrom\tthe\tstart.\tAt\tleast\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\ttoo\tlong\tdelayed\u2014though\tshe\tmight now\thave\tto\tbe\tquicker\tabout\tfinding\tthe\tanswers\tshe\tneeded,\tand\u2014 \u201cIs\tthis\twhat\tyou\tdo?\tRun\taway\twhen\tthings\tget\thard?\u201d\tRowan\twas\tstanding\tbetween two\ttrees\tdirectly\tin\ther\tpath,\thaving\tundoubtedly\tflown\there. She\t brushed\t past\t him,\t her\t legs\t burning\t with\t the\t downhill\t walk.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t free\t of\t your obligation\tto\ttrain\tme,\tso\tI\thave\tnothing\tmore\tto\tsay\tto\tyou,\tand\tyou\thave\tnothing\tmore\tto say\tto\tme.\tDo\tus\tboth\ta\tfavor\tand\tgo\tto\thell.\u201d A\tgrowl.\t\u201cHave\tyou\tever\thad\tto\tfight\tfor\tanything\tin\tyour\tlife?\u201d She\tlet\tout\ta\tlow,\tbitter\tlaugh\tand\twalked\tfaster,\tveering\twestward,\tnot\tcaring\tabout\tthe direction\t as\t much\t as\t getting\t away\t from\t him.\t But\t he\t kept\t up\t easily,\t his\t long,\t heavily muscled\tlegs\tdevouring\tthe\tmossy\tground.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tproving\tme\tright\twith\tevery\tstep\tyou take.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tyou\twant\tfrom\tMaeve\u2014what\tanswers\tyou\u2019re\tlooking\tfor,\tbut\tyou \u2014\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tI\twant\tfrom\ther?\u201d\tIt\twas\tmore\tof\ta\tshout\tthan\ta\tquestion.\t\u201cHow about\tsaving\tthe\tworld\tfrom\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan?\u201d \u201cWhy\tbother?\tMaybe\tthe\tworld\u2019s\tnot\tworth\tsaving.\u201d\tShe\tknew\the\tmeant\tit,\ttoo.\tThose lifeless\teyes\tspoke\tvolumes. \u201cBecause\t I\t made\t a\t promise.\t A\t promise\t to\t my\t friend\t that\t I\t would\t see\t her\t kingdom freed.\u201d\tShe\tshoved\ther\tscarred\tpalm\tinto\this\tface.\t\u201cI\tmade\tan\tunbreakable\tvow.\tAnd\tyou and\tMaeve\u2014all\tyou\tgods-damned\tbastards\u2014are\tgetting\tin\tthe\tway\tof\tthat.\u201d\tShe\twent\toff down\tthe\thillside\tagain.\tHe\tfollowed. \u201cAnd\twhat\tof\tyour\town\tpeople?\tWhat\tof\tyour\town\tkingdom?\u201d \u201cThey\tare\tbetter\toff\twithout\tme,\tjust\tas\tyou\tsaid.\u201d","His\t tattoo\t scrunched\t as\t he\t snarled.\t \u201cSo\t you\u2019d\t save\t another\t land,\t but\t not\t yours.\t Why can\u2019t\tyour\tfriend\tsave\ther\town\tkingdom?\u201d \u201cBecause\tshe\tis\tdead!\u201d\t She\t screamed\t the\t last\t word\t so\t loudly\t it\t burned\t in\t her\t throat. \u201cBecause\tshe\tis\tdead,\tand\tI\tam\tleft\twith\tmy\tworthless\tlife!\u201d He\t merely\t stared\t at\t her\t with\t that\t animal\t stillness.\t When\t she\t walked\t away,\t he\t didn\u2019t come\tafter\ther. She\tlost\ttrack\tof\thow\tfar\tshe\twalked\tand\tin\twhat\tdirection\tshe\ttraveled.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\treally care.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t spoken\t the\t words\u2014she\t is\t dead\u2014since\t the\t day\t after\t Nehemia\t had\t been taken\tfrom\ther.\tBut\tshe\twas\tdead.\tAnd\tCelaena\tmissed\ther. Night\t swept\t in\t earlier\t due\t to\t the\t cloud\t cover,\t the\t temperature\t plummeting\t as\t thunder grumbled\tin\tthe\tdistance.\tShe\tmade\tweapons\tas\tshe\twent,\tfinding\ta\tsharp\tstone\tto\twhittle down\t branches\t into\t rudimentary\t spears:\t the\t longer\t one\t she\t used\t as\t a\t walking\t stick,\t and though\tthey\twere\tlittle\tmore\tthan\tstakes,\tshe\ttold\therself\tthe\ttwo\tshort\tones\twere\tdaggers. Better\tthan\tnothing. Each\tstep\twas\theavier\tthan\tthe\tlast,\tand\tshe\thad\tenough\tof\ta\tsense\tof\tself-preservation left\t to\t start\t looking\t for\t a\t place\t to\t spend\t the\t night.\t It\t was\t almost\t dark\t when\t she\t found\t a decent\tspot:\ta\tshallow\tcave\tin\tthe\tside\tof\ta\tgranite\tledge. She\t swiftly\t gathered\t enough\t wood\t for\t a\t fire.\t The\t irony\t of\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t wasted\t on\t her.\t If she\t had\t any\t control\t over\t her\t magic\u2014she\t shut\t down\t that\t thought\t before\t it\t finished.\t She hadn\u2019t\t made\t a\t fire\t in\t years,\t so\t it\t took\t a\t few\t tries,\t but\t it\t worked.\t Just\t as\t thunder\t cracked above\ther\tlittle\tcave\tand\tthe\tskies\topened\tup. She\twas\thungry,\tand\tthankfully\tfound\tsome\tapples\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\ther\tsatchel,\talong with\told\tteggya\tfrom\tVarese\tthat\twas\tstill\tedible,\tif\thard\tto\tchew.\tAfter\tshe\tate\tas\tmuch\tof it\t as\t she\t could\t stand,\t she\t pulled\t her\t cloak\t around\t herself\t and\t nestled\t into\t the\t side\t of\t the cave. She\t didn\u2019t\t fail\t to\t notice\t the\t small,\t glowing\t eyes\t that\t gathered,\t peering\t through\t the brambles\tor\tover\tboulders\tor\taround\ttrees.\tNone\tof\tthem\thad\tbothered\ther\tsince\tthat\tfirst night,\t and\t they\t didn\u2019t\t come\t closer.\t Her\t instincts,\t warped\t as\t they\t had\t felt\t these\t last\t few weeks,\t didn\u2019t\t raise\t any\t alarms,\t either.\t So\t she\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t them\t off,\t and\t didn\u2019t\t really\t mind them\tat\tall. With\t the\t fire\t and\t the\t pounding\t rain,\t it\t was\t almost\t cozy\u2014not\t like\t her\t freezing\t room. Though\tshe\twas\texhausted,\tshe\tfelt\tsomewhat\tclearheaded.\tAlmost\tlike\therself\tagain,\twith her\t makeshift\t weapons.\t She\u2019d\t made\t a\t smart\t choice\t to\t leave.\t Do\t what\t needs\t to\t be\t done, Elena\thad\ttold\ther.\tWell,\tshe\u2019d\tneeded\tto\tleave\tbefore\tRowan\tshredded\ther\tinto\tso\tmany pieces\tthat\tshe\twould\tnever\tstand\ta\tchance\tof\tputting\therself\tback\ttogether. Tomorrow,\tshe\u2019d\tstart\tover.\tShe\u2019d\tspotted\twhat\tlooked\tlike\ta\tcrumbling,\tforgotten\troad that\tshe\tcould\tfollow\tdownhill.\tAs\tlong\tas\tshe\tkept\tgoing\ttoward\tthe\tplains,\tshe\tcould\tfind her\tway\tback\tto\tthe\tcoast.\tAnd\tcome\tup\twith\ta\tnew\tplan\tas\tshe\twent. It\twas\tgood\tshe\thad\tleft. Exhaustion\t hit\t her\t so\t thoroughly\t that\t she\t was\t asleep\t moments\t after\t she\t sprawled","beside\t the\t fire,\t one\t hand\t clasped\t around\t her\t spear.\t She\t probably\t would\t have\t dozed\t until dawn\thad\ta\tsudden\tsilence\tnot\tjerked\ther\tawake.","Chapter\t22 Celaena\u2019s\t fire\t was\t still\t crackling,\t the\t rain\t still\t pounding\t beyond\t the\t cave\t mouth.\t But\t the forest\thad\tgone\tquiet.\tThose\tlittle\twatching\teyes\thad\tvanished. She\t uncoiled\t to\t her\t feet,\t spear\t in\t one\t hand\t and\t a\t stake\t in\t the\t other,\t and\t crept\t to\t the narrow\t cave\t entrance.\t With\t the\t rain\t and\t the\t fire,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t make\t out\t anything.\t But every\thair\ton\ther\tbody\twas\tstanding,\tand\ta\tgrowing\treek\twas\tslithering\tin\tfrom\tthe\tforest beyond.\tLike\tleather\tand\tcarrion.\tDifferent\tfrom\twhat\tshe\u2019d\twhiffed\tat\tthe\tbarrows.\tOlder and\tearthier\tand\t\u2026\thungrier. Suddenly,\tthe\tfire\tseemed\tlike\tthe\tstupidest\tthing\tshe\thad\tever\tdone. No\tfires.\tThat\thad\tbeen\tRowan\u2019s\tonly\trule\twhile\ttrekking\tto\tthe\tfortress.\tAnd\tthey\thad stayed\toff\tthe\troads\u2014veering\taway\tentirely\tfrom\tthe\tforgotten,\tovergrown\tones.\tOnes\tlike the\tpath\tshe\u2019d\tspied\tnearby. The\tsilence\tdeepened. She\t slipped\t into\t the\t drenched\t forest,\t stubbing\t her\t toes\t on\t rocks\t and\t roots\t as\t her\t eyes adjusted\t to\t the\t dark.\t But\t she\t kept\t moving\t ahead\u2014curving\t down\t and\t away\t from\t the ancient\tpath. She\u2019d\tmade\tit\tfar\tenough\tthat\ther\tcave\twas\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\tglow\ton\tthe\thill\tabove,\ta flicker\t of\t light\t illuminating\t the\t trees.\t A\t gods-damned\t beacon.\t She\t angled\t her\t stake\t and spear\tinto\tbetter\tpositions,\tabout\tto\tcontinue\ton\twhen\tlightning\tflashed. Three\ttall,\tlanky\tsilhouettes\tlurked\tin\tfront\tof\ther\tcave. Though\t they\t stood\t like\t humans,\t she\t knew,\t deep\t in\t her\t bones\t from\t some\t collective mortal\tmemory,\tthat\tthey\twere\tnot.\tThey\twere\tnot\tFae,\teither. With\t expert\t quiet,\t she\t took\t another\t step,\t then\t another.\t They\t were\t still\t poking\t around the\tcave\tentrance,\ttaller\tthan\tmen,\tneither\tmale\tnor\tfemale. Skinwalkers\t are\t on\t the\t prowl,\t Rowan\t had\t warned\t that\t first\t day\t they\u2019d\t trained, searching\tfor\thuman\tpelts\tto\tbring\tback\tto\ttheir\tcaves.\tShe\thad\tbeen\ttoo\tdazed\tto\task\tor care.\t But\t now\u2014now\t that\t carelessness,\t that\t wallowing,\t was\t going\t to\t get\t her\t killed. Skinned. Wendlyn.\t Land\t of\t nightmares\t made\t flesh,\t where\t legends\t roamed\t the\t earth.\t Despite years\tof\tstealth\ttraining,\teach\tstep\tfelt\tlike\ta\tsnap,\ther\tbreathing\ttoo\tloud. Thunder\tgrumbled,\tand\tshe\tused\tthe\tcover\tof\tthe\tsound\tto\ttake\ta\tfew\tbounding\tsteps. She\tstopped\tbehind\tanother\ttree,\tbreathing\tas\tquietly\tas\tshe\tcould,\tand\tpeered\taround\tit\tto survey\tthe\thillside\tbehind\ther.\tLightning\tflashed\tagain. The\t three\t figures\t were\t gone.\t But\t the\t leathery,\t rancid\t smell\t swarmed\t all\t around\t her now.\tHuman\tpelts. She\teyed\tthe\ttree\tshe\u2019d\tducked\tbehind.\tThe\ttrunk\twas\ttoo\tslick\twith\tmoss\tand\train\tto","scale,\tthe\tbranches\ttoo\thigh.\tThe\tother\ttrees\tweren\u2019t\tany\tbetter.\tAnd\twhat\tgood\twas\tbeing stuck\tup\ta\ttree\tin\ta\tlightning\tstorm? She\t darted\t to\t the\t next\t tree,\t carefully\t avoiding\t any\t sticks\t or\t leaves,\t cursing\t silently\t at the\t slowness\t of\t her\t pace,\t and\u2014Damn\t it\t all\t to\t hell.\t She\t burst\t into\t a\t run,\t the\t mossy\t earth treacherous\tunderfoot.\tShe\tcould\tmake\tout\tthe\ttrees,\tsome\tlarger\trocks,\tbut\tthe\tslope\twas steep.\tShe\tkept\ther\tfeet\tunder\ther,\teven\tas\tundergrowth\tcracked\tbehind,\tfaster\tand\tfaster. She\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t take\t her\t focus\t off\t the\t trees\t and\t rocks\t as\t she\t hurtled\t down\t the\t slope, desperate\tfor\tany\tflat\tground.\tPerhaps\ttheir\thunting\tterritory\tended\tsomewhere\u2014perhaps she\tcould\toutrun\tthem\tuntil\tdawn.\tShe\tveered\teastward,\tstill\tgoing\tdownhill,\tand\tgrabbed on\t to\t a\t trunk\t to\t swing\t herself\t around,\t almost\t losing\t her\t balance\t as\t she\t slammed\t into something\thard\tand\tunyielding. She\tslashed\twith\ther\tstake\u2014only\tto\tbe\tgrabbed\tby\ttwo\tmassive\thands. Her\t wrists\t sang\t in\t agony\t as\t the\t fingers\t squeezed\t hard\t enough\t that\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t stab either\tweapon\tinto\ther\tcaptor.\tShe\ttwisted,\tbringing\tup\ta\tfoot\tto\tsmash\tinto\ther\tassailant, and\tcaught\ta\tflash\tof\tfangs\tbefore\u2014Not\tfangs.\tTeeth. And\tthere\twas\tno\tgleam\tof\tflesh-pelts.\tOnly\tsilver\thair,\tshining\twith\train. Rowan\tdragged\ther\tagainst\thim,\tpressing\tthem\tinto\twhat\tappeared\tto\tbe\ta\thollowed-out tree. She\t kept\t her\t panting\t quiet,\t but\t breathing\t didn\u2019t\t become\t any\t easier\t when\t Rowan gripped\t her\t by\t the\t shoulders\t and\t put\t his\t mouth\t to\t her\t ear.\t The\t crashing\t footsteps\t had stopped. \u201cYou\t are\t going\t to\t listen\t to\t every\t word\t I\t say.\u201d\t Rowan\u2019s\t voice\t was\t softer\t than\t the\t rain outside.\t\u201cOr\telse\tyou\tare\tgoing\tto\tdie\ttonight.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand?\u201d\tShe\tnodded.\tHe\tlet\tgo \u2014only\t to\t draw\t his\t sword\t and\t a\t wicked-looking\t hatchet.\t \u201cYour\t survival\t depends\t entirely on\tyou.\u201d\tThe\tsmell\twas\tgrowing\tagain.\t\u201cYou\tneed\tto\tshift\tnow.\tOr\tyour\tmortal\tslowness will\tkill\tyou.\u201d She\t stiffened,\t but\t reached\t in,\t feeling\t for\t some\t thread\t of\t power.\t There\t was\t nothing. There\t had\t to\t be\t some\t trigger,\t some\t place\t inside\t her\t where\t she\t could\t command\t it\t \u2026\t A slow,\t shrieking\t sound\t of\t stone\t on\t metal\t sounded\t through\t the\t rain.\t Then\t another.\t And another.\tThey\twere\tsharpening\ttheir\tblades.\t\u201cYour\tmagic\u2014\u201d \u201cThey\t do\t not\t breathe,\t so\t have\t no\t airways\t to\t cut\t off.\t Ice\t would\t slow\t them,\t not\t stop them.\t My\t wind\t is\t already\t blowing\t our\t scent\t away\t from\t them,\t but\t not\t for\t long.\t Shift, Aelin.\u201d Aelin.\tIt\twas\tnot\ta\ttest,\tnot\tsome\telaborate\ttrick.\tThe\tskinwalkers\tdid\tnot\tneed\tair. Rowan\u2019s\ttattoo\tshone\tas\tlightning\tfilled\ttheir\tlittle\thiding\tspot.\t\u201cWe\tare\tgoing\tto\thave to\trun\tin\ta\tmoment.\tWhat\tform\tyou\ttake\twhen\twe\tdo\twill\tdetermine\tour\tfates.\tSo\tbreathe, and\tshift.\u201d Though\t every\t instinct\t screamed\t against\t it,\t she\t closed\t her\t eyes.\t Took\t a\t breath.\t Then another.\t Her\t lungs\t opened,\t full\t of\t cool,\t soothing\t air,\t and\t she\t wondered\t if\t Rowan\t was helping\twith\tthat,\ttoo.","He\twas\thelping.\tAnd\the\twas\twilling\tto\tmeet\ta\thorrible\tfate\tin\torder\tto\tkeep\ther\talive. He\thadn\u2019t\tleft\ther\talone.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\talone. There\t was\t a\t muffled\t curse,\t and\t Rowan\t slammed\t his\t body\t against\t hers,\t as\t if\t he\t could somehow\tshield\ther.\tNo,\tnot\tshield\ther.\tCover\ther,\tthe\tflash\tof\tlight. She\t barely\t registered\t the\t pain\u2014if\t only\t because\t the\t moment\t her\t Fae\t senses\t snapped into\t place,\t she\t had\t to\t shove\t a\t hand\t against\t her\t own\t mouth\t to\t keep\t from\t retching.\t Oh, gods,\tthe\tfestering\tsmell\tof\tthem,\tworse\tthan\tany\tcorpse\tshe\u2019d\tever\tdealt\twith. With\t her\t delicately\t pointed\t ears,\t she\t could\t hear\t them\t now,\t each\t step\t they\t took\t as\t the three\t of\t them\t systematically\t made\t their\t way\t down\t the\t hill.\t They\t spoke\t in\t low,\t strange voices\u2014at\tonce\tmale\tand\tfemale,\tall\travenous. \u201cThere\t are\t two\t of\t them\t now,\u201d\t one\t hissed.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\t what\t power\t it wielded\tto\tallow\tit\tto\tspeak\twhen\tit\thad\tno\tairways.\t\u201cA\tFae\tmale\tjoined\tthe\tfemale.\tI\twant him\u2014he\tsmells\tof\tstorm\twinds\tand\tsteel.\u201d\tCelaena\tgagged\tas\tthe\tsmell\tshoved\tdown\ther throat.\t \u201cThe\t female\t we\u2019ll\t bring\t back\t with\t us\u2014dawn\u2019s\t too\t close.\t Then\t we\t can\t take\t our time\tpeeling\ther\tapart.\u201d Rowan\t eased\t off\t her\t and\t said\t quietly,\t not\t needing\t to\t be\t near\t for\t her\t to\t hear\t while\t he assessed\t the\t forest\t beyond,\t \u201cThere\t is\t a\t swift\t river\t a\t third\t of\t a\t mile\t east,\t at\t the\t base\t of\t a large\tcliff.\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tat\ther\tas\the\textended\ttwo\tlong\tdaggers,\tand\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tnod\ther thanks\tas\tshe\tsilently\tdiscarded\ther\tmakeshift\tweapons\tand\tgripped\tthe\tivory\thilts.\t\u201cWhen I\tsay\trun,\tyou\trun\tlike\thell.\tStep\twhere\tI\tstep,\tand\tdon\u2019t\tturn\taround\tfor\tany\treason.\tIf\twe are\tseparated,\trun\tstraight\u2014you\u2019ll\thear\tthe\triver.\u201d\tOrder\tafter\torder\u2014a\tcommander\ton\tthe battlefield,\tsolid\tand\tdeadly.\tHe\tpeered\tout\tof\tthe\ttree.\tThe\tsmell\twas\tnearly\toverpowering now,\t swarming\t from\t every\t angle.\t \u201cIf\t they\t catch\t you,\t you\t cannot\t kill\t them\u2014not\t with\t a mortal\tweapon.\tYour\tbest\toption\tis\tto\tfight\tuntil\tyou\tcan\tget\tfree\tand\trun.\tUnderstand?\u201d She\tgave\tanother\tnod.\tBreathing\twas\thard\tagain,\tand\tthe\train\twas\tnow\ttorrential. \u201cOn\t my\t mark,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t smelling\t and\t hearing\t things\t that\t were\t lost\t even\t to\t her heightened\tsenses.\t\u201cSteady\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tsank\tonto\ther\thaunches\tas\tRowan\tdid\tthe\tsame. \u201cCome\tout,\tcome\tout,\u201d\tone\tof\tthem\thissed\u2014so\tclose\tit\tcould\thave\tbeen\tinside\tthe\ttree with\t them.\t There\t was\t a\t sudden\t rustling\t in\t thebrush\t to\t the\t west,\t almost\t as\t if\t two\t people were\t running.\t Instantly,\t the\t reek\t of\t the\t skinwalkers\t lessened\t as\t they\t raced\t after\t the cracking\tbranches\tand\tleaves\tthat\tRowan\u2019s\twind\tled\tin\tthe\tother\tdirection. \u201cNow,\u201d\tRowan\thissed,\tand\tburst\tout\tof\tthe\ttree. Celaena\t ran\u2014or\t tried\t to.\t Even\t with\t her\t sharpened\t vision,\t the\t brush\t and\t stones\t and trees\t proved\t a\t hindrance.\t Rowan\t raced\t toward\t the\t rising\t roar\t of\t the\t river,\t swollen\t from the\t spring\t rains,\t his\t pace\t slower\t than\t she\u2019d\t expected,\t but\t \u2026\t but\t he\t was\t slowing\t for\t her. Because\tthis\tFae\tbody\twas\tdifferent,\tand\tshe\twas\tadjusting\twrong,\tand\u2014 She\tslipped,\tbut\ta\thand\twas\tat\ther\telbow,\tkeeping\ther\tupright.\t\u201cFaster,\u201d\twas\tall\the\tsaid, and\tas\tsoon\tas\tshe\u2019d\tfound\ther\tfooting,\the\twas\toff\tagain,\tshooting\tthrough\tthe\ttrees\tlike\ta mountain\tcat. It\t took\t all\t of\t a\t minute\t before\t the\t force\t of\t that\t smell\t gnawed\t on\t her\t heels\t and\t the snapping\t of\t the\t brush\t closed\t in.\t But\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t take\t her\t eyes\t off\t Rowan,\t and\t the","brightening\tahead\u2014the\tend\tof\tthe\ttree\tline.\tNot\tmuch\tfarther\tuntil\tthey\tcould\tjump,\tand\u2014 A\tfourth\tskinwalker\tleapt\tout\tof\twhere\tit\thad\tsomehow\tbeen\tlurking\tundetected\tin\tthe brush.\tIt\tlunged\tfor\tRowan\tin\ta\tflash\tof\tleathery,\tlong\tlimbs\tmarred\twith\tcountless\tscars. No,\tnot\tscars\u2014stitches.\tThe\tstitches\tholding\tits\tvarious\thides\ttogether. She\t shouted\t as\t the\t skinwalker\t pounced,\t but\t Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t falter\t a\t step\t as\t he\t ducked and\ttwirled\twith\tinhuman\tspeed,\tslashing\tdown\twith\this\tsword\tand\tviciously\tslicing\twith the\thatchet. The\tskinwalker\u2019s\tarm\tsevered\tat\tthe\tsame\tmoment\tits\thead\ttoppled\toff\tits\tneck. She\t might\t have\t marveled\t at\t the\t way\t he\t moved,\t the\t way\t he\t killed,\t but\t Rowan\t didn\u2019t stop\tsprinting,\tso\tCelaena\traced\tafter\thim,\tglancing\tonce\tat\tthe\tbody\tthe\tFae\twarrior\thad left\tin\tpieces. Sagging\tbits\tof\tleather\ton\tthe\twet\tleaves,\tlike\tdiscarded\tclothes.\tBut\tstill\ttwitching\tand rustling\u2014as\tif\twaiting\tfor\tsomeone\tto\tstitch\tit\tback\ttogether. She\tran\tfaster,\tRowan\tstill\tbounding\tahead. The\tskinwalkers\tclosed\tin\tfrom\tbehind,\tshrieking\twith\trage.\tThen\tthey\tfell\tsilent,\tuntil \u2014 \u201cYou\tthink\tthe\triver\tcan\tsave\tyou?\u201d\tone\tof\tthem\tpanted,\tletting\tout\ta\tlaugh\tthat\traked along\ther\tbones.\t\u201cYou\tthink\tif\twe\tget\twet,\twe\u2019ll\tlose\tour\tform?\tI\thave\tworn\tthe\tskins\tof fishes\twhen\tmortals\twere\tscarce,\tfemale.\u201d She\t had\t an\t image\t then,\t of\t the\t chaos\t waiting\t in\t that\t river\u2014a\t flipping\t and\t near- drowning\t and\t dizziness\u2014and\t something\t pulling\t her\t down,\t down,\t down\t to\t the\t still bottom. \u201cRowan,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed,\tbut\the\twas\talready\tgone,\this\tmassive\tbody\thurtling\tstraight\toff the\tcliff\tedge\tin\ta\tmighty\tleap. There\t was\t no\t stopping\t the\t pursuit\t behind\t her.\t The\t skinwalkers\t were\t going\t to\t jump with\tthem.\tAnd\tthere\twould\tbe\tnothing\tthey\tcould\tdo\tto\tkill\tthem,\tno\tmortal\tweapon\tthey could\tuse. A\twell\tripped\topen\tinside\tof\ther,\tvast\tand\tunyielding\tand\thorrible.\tRowan\thad\tclaimed no\tmortal\tweapon\tcould\tkill\tthem.\tBut\twhat\tof\timmortal\tones? Celaena\t broke\t through\t the\t line\t of\t trees,\t sprinting\t for\t the\t ledge\t that\t jutted\t out,\t bare granite\t beneath\t her\t as\t she\t threw\t her\t strength\t into\t her\t legs,\t her\t lungs,\t her\t arms,\t and jumped. As\tshe\tplummeted,\tshe\ttwisted\tto\tface\tthe\tcliff,\tto\tface\tthem.\tThey\twere\tno\tmore\tthan three\t lean\t bodies\t leaping\t into\t the\t rainy\t night,\t shrieking\t with\t primal,\t triumphant, anticipated\tpleasure. \u201cShift!\u201d\t was\t the\t only\t warning\t she\t gave\t Rowan.\t There\t was\t a\t flash\t of\t light\t to\t tell\t her he\u2019d\tobeyed. Then\tshe\tripped\teverything\tfrom\tthat\twell\tinside\ther,\tripped\tit\tout\twith\tboth\thands\tand her\tentire\traging,\thopeless\theart.","As\tshe\tfell,\thair\twhipping\ther\tface,\tCelaena\tthrust\ther\thands\ttoward\tthe\tskinwalkers. \u201cSurprise,\u201d\tshe\thissed.\tThe\tworld\terupted\tin\tblue\twildfire. Celaena\t shuddered\t on\t the\t riverbank,\t from\t cold\t and\t exhaustion\t and\t terror.\t Terror\t at\t the skinwalkers\u2014and\tterror\tat\twhat\tshe\thad\tdone. His\t clothes\t dry\t thanks\t to\t shifting,\t Rowan\t stood\t a\t few\t feet\t away,\t monitoring\t the smoldering\tcliffs\tupriver.\tShe\u2019d\tincinerated\tthe\tskinwalkers.\tThey\thadn\u2019t\teven\thad\ttime\tto scream. She\thunched\tover\ther\tknees,\tarms\twrapped\taround\therself.\tThe\tforest\twas\tburning\ton either\t side\t of\t the\t river\u2014a\t radius\t that\t she\t didn\u2019t\t have\t the\t nerve\t to\t measure.\t It\t was\t a weapon,\t her\t power.\t A\t different\t sort\t of\t weapon\t than\t blades\t or\t arrows\t or\t her\t hands.\t A curse. It\ttook\tseveral\tattempts,\tbut\tat\tlast\tshe\tspoke.\t\u201cCan\tyou\tput\tit\tout?\u201d \u201cYou\t could,\t if\t you\t tried.\u201d\t When\t she\t didn\u2019t\t respond,\t he\t said,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t almost\t done.\u201d\t In\t a moment\tthe\tflames\tnearest\tthe\tcliffs\twent\tout.\tHow\tlong\thad\the\tbeen\tworking\tto\tsuffocate them?\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tsomething\telse\tattracted\tto\tyour\tfires.\u201d She\tmight\thave\tbothered\tto\trespond\tto\tthe\tjab,\tbut\tshe\twas\ttoo\ttired\tand\tcold.\tThe\train filled\tthe\tworld,\tand\tfor\ta\twhile,\tsilence\treigned. \u201cWhy\tis\tmy\tshifting\tso\tvital?\u201d\tshe\tasked\tat\tlast. \u201cBecause\t it\t terrifies\t you,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cMastering\t it\t is\t the\t first\t step\t toward\t learning\t to control\tyour\tpower.\tWithout\tthat\tcontrol,\twith\ta\tblast\tlike\tthat,\tyou\tcould\teasily\thave\tburnt yourself\tout.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u201d Another\tstormy\tlook.\t\u201cWhen\tyou\taccess\tyour\tpower,\twhat\tdoes\tit\tfeel\tlike?\u201d She\tconsidered.\t\u201cA\twell,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cThe\tmagic\tfeels\tlike\ta\twell.\u201d \u201cHave\tyou\tfelt\tthe\tbottom\tof\tit?\u201d \u201cIs\tthere\ta\tbottom?\u201d\tShe\tprayed\tthere\twas. \u201cAll\t magic\t has\t a\t bottom\u2014a\t breaking\t point.\t For\t those\t with\t weaker\t gifts,\t it\u2019s\t easily depleted\t and\t easily\t refilled.\t They\t can\t access\t most\t of\t their\t power\t at\t once.\t But\t for\t those with\t stronger\t gifts,\t it\t can\t take\t hours\t to\t hit\t the\t bottom,\t to\t summon\t their\t powers\t at\t full strength.\u201d \u201cHow\tlong\tdoes\tit\ttake\tyou?\u201d \u201cA\t full\t day.\u201d\t She\t jolted.\t \u201cBefore\t battle,\t we\t take\t the\t time,\t so\t that\t when\t we\t walk\t onto the\tkilling\tfield,\twe\tcan\tbe\tat\tour\tstrongest.\tYou\tcan\tdo\tother\tthings\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime,\tbut some\tpart\tof\tyou\tis\tdown\tin\tthere,\tpulling\tup\tmore\tand\tmore,\tuntil\tyou\treach\tthe\tbottom.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhen\tyou\tpull\tit\tall\tout,\tit\tjust\u2014releases\tin\tsome\tgiant\twave?\u201d \u201cIf\t I\t want\t it\t to.\t I\t can\t release\t it\t in\t smaller\t bursts,\t and\t go\t on\t for\t a\t while.\t But\t it\t can\t be hard\t to\t hold\t it\t back.\t People\t sometimes\t can\u2019t\t tell\t friend\t from\t foe\t when\t they\u2019re\t handling","that\tmuch\tmagic.\u201d When\tshe\u2019d\tdrawn\ther\tpower\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tportal\tmonths\tago,\tshe\u2019d\tfelt\tthat lack\t of\t control\u2014known\t she\t was\t almost\t as\t likely\t to\t hurt\t Chaol\t as\t she\t was\t to\t hurt\t the demon\the\twas\tfacing.\t\u201cHow\tlong\tdoes\tit\ttake\tyou\tto\trecover?\u201d \u201cDays.\t A\t week,\t depending\t on\t how\t I\t used\t the\t power\t and\t whether\t I\t drained\t every\t last drop.\t Some\t make\t the\t mistake\t of\t trying\t to\t take\t more\t before\t they\u2019re\t ready,\t or\t holding\t on for\ttoo\tlong,\tand\tthey\teither\tburn\tout\ttheir\tminds\tor\tjust\tburn\tup\taltogether.\tYour\tshaking isn\u2019t\t just\t from\t the\t river,\t you\t know.\t It\u2019s\t your\t body\u2019s\t way\t of\t telling\t you\t not\t to\t do\t that again.\u201d \u201cBecause\tof\tthe\tiron\tin\tour\tblood\tpushing\tagainst\tthe\tmagic?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\thow\tour\tenemies\twill\tsometimes\ttry\tto\tfight\tagainst\tus\tif\tthey\tdon\u2019t\thave\tmagic \u2014iron\teverything.\u201d\tHe\tmust\thave\tseen\ther\tbrows\trise,\tbecause\the\tadded,\t\u201cI\twas\tcaptured once.\tWhile\ton\ta\tcampaign\tin\tthe\teast,\tin\ta\tkingdom\tthat\tdoesn\u2019t\texist\tanymore.\tThey\thad me\tshackled\thead\tto\ttoe\tin\tiron\tto\tkeep\tme\tfrom\tchoking\tthe\tair\tout\tof\ttheir\tlungs.\u201d She\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\twhistle.\t\u201cWere\tyou\ttortured?\u201d \u201cTwo\t weeks\t on\t their\t tables\t before\t my\t men\t rescued\t me.\u201d\t He\t unbuckled\t his\t vambrace and\tpushed\tback\tthe\tsleeve\tof\this\tright\tarm,\trevealing\ta\tthick,\twicked\tscar\tcurving\taround his\tforearm\tand\telbow.\t\u201cCut\tme\topen\tbit\tby\tbit,\tthen\ttook\tthe\tbones\there\tand\u2014\u201d \u201cI\t can\t see\t very\t well\t what\t happened,\t and\t know\t exactly\t how\t it\u2019s\t done,\u201d\t she\t said, stomach\t tightening.\t Not\t at\t the\t injury,\t but\u2014Sam.\t Sam\t had\t been\t strapped\t to\t a\t table,\t cut open\tand\tbroken\tby\tone\tof\tthe\tmost\tsadistic\tkillers\tshe\u2019d\tever\tknown. \u201cWas\tit\tyou,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tquietly,\tbut\tnot\tgently,\t\u201cor\tsomeone\telse?\u201d \u201cI\twas\ttoo\tlate.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tsurvive.\u201d\tAgain\tsilence\tfell,\tand\tshe\tcursed\therself\tfor\ta\tfool for\ttelling\thim.\tBut\tthen\tshe\tsaid\thoarsely,\t\u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tsaving\tme.\u201d A\tslight\tshrug,\tbarely\ta\tmovement\tat\tall.\tAs\tif\ther\tgratitude\twere\tharder\tto\tendure\tthan her\thatred\tand\treticence.\t\u201cI\tam\tbound\tby\tan\tunbreakable\tblood\toath\tto\tmy\tQueen,\tso\tI\thad no\tchoice\tbut\tto\tensure\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tdie.\u201d\tA\tbit\tof\tthat\tearlier\theaviness\tsettled\tin\ther\tveins again.\t \u201cBut,\u201d\t he\t went\t on,\t \u201cI\t would\t not\t have\t left\t anyone\t to\t a\t fate\t at\t the\t hands\t of\t the skinwalkers.\u201d \u201cA\twarning\twould\thave\tbeen\tnice.\u201d \u201cI\t said\t they\t were\t on\t the\t loose\u2014weeks\t ago.\t But\t even\t if\t I\u2019d\t warned\t you\t today,\t you would\tnot\thave\tlistened.\u201d It\twas\ttrue.\tShe\tshivered\tagain,\tthis\ttime\tso\tviolently\tthat\ther\tbody\tshifted\tback,\ta\tflash of\tlight\tand\tpain.\tIf\tshe\u2019d\tthought\tshe\twas\tcold\tin\ther\tFae\tbody,\tit\twas\tnothing\tcompared to\tthe\tcold\tof\tbeing\thuman\tagain. \u201cWhat\t was\t the\t trigger\t when\t you\t shifted\t earlier?\u201d\t he\t asked,\t as\t if\t this\t moment\t were\t a reprieve\tfrom\tthe\treal\tworld,\twhere\tthe\tfreezing\tstorm\tand\tthe\tsurging\triver\tcould\tmuffle their\twords\tfrom\tthe\tgods.\tShe\trubbed\tat\ther\tarms,\tdesperate\tfor\tany\tkind\tof\twarmth. \u201cIt\twas\tnothing.\u201d\tHis\tsilence\tdemanded\tinformation\tfor\tinformation\u2014a\tfair\ttrade.\tShe sighed.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t just\t say\t it\t was\t fear\t and\t necessity\t and\t impressively\t deep-rooted\t survival","instincts.\u201d \u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tlose\tcontrol\timmediately\tupon\tshifting.\tWhen\tyou\tfinally\tused\tyour\tmagic, your\t clothes\t didn\u2019t\t burn;\t neither\t did\t your\t hair.\t And\t the\t daggers\t didn\u2019t\t melt.\u201d\t As\t if\t just now\tremembering\tthat\tshe\tstill\thad\tthem,\the\tswiped\tthem\tfrom\ther. He\twas\tright.\tThe\tmagic\thadn\u2019t\tswarmed\ther\tthe\tmoment\tshe\u2019d\tshifted,\tand\teven\tin\tthe explosion\t that\t had\t spread\t out\t in\t every\t direction,\t she\u2019d\t had\t enough\t control\t to\t preserve herself.\tNot\ta\tsingle\thair\thad\tburned. \u201cWhy\twas\tit\tdifferent\tthis\ttime?\u201d\the\tpressed. \u201cBecause\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tyou\tto\tdie\tto\tsave\tme,\u201d\tshe\tadmitted. \u201cWould\tyou\thave\tshifted\tto\tsave\tyourself?\u201d \u201cYour\topinion\tof\tme\tis\tpretty\tmuch\tidentical\tto\tmy\town,\tso\tyou\tknow\tthe\tanswer.\u201d He\t was\t quiet\t for\t long\t enough\t that\t she\t wondered\t if\t he\t was\t piecing\t the\t bits\t of\t her together.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tleaving,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tat\tlast,\tarms\tcrossed.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tletting\tyou\toff double\tduty\tin\tthe\tkitchens,\tbut\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tleaving.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d He\tunfastened\this\tcloak.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tsaid\tso,\tthat\u2019s\twhy.\u201d\tAnd\tshe\tmight\thave\ttold\thim it\t was\t the\t worst\t gods-damned\t reason\t she\t had\t ever\t heard,\t and\t that\t he\t was\t an\t arrogant prick,\thad\the\tnot\ttossed\ther\this\tcloak\u2014dry\tand\twarm.\tThen\the\tdropped\this\tjacket\tin\ther lap,\ttoo. When\the\tturned\tto\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tfortress,\tshe\tfollowed\thim.","Chapter\t23 For\tthe\tpast\tweek,\tnot\tmuch\thad\tchanged\tfor\tManon\tand\tthe\tBlack-beaks.\tThey\tstill\tflew daily\tto\tmaster\tthe\twyverns,\tand\tstill\tmanaged\tto\tavoid\toutright\twar\tin\tthe\tmess\thall\ttwice a\tday.\tThe\tYellowlegs\their\ttried\tto\trile\tManon\twhenever\tshe\tcould,\tbut\tManon\tpaid\ther\tno more\tattention\tthan\tshe\twould\ta\tgnat\tbuzzing\tabout\ther\thead. All\t that\t changed\t the\t day\t of\t the\t selection,\t when\t the\t heirs\t and\t their\t covens\t chose\t their mounts. With\t three\t covens\t plus\t three\t Matrons,\t there\t were\t forty-two\t witches\t crowded\t around the\ttraining\tpit\tin\tthe\tNorthern\tFang.\tHandlers\trushed\tabout\tbelow\tthe\tviewing\tplatform, readying\t themselves.\t The\t wyverns\t would\t be\t brought\t out\t one\t by\t one,\t and,\t using\t the\t bait beasts,\t would\t show\t off\t their\t qualities.\t Like\t the\t other\t witches,\t Manon\t had\t been\t sneaking by\tthe\tcages\tevery\tday.\tShe\tstill\twanted\tTitus. Wanted\t was\t a\t mortal\t word.\t Titus\t was\t hers.\t And\t if\t it\t came\t down\t to\t it,\t she\u2019d disembowel\t any\t witch\t who\t challenged\t her.\t She\u2019d\t sharpened\t her\t nails\t this\t morning\t in anticipation\tof\tit.\tAll\tof\tthe\tThirteen\thad. Claims\twould\tbe\tsettled\tin\ta\tcivilized\tmanner,\thowever.\tThe\tthree\tMatrons\twould\tdraw sticks\tif\tmore\tthan\tone\tclaim\twas\tmade\ton\ta\tmount.\tWhen\tit\tcame\tto\tTitus,\tManon\tknew precisely\t who\t would\t vie\t for\t him:\t Iskra\t and\t Petrah,\t the\t Yellowlegs\t and\t Blueblood\t heirs. She\u2019d\t seen\t them\t both\t watching\t him\t with\t hungry\t eyes.\t Had\t Manon\t gotten\t her\t way,\t they would\t have\t fought\t for\t him\t in\t the\t sparring\t ring.\t She\u2019d\t even\t suggested\t as\t much\t to\t her grandmother,\tbut\twas\ttold\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\tquarrel\tamongst\tthemselves\tany\tmore\tthan necessary.\tIt\twould\tbe\tluck\tof\tthe\tdraw. That\t didn\u2019t\t sit\t well\t with\t Manon,\t who\t stood\t along\t the\t open\t edge\t of\t the\t platform, Asterin\tflanking\ther.\tHer\tedginess\tonly\tsharpened\tas\tthe\theavy\tgrate\tlifted\tat\tthe\tback\tof the\t pit.\t The\t bait\t beast\t was\t already\t chained\t to\t the\t bloodstained\t wall,\t a\t broken,\t scarred wyvern,\thalf\tthe\tsize\tof\tthe\tbulls,\this\twings\ttucked\tin\ttight.\tFrom\tthe\tplatform,\tshe\tcould see\t that\t the\t venomous\t spikes\t in\t his\t tail\t had\t been\t sawn\t off\t to\t keep\t him\t from\t defending himself\tagainst\tthe\tinvaluable\tmounts. The\t bait\t beast\t lowered\t his\t head\t as\t the\t gate\t groaned\t open\t and\t the\t first\t wyvern\t was paraded\t in\t on\t tight\t chains\t held\t by\t very\t pale-faced\t men.\t They\t darted\t back\t as\t soon\t as\t the beast\twas\tthrough,\tdodging\tthat\tdeadly\ttail,\tand\tthe\tgrate\tshut\tbehind\tthem. Manon\tloosed\ta\tbreath.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tTitus,\tbut\tone\tof\tthe\tmedium-sized\tbulls. Three\t sentinels\t stepped\t forward\t to\t claim\t him,\t but\t the\t Blueblood\t Matron,\t Cresseida, held\tup\ta\thand.\t\u201cLet\tus\tsee\thim\tin\taction\tfirst.\u201d One\tof\tthe\tmen\twhistled\tsharply.\tThe\twyvern\tturned\ton\tthe\tbait\tbeast. Teeth\t and\t scales\t and\t claws,\t so\t fast\t and\t vicious\t that\t even\t Manon\t held\t her\t breath. Chained\t as\t he\t was,\t the\t bait\t beast\t didn\u2019t\t stand\t a\t chance\t and\t was\t pinned\t within\t a\t second, massive\tjaws\tholding\tdown\this\tneck.\tOne\tcommand,\tone\twhistle,\tand\tthe\twyvern\twould","snap\tit. But\tthe\tman\tlet\tout\ta\tlower-note\twhistle,\tand\tthe\tbull\tbacked\toff.\tAnother\twhistle\tand he\t sat\t on\t his\t haunches.\t Two\t more\t sentinels\t stepped\t forward.\t Five\t in\t the\t running. Cresseida\theld\tout\ta\tfistful\tof\ttwigs\tto\tthe\tcontenders. It\twent\tto\tthe\tBlueblood\tsentinel,\twho\tgrinned\tat\tthe\tothers,\tthen\tdown\tat\ther\twyvern as\t it\t was\t led\t back\t into\t the\t tunnel.\t The\t bait\t beast,\t bleeding\t from\t his\t side,\t heaved\t himself into\tthe\tshadows\tby\tthe\twall,\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tnext\tassault. One\t after\t another,\t the\t wyverns\t were\t brought\t out,\t attacking\t with\t swift,\t wicked\t force. And\t one\t by\t one,\t the\t sentinels\t claimed\t them.\t No\t Titus,\t not\t yet.\t She\t had\t a\t feeling\t the Matrons\t were\t drawing\t this\t out\t as\t some\t test\u2014to\t see\t how\t well\t the\t heirs\t could\t control themselves\twhile\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tbest\tmounts,\tto\tsee\twho\twould\thold\tout\tlongest.\tManon kept\tone\teye\ton\tthe\tbeasts\tand\tanother\ton\tthe\tother\theirs,\twho\twatched\ther\tin\tturn\tas\teach wyvern\twas\tparaded. Yet\t the\t first\t truly\t enormous\t female\t had\t Petrah,\t the\t Blueblood\t heir,\t stepping\t forward. The\t female\t was\t nearly\t Titus\u2019s\t size,\t and\t wound\t up\t taking\t a\t chunk\t out\t of\t the\t bait\t beast\u2019s flank\tbefore\tthe\ttrainers\tcould\tget\ther\tto\tstop.\tWild,\tunpredictable,\tlethal.\tMagnificent. No\tone\tchallenged\tthe\tBlueblood\their.\tPetrah\u2019s\tmother\tonly\tgave\ther\ta\tnod,\tas\tthough they\thad\talready\tknown\twhat\tmount\tshe\tdesired. Asterin\t took\t the\t fiercest\t stealth\t wyvern\t that\t came\t along,\t a\t cunning-eyed\t female.\t Her cousin\t had\t always\t been\t the\t best\t at\t scouting,\t and\t after\t a\t talk\t with\t Manon\t and\t the\t other sentinels\t that\t went\t long\t into\t the\t night,\t it\t had\t been\t decided\t that\t Asterin\t would\t continue that\trole\tin\tthe\tThirteen\u2019s\tnew\tduties. So\t when\t the\t pale\t blue\t female\t was\t presented,\t Asterin\t claimed\t her,\t her\t eyes\t promising such\t brutality\t to\t anyone\t who\t got\t in\t her\t way\t that\t they\t practically\t glowed.\t No\t one\t dared challenge\ther. Manon\t was\t watching\t the\t tunnel\t entrance\t when\t she\t smelled\t the\t myrrh\t and\t rosemary scent\tof\tthe\tBlueblood\their\tbeside\ther.\tAsterin\tsnarled\ta\tsoft\twarning. \u201cWaiting\tfor\tTitus,\taren\u2019t\tyou?\u201d\tPetrah\tmurmured,\teyes\talso\ton\tthe\ttunnel. \u201cAnd\tif\tI\tam?\u201d\tManon\tasked. \u201cI\u2019d\trather\tyou\thave\thim\tthan\tIskra.\u201d The\t witch\u2019s\t serene\t face\t was\t unreadable.\t \u201cSo\t would\t I.\u201d\t She\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t what,\t exactly, but\tthe\tconversation\tmeant\tsomething. Clearly,\tseeing\tthem\tquietly\ttalking\tmeant\tsomething\tto\teveryone\telse,\ttoo.\tEspecially Iskra,\twho\tsauntered\tover\tto\tManon\u2019s\tother\tside.\t\u201cPlotting\talready?\u201d The\t Blueblood\t heir\t lifted\t her\t chin.\t \u201cI\t think\t Titus\t would\t make\t a\t good\t mount\t for Manon.\u201d A\t line\t in\t the\t sand,\t Manon\t thought.\t What\t had\t the\t Blueblood\t Matron\t told\t Petrah\t about her?\tWhat\tschemes\twas\tshe\thatching? Iskra\u2019s\tmouth\ttwisted\tinto\ta\thalf\tgrin.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tsee\twhat\tthe\tThree-Faced\tMother\thas\tto","say.\u201d Manon\tmight\thave\tsaid\tsomething\tback,\tbut\tthen\tTitus\tthundered\tout. As\tit\thad\tevery\tother\ttime,\tthe\tbreath\twent\tout\tof\ther\tat\this\tsheer\tsize\tand\tviciousness. The\t men\t had\t barely\t scrambled\t back\t through\t the\t gate\t before\t Titus\t whirled,\t snapping\t for them.\t They\u2019d\t made\t only\t a\t few\t successful\t runs\t with\t him,\t she\u2019d\t been\t told.\t Yet\t under\t the right\trider,\the\u2019d\tfully\tbreak. Titus\t didn\u2019t\t wait\t for\t the\t whistle\t before\t he\t wheeled\t on\t the\t bait\t beast,\t striking\t with\t his barbed\t tail.\t The\t chained\t beast\t ducked\t with\t surprising\t swiftness,\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t sensed\t the bull\u2019s\tattack,\tand\tTitus\u2019s\ttail\timbedded\titself\tin\tthe\tstone. Debris\trained\ton\tthe\tbait\tbeast,\tand\tas\the\tcringed\tback,\tTitus\tstruck\tagain.\tAnd\tagain. Chained\tto\tthe\twall,\tthe\tbait\tbeast\tcould\tdo\tnothing.\tThe\tman\twhistled,\tbut\tTitus\tkept at\tit.\tHe\tmoved\twith\tthe\tfluid\tgrace\tof\tuntamed\tsavagery. The\tbait\tbeast\tyelped,\tand\tManon\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthe\tBlueblood\their\tflinched.\tShe\u2019d never\theard\ta\tcry\tof\tpain\tfrom\tany\tof\tthe\twyverns,\tyet\tas\tTitus\tsank\tback\ton\this\thaunches, she\tsaw\twhere\the\u2019d\tstruck\u2014right\tatop\tthe\tearlier\twound\tin\tthe\tbait\tbeast\u2019s\tflank. As\tif\tTitus\tknew\twhere\tto\thit\tto\tinflict\tthe\tmost\tagony.\tShe\tknew\tthey\twere\tintelligent, but\t how\t intelligent?\t The\t man\t whistled\t again,\t and\t a\t whip\t sounded.\t Titus\t just\t kept\t pacing in\tfront\tof\tthe\tbait\tbeast,\tcontemplating\thow\the\twould\tstrike.\tNot\tout\tof\tstrategy.\tNo,\the wanted\tto\tsavor\tit.\tTo\ttaunt. A\t shiver\t of\t delight\t went\t down\t Manon\u2019s\t spine.\t Riding\t a\t beast\t like\t Titus,\t ripping\t apart her\tenemies\twith\thim\t\u2026 \u201cIf\tyou\twant\thim\tso\tbadly,\u201d\tIskra\twhispered,\tand\tManon\trealized\tshe\twas\tstill\tstanding beside\ther,\tnow\tonly\ta\tstep\taway,\t\u201cwhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tgo\tget\thim?\u201d And\tbefore\tManon\tcould\tmove\u2014before\tanyone\tcould,\tbecause\tthey\twere\tall\tenthralled by\tthat\tglorious\tbeast\u2014iron\tclaws\tshoved\tinto\ther\tback. Asterin\u2019s\t shout\t echoed,\t but\t Manon\t was\t falling,\t plunging\t the\t forty\t feet\t right\t into\t the stone\t pit.\t She\t twisted,\t colliding\t with\t a\t small,\t crumbling\t ledge\t jutting\t from\t the\t wall.\t It slowed\ther\tfall\tand\tsaved\ther\tlife,\tbut\tshe\tkept\tgoing\tuntil\u2014 She\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tground,\ther\tankle\twrenching.\tCries\tcame\tfrom\tabove,\tbut\tManon didn\u2019t\t look\t up.\t If\t she\t had,\t she\t might\t have\t seen\t Asterin\t tackle\t Iskra,\t claws\t and\t teeth\t out. She\tmight\thave\tseen\ther\tgrandmother\tgive\tthe\torder\tthat\tno\tone\twas\tto\tjump\tinto\tthe\tpit. But\tManon\twasn\u2019t\tlooking\tat\tthem. Titus\tturned\ttoward\ther. The\twyvern\tstood\tbetween\ther\tand\tthe\tgate,\twhere\tthe\tmen\twere\trushing\tto\tand\tfro,\tas if\ttrying\tto\tdecide\twhether\tthey\tshould\trisk\tsaving\ther\tor\twait\tuntil\tshe\twas\tcarrion. Titus\u2019s\t tail\t lashed\t back\t and\t forth,\t his\t dark\t eyes\t pinned\t on\t her.\t Manon\t drew\t Wind- Cleaver.\tIt\twas\ta\tdagger\tcompared\tto\tthe\tmass\tof\thim.\tShe\thad\tto\tget\tto\tthat\tgate. She\t stared\t him\t down.\t Titus\t settled\t onto\t his\t haunches,\t preparing\t to\t attack.\t He\t knew where\tthe\tgate\twas,\ttoo,\tand\twhat\tit\tmeant\tfor\ther.\tHis\tprey.","Not\trider\tor\tmistress,\tbut\tprey. The\twitches\thad\tgone\tsilent.\tThe\tmen\tat\tthe\tgate\tand\tupper\tplatforms\thad\tgone\tsilent. Manon\trotated\ther\tsword.\tTitus\tlunged. She\thad\tto\troll\tto\tavoid\this\tmouth,\tand\twas\tup\tin\ta\tsecond,\tsprinting\tlike\thell\tfor\tthat gate.\t Her\t ankle\t throbbed,\t and\t she\t limped,\t swallowing\t her\t scream\t of\t pain.\t Titus\t turned, fast\tas\ta\tspring\tstream\tdown\ta\tmountainside,\tand\tas\tshe\thurtled\tfor\tthe\tgate,\the\tstruck\twith his\ttail. Manon\t had\t enough\t sense\t to\t whirl\t to\t avoid\t the\t venomous\t barbs,\t but\t she\t caught\t an upper\tedge\tof\tthe\ttail\tin\tthe\tside\tand\twent\tflying,\tWind-Cleaver\twrenching\tfrom\ther\tgrip. She\thit\tthe\tdirt\tnear\tthe\topposite\twall\tand\tslid,\tface\tscraping\ton\tthe\trocks.\tHer\tribs\tbleated in\tagony\tas\tshe\tscrambled\tinto\ta\tsitting\tposition\tand\tgauged\tthe\tdistance\tbetween\therself and\tthe\tsword\tand\tTitus. But\tTitus\twas\thesitating,\this\teyes\tlifted\tbehind\ther,\tabove\ther,\tto\u2014 Darkness\t embrace\t her.\t She\u2019d\t forgotten\t about\t the\t bait\t beast.\t The\t creature\t chained behind\ther,\tso\tclose\tshe\tcould\tsmell\tthe\tcarrion\ton\this\tbreath. Titus\u2019s\tstare\twas\ta\tcommand\tfor\tthe\tbait\tbeast\tto\tstand\tdown.\tTo\tlet\thim\teat\tManon. Manon\t dared\t a\t glance\t over\t her\t shoulder,\t to\t the\t sword\t in\t the\t shadows,\t so\t close\t to\t the chained\t anchor\t of\t the\t bait\t beast.\t She\t might\t have\t risked\t it\t if\t the\t beast\t wasn\u2019t\t there,\t if\t he wasn\u2019t\tlooking\tdead\tat\ther,\tlooking\tat\ther\tlike\tshe\twas\u2014 Not\tprey. Titus\t growled\t a\t territorial\t warning\t at\t the\t bait\t beast\t again,\t so\t loud\t she\t could\t feel\t it\t in every\tbone.\tInstead,\tthe\tbait\tbeast,\tsmall\tas\the\twas,\twas\tgazing\tat\ther\twith\tsomething\tlike rage\tand\tdetermination.\tEmotion,\tshe\tmight\thave\tcalled\tit.\tHunger,\tbut\tnot\tfor\ther. No,\t she\t realized\t as\t the\t beast\t lifted\t its\t black\t gaze\t to\t Titus,\t letting\t out\t a\t low\t snarl\t in response.\t Not\t submissive\t in\t the\t least,\t that\t sound.\t A\t threat\u2014a\t promise.\t The\t bait\t beast wanted\ta\tshot\tat\tTitus. Allies.\tIf\tonly\tfor\tthis\tmoment. Again,\t Manon\t felt\t that\t ebb\t and\t flow\t in\t the\t world,\t that\t invisible\t current\t that\t some called\t Fate\t and\t some\t called\t the\t loom\t of\t the\t Three-Faced\t Goddess.\t Titus\t roared\t his\t final threat. Manon\ttwisted\tto\ther\tfeet\tand\tran. Every\tstep\tmade\tstars\tflash,\tand\tthe\tground\tshook\tas\tTitus\tbarreled\tafter\ther,\twilling\tto tear\tthrough\tthe\tbait\tbeast\tto\tkill\ther\tif\tnecessary. Manon\t scooped\t up\t her\t sword\t and\t whirled,\t bringing\t it\t down\t upon\t the\t thick,\t rusted chain\twith\tevery\tbit\tof\tstrength\tleft\tin\ther. Wind-Cleaver,\t they\t called\t her\t blade.\t Now\t they\t would\t call\t it\t Iron-Cleaver.\t The\t chain snapped\tfree\tas\tTitus\tleapt\tfor\ther. Titus\t didn\u2019t\t see\t it\t coming,\t and\t there\t was\t something\t like\t shock\t in\t his\t eyes\t as\t the\t bait","beast\ttackled\thim\tand\tthey\trolled. Titus\twas\ttwice\tits\tsize\tand\tuninjured,\tand\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\twait\tto\tsee\tthe\toutcome\tbefore she\ttook\toff\tfor\tthe\ttunnel,\twhere\tthe\tmen\twere\tfrantically\tlifting\tthe\tgrate. But\tthen\ta\tboom\tand\ta\tshocked\tmurmur\tsounded,\tand\tManon\tdared\tone\tlook\tin\ttime\tto see\tthe\twyverns\tleap\tapart\tand\tthe\tbait\tbeast\tstrike\tagain. The\t blow\t from\t that\t scarred,\t useless\t tail\t was\t so\t strong\t Titus\u2019s\t head\t slammed\t into\t the dirt. As\t Titus\t surged\t to\t his\t legs,\t the\t bait\t beast\t feinted\t with\t its\t tail\t and\t made\t a\t swipe\t with jagged\tclaws\tthat\thad\tTitus\troaring\tin\tpain. Manon\tfroze,\tbarely\tfifteen\tfeet\tfrom\tthe\tgate. The\twyverns\tcircled\teach\tother,\twings\tscraping\tagainst\tthe\tground.\tIt\tshould\thave\tbeen a\tjoke.\tAnd\tyet\tthe\tbait\tbeast\twouldn\u2019t\tstand\tdown,\tdespite\tthe\tlimp,\tdespite\tthe\tscars\tand the\tblood. Titus\twent\tright\tfor\tthe\tthroat\twith\tno\twarning\tgrowl. The\t bait\t beast\u2019s\t tail\t connected\t with\t Titus\u2019s\t head.\t Titus\t reeled\t back\t but\t then\t lunged, jaws\t and\t tail\t snapping.\t Once\t those\t barbs\t got\t into\t the\t flesh\t of\t the\t bait\t beast,\t it\t would\t be done.\t The\t bait\t beast\t dodged\t the\t tail\t by\t slamming\t its\t own\t down\t atop\t it,\t but\t couldn\u2019t escape\tthe\tjaws\tthat\tlatched\ton\tto\tits\tneck. Over.\tIt\tshould\tbe\tover. The\tbait\tbeast\tthrashed,\tbut\tcouldn\u2019t\tget\tfree.\tManon\tknew\tshe\tshould\trun.\tOthers\twere shouting.\t She\t had\t been\t born\t without\t sympathy\t or\t mercy\t or\t kindness.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t care which\tone\tof\tthem\tlived\tor\tdied,\tso\tlong\tas\tshe\tescaped.\tBut\tthat\tcurrent\twas\tstill\tflowing, flowing\ttoward\tthe\tfight,\tnot\taway\tfrom\tit.\tAnd\tshe\towed\tthe\tbait\tbeast\ta\tlife\tdebt. So\tManon\tdid\tthe\tmost\tfoolish\tthing\tshe\u2019d\tever\tdone\tin\ther\tlong,\twicked\tlife. She\t ran\t for\t Titus\t and\t brought\t Wind-Cleaver\t down\t upon\t his\t tail.\t She\t severed\t clean through\tflesh\tand\tbone,\tand\tTitus\troared,\treleasing\this\tprey.\tThe\tstump\tof\this\ttail\tlashed\tat her,\tand\tManon\ttook\tit\tright\tin\tthe\tstomach,\tthe\tair\tknocked\tout\tof\ther\tbefore\tshe\teven\thit the\tground.\tWhen\tshe\traised\therself,\tshe\tsaw\tthe\tfinal\tlunge\tthat\tended\tit. Throat\t exposed\t by\t his\t bellow\t of\t pain,\t Titus\t didn\u2019t\t stand\t a\t chance\t as\t the\t bait\t beast pounced\tand\tclosed\tits\tjaws\taround\tthat\tmighty\tneck. Titus\thad\tone\tlast\tthrash,\tone\tfinal\tattempt\tto\tpry\thimself\tfree.\tThe\tbait\tbeast\theld\tfirm, as\t though\t he\u2019d\t been\t waiting\t for\t weeks\t or\t months\t or\t years.\t He\t clamped\t down\t and wrenched\this\thead\taway,\ttaking\tTitus\u2019s\tthroat\twith\thim. Silence\t fell.\t As\t if\t the\t world\t itself\t stopped\t when\t Titus\u2019s\t body\t crashed\t to\t the\t ground, black\tblood\tspilling\teverywhere. Manon\t stood\t absolutely\t still.\t Slowly,\t the\t bait\t beast\t lifted\t its\t head\t from\t the\t carcass, Titus\u2019s\tblood\tdripping\tfrom\this\tmaw.\tTheir\teyes\tmet. People\t were\t shouting\t at\t her\t to\t run,\t and\t the\t gate\t groaned\t open,\t but\t Manon\t stared\t into those\t black\t eyes,\t one\t of\t them\t horribly\t scarred\t but\t intact.\t He\t took\t a\t step,\t then\t another","toward\ther. Manon\theld\ther\tground.\tIt\twas\timpossible.\tImpossible.\tTitus\twas\ttwice\this\tsize,\ttwice his\tweight,\tand\thad\tyears\tof\ttraining. The\t bait\t beast\t had\t trounced\t him\u2014not\t because\t he\t was\t bigger\t or\t stronger,\t but\t because he\t wanted\t it\t more.\t Titus\t had\t been\t a\t brute\t and\t a\t killer,\t yet\t this\t wyvern\t before\t her\t \u2026\t he was\ta\twarrior. Men\twere\trushing\tin\twith\tspears\tand\tswords\tand\twhips,\tand\tthe\tbait\tbeast\tgrowled. Manon\theld\tup\ta\thand.\tAnd\tagain,\tthe\tworld\tstopped. Manon,\teyes\tstill\tupon\tthe\tbeast,\tsaid,\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tmine.\u201d He\thad\tsaved\ther\tlife.\tNot\tby\tcoincidence,\tbut\tby\tchoice.\tHe\u2019d\tfelt\tthe\tcurrent\trunning between\tthem,\ttoo.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\tbarked\tfrom\tabove. Manon\t found\t herself\t walking\t toward\t the\t wyvern,\t and\t stopped\t with\t not\t five\t feet between\tthem.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tmine,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\ttaking\tin\tthe\tscars,\tthe\tlimp,\tthe\tburning\tlife\tin those\teyes. The\twitch\tand\tthe\twyvern\tlooked\tat\teach\tother\tfor\ta\tmoment\tthat\tlasted\tfor\ta\theartbeat, that\tlasted\tfor\teternity.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tmine,\u201d\tManon\tsaid\tto\thim. The\t wyvern\t blinked\t at\t her,\t Titus\u2019s\t blood\t still\t dripping\t from\t his\t cracked\t and\t broken teeth,\t and\t Manon\t had\t the\t feeling\t that\t he\t had\t come\t to\t the\t same\t decision.\t Perhaps\t he\t had known\tlong\tbefore\ttonight,\tand\this\tfight\twith\tTitus\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tso\tmuch\tabout\tsurvival\tas it\thad\tbeen\ta\tchallenge\tto\tclaim\ther. As\this\trider.\tAs\this\tmistress.\tAs\this. Manon\tnamed\ther\twyvern\tAbraxos,\tafter\tthe\tancient\tserpent\twho\theld\tthe\tworld\tbetween his\tcoils\tat\tthe\tbehest\tof\tthe\tThree-Faced\tGoddess.\tAnd\tthat\twas\tabout\tthe\tonly\tpleasant thing\tthat\thappened\tthat\tnight. When\tshe\u2019d\treturned\tto\tthe\tothers,\tAbraxos\ttaken\taway\tfor\tcleaning\tand\tmending\tand Titus\u2019s\t carcass\t hauled\t off\t by\t thirty\t men,\t Manon\t had\t stared\t down\t each\t and\t every\t witch who\tdared\tmeet\ther\teyes. The\tYellowlegs\their\twas\tbeing\theld\tby\tAsterin\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tMatrons.\tManon\tgazed\tat Iskra\tfor\ta\tlong\tmoment\tbefore\tshe\tsimply\tsaid,\t\u201cLooks\tlike\tI\tlost\tmy\tfooting.\u201d Iskra\tsteamed\tat\tthe\tears,\tbut\tManon\tshrugged,\twiping\tthe\tdirt\tand\tblood\tfrom\ther\tface before\t limping\t back\t to\t the\t Omega.\t She\t wouldn\u2019t\t give\t Iskra\t the\t satisfaction\t of\t claiming she\u2019d\talmost\tkilled\ther.\tAnd\tManon\twas\tin\tno\tshape\tto\tsettle\tthis\tin\ta\tproper\tfight. Attack\tor\tclumsiness,\tAsterin\twas\tpunished\tby\tMother\tBlackbeak\tthat\tnight\tfor\tletting the\their\tfall\tinto\tthe\tpit.\tManon\thad\tasked\tto\tbe\tthe\tone\tto\tdispense\tthe\twhipping,\tbut\ther grandmother\t ignored\t her.\t Instead,\t she\t had\t the\t Yellowlegs\t heir\t do\t it.\t As\t Asterin\u2019s\t failure had\toccurred\tin\tplain\tsight\tof\tthe\tother\tMatrons\tand\ttheir\theirs,\tso\twould\ther\tpunishment. Standing\t in\t the\t mess\t hall,\t Manon\t watched\t each\t brutal\t lash,\t all\t ten\t of\t them\t at\t full strength,\tas\tIskra\tsported\ta\tbruise\ton\ther\tjaw\tcourtesy\tof\tAsterin.","To\t her\t everlasting\t credit,\t Asterin\t didn\u2019t\t scream.\t Not\t once.\t It\t still\t took\t all\t of\t Manon\u2019s self-restraint\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tgrabbing\tthe\twhip\tand\tusing\tit\tto\tstrangle\tIskra. Then\tcame\tthe\tconversation\twith\ther\tgrandmother.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\ta\tconversation\tas it\twas\ta\tslap\tin\tthe\tface,\tthen\ta\tverbal\tbeating\tthat\u2014a\tday\tlater\u2014still\tmade\tManon\u2019s\tears ring. She\u2019d\t humiliated\t her\t grandmother\t and\t every\t Blackbeak\t in\t history\t by\t picking\t that \u201crunty\t scrap\t of\t meat,\u201d\t regardless\t of\t his\t victory.\t It\t was\t a\t fluke\t that\t he\u2019d\t killed\t Titus,\t her grandmother\t ranted.\t Abraxos\t was\t the\t smallest\t of\t any\t of\t the\t mounts,\t and\t on\t top\t of\t that, because\tof\this\tsize,\the\thad\tnever\tflown\ta\tday\tin\this\tlife.\tThey\thad\tnever\tlet\thim\tout\tof\tthe warrens. They\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tknow\tif\the\tcould\tfly\tafter\this\twings\thad\ttaken\ta\tbeating\tfor\tso\tlong, and\t the\t handlers\t were\t of\t the\t opinion\t that\t should\t Abraxos\t attempt\t the\t Crossing,\t he\u2019d splatter\thimself\tand\tManon\ton\tthe\tGap\tfloor.\tThey\tclaimed\tno\tother\twyverns\twould\tever accept\t his\t dominance,\t not\t as\t a\t Wing\t Leader.\t Manon\t had\t ruined\t all\t of\t her\t grandmother\u2019s plans. All\tthese\tfacts\twere\tshouted\tat\ther\tagain\tand\tagain.\tShe\tknew\tthat\tif\tshe\teven\twanted to\tchange\tmounts,\ther\tgrandmother\twould\tforce\ther\tto\tkeep\tAbraxos,\tjust\tto\thumiliate\ther when\tshe\tfailed.\tEven\tif\tit\tgot\ther\tkilled\tin\tthe\tprocess. Her\tgrandmother\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tin\tthe\tpit,\tthough.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tlooked\tinto\tAbraxos\u2019s\teyes and\tseen\tthe\twarrior\u2019s\theart\tbeating\tin\thim.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tnoticed\tthat\the\u2019d\tfought\twith\tmore cunning\tand\tferocity\tthan\tany\tof\tthe\tothers.\tSo\tManon\theld\tfirm\tand\ttook\tthe\tslap\tto\tthe face,\tand\tthe\tlecture,\tand\tthen\tthe\tsecond\tslap\tthat\tleft\ther\tcheek\tthrobbing. Manon\u2019s\t face\t was\t still\t aching\t when\t she\t reached\t the\t pen\t in\t which\t Abraxos\t now\t made his\t home.\t He\t was\t curled\t by\t the\t far\t wall,\t silent\t and\t still\t when\t so\t many\t of\t the\t creatures were\tpacing\tor\tshrieking\tor\tgrowling. Her\tescort,\tthe\toverseer,\tpeered\tthrough\tthe\tbars.\tAsterin\tlurked\tin\tthe\tshadows.\tAfter the\twhipping\tlast\tnight,\ther\tSecond\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tlet\ther\tout\tof\ther\tsight\tanytime\tsoon. Manon\t hadn\u2019t\t apologized\t for\t the\t whipping.\t The\t rules\t were\t the\t rules,\t and\t her\t cousin had\tfailed.\tAsterin\tdeserved\tthe\tlashing,\tjust\tas\tManon\tdeserved\tthe\tbruise\ton\ther\tcheek. \u201cWhy\u2019s\the\tcurled\tup\tlike\tthat?\u201d\tManon\tasked\tthe\tman. \u201cSuspect\tit\u2019s\t\u2019cause\the\u2019s\tnever\thad\ta\tpen\tto\thimself.\tNot\tthis\tbig,\tanyway.\u201d Manon\tstudied\tthe\tpenned-in\tcavern.\t\u201cWhere\tdid\tthey\tkeep\thim\tbefore?\u201d The\t man\t pointed\t at\t the\t floor.\t \u201cWith\t the\t other\t baiters\t in\t the\t sty.\t He\u2019s\t the\t oldest\t of\t the baiters,\t you\t know.\t Survived\t the\t pits\t and\t the\t stys.\t But\t that\t doesn\u2019t\t mean\t he\u2019s\t suitable\t for you.\u201d \u201cIf\t I\t wanted\t your\t opinion\t on\t his\t suitability,\t I\u2019d\t ask\t for\t it,\u201d\t Manon\t said,\t eyes\t still\t on Abraxos\tas\tshe\tapproached\tthe\tbars.\t\u201cHow\tlong\tto\tget\thim\tin\tthe\tskies?\u201d The\tman\trubbed\this\thead.\t\u201cCould\tbe\tdays\tor\tweeks\tor\tmonths.\tCould\tbe\tnever.\u201d \u201cWe\tbegin\ttraining\twith\tour\tmounts\tthis\tafternoon.\u201d","\u201cNot\t going\t to\t happen.\u201d\t Manon\t raised\t her\t brows.\t \u201cThis\t one\t needs\t to\t be\t trained\t alone first.\tI\u2019ll\tget\tour\tbest\ttrainers\ton\tit,\tand\tyou\tcan\tuse\tanother\twyvern\tin\tthe\tmeantime\tto\u2014\u201d \u201cFirst\t of\t all,\t human,\u201d\t Manon\t interrupted,\t \u201cdon\u2019t\t give\t me\t orders.\u201d\t Her\t iron\t teeth snapped\tout,\tand\the\tflinched.\t\u201cSecond,\tI\twon\u2019t\tbe\ttraining\twith\tanother\twyvern.\tI\u2019ll\ttrain with\thim.\u201d The\tman\twas\tpale\tas\tdeath\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cAll\tyour\tsentinels\u2019\tmounts\twill\tattack\thim.\tAnd the\t first\t flight\t will\t spook\t him\t so\t bad\t that\t he\u2019ll\t fight\t back.\t So\t unless\t you\t want\t your soldiers\tand\ttheir\tmounts\tto\ttear\teach\tother\tapart,\tI\tsuggest\tyou\ttrain\talone.\u201d\tHe\ttrembled and\tadded,\t\u201cMilady.\u201d The\twyvern\twas\twatching\tthem.\tWaiting.\t\u201cCan\tthey\tunderstand\tus?\u201d \u201cNo.\tSome\tspoken\tcommands\tand\twhistles,\tbut\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tdog.\u201d Manon\t didn\u2019t\t believe\t that\t for\t one\t moment.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t that\t he\t was\t lying\t to\t her.\t He\t just didn\u2019t\tknow\tany\tbetter.\tOr\tmaybe\tAbraxos\twas\tdifferent. She\u2019d\tuse\tevery\tmoment\tuntil\tthe\tWar\tGames\tto\ttrain\thim.\tWhen\tshe\tand\ther\tThirteen were\tcrowned\tvictors,\tshe\u2019d\tmake\teach\tand\tevery\tone\tof\tthe\twitches\twho\tdoubted\ther,\ther grandmother\t included,\t curse\t themselves\t for\t fools.\t Because\t she\t was\t Manon\t Blackbeak, and\t she\u2019d\t never\t failed\t at\t anything.\t And\t there\t would\t be\t nothing\t better\t than\t watching Abraxos\tbite\toff\tIskra\u2019s\thead\ton\tthe\tbattlefield.","Chapter\t24 It\t was\t far\t too\t easy\t to\t lie\t to\t his\t men\t about\t the\t bruises\t and\t cuts\t on\t his\t face\t when\t Chaol returned\tto\tthe\tcastle\u2014an\tunfortunate\tincident\twith\ta\tdrunk\tvagrant\tin\tRifthold.\tEnduring the\tlies\tand\tthe\tinjuries\twas\tbetter\tthan\tbeing\tcarrion.\tChaol\u2019s\tbargain\twith\tAedion\tand\tthe rebels\thad\tbeen\tsimple:\tinformation\tfor\tinformation. He\u2019d\t promised\t more\t information\t about\t their\t queen,\t as\t well\t as\t about\t the\t king\u2019s\t black rings,\t in\t exchange\t for\t what\t they\t knew\t regarding\t the\t king\u2019s\t power.\t It\t had\t kept\t him\t alive that\t night,\t and\t every\t night\t afterward,\t when\t he\u2019d\t waited\t for\t them\t to\t change\t their\t minds. But\t they\t never\t came\t for\t him,\t and\t tonight,\t he\t and\t Aedion\t waited\t until\t well\t past\t twelve before\tslipping\tinto\tCelaena\u2019s\told\trooms. It\t was\t the\t first\t time\t he\u2019d\t dared\t return\t to\t the\t tomb\t since\t that\t night\t with\t Celaena\t and Dorian,\t and\t the\t skull-shaped\t bronze\t knocker,\t Mort,\t didn\u2019t\t move\t or\t speak\t at\t all.\t Even though\t Chaol\t wore\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena\t at\t his\t throat,\t the\t knocker\t remained\t frozen.\t Perhaps Mort\tonly\tanswered\tto\tthose\twith\tBrannon\tGalathynius\u2019s\tblood\tin\ttheir\tveins. So\t he\t and\t Aedion\t combed\t through\t the\t tomb,\t the\t dusty\t halls,\t scouring\t every\t inch\t for signs\tof\tspies\tor\tways\tto\tbe\tdiscovered.\tWhen\tthey\twere\tat\tlast\tsatisfied\tthat\tno\tone\tcould overhear\tthem,\tAedion\tsaid,\t\u201cTell\tme\twhat\tI\u2019m\tdoing\tdown\there,\tCaptain.\u201d The\tgeneral\thad\tshown\tno\tawe\tor\tsurprise\tas\tChaol\thad\tled\thim\tinto\tElena\tand\tGavin\u2019s resting\tplace,\tthough\this\teyes\thad\twidened\tslightly\tat\tDamaris.\tBut\twhether\tor\tnot\tAedion knew\t what\t it\t was,\t he\u2019d\t said\t nothing.\t For\t all\t his\t brashness\t and\t arrogance,\t Chaol\t had\t a feeling\tthe\tman\thad\tmany,\tmany\tsecrets\u2014and\twas\tdamn\tgood\tat\tconcealing\tthem. It\twas\tthe\tother\treason\twhy\the\u2019d\toffered\tthe\tbargain\tto\tAedion\tand\this\tcompanions:\tif the\tprince\u2019s\tgifts\twere\tdiscovered,\tDorian\twould\tneed\tsomewhere\tto\thide,\tand\tsomeone\tto get\t him\t to\t safety\t if\t Chaol\t were\t incapacitated.\t Chaol\t said,\t \u201cAre\t you\t prepared\t to\t share whatever\tinformation\tyou\u2019ve\tgathered\tfrom\tyour\tallies?\u201d Aedion\tgave\thim\ta\tlazy\tgrin.\t\u201cSo\tlong\tas\tyou\tshare\tyours.\u201d Chaol\tprayed\tto\tany\tgod\tthat\twould\tlisten\tthat\the\twasn\u2019t\tmaking\tthe\twrong\tmove\tas\the pulled\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena\t from\t his\t tunic.\t \u201cYour\t Queen\t gave\t this\t necklace\t to\t me\t when\t she left\tfor\tWendlyn.\tIt\tbelonged\tto\ther\tancestor\u2014who\tsummoned\ther\there,\tto\tgive\tit\tto\ther.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\t eyes\t narrowed\t as\t he\t took\t in\t the\t amulet,\t the\t blue\t stone\t shimmering\t in\t the moonlight.\t\u201cWhat\tI\tam\tabout\tto\ttell\tyou,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid,\t\u201cchanges\teverything.\u201d Dorian\tstood\tin\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\tstairwell,\tlistening.\tListening,\tand\tnot\tquite\twanting\tto accept\tthat\tChaol\twas\tin\tthe\ttomb\twith\tAedion\tAshryver. That\thad\tbeen\tthe\tfirst\tshock.\tFor\tthe\tpast\tweek,\the\u2019d\tbeen\tcreeping\tdown\there\tto\thunt for\tanswers\tafter\this\texplosion\twith\tSorscha.\tEspecially\tnow\tthat\tshe\thad\tlied\tthrough\ther teeth\tand\trisked\teverything\tto\tkeep\this\tsecret\u2014and\tto\thelp\thim\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tcontrol\tit. Tonight\the\u2019d\tbeen\thorrified\tto\tfind\tthe\tsecret\tdoor\tleft\tslightly\tajar.\tHe\tshouldn\u2019t\thave","come,\t but\t he\u2019d\t done\t it\t anyway,\t making\t up\t an\t easy\t list\t of\t lies\t to\t tell\t should\t he\t find\t an unfriendly\tface\tdown\there.\tThen\the\u2019d\tgotten\tclose\tenough\tto\thear\tthe\ttwo\tmale\tvoices\tand almost\tfled\t\u2026\tAlmost,\tuntil\the\u2019d\trealized\twho\twas\ttalking. It\twas\timpossible,\tbecause\tthey\thated\teach\tother.\tYet\tthere\tthey\twere,\tin\tElena\u2019s\ttomb. Allies.\t It\t was\t enough,\t too\t much.\t But\t then\t he\u2019d\t heard\t it\u2014heard\t what\t Chaol\t said\t to\t the general,\tso\tquietly\tit\twas\tbarely\taudible.\t\u201cYour\tQueen\tgave\tthis\tnecklace\tto\tme\twhen\tshe left\tfor\tWendlyn.\u201d It\twas\ta\tmistake.\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\ta\tmistake,\tbecause\t\u2026\tHis\tchest\thad\tbecome\ttoo\ttight,\ttoo small. You\t will\t always\t be\t my\t enemy.\t That\u2019s\t what\t Celaena\t had\t screamed\t at\t Chaol\t the\t night Nehemia\tdied.\tAnd\tshe\u2019d\tsaid\u2014said\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tlost\tpeople\tten\tyears\tago,\tbut\t\u2026 But. Dorian\t couldn\u2019t\t move\t as\t Chaol\t launched\t into\t another\t story,\t another\t truth.\t About Dorian\u2019s\t own\t father.\t About\t the\t power\t the\t king\t wielded.\t Celaena\t had\t discovered\t it. Celaena\twas\ttrying\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tdestroy\tit. His\tfather\thad\tmade\tthat\tthing\tthey\u2019d\tfought\tin\tthe\tlibrary\tcatacombs\u2014that\tmonstrous thing\tthat\thad\tseemed\thuman.\tWyrdkeys.\tWyrdgates.\tWyrd-stone. They\thad\tlied\tto\thim,\ttoo.\tThey\thad\tdecided\the\twasn\u2019t\tto\tbe\ttrusted.\tCelaena\tand\tChaol \u2014they\u2019d\tdecided\tagainst\thim.\tChaol\thad\tknown\twho\tand\twhat\tCelaena\ttruly\twas. It\t was\t why\t he\u2019d\t sent\t her\t to\t Wendlyn\u2014why\t he\u2019d\t gotten\t her\t out\t of\t the\t castle.\t Dorian was\tstill\tfrozen\ton\tthe\tstairs\twhen\tAedion\tslipped\tout\tof\tthe\ttomb,\tsword\tout\tand\tlooking ready\tto\tattack\twhatever\tenemy\the\u2019d\tdetected. Spotting\thim,\tAedion\tswore,\tlow\tand\tviciously,\this\teyes\tbright\tin\tthe\tglow\tof\this\ttorch. Celaena\u2019s\teyes.\tAelin\tAshryver\u2014Ashryver\u2014Galathynius\u2019s\teyes. Aedion\twas\ther\tcousin.\tAnd\the\twas\tstill\tloyal\tto\ther\u2014lying\tthrough\this\tteeth,\tthrough every\taction,\tabout\twhere\this\tallegiance\tlay. Chaol\trushed\tinto\tthe\thall,\ta\thand\tlifted\tbeseechingly.\t\u201cDorian.\u201d For\ta\tmoment,\the\tcould\tonly\tstare\tat\this\tfriend.\tThen\the\tmanaged\tto\tsay,\t\u201cWhy?\u201d Chaol\t loosed\t a\t breath.\t \u201cBecause\t the\t fewer\t people\t who\t know,\t the\t safer\u2014for\t her,\t for everyone.\tFor\tyou.\tThey\thave\tinformation\tthat\tmight\thelp\tyou.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink\tI\u2019d\trun\tto\tmy\tfather?\u201d\tThe\twords\twere\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\tstrangled\twhisper as\tthe\ttemperature\tplummeted. Chaol\t stepped\t forward,\t putting\t himself\t between\t Aedion\t and\t Dorian,\t his\t palms exposed.\tPlacating.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tafford\tto\tguess\u2014to\thope.\tEven\twith\tyou.\u201d \u201cHow\tlong?\u201d\tIce\tcoated\this\tteeth,\this\ttongue. \u201cShe\t told\t me\t about\t your\t father\t before\t she\t left.\t I\t figured\t out\t who\t she\t is\t soon afterward.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\u2019re\tworking\twith\thim\tnow.\u201d","The\t captain\u2019s\t breath\t clouded\t in\t front\t of\t him.\t \u201cIf\t we\t can\t find\t a\t way\t to\t free\t magic,\t it could\tsave\tyou.\tThey\tthink\tthey\tmight\thave\tsome\tanswers\tabout\twhat\thappened,\tand\thow to\treverse\tit.\tBut\tif\tAedion\tand\this\tallies\tare\tcaught,\tif\tshe\tis\tcaught\t\u2026\tthey\twill\tdie.\tYour father\twill\tput\tthem\tall\tdown,\tstarting\twith\ther.\tAnd\tright\tnow,\tDorian,\twe\tneed\tthem.\u201d Dorian\tturned\tto\tAedion.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\tkill\tmy\tfather?\u201d \u201cDoes\the\tnot\tdeserve\tto\tdie?\u201d\twas\tthe\tgeneral\u2019s\treply. Dorian\tcould\tsee\tthe\tcaptain\twincing\u2014not\tat\tthe\tgeneral\u2019s\twords,\tbut\tat\tthe\tcold.\t\u201cDid you\ttell\thim\u2014about\tme?\u201d\tDorian\tground\tout. \u201cNo,\u201d\tAedion\tanswered\tfor\tChaol.\t\u201cThough\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tlearn\tto\tcontrol\tyourself,\tthere soon\twon\u2019t\tbe\ta\tsoul\tin\tthe\trealm\twho\tdoesn\u2019t\tknow\tyou\thave\tmagic.\u201d\tAedion\tslid\tthose heirloom\teyes\tto\tthe\tcaptain.\t\u201cSo\tthat\u2019s\twhy\tyou\twere\tso\tdesperate\tto\ttrade\tsecrets\u2014you wanted\t the\t information\t for\t his\t sake.\u201d\t A\t nod\t from\t Chaol.\t Aedion\t smirked\t at\t Dorian,\t and ice\tcoated\tthe\tstairwell.\t\u201cDoes\tyour\tmagic\tmanifest\tin\tice\tand\tsnow,\tthen,\tprinceling?\u201d\tthe general\tasked. \u201cCome\t closer\t and\t find\t out,\u201d\t Dorian\t said\t with\t a\t faint\t smile.\t Perhaps\t he\t could\t throw Aedion\tacross\tthe\thall,\tjust\tas\the\thad\twith\tthat\tcreature. \u201cAedion\tcan\tbe\ttrusted,\tDorian,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid. \u201cHe\u2019s\tas\ttwo-faced\tas\tthey\tcome.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tfor\tone\theartbeat\tthat\the\twouldn\u2019t\tsell us\tout\tif\tit\tmeant\tfurthering\this\town\tcause.\u201d \u201cHe\twon\u2019t,\u201d\tChaol\tsnapped,\tcutting\toff\tAedion\u2019s\treply.\tChaol\u2019s\tlips\twent\tblue\tfrom\tthe cold. Dorian\tknew\the\twas\thurting\thim\u2014knew\tit,\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tquite\tcare.\t\u201cBecause\tyou\twant\tto be\tAedion\u2019s\tking\tsomeday?\u201d Chaol\u2019s\t face\t drained\t of\t color,\t from\t the\t cold\t or\t from\t fear,\t and\t Aedion\t barked\t a\t laugh. \u201cMy\tqueen\twill\tdie\theirless\tsooner\tthan\tmarry\ta\tman\tfrom\tAdarlan.\u201d Chaol\ttried\tto\thide\this\tflicker\tof\tpain,\tbut\tDorian\tknew\this\tfriend\twell\tenough\tto\tspot it.\t For\t a\t second\t he\t wondered\t what\t Celaena\t would\t think\t about\t Aedion\u2019s\t claim.\t Celaena, who\t had\t lied\u2014Celaena,\t who\t was\t Aelin,\t whom\t he\t had\t met\t ten\t years\t ago,\t whom\t he\t had played\twith\tin\ther\tbeautiful\tcastle.\tAnd\tthat\tday\tin\tEndovier\u2014that\tfirst\tday,\the\thad\tfelt\tas if\tthere\twere\tsomething\tfamiliar\tabout\ther\t\u2026\tOh\tgods. Celaena\t was\t Aelin\t Galathynius.\t He\t had\t danced\t with\t her,\t kissed\t her,\t slept\t beside\t her, his\t mortal\t enemy.\t I\u2019ll\t come\t back\t for\t you,\t she\u2019d\t said\t her\t final\t day\t here.\t Even\t then,\t he\u2019d known\t there\t was\t something\t else\t behind\t it.\t She\t would\t come\t back,\t but\t perhaps\t not\t as Celaena.\tWould\tit\tbe\tto\thelp\thim,\tor\tto\tkill\thim?\tAelin\tGalathynius\tknew\tabout\this\tmagic \u2014and\twanted\tto\tdestroy\this\tfather,\this\tkingdom.\tEverything\tshe\thad\tever\tsaid\tor\tdone\t\u2026 He\u2019d\tonce\tthought\tit\thad\tbeen\ta\tcharade\tto\twin\tfavor\tas\this\tChampion,\tbut\twhat\tif\tit\thad been\tbecause\tshe\twas\tthe\their\tof\tTerrasen?\tWas\tthat\twhy\tshe\twas\tfriends\twith\tNehemia? What\tif,\tafter\ta\tyear\tin\tEndovier\t\u2026 Aelin\tGalathynius\thad\tspent\ta\tyear\tin\tthat\tlabor\tcamp.\tA\tqueen\tof\ttheir\tcontinent\thad been\ta\tslave,\tand\twould\tbear\tthe\tscars\tof\tit\tforever.\tPerhaps\tthat\tentitled\ther,\tand\tAedion,","and\teven\tChaol\twho\tloved\ther,\tto\tconspire\tto\tdeceive\tand\tbetray\this\tfather. \u201cDorian,\tplease,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tdoing\tthis\tfor\tyou\u2014I\tswear\tit.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t care,\u201d\t Dorian\t said,\t staring\t them\t down\t as\t he\t walked\t out.\t \u201cI\t will\t carry\t your secrets\tto\tthe\tgrave\u2014but\tI\twant\tno\tpart\tof\tthem.\u201d He\t ripped\t his\t cold\t magic\t from\t the\t air\t and\t turned\t it\t inward,\t wrapping\t it\t around\t his heart. Aedion\ttook\tthe\tsecret\tsubterranean\texit\tout\tof\tthe\tcastle.\tHe\u2019d\ttold\tChaol\tit\twas\tto\tavoid any\t suspicion,\t to\t lose\t anyone\t else\t trailing\t them\t as\t they\t went\t back\t to\t their\t rooms.\t One look\tfrom\tthe\tcaptain\ttold\thim\the\tknew\tprecisely\twhere\tAedion\twas\theaded. Aedion\tcontemplated\twhat\tthe\tcaptain\thad\ttold\thim\u2014and\tthough\tany\tother\tman\twould be\t horrified,\t though\t Aedion\t should\t be\t horrified\t \u2026\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t surprised.\t He\u2019d\t suspected the\t king\t was\t wielding\t some\t sort\t of\t deadly\t power\t from\t the\t moment\t he\u2019d\t given\t him\t that ring\t all\t those\t years\t ago,\t and\t it\t seemed\t in\t line\t with\t information\t his\t spies\t had\t long\t been gathering. The\t Yellowlegs\t Matron\t had\t been\t here\t for\t a\t reason.\t Aedion\t was\t willing\t to\t bet\t good money\tthat\twhatever\tmonstrosities\tor\tweapons\tthe\tking\twas\tcreating,\tthey\twould\tsee\tthem soon\t enough,\t perhaps\t with\t the\t witches\t in\t tow.\t Men\t didn\u2019t\t build\t more\t armies\t and\t forge more\t weapons\t without\t having\t plans\t to\t use\t them.\t And\t they\t certainly\t didn\u2019t\t hand\t out\t bits of\t mind-controlling\t jewelry\t unless\t they\t wanted\t absolute\t dominion.\t But\t he\t would\t face what\t was\t coming\t just\t as\t he\t had\t every\t other\t trial\t in\t his\t life:\t precisely,\t unyieldingly,\t and with\tlethal\tefficiency. He\t spotted\t the\t two\t figures\t waiting\t in\t the\t shadows\t of\t a\t ramshackle\t building\t by\t the docks,\tthe\tfog\toff\tthe\tAvery\tmaking\tthem\tlittle\tmore\tthan\twisps\tof\tdarkness. \u201cWell?\u201d\tRen\tdemanded\tas\tAedion\tleaned\tagainst\ta\tdamp\tbrick\twall.\tRen\u2019s\ttwin\tswords were\tout.\tGood\tAdarlanian\tsteel,\tnicked\tand\tscratched\tenough\tto\tshow\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tused, and\t well-oiled\t enough\t to\t show\t Ren\t knew\t how\t to\t care\t for\t them.\t They\t seemed\t to\t be\t the only\tthings\tRen\tcared\tabout\u2014his\thair\twas\tshaggy,\tand\this\tclothes\tlooked\ta\tbit\tworse\tfor wear. \u201cI\talready\ttold\tyou:\twe\tcan\ttrust\tthe\tcaptain.\u201d\tAedion\tlooked\tat\tMurtaugh.\t\u201cHello,\told man.\u201d He\t couldn\u2019t\t see\t Murtaugh\u2019s\t face\t beneath\t the\t shadows\t of\t his\t hood,\t but\t his\t voice\t was too\tsoft\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cI\thope\tthe\tinformation\tis\tworth\tthe\trisks\tyou\tare\ttaking.\u201d Aedion\tsnarled.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\ttell\tthem\tthe\ttruth\tabout\tAelin,\tnot\tuntil\tshe\twas\tback\tat his\tside\tand\tcould\ttell\tthem\therself. Ren\ttook\ta\tstep\tcloser.\tHe\tmoved\twith\tthe\tself-assurance\tof\tsomeone\twho\twas\tused\tto fighting.\tAnd\twinning.\tStill,\tAedion\thad\tat\tleast\tthree\tinches\tand\ttwenty\tpounds\tof\tmuscle on\thim.\tShould\tRen\tattack,\the\u2019d\tfind\thimself\ton\this\tass\tin\ta\theartbeat.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat game\t you\u2019re\t playing,\t Aedion,\u201d\t Ren\t said,\t \u201cbut\t if\t you\t don\u2019t\t tell\t us\t where\t she\t is,\t how\t can we\tcan\ttrust\tyou?\tAnd\thow\tdoes\tthe\tcaptain\tknow?\tDoes\tthe\tking\thave\ther?\u201d","\u201cNo,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\ta\tlie,\tbut\tit\tfelt\tlike\tone.\tAs\tCelaena,\tshe\u2019d\tsigned\ther\tsoul to\thim.\t\u201cThe\tway\tI\tsee\tit,\tRen,\tyou\tand\tyour\tgrandfather\thave\tlittle\tto\toffer\tme\u2014or\tAelin. You\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\twar\tband,\tyou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tlands,\tand\tthe\tcaptain\ttold\tme\tall\tabout\tyour affiliation\twith\tthat\tpiece\tof\tshit\tArcher\tFinn.\tDo\tI\tneed\tto\tremind\tyou\twhat\thappened\tto Nehemia\tYtger\ton\tyour\twatch?\tSo\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\ttell\tyou;\tyou\u2019ll\treceive\tinformation\ton a\tneed-to-know\tbasis.\u201d Ren\t started.\t Murtaugh\t put\t an\t arm\t between\t them.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t better\t we\t don\u2019t\t know,\t just\t in case.\u201d Ren\t wouldn\u2019t\t back\t down,\t and\t Aedion\u2019s\t blood\t raced\t at\t the\t challenge.\t \u201cWhat\t are\t we going\t to\t tell\t the\t court,\t then?\u201d\t Ren\t demanded.\t \u201cThat\t she\u2019s\t not\t some\t imposter\t as\t we\t were led\tto\tbelieve,\tbut\tactually\talive\u2014yet\tyou\twon\u2019t\ttell\tus\twhere?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\t Aedion\t breathed,\t wondering\t just\t how\t badly\t he\t could\t bloody\t up\t Ren\t without hurting\t Murtaugh\t in\t the\t process.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t exactly\t what\t you\u2019ll\t tell\t them.\t If\t you\t can\t even find\tthe\tcourt.\u201d Silence.\tMurtaugh\tsaid,\t\u201cWe\tknow\tRavi\tand\tSol\tare\tstill\talive\tand\tin\tSuria.\u201d Aedion\tknew\tthe\tstory.\tTheir\tfamily\u2019s\ttrade\tbusiness\thad\tbeen\ttoo\timportant\tto\tthe\tking to\t warrant\t executing\t both\t their\t parents.\t So\t their\t father\t had\t chosen\t the\t execution\t block, and\ttheir\tmother\thad\tbeen\tleft\tto\tkeep\tSuria\trunning\tas\ta\tvital\ttrade\tport.\tThe\ttwo\tSurian boys\t would\t be\t twenty\t and\t twenty-two\t by\t now,\t and\t since\t his\t mother\u2019s\t death,\t Sol\t had become\t Lord\t of\t Suria.\t In\t his\t years\t leading\t the\t Bane,\t Aedion\t had\t never\t set\t foot\t in\t the coastal\tcity.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow\tif\tthey\u2019d\tdamn\thim.\tAdarlan\u2019s\tWhore. \u201cWill\tthey\tfight,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\t\u201cor\twill\tthey\tdecide\tthey\tlike\ttheir\tgold\ttoo\tmuch?\u201d Murtaugh\t sighed.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t heard\t Ravi\t is\t the\t wilder\t one\u2014he\t might\t be\t the\t one\t to convince.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tanyone\tthat\twe\thave\tto\tconvince\tto\tjoin\tus,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid. \u201cYou\u2019ll\t want\t people\t who\t aren\u2019t\t afraid\t of\t Aelin\u2014or\t you,\u201d\t Murtaugh\t snapped.\t \u201cYou\u2019ll want\tlevelheaded\tpeople\twho\twon\u2019t\thesitate\tto\task\tthe\thard\tquestions.\tLoyalty\tis\tearned, not\tgiven.\u201d \u201cShe\tdoesn\u2019t\thave\tto\tdo\ta\tdamn\tthing\tto\tearn\tour\tloyalty.\u201d Murtaugh\tshook\this\thead,\this\tcowl\tswaying.\t\u201cFor\tsome\tof\tus,\tyes.\tBut\tothers\tmight\tnot be\tso\teasily\tconvinced.\tShe\thas\tten\tyears\tto\taccount\tfor\u2014and\ta\tkingdom\tin\truin.\u201d \u201cShe\twas\ta\tchild.\u201d \u201cShe\t is\t a\t woman\t now,\t and\t has\t been\t for\t a\t few\t years.\t Perhaps\t she\t will\t offer\t an explanation.\tBut\tuntil\tthen,\tAedion,\tyou\tmust\tunderstand\tthat\tothers\tmight\tnot\tshare\tyour fervor.\t And\t others\t might\t take\t a\t good\t amount\t of\t convincing\t about\t you\t as\t well\u2014about where\tyour\ttrue\tloyalties\tlie\tand\thow\tyou\thave\tdemonstrated\tthem\tover\tthe\tyears.\u201d He\t wanted\t to\t bash\t Murtaugh\u2019s\t teeth\t down\t his\t throat,\t if\t only\t because\t he\t was\t right. \u201cWho\telse\tof\tOrlon\u2019s\tinner\tcircle\tis\tstill\talive?\u201d Murtaugh\tnamed\tfour.\tRen\tquickly\tadded,\t\u201cWe\theard\tthey\twere\tin\thiding\tfor\tyears\u2014 always\tmoving\taround,\tlike\tus.\tThey\tmight\tnot\tbe\teasy\tto\tfind.\u201d","Four.\t Aedion\u2019s\t stomach\t dropped.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t it?\u201d\t He\u2019d\t been\t in\t Terrasen,\t but\t he\u2019d\t never looked\tfor\tan\texact\tbody\tcount,\tnever\twanted\tto\tknow\twho\tmade\tit\tthrough\tthe\tbloodshed and\tslaughter,\tor\twho\thad\tsacrificed\teverything\tto\tget\ta\tchild,\ta\tfriend,\ta\tfamily\tmember out.\t Of\t course\t he\u2019d\t known\t deep\t down,\t but\t there\t had\t always\t been\t some\t fool\u2019s\t hope\t that most\twere\tstill\talive,\tstill\twaiting\tto\treturn. \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t Aedion,\u201d\t Murtaugh\t said\t softly.\t \u201cSome\t minor\t lords\t escaped,\t and\t even managed\tto\thold\tonto\ttheir\tlands\tand\tkeep\tthem\tthriving.\u201d\tAedion\tknew\tand\thated\tmost\tof them\u2014self-serving\t pigs.\t Murtaugh\t went\t on.\t \u201cVernon\t Lochan\t survived,\t but\t only\t because he\twas\talready\tthe\tking\u2019s\tpuppet,\tand\tafter\tCal\twas\texecuted,\tVernon\tseized\this\tbrother\u2019s mantle\t as\t Lord\t of\t Perranth.\t You\t know\t what\t happened\t to\t Lady\t Marion.\t But\t we\t never learned\twhat\thappened\tto\tElide.\u201d\tElide\u2014Lord\tCal\tand\tLady\tMarion\u2019s\tdaughter\tand\their, almost\t a\t year\t younger\t than\t Aelin.\t If\t she\t were\t alive,\t she\t would\t be\t at\t least\t seventeen\t by now.\t \u201cLots\t of\t children\t vanished\t in\t the\t initial\t weeks,\u201d\t Murtaugh\t finished.\t Aedion\t didn\u2019t want\tto\tthink\tabout\tthose\ttoo-small\tgraves. He\t had\t to\t look\t away\t for\t a\t moment,\t and\t even\t Ren\t stayed\t quiet.\t At\t last,\t Aedion\t said, \u201cSend\t out\t feelers\t to\t Ravi\t and\t Sol,\t but\t hold\t off\t on\t the\t others.\t Ignore\t the\t minor\t lords\t for now.\tSmall\tsteps.\u201d To\t his\t surprise,\t Ren\t said,\t \u201cAgreed.\u201d\t For\t a\t heartbeat,\t their\t eyes\t met,\t and\t he\t knew\t that Ren\t felt\t what\t he\t often\t did\u2014what\t he\t tried\t to\t keep\t buried.\t They\t had\t survived,\t when\t so many\t had\t not.\t And\t no\t one\t else\t could\t understand\t what\t it\t was\t like\t to\t bear\t it,\t unless\t they had\tlost\tas\tmuch. Ren\t had\t escaped\t at\t the\t cost\t of\t his\t parents\u2019\t lives\u2014and\t had\t lost\t his\t home,\t his\t title,\t his friends,\tand\this\tkingdom.\tHe\thad\thidden\tand\ttrained\tand\tnever\tlost\tsight\tof\this\tcause. They\twere\tnot\tfriends\tnow;\tthey\tnever\treally\thad\tbeen.\tRen\u2019s\tfather\thadn\u2019t\tparticularly liked\tthat\tAedion,\tnot\tRen,\twas\tfavored\tto\ttake\tthe\tblood\toath\tto\tAelin.\tThe\toath\tof\tpure submission\u2014the\t oath\t that\t would\t have\t sealed\t Aedion\t as\t her\t lifelong\t protector,\t the\t one person\t in\t whom\t she\t could\t have\t absolute\t trust.\t Everything\t he\t possessed,\t everything\t he was,\tshould\thave\tbelonged\tto\ther. Yet\t the\t prize\t now\t was\t not\t just\t a\t blood\t oath\t but\t a\t kingdom\u2014a\t shot\t at\t vengeance\t and rebuilding\t their\t world.\t Aedion\t made\t to\t walk\t away,\t but\t looked\t back.\t Just\t two\t cloaked figures,\tone\thunched,\tthe\tother\ttall\tand\tarmed.\tThe\tfirst\tshred\tof\tAelin\u2019s\tcourt.\tThe\tcourt he\u2019d\traise\tfor\ther\tto\tshatter\tAdarlan\u2019s\tchains.\tHe\tcould\tkeep\tplaying\tthe\tgame\u2014for\ta\tlittle longer. \u201cWhen\tshe\treturns,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cwhat\tshe\twill\tdo\tto\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\twill make\t the\t slaughtering\t ten\t years\t ago\t look\t merciful.\u201d\t And\t in\t his\t heart,\t Aedion\t hoped\t he spoke\ttrue.","Chapter\t25 A\t week\t passed\t without\t any\t further\t attempts\t to\t skin\t Celaena\t alive,\t so\t even\t though\t she made\tabsolutely\tno\tprogress\twith\tRowan,\tshe\tconsidered\tit\tto\tbe\ta\tsuccess.\tRowan\tlived up\t to\t his\t word\t about\t her\t pulling\t double\t duty\t in\t the\t kitchens\u2014the\t only\t upside\t of\t which was\t that\t she\t was\t so\t exhausted\t when\t she\t tumbled\t into\t bed\t that\t she\t did\t not\t remember dreaming.\t Another\t benefit,\t she\t supposed,\t was\t that\t while\t she\t was\t scrubbing\t the\t evening dishes,\tshe\tcould\tlisten\tto\tEmrys\u2019s\tstories\u2014which\tLuca\tbegged\tfor\tevery\tnight,\tregardless of\train. Despite\t what\t had\t happened\t with\t the\t skinwalkers,\t Celaena\t was\t no\t closer\t to\t mastering her\t shift.\t Even\t though\t Rowan\t had\t offered\t his\t cloak\t that\t night\t beside\t the\t river,\t the\t next morning\t had\t brought\t them\t back\t to\t their\t usual\t vitriolic\t dislike.\t Hatred\t felt\t like\t a\t strong word,\t as\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t quite\t hate\t someone\t who\t had\t saved\t her,\t but\t dislike\t fit\t pretty\t damn well.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t particularly\t care\t what\t side\t of\t the\t hatred-dislike\t line\t Rowan\t was\t on.\t But gaining\this\tapproval\tto\tenter\tDoranelle\twas\tundoubtedly\ta\tlong,\tlong\tway\toff. Every\tday,\the\tbrought\ther\tto\tthe\ttemple\truins\u2014far\tenough\taway\tthat\tif\tshe\tdid\tmanage to\t shift\t and\t lost\t control\t of\t her\t magic\t in\t the\t process,\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t incinerate\t anyone. Everything\u2014everything\u2014depended\ton\tthat\tcommand:\tshift.\tBut\tthe\tmemory\tof\twhat\tthe magic\thad\tfelt\tlike\tas\tit\tseared\tout\tof\ther,\twhen\tit\tthreatened\tto\tswallow\ther\tand\tthe\twhole world,\tplagued\ther,\twaking\tand\tasleep.\tIt\twas\talmost\tas\tbad\tas\tthe\tendless\tsitting. Now,\tafter\ttwo\tmiserable\thours\tof\tit,\tshe\tgroaned\tand\tstood,\tstalking\taround\tthe\truins. It\t was\t unusually\t sunny\t that\t day,\t making\t the\t pale\t stones\t seem\t to\t glow.\t In\t fact,\t she\t could have\t sworn\t that\t the\t whispered\t prayers\t of\t long-gone\t worshippers\t still\t resonated.\t Her magic\t had\t been\t flickering\t oddly\t in\t response\u2014strange,\t in\t her\t human\t form,\t where\t it\t was normally\tso\tbolted\tdown. As\t she\t studied\t the\t ruins,\t she\t braced\t her\t hands\t on\t her\t hips:\t anything\t to\t keep\t from ripping\tout\ther\thair.\t\u201cWhat\twas\tthis\tplace,\tanyway?\u201d\tOnly\tslabs\tof\tbroken\tstone\tremained to\tshow\twhere\tthe\ttemple\thad\tstood.\tA\tfew\toblong\tstones\u2014pillars\u2014were\ttossed\tabout\tas if\ta\thand\thad\tscattered\tthem,\tand\tseveral\tstones\tgrouped\ttogether\tindicated\twhat\thad\tonce been\ta\troad. Rowan\t dogged\t her\t steps,\t a\t thundercloud\t closing\t in\t around\t her\t as\t she\t examined\t a cluster\tof\twhite\tstones.\t\u201cThe\tSun\tGoddess\u2019s\ttemple.\u201d Mala,\tLady\tof\tLight,\tLearning,\tand\tFire.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tbringing\tme\there\tbecause\tyou think\tit\tmight\thelp\twith\tmastering\tmy\tpowers\u2014my\tshifting?\u201d A\tvague\tnod.\tShe\tput\ta\thand\ton\tone\tof\tthe\tmassive\tstones.\tIf\tshe\tfelt\tlike\tadmitting\tit, she\tcould\talmost\tsense\tthe\techoes\tof\tthe\tpower\tthat\thad\tdwelled\there\tlong\tago,\ta\tdelicious heat\t kissing\t its\t way\t up\t her\t neck,\t down\t her\t spine,\t as\t if\t some\t piece\t of\t that\t goddess\t were still\t curled\t up\t in\t the\t corner.\t It\t explained\t why\t today,\t in\t the\t sun,\t the\t temple\t felt\t different. Why\ther\tmagic\twas\tjumpy.\tMala,\tSun\tGoddess\tand\tLight-Bringer,\twas\tsister\tand\teternal rival\tto\tDeanna,\tKeeper\tof\tthe\tMoon.","\u201cMab\t was\t immortalized\t into\t godhood\t thanks\t to\t Maeve,\u201d\t Celaena\t mused\t as\t she\t ran\t a hand\tdown\tthe\tjagged\tblock.\t\u201cBut\tthat\twas\tover\tfive\thundred\tyears\tago.\tMala\thad\ta\tsister in\tthe\tmoon\tlong\tbefore\tMab\ttook\ther\tplace.\u201d \u201cDeanna\twas\tthe\toriginal\tsister\u2019s\tname.\tBut\tyou\thumans\tgave\ther\tsome\tof\tMab\u2019s\ttraits. The\thunting,\tthe\thounds.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tDeanna\tand\tMala\tweren\u2019t\talways\trivals.\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tgetting\tat?\u201d She\tshrugged\tand\tkept\trunning\ther\thands\talong\tthe\tstone,\tfeeling,\tbreathing,\tsmelling. \u201cDid\tyou\tever\tknow\tMab?\u201d Rowan\t was\t quiet\t for\t a\t long\t moment\u2014contemplating\t the\t usefulness\t of\t telling\t her,\t no doubt.\t\u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid\tat\tlast.\t\u201cI\tam\told,\tbut\tnot\tthat\told.\u201d Fine\u2014if\the\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tgive\ther\tan\tactual\tnumber\t\u2026\t\u201cDo\tyou\tfeel\told?\u201d He\tgazed\tinto\tthe\tdistance.\t\u201cI\tam\tstill\tconsidered\tyoung\tby\tthe\tstandards\tof\tmy\tkind.\u201d It\twasn\u2019t\tan\tanswer.\t\u201cYou\tsaid\tthat\tyou\tonce\tcampaigned\tin\ta\tkingdom\tthat\tno\tlonger exists.\t You\u2019ve\t been\t off\t to\t war\t several\t times,\t it\t seems,\t and\t seen\t the\t world.\t That\t would leave\tits\tmark.\tAge\tyou\ton\tthe\tinside.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tfeel\told?\u201d\tHis\tgaze\twas\tunflinching.\tA\tchild\u2014a\tgirl,\the\u2019d\tcalled\ther. She\twas\ta\tgirl\tto\thim.\tEven\twhen\tshe\tbecame\tan\told\twoman\u2014if\tshe\tlived\tthat\tlong\u2014 she\u2019d\tstill\tbe\ta\tchild\tin\tcomparison\tto\this\tlife\tspan.\tHer\tmission\tdepended\tupon\this\tseeing her\t otherwise,\t but\t she\t still\t said,\t \u201cThese\t days,\t I\t am\t very\t glad\t to\t be\t a\t mortal,\t and\t to\t only have\tto\tendure\tthis\tlife\tonce.\tThese\tdays,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tenvy\tyou\tat\tall.\u201d \u201cAnd\tbefore?\u201d It\twas\ther\tturn\tto\tstare\ttoward\tthe\thorizon.\t\u201cI\tused\tto\twish\tI\thad\ta\tchance\tto\tsee\tit\tall\u2014 and\thated\tthat\tI\tnever\twould.\u201d She\t could\t feel\t him\t forming\t a\t question,\t but\t she\t started\t moving\t again,\t examining\t the stones.\t As\t she\t dusted\t the\t block\t off,\t an\t image\t emerged\t of\t a\t stag\t with\t a\t glowing\t star between\tits\tantlers,\tso\tlike\tthe\tone\tin\tTerrasen.\tShe\u2019d\theard\tEmrys\ttell\tthe\tstory\tof\tthe\tsun stags,\twho\theld\tan\timmortal\tflame\tbetween\ttheir\tmassive\tantlers\tand\twho\thad\tonce\tbeen stolen\tfrom\ta\ttemple\tin\tthis\tland\t\u2026\t\u201cIs\tthis\twhere\tthe\tstags\twere\tkept\u2014before\tthis\tplace was\tdestroyed?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tThis\ttemple\twasn\u2019t\tdestroyed;\tit\twas\tabandoned\twhen\tthe\tFae\tmoved\tto Doranelle,\tand\tthen\truined\tby\ttime\tand\tweather.\u201d \u201cEmrys\u2019s\tstories\tsaid\tdestroyed,\tnot\tabandoned.\u201d \u201cAgain,\twhat\tare\tyou\tgetting\tat?\u201d But\t she\t didn\u2019t\t know,\t not\t yet,\t so\t she\t just\t shook\t her\t head\t and\t said,\t \u201cThe\t Fae\t on\t my continent\u2014in\t Terrasen\t \u2026\t they\t weren\u2019t\t like\t you.\t At\t least,\t I\t don\u2019t\t remember\t them\t being that\tway.\tThere\tweren\u2019t\tmany,\tbut\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tswallowed\thard.\t\u201cThe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thunted and\tkilled\tthem,\tso\teasily.\tYet\twhen\tI\tlook\tat\tyou,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand\thow\the\tdid\tit.\u201d\tEven with\tthe\tWyrdkeys,\tthe\tFae\thad\tbeen\tstronger,\tfaster.\tMore\tshould\thave\tsurvived,\teven\tif","some\thad\tbeen\ttrapped\tin\ttheir\tanimal\tforms\twhen\tmagic\tvanished. She\tlooked\tover\ther\tshoulder\tat\thim,\tone\thand\tstill\tpressed\tagainst\tthe\twarm\tcarving.\tA muscle\tflickered\tin\tRowan\u2019s\tjaw\tbefore\the\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tbeen\tto\tyour\tcontinent,\tbut\tI heard\t that\t the\t Fae\t there\t were\t gentler\u2014less\t aggressive,\t very\t few\t trained\t in\t combat\u2014and they\trelied\theavily\ton\tmagic.\tOnce\tmagic\twas\tgone\tfrom\tyour\tlands,\tmany\tof\tthem\tmight not\thave\tknown\twhat\tto\tdo\tagainst\ttrained\tsoldiers.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyet\tMaeve\twouldn\u2019t\tsend\taid.\u201d \u201cThe\tFae\tof\tyour\tcontinent\tlong\tago\tsevered\tties\twith\tMaeve.\u201d\tHe\tpaused\tagain.\t\u201cBut there\t were\t some\t in\t Doranelle\t who\t argued\t in\t favor\t of\t helping.\t My\t queen\t wound\t up offering\tsanctuary\tto\tany\twho\tcould\tmake\tit\there.\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\t more\u2014didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\t how\t many\t had\t made\t it,\t and whether\t he\t had\t been\t one\t of\t the\t few\t who\t argued\t to\t save\t their\t western\t brethren.\t So\t she moved\t away\t from\t the\t carving\t of\t the\t mythical\t stag,\t instantly\t cold\t as\t she\t severed\t contact with\tthe\tdelightful\theat\tliving\twithin\tthe\tstone.\tPart\tof\ther\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthat\tancient, strange\tpower\twas\tsad\tto\tsee\ther\tgo. The\t next\t day,\t Celaena\t finished\t her\t breakfast\t shift\t in\t the\t kitchens\t achy\t and\t more drained\t than\t usual,\t as\t Luca\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t there\t to\t help,\t which\t meant\t she\u2019d\t spent\t the morning\tchopping,\twashing,\tand\tthen\trunning\tthe\tfood\tupstairs. Celaena\t passed\t a\t sentry\t she\u2019d\t marked\t as\t Luca\u2019s\t friend\t and\t a\t frequent\t listener\t to Emrys\u2019s\t stories\u2014young,\t leanly\t muscled,\t with\t no\t evidence\t of\t Fae\t ears\t or\t grace.\t Bas,\t the leader\tof\tthe\tfortress\tscouts.\tLuca\tprattled\tabout\thim\tendlessly.\tCelaena\tgave\thim\ta\tsmall smile\t and\t nod.\t Bas\t blinked\t a\t few\t times,\t gave\t a\t tentative\t smile\t back,\t and\t sauntered\t on, probably\t to\t his\t watch\t on\t the\t wall.\t She\t frowned.\t She\u2019d\t said\t a\t civilized\t hello\t to\t plenty\t of them\tby\tnow,\tbut\t\u2026\tShe\twas\tstill\tpuzzling\tover\this\treaction\twhen\tshe\treached\ther\troom and\tshrugged\ton\ther\tjacket. \u201cYou\u2019re\talready\tlate,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tfrom\tthe\tdoorway. \u201cThere\t were\t extra\t dishes\t this\t morning,\u201d\t she\t said,\t rebraiding\t her\t hair\t as\t she\t turned\t to where\the\tlounged\tin\tthe\tdoorway.\t\u201cCan\tI\texpect\tto\tdo\tsomething\tuseful\twith\tyou\ttoday,\tor will\tit\tbe\tmore\tsitting\tand\tgrowling\tand\tglaring?\tOr\twill\tI\tjust\twind\tup\tchopping\twood\tfor hours\ton\tend?\u201d He\t merely\t started\t into\t the\t hall\t and\t she\t followed,\t still\t braiding\t her\t hair.\t They\t passed another\ttwo\tsentries.\tThis\ttime,\tshe\tlooked\tthem\tboth\tin\tthe\teye\tand\tsmiled\ther\tgreeting. Again,\t that\t blink,\t and\t a\t shared\t look\t between\t them,\t and\t a\t returned\t grin.\t Had\t she\t really become\tso\tunpleasant\tthat\ta\tmere\tsmile\twas\tsurprising?\tGods\u2014when\thad\tshe\tsmiled\tlast, at\tanyone\tor\tanything? They\twere\twell\taway\tfrom\tthe\tfortress,\theaded\tsouth\tand\tup\tinto\tthe\tmountains,\twhen Rowan\tsaid,\t\u201cThey\u2019ve\tall\tbeen\tkeeping\ttheir\tdistance\tbecause\tof\tthe\tscent\tyou\tput\tout.\u201d \u201cExcuse\tme?\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tknow\thow\the\u2019d\tread\ther\tthoughts. Rowan\t stalked\t through\t the\t trees,\t not\t even\t out\t of\t breath\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cThere\t are\t more males\t than\t females\t here\u2014and\t they\u2019re\t fairly\t isolated\t from\t the\t world.\t Haven\u2019t\t you wondered\twhy\tthey\thaven\u2019t\tapproached\tyou?\u201d","\u201cThey\tstayed\taway\tbecause\tI\t\u2026\tsmell?\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tshe\twould\thave\tcared\tenough to\tbe\tembarrassed,\tbut\ther\tface\twas\tburning. \u201cYour\t scent\t says\t that\t you\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t be\t approached.\t The\t males\t smell\t it\t more\t than the\tfemales,\tand\thave\tbeen\tstaying\tthe\thell\taway.\tThey\tdon\u2019t\twant\ttheir\tfaces\tclawed\toff.\u201d She\thad\tforgotten\thow\tprimal\tthe\tFae\twere,\twith\ttheir\tscents\tand\tmating\tand\tterritorial nature.\t Such\t a\t strange\t contrast\t to\t the\t civilized\t world\t beyond\t the\t wall\t of\t the\t mountains. \u201cGood,\u201d\t she\t wound\t up\t saying,\t though\t the\t idea\t of\t her\t having\t her\t emotions\t so\t easily identifiable\t was\t unsettling.\t It\t made\t lying\t and\t pretending\t almost\t worthless.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t not interested\tin\tmen\t\u2026\tmales.\u201d His\t tattoo\t was\t vivid\t in\t the\t dappled\t sunlight\t that\t streamed\t through\t the\t canopy\t as\t he stared\t pointedly\t at\t her\t ring.\t \u201cWhat\t happens\t if\t you\t become\t queen?\t Will\t you\t refuse\t a potential\talliance\tthrough\tmarriage?\u201d An\t invisible\t hand\t seemed\t to\t wrap\t around\t her\t throat.\t She\t had\t not\t let\t herself\t consider that\tpossibility,\tbecause\tthe\tweight\tof\ta\tcrown\tand\ta\tthrone\twere\tenough\tto\tmake\ther\tfeel like\t she\t was\t in\t a\t coffin.\t The\t thought\t of\t marrying\t like\t that,\t of\t someone\t else\u2019s\t body\t on hers,\tsomeone\twho\twas\tnot\tChaol\t\u2026\tShe\tshoved\tthe\tthought\taway. Rowan\t was\t baiting\t her,\t as\t he\t always\t did.\t And\t she\t still\t had\t no\t plans\t to\t take\t up\t her uncle\u2019s\t throne.\t Her\t only\t plan\t was\t to\t do\t what\t she\u2019d\t promised\t Nehemia.\t \u201cNice\t try,\u201d\t she said. His\tcanines\tgleamed\tas\the\tsmirked.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tlearning.\u201d \u201cYou\tget\tbaited\tby\tme\tevery\tnow\tand\tthen,\ttoo,\tyou\tknow.\u201d He\t gave\t her\t a\t look\t that\t said,\t I\t let\t you\t bait\t me,\t in\t case\t you\t haven\u2019t\t noticed.\t I\u2019m\t not some\tmortal\tfool. She\t wanted\t to\t ask\t why,\t but\t being\t cordial\t with\t him\u2014with\t anyone\u2014was\t already\t odd enough.\t\u201cWhere\tthe\thell\tare\twe\tgoing\ttoday?\tWe\tnever\thead\twest.\u201d The\tsmirk\tvanished.\t\u201cYou\twant\tto\tdo\tsomething\tuseful.\tSo\there\u2019s\tyour\tchance.\u201d With\t Celaena\t in\t her\t human\t form,\t the\t bells\t of\t some\t nearby\t town\t were\t heralding\t three o\u2019clock\tby\tthe\ttime\tthey\treached\tthe\tpine\twood. She\t didn\u2019t\t ask\t what\t they\t were\t doing\t here.\t He\u2019d\t tell\t her\t if\t he\t wanted\t to.\t Slowing\t to\t a prowl,\tRowan\ttracked\tmarkers\tleft\ton\ttrees\tand\tstones,\tand\tshe\tquietly\ttrailed\thim,\tthirsty and\thungry\tand\ta\tbit\tlight-headed. The\t terrain\t had\t shifted:\t pine\t needles\t crunched\t beneath\t her\t boots,\t and\t gulls,\t not songbirds,\t cried\t overhead.\t The\t sea\t had\t to\t be\t close.\t Celaena\t groaned\t as\t a\t cool\t breeze kissed\t her\t sweaty\t face,\t scented\t with\t salt\t and\t fish\t and\t sun-warmed\t rock.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t until Rowan\thalted\tby\ta\tstream\tthat\tshe\tnoticed\tthe\treek\u2014and\tthe\tsilence. The\tground\thad\tbeen\tchurned\tup\tacross\tthe\tstream,\tthe\tbrush\tbroken\tand\ttrampled.\tBut Rowan\u2019s\t attention\t was\t fixed\t on\t the\t stream\t itself,\t on\t what\t had\t been\t wedged\t between\t the rocks. Celaena\tswore.\tA\tbody.\tA\twoman,\tby\tthe\tshape\tof\twhat\twas\tleft\tof\ther,\tand\u2014","A\thusk. As\tif\tshe\thad\tbeen\tdrained\tof\tlife,\tof\tsubstance.\tNo\twounds,\tno\tlacerations\tor\tsigns\tof harm,\t save\t for\t a\t trickle\t of\t dried\t blood\t from\t her\t nose\t and\t ears.\t Her\t skin\t was\t leached\t of color,\t withered\t and\t dried,\t her\t hollowed-out\t face\t still\t stuck\t in\t an\t expression\t of\t horror\u2014 and\tsorrow.\tAnd\tthe\tsmell\u2014not\tjust\tthe\trotting\tbody,\tbut\taround\tit\t\u2026\tthe\tsmell\t\u2026 \u201cWhat\t did\t this?\u201d\t she\t asked,\t studying\t the\t disturbed\t forest\t beyond\t the\t stream.\t Rowan knelt\t as\t he\t examined\t the\t remains.\t \u201cWhy\t not\t just\t dump\t her\t in\t the\t sea?\t Leaving\t her\t in\t a stream\tseems\tidiotic.\tThey\tleft\ttracks,\ttoo\u2014unless\tthose\tare\tfrom\twhoever\tfound\ther.\u201d \u201cMalakai\tgave\tme\tthe\treport\tthis\tmorning\u2014and\the\tand\this\tmen\tare\ttrained\tnot\tto\tleave tracks.\t But\t this\t scent\t \u2026\t I\u2019ll\t admit\t it\u2019s\t different.\u201d\t Rowan\t walked\t into\t the\t water.\t She wanted\t to\t tell\t him\t to\t stop,\t but\t he\t kept\t studying\t the\t remains\t from\t above,\t then\t below, circling.\t His\t eyes\t flashed\t to\t hers.\t They\t were\t furious.\t \u201cSo\t you\t tell\t me,\t assassin.\t You wanted\tto\tbe\tuseful.\u201d She\tbristled\tat\tthe\ttone,\tbut\u2014that\twas\ta\twoman\tlying\tthere,\tbroken\tlike\ta\tdoll. Celaena\tdidn\u2019t\tparticularly\twant\tto\tsmell\tanything\ton\tthe\tremains,\tbut\tshe\tsniffed.\tAnd wished\tshe\thadn\u2019t.\tIt\twas\ta\tsmell\tshe\u2019d\tscented\ttwice\tnow\u2014once\tin\tthat\tbloody\tchamber\ta decade\t ago,\t and\t then\t recently\t \u2026\t \u201cYou\t claimed\t you\t didn\u2019t\t know\t what\t that\t thing\t in\t the barrow\t field\t was,\u201d\t she\t managed\t to\t say.\t The\t woman\u2019s\t mouth\t was\t open\t in\t a\t scream,\t her teeth\t brown\t and\t cracked\t below\t the\t dried\t nosebleed.\t Celaena\t touched\t her\t own\t nose\t and winced.\t\u201cI\tthink\tthis\tis\twhat\tit\tdoes.\u201d Rowan\tbraced\this\thands\ton\this\thips,\tsniffing\tagain,\tturning\tin\tthe\tstream.\tHe\tscanned Celaena,\tthen\tthe\tbody.\t\u201cYou\tcame\tout\tof\tthat\tdarkness\tlooking\tas\tif\tsomeone\thad\tsucked the\tlife\tfrom\tyou.\tYour\tskin\twas\ta\tshade\tpaler,\tyour\tfreckles\tgone.\u201d \u201cIt\t forced\t me\t to\t go\t through\t \u2026\t memories.\t The\t worst\t kind.\u201d\t The\t woman\u2019s\t horrified, sorrowful\tface\tgaped\tup\tat\tthe\tcanopy.\t\u201cHave\tyou\tever\theard\tof\ta\tcreature\tthat\tcan\tfeed\ton such\t things?\t When\t I\t glimpsed\t it,\t I\t saw\t a\t man\u2014a\t beautiful\t man,\t pale\t and\t dark-haired, with\teyes\tof\tfull\tblack.\tHe\twasn\u2019t\thuman.\tI\tmean,\the\tlooked\tit,\tbut\this\teyes\u2014they\tweren\u2019t human\tat\tall.\u201d Her\tparents\thad\tbeen\tassassinated.\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tthe\twounds.\tBut\tthe\tsmell\tin\ttheir\troom had\t been\t so\t similar\t \u2026\t She\t shook\t her\t head\t as\t if\t to\t clear\t it,\t to\t shake\t the\t creeping\t feeling moving\tup\ther\tspine. \u201cEven\t my\t queen\t doesn\u2019t\t know\t every\t foul\t creature\t roaming\t these\t lands.\t If\t the skinwalkers\tare\tventuring\tdown\tfrom\tthe\tmountains,\tperhaps\tother\tthings\tare,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cThe\ttownspeople\tmight\tknow\tsomething.\tMaybe\tthey\u2019ve\tseen\tit\tor\theard\trumors.\u201d Rowan\t seemed\t to\t be\t thinking\t the\t same\t thing,\t because\t he\t shook\t his\t head\t in\t disgust\u2014 and\tsorrow,\tto\ther\tsurprise.\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\ttime;\tyou\twasted\tdaylight\tby\tcoming\there in\t your\t human\t form.\u201d\t They\t hadn\u2019t\t brought\t any\t overnight\t supplies,\t either.\t \u201cWe\t have\t an hour\tbefore\twe\thead\tback.\tMake\tthe\tmost\tof\tit.\u201d The\tpath\tled\tabsolutely\tnowhere.\tIt\tran\tinto\ta\tsea\tcliff\twith\tno\tway\tto\tthe\tnarrow\tstrip\tof","beach\t below,\t no\t sign\t of\t anyone\t living\t nearby.\t Rowan\t stood\t at\t the\t cliff\u2019s\t edge,\t arms crossed\tas\the\tstared\tout\tat\tthe\tjade\tsea.\t\u201cIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tmake\tsense,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tmore\tto\thimself than\t to\t her.\t \u201cThis\t is\t the\t fourth\t body\t in\t the\t last\t few\t weeks\u2014none\t of\t them\t reported missing.\u201d\t He\t squatted\t on\t the\t sandy\t ground\t and\t drew\t a\t rough\t line\t in\t the\t dirt\t with\t a tattooed\tfinger.\tThe\tshape\tof\tWendlyn\u2019s\tcoastline.\t\u201cThey\u2019ve\tbeen\tfound\there.\u201d\tLittle\tdots, seemingly\t random\t save\t for\t being\t close\t to\t the\t water.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t here,\u201d\t he\t said,\t making another\t dot.\t He\t sat\t back\t on\t his\t heels\t as\t Celaena\t peered\t at\t the\t crude\t map.\t \u201cAnd\t yet\t you and\t I\t encountered\t the\t creature\t lurking\t amongst\t the\t barrow-wights\t here,\u201d\t he\t added,\t and drew\tan\tX\twhere\tshe\tassumed\tthe\tmounds\twere,\tdeep\tinland.\t\u201cI\thaven\u2019t\tseen\tany\tfurther signs\tof\tit\tremaining\tby\tthe\tbarrows,\tand\tthe\twights\thave\treturned\tto\ttheir\tusual\thabits.\u201d \u201cWere\tthe\tother\tbodies\tthe\tsame?\u201d \u201cAll\t were\t drained\t like\t this,\t with\t expressions\t of\t terror\t on\t their\t faces\u2014not\t a\t hint\t of\t a wound,\tbeyond\tdried\tblood\tat\tthe\tnose\tand\tears.\u201d\tFrom\tthe\tway\this\ttan\tskin\tpaled\tbeneath his\ttattoo,\tthe\tway\the\tgritted\this\tteeth,\tshe\tknew\tthat\tit\trankled\this\timmortal\tpride\tnot\tto know\twhat\tthis\tthing\twas. \u201cAll\tdumped\tin\tthe\tforest,\tnot\tthe\tsea?\u201d\tA\tnod.\t\u201cBut\tall\twithin\twalking\tdistance\tof\tthe water.\u201d\t Another\t nod.\t \u201cIf\t it\t were\t a\t skilled,\t sentient\t killer,\t it\t would\t hide\t the\t bodies\t better. Or,\t again,\t use\t the\t sea.\u201d\t She\t gazed\t to\t the\t blinding\t water,\t the\t sun\t starting\t its\t afternoon descent.\t\u201cOr\tmaybe\tit\tdoesn\u2019t\tcare.\tMaybe\tit\twants\tus\tto\tknow\twhat\tit\u2019s\tdoing.\tThere\twere \u2014there\t were\t times\t when\t I\t left\t bodies\t so\t that\t they\u2019d\t be\t found\t by\t a\t certain\t person,\t or\t to send\t a\t type\t of\t message.\u201d\t Grave\t being\t the\t latest\t of\t them.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t the\t victims\t have\t in common?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know,\u201d\t he\t admitted.\t \u201cWe\t don\u2019t\t even\t know\t their\t names\t or\t where\t they\t came from.\u201d\tHe\trose\tand\tdusted\this\thands\toff.\t\u201cWe\tneed\tto\treturn\tto\tthe\tfortress.\u201d She\tgrabbed\this\telbow.\t\u201cWait.\tHave\tyou\tseen\tenough\tof\tthe\tbody?\u201d A\t slow\t nod.\t Good.\t So\t had\t she\u2014and\t she\u2019d\t had\t enough\t of\t the\t smell,\t too.\t She\u2019d committed\tit\tto\tmemory,\tnoting\teverything\tthat\tshe\tcould.\t\u201cThen\twe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tbury\ther.\u201d \u201cThe\tground\u2019s\ttoo\thard\there.\u201d She\tstalked\tthrough\tthe\ttrees,\tleaving\thim\tbehind.\t\u201cThen\twe\u2019ll\tdo\tit\tthe\tancient\tway,\u201d she\t called.\t She\u2019d\t be\t damned\t if\t she\t left\t that\t woman\u2019s\t body\t decomposing\t in\t a\t stream, damned\tif\tshe\tleft\ther\tthere\tfor\tall\teternity,\twet\tand\tcold. Celaena\t pulled\t the\t too-light\t body\t out\t of\t the\t stream,\t laying\t it\t on\t the\t brown\t pine needles.\tRowan\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tas\tshe\tgathered\tkindling\tand\tbranches\tand\tthen\tknelt, trying\tnot\tto\tlook\tat\tthe\tshriveled\tskin\tor\tthe\texpression\tof\tlingering\thorror. Neither\t did\t he\t mock\t her\t for\t the\t few\t times\t it\t took\t to\t get\t the\t fire\t started\t by\t hand,\t or make\t any\t snide\t comments\t once\t the\t pine\t needles\t finally\t crinkled\t and\t smoked,\t ancient incense\tfor\ta\trudimentary\tpyre.\tInstead,\tas\tshe\tstepped\tfrom\tthe\trising\tflames,\tshe\tfelt\thim come\tto\ttower\tbehind\ther,\tfelt\tthe\tsurety\tand\thalf\twildness\tof\thim\twrap\taround\ther\tlike\ta phantom\t body.\t A\t warm\t breeze\t licked\t at\t her\t hair,\t her\t face.\t Air\t to\t help\t the\t fire;\t wind\t that helped\tconsume\tthe\tcorpse. The\tloathing\tshe\tfelt\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\ther\tvow,\tor\tNehemia.\tCelaena\treached\tinto","the\t ageless\t pit\t inside\t her\u2014just\t once\u2014to\t see\t if\t she\t could\t pull\t up\t whatever\t trigger\t it\t was that\tcaused\tthe\tshift,\tso\tshe\tcould\thelp\ther\tsad\tlittle\tfire\tburn\tmore\tevenly,\tmore\tproudly. Yet\tCelaena\tremained\tstale\tand\tempty,\tstranded\tin\ther\tmortal\tbody. Still,\tRowan\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tabout\tit,\tand\this\twind\tfed\tthe\tflames\tenough\tto\tmake quick\t work\t of\t the\t body,\t burning\t far\t faster\t than\t a\t mortal\t pyre.\t They\t watched\t in\t silence, until\t there\t was\t nothing\t but\t ashes\u2014until\t even\t those\t were\t carried\t up\t and\t away,\t over\t the trees,\tand\ttoward\tthe\topen\tsea.","Chapter\t26 Chaol\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t or\t heard\t from\t the\t general\t or\t the\t prince\t since\t that\t night\t in\t the\t tomb. According\tto\this\tmen,\tthe\tprince\twas\tspending\this\ttime\tin\tthe\thealers\u2019\tcatacombs,\tcourting one\tof\tthe\tyoung\twomen\tdown\tthere.\tHe\thated\thimself,\tbut\tsome\tpart\tof\thim\twas\trelieved to\thear\tit;\tat\tleast\tDorian\twas\ttalking\tto\tsomeone. The\trift\twith\tDorian\twas\tworth\tit.\tFor\tDorian,\teven\tif\this\tfriend\tnever\tforgave\thim;\tfor Celaena,\t even\t if\t she\t never\t came\t back;\t even\t if\t he\t wished\t she\t were\t still\t Celaena\t and\t not Aelin\t\u2026\tit\twas\tworth\tit. It\t was\t a\t week\t before\t he\t had\t time\t to\t meet\t with\t Aedion\t again\u2014to\t get\t the\t information that\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t received\t thanks\t to\t Dorian\t interrupting\t them.\t If\t Dorian\t had\t snuck\t up\t on them\tso\teasily,\tthen\tthe\ttomb\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tbest\tplace\tto\tmeet.\tThere\twas\tone\tplace,\thowever, where\t they\t could\t gather\t with\t minimal\t risk.\t Celaena\t had\t left\t it\t to\t him\t in\t her\t will,\t along with\tthe\taddress. The\t secret\t apartment\t above\t the\t warehouse\t was\t untouched,\t though\t someone\t had\t taken the\t time\t to\t cover\t the\t ornate\t furniture.\t Pulling\t the\t sheets\t off\t one\t by\t one\t was\t like uncovering\t a\t bit\t more\t of\t who\t Celaena\t had\t been\t before\t Endovier\u2014proof\t that\t her\t lavish tastes\t ran\t deep.\t She\u2019d\t bought\t this\t place,\t she\u2019d\t once\t told\t him,\t to\t have\t somewhere\t to\t call her\t own,\t a\t place\t outside\t the\t Assassins\u2019\t Keep\t where\t she\u2019d\t been\t raised.\t She\u2019d\t dropped almost\t every\t copper\t she\t had\t into\t it\u2014but\t it\t had\t been\t necessary,\t she\t said,\t for\t the\t bit\t of freedom\tit\thad\tgranted\ther.\tHe\tcould\thave\tleft\tthe\tsheets\ton,\tprobably\tshould\thave,\tbut\t\u2026 he\twas\tcurious. The\tapartment\tconsisted\tof\ttwo\tbedrooms\twith\ttheir\town\tbathing\trooms,\ta\tkitchen,\tand a\tgreat\troom\tin\twhich\ta\tdeep-cushioned\tcouch\tsprawled\tbefore\ta\tcarved\tmarble\tfireplace, accented\tby\ttwo\toversized\tvelvet\tarmchairs.\tThe\tother\thalf\tof\tthe\troom\twas\toccupied\tby an\t oak\t dining\t table\t capable\t of\t seating\t eight,\t its\t place\t settings\t still\t laid\t out:\t plates\t of porcelain\tand\tsilver,\tflatware\tthat\thad\tlong\tsince\tgone\tdull.\tIt\twas\tthe\tonly\tevidence\tthat this\t apartment\t had\t been\t untouched\t since\t whoever\u2014Arobynn\t Hamel,\t probably\u2014had ordered\tthe\tplace\tsealed\tup. Arobynn\t Hamel,\t the\t King\t of\t the\t Assassins.\t Chaol\t gritted\t his\t teeth\t as\t he\t finished stuffing\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\twhite\tsheets\tinto\tthe\thallway\tcloset.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\tthinking\ta\tgood\tdeal about\t Celaena\u2019s\t old\t master\t in\t the\t past\t few\t days.\t Arobynn\t was\t smart\t enough\t to\t have\t put things\t together\t when\t he\t found\t a\t washed-up\t orphan\t right\t after\t the\t Princess\t of\t Terrasen went\tmissing,\ther\tbody\tvanished\tinto\tthe\thalf-frozen\tFlorine\tRiver. If\t Arobynn\t had\t known,\t and\t done\t those\t things\t to\t her\t \u2026\t The\t scar\t on\t Celaena\u2019s\t wrist flashed\tbefore\thim.\tHe\u2019d\tmade\ther\tbreak\ther\town\thand.\tThere\tmust\thave\tbeen\tcountless other\t brutalities\t that\t Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t even\t tell\t him\t about.\t And\t the\t worst\t of\t them,\t the absolute\tworst\t\u2026 He\u2019d\t never\t asked\t Celaena\t why,\t when\t she\t was\t appointed\t Champion,\t her\t first\t priority wasn\u2019t\t hunting\t down\t her\t master\t and\t cutting\t him\t into\t pieces\t for\t what\t he\u2019d\t done\t to\t her","lover,\t Sam\t Cortland.\t Arobynn\t had\t ordered\t Sam\t tortured\t and\t killed,\t and\t then\t devised\t a trap\t for\t Celaena\t that\t got\t her\t hauled\t off\t to\t Endovier.\t Arobynn\t must\t have\t expected\t to retrieve\ther\tsomeday,\tif\the\u2019d\tleft\tthis\tapartment\tuntouched.\tHe\tmust\thave\twanted\tto\tlet\ther rot\t in\t Endovier\u2014until\t he\t decided\t to\t free\t her\t and\t she\t crawled\t back\t to\t him,\t his\t eternally loyal\tservant. It\twas\ther\tright,\tChaol\ttold\thimself.\tHer\tright\tto\tdecide\twhen\tand\thow\tto\tkill\tArobynn. It\t was\t Aedion\u2019s\t right,\t too.\t Even\t the\t two\t lords\t of\t Terrasen\t had\t more\t of\t a\t claim\t on Arobynn\u2019s\thead\tthan\the\tdid.\tBut\tif\tChaol\tever\tsaw\thim,\the\twasn\u2019t\tsure\the\twould\tbe\table to\trestrain\thimself. The\trickety\twooden\tstaircase\tbeyond\tthe\tfront\tdoor\tgroaned,\tand\tChaol\thad\this\tsword drawn\tin\ta\theartbeat.\tThen\tthere\twas\ta\tlow,\ttwo-note\twhistle\tand\the\trelaxed,\tjust\tslightly, and\twhistled\tback.\tHe\tkept\this\tsword\tdrawn\tuntil\tAedion\tstrode\tthrough\tthe\tdoor,\tsword out. \u201cI\twas\twondering\twhether\tyou\u2019d\tbe\there\talone,\tor\twith\ta\tgaggle\tof\tmen\twaiting\tin\tthe shadows,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid\tby\tway\tof\tgreeting,\tsheathing\this\tsword. Chaol\tglared\tat\thim.\t\u201cLikewise.\u201d Aedion\t moved\t farther\t into\t the\t apartment,\t the\t fierceness\t on\t his\t face\t shifting\t among wariness,\t wonder,\t and\t sorrow.\t And\t it\t occurred\t to\t Chaol\t that\t this\t apartment\t was\t the\t first time\tAedion\twas\tseeing\ta\tpiece\tof\this\tlost\tcousin.\tThese\twere\ther\tthings.\tShe\thad\tselected everything,\tfrom\tthe\tfigurines\tatop\tthe\tmantel\tto\tthe\tgreen\tnapkins\tto\tthe\told\tfarm\ttable\tin the\tkitchen,\tflecked\tand\tmarred\tby\twhat\tseemed\tlike\tcountless\tknives. Aedion\t paused\t in\t the\t center\t of\t the\t room,\t scanning\t everything.\t Perhaps\t to\t see\t if\t there were\tindeed\tany\thidden\tforces\tlying\tin\twait,\tbut\t\u2026\tChaol\tmuttered\tsomething\tabout\tusing the\tbathing\troom\tand\tgave\tAedion\tthe\tprivacy\the\tneeded. This\t was\t her\t apartment.\t Whether\t she\t accepted\t or\t hated\t her\t past,\t she\u2019d\t decorated\t the dining\t table\t in\t Terrasen\u2019s\t royal\t colors\u2014green\t and\t silver.\t The\t table\t and\t the\t stag\t figurine atop\tthe\tmantel\twere\tthe\tonly\tshreds\tof\tproof\tthat\tshe\tmight\tremember.\tMight\tcare. Everything\t else\t was\t comfortable,\t tasteful,\t as\t if\t the\t apartment\t were\t for\t lounging\t and nights\tby\tthe\tfire.\tAnd\tthere\twere\tso\tmany\tbooks\u2014on\tshelves,\ton\tthe\ttables\tby\tthe\tcouch, stacked\t beside\t the\t large\t armchair\t before\t the\t curtained\t floor-to-ceiling\t window\t spanning the\tentire\tlength\tof\tthe\tgreat\troom. Smart.\t Educated.\t Cultured,\t if\t the\t knickknacks\t were\t any\t indication.\t There\t were\t things from\t across\t the\t kingdoms,\t as\t if\t she\u2019d\t picked\t up\t something\t everywhere\t she\t went.\t The room\t was\t a\t map\t of\t her\t adventures,\t a\t map\t of\t a\t whole\t different\t person.\t Aelin\t had\t lived. She\u2019d\tlived,\tand\tseen\tand\tdone\tthings. The\tkitchen\twas\tsmall\tbut\tcozy\u2014and\t\u2026\tGods.\tShe\thad\ta\tcooling\tbox.\tThe\tcaptain\thad mentioned\ther\tbeing\tnotorious\tas\tan\tassassin,\tbut\the\thadn\u2019t\tmentioned\tthat\tshe\twas\trich. All\t that\t blood\t money\u2014all\t these\t things\t just\t proof\t of\t what\t she\u2019d\t lost.\t What\t he\u2019d\t failed\t to protect. She\u2019d\t become\t a\t killer.\t A\t damn\t good\t one,\t if\t this\t apartment\t was\t any\t indication.\t Her","bedroom\twas\teven\tmore\toutrageous.\tIt\thad\ta\tmassive\tfour-poster\tbed\twith\ta\tmattress\tthat looked\t like\t a\t cloud,\t and\t an\t attached\t marble-tiled\t bathing\t room\t that\t possessed\t its\t own plumbing\tsystem. Well,\t her\t closet\t hadn\u2019t\t changed.\t His\t cousin\t had\t always\t loved\t pretty\t clothes.\t Aedion pulled\tout\ta\tdeep\tblue\ttunic,\tgold\tembroidery\taround\tthe\tlapels\tand\tbuttons\tglimmering\tin the\t light\t from\t the\t sconces.\t These\t were\t clothes\t for\t a\t woman\u2019s\t body.\t And\t the\t scent\t still clinging\tto\tthe\tentire\tapartment\tbelonged\tto\ta\twoman\u2014so\tsimilar\tto\twhat\the\tremembered from\t childhood,\t but\t wrapped\t in\t mystery\t and\t secret\t smiles.\t It\t was\t impossible\t for\t his\t Fae senses\tnot\tto\tnotice,\tto\treact. Aedion\t leaned\t against\t the\t wall\t of\t the\t dressing\t room,\t staring\t at\t the\t gowns\t and\t the displays\t of\t jewelry,\t now\t coated\t in\t dust.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t let\t himself\t care\t about\t what\t had\t been done\tto\thim\tin\tthe\tpast,\tthe\tpeople\the\u2019d\truined,\tthe\tbattlefields\the\u2019d\twalked\toff\tcovered\tin blood\tand\tgore\tthat\twasn\u2019t\this\town.\tAs\tfar\tas\the\twas\tconcerned,\the\u2019d\tlost\teverything\tthe day\tAelin\tdied.\tHe\thad\tdeserved\tthe\tpunishment\tfor\thow\tbadly\the\u2019d\tfailed.\tBut\tAelin\t\u2026 Aedion\tran\this\thands\tthrough\this\thair\tbefore\tstepping\tinto\tthe\tgreat\troom.\tAelin\twould come\t back\t from\t Wendlyn,\t no\t matter\t what\t the\t captain\t believed.\t Aelin\t would\t come\t back, and\twhen\tshe\tdid\t\u2026\tWith\tevery\tbreath,\tAedion\tfelt\tthat\tlingering\tscent\twrapping\ttighter around\this\theart\tand\tsoul.\tWhen\tshe\tcame\tback,\the\twas\tnever\tletting\ther\tgo. Aedion\t sank\t onto\t one\t of\t the\t armchairs\t before\t the\t fire\t as\t Chaol\t said,\t \u201cWell,\t I\t think\t I\u2019ve waited\tlong\tenough\tto\thear\twhat\tyou\thave\tto\tsay\tabout\tmagic.\tI\thope\tit\u2019s\tworthwhile.\u201d \u201cRegardless\tof\twhat\tI\tknow,\tmagic\tshouldn\u2019t\tbe\tyour\tmain\tplan\tof\tdefense\u2014or\taction.\u201d \u201cI\t saw\t your\t queen\t cleave\t the\t earth\t in\t two\t with\t her\t power,\u201d\t Chaol\t said.\t \u201cTell\t me\t that wouldn\u2019t\tturn\tthe\ttide\ton\ta\tbattlefield\u2014tell\tme\tthat\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\tneed\tthat,\tand\tothers\tlike her.\u201d \u201cShe\twon\u2019t\tbe\tanywhere\tnear\tthose\tbattlefields,\u201d\tAedion\tsnarled\tsoftly. Chaol\thighly\tdoubted\tthat\twas\ttrue,\tbut\twished\tit\twas.\tAedion\twould\tprobably\thave\tto bind\t Celaena\t to\t her\t throne\t to\t keep\t her\t from\t fighting\t on\t the\t front\t lines\t with\t her\t people. \u201cJust\ttell\tme.\u201d Aedion\t sighed\t and\t gazed\t at\t the\t fire,\t as\t if\t beholding\t a\t distant\t horizon.\t \u201cThe\t burnings and\texecutions\thad\talready\tstarted\tby\tthe\ttime\tmagic\tdisappeared,\tso\tthe\tday\tit\thappened, I\t thought\t the\t birds\t were\t just\t fleeing\t the\t soldiers,\t or\t looking\t for\t carrion.\t I\t was\t locked\t in one\tof\tthe\ttower\trooms\tby\tthe\tking\u2019s\torders.\tMost\tdays\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook\tout\tthe\twindow because\t I\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t see\t what\t was\t happening\t in\t the\t city\t below,\t but\t there\t was\t such noise\tfrom\tthe\tbirds\tthat\tday\tthat\tI\tlooked.\tAnd\t\u2026\u201d\tAedion\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cSomething sent\t them\t all\t flying\t up\t in\t one\t direction,\t then\t another.\t And\t then\t the\t screaming\t started.\t I heard\tsome\tpeople\tjust\tdied\tright\ton\tthe\tspot,\tas\tif\tan\tartery\thad\tbeen\tcut.\u201d Aedion\t spread\t out\t a\t map\t on\t the\t low\t table\t between\t them\t and\t put\t a\t callused\t finger\t on Orynth.\t \u201cThere\t were\t two\t waves\t of\t birds.\t The\t first\t went\t north-northwest.\u201d\t He\t traced\t a vague\tline.\t\u201cFrom\tthe\ttower,\tI\tcould\tsee\tfar\tenough\tthat\tI\tknew\tmany\tof\tthem\thad\tcome from\t the\t south\u2014most\t of\t the\t birds\t near\t us\t didn\u2019t\t move\t much.\t But\t then\t the\t second\t wave shoved\tall\tof\tthem\tto\tthe\tnorth\tand\teast,\tlike\tsomething\tfrom\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tland\tthrew","them\tthat\tway.\u201d Chaol\tpointed\tto\tPerranth,\tthe\tsecond-largest\tcity\tin\tTerrasen.\t\u201cFrom\there?\u201d \u201cFarther\tsouth.\u201d\tAedion\tknocked\tChaol\u2019s\thand\tout\tof\tthe\tway. \u201cEndovier\tor\teven\tlower.\u201d \u201cYou\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tseen\tthat\tfar.\u201d \u201cNo,\tbut\tthe\twarrior-lords\tof\tmy\tcourt\tmade\tme\tmemorize\tthe\tbirds\tin\tOakwald\tand\tall their\tcalls\tfor\thunting\u2014and\tfighting.\tAnd\tthere\twere\tbirds\tflying\tup\ttoward\tus\tthat\twere only\t found\t in\t your\t country.\t I\t was\t counting\t them\t to\t distract\t myself\t while\u2014\u201d\t Another pause,\tas\tif\tAedion\thadn\u2019t\tmeant\tto\tsay\tthat.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tremember\thearing\tany\tbirds\tfrom\tthe three\tsouthern\tkingdoms.\u201d Chaol\t made\t a\t rough\t line,\t starting\t in\t Rifthold\t and\t going\t out\t toward\t the\t mountains, toward\tthe\tFerian\tGap.\t\u201cLike\tsomething\tshot\tout\tin\tthis\tdirection.\u201d \u201cIt\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\tthe\tsecond\twave\tthat\tmagic\tstopped.\u201d\tAedion\traised\ta\tbrow.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou remember\tthat\tday?\u201d \u201cI\twas\there;\tif\tanyone\tfelt\tpain,\tthey\thid\tit.\tMagic\u2019s\tbeen\tillegal\tin\tAdarlan\tfor\tdecades. So\twhere\tdoes\tall\tthis\tget\tus,\tAedion?\u201d \u201cWell,\t Murtaugh\t and\t Ren\t had\t similar\t experiences.\u201d\t So\t then\t the\t general\t launched\t into another\t tale:\t like\t Aedion,\t Ren\t and\t Murtaugh\t had\t experienced\t a\t frenzy\t of\t local\t animals and\t twin\t waves\t of\t something\t the\t day\t magic\t had\t disappeared.\t But\t they\u2019d\t been\t in\t the southern\tpart\tof\ttheir\tcontinent,\thaving\tjust\tarrived\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay. It\t wasn\u2019t\t until\t six\t months\t ago,\t when\t they\u2019d\t been\t lured\t into\t the\t city\t by\t Archer\t Finn\u2019s lies\t about\t Aelin\u2019s\t reemergence,\t that\t they\u2019d\t started\t considering\t magic\u2014contemplating ways\t to\t break\t the\t king\u2019s\t power\t for\t their\t queen.\t After\t comparing\t notes\t with\t the\t other rebels\tin\tRifthold,\tthey\trealized\tthat\tothers\thad\texperienced\tsimilar\tphenomena.\tWanting to\t get\t a\t full\t account,\t they\u2019d\t found\t a\t merchant\t from\t the\t Deserted\t Peninsula\t who\t was willing\t to\t talk\u2014a\t man\t from\t Xandria\t who\t was\t surprisingly\t honest,\t despite\t the\t business he\u2019d\tbuilt\ton\tcontraband\titems. I\tstole\tan\tAsterion\tmare\tfrom\tthe\tLord\tof\tXandria. Of\tcourse\tCelaena\thad\tbeen\tto\tthe\tDeserted\tPeninsula.\tAnd\tsought\tout\ttrouble.\tDespite the\tache\tin\this\tchest,\tChaol\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tmemory\tas\tAedion\trecalled\tMurtaugh\u2019s\treport\tof the\tmerchant\u2019s\taccount. Not\ttwo\twaves\twhen\tmagic\tvanished\tin\tthe\tdesert,\tbut\tthree. The\tfirst\tswept\tdown\tfrom\tthe\tnorth.\tThe\tmerchant\thad\tbeen\twith\tthe\tLord\tof\tXandria in\t his\t fortress\t high\t above\t the\t city\t and\t had\t seen\t a\t faint\t tremor\t that\t made\t the\t red\t sand dance.\tThe\tsecond\tcame\tfrom\tthe\tsouthwest,\tbarreling\tright\ttoward\tthem\tlike\ta\tsandstorm. The\t final\t pulse\t came\t from\t the\t same\t inland\t source\t Aedion\t remembered.\t Seconds\t later, magic\twas\tgone,\tand\tpeople\twere\tscreaming\tin\tthe\tstreets,\tand\tthe\tLord\tof\tXandria\tgot\tthe order,\t a\t week\t later,\t to\t put\t down\t all\t the\t known\t or\t registered\t magic-wielders\t in\t his\t city. Then\tthe\tscreaming\thad\tbecome\tdifferent. Aedion\t gave\t him\t a\t sly\t grin\t as\t he\t finished.\t \u201cBut\t Murtaugh\t figured\t out\t more.\t We\u2019re","meeting\tin\tthree\tdays.\tHe\tcan\ttell\tyou\this\ttheories\tthen.\u201d Chaol\t started\t from\t his\t chair.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t it?\t That\u2019s\t all\t you\t know\u2014what\t you\u2019ve\t been lording\tover\tme\tthese\tpast\tfew\tweeks?\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tstill\tmore\tfor\tyou\tto\ttell\tme,\tso\twhy\tshould\tI\ttell\tyou\teverything?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\t told\t you\t vital,\t world-changing\t information,\u201d\t Chaol\t said\t through\t his\t teeth. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tjust\ttold\tme\tstories.\u201d Aedion\u2019s\teyes\ttook\ton\ta\tlethal\tglint.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\twant\tto\thear\twhat\tRen\tand\tMurtaugh\thave to\tsay.\u201d\tChaol\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tlike\twaiting\tso\tlong\tto\thear\tit,\tbut\tthere\twere\ttwo\tstate\tlunches and\tone\tformal\tdinner\tbefore\tthen,\tand\the\twas\texpected\tto\tattend\tall\tof\tthem.\tAnd\tpresent the\tking\twith\this\tdefense\tplans\tfor\tall\tthe\tevents\tas\twell. After\t a\t moment,\t Aedion\t said,\t \u201cHow\t do\t you\t stand\t working\t for\t him?\t How\t do\t you pretend\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tthat\tbastard\tis\tdoing,\twhat\the\u2019s\tdone\tto\tinnocent\tpeople,\tto the\twoman\tyou\tclaim\tto\tlove?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tdoing\twhat\tI\thave\tto\tdo.\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tAedion\twould\tunderstand,\tanyway. \u201cTell\tme\twhy\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard,\ta\tLord\tof\tAdarlan,\tis\thelping\this\tenemy.\tThat\u2019s all\tthe\tinformation\tI\twant\tfrom\tyou\ttoday.\u201d Chaol\t wanted\t to\t say\t that,\t given\t how\t much\t he\u2019d\t already\t told\t him,\t he\t didn\u2019t\t have\t to offer\t a\t damn\t thing.\t Instead\t he\t said,\t \u201cI\t grew\t up\t being\t told\t we\t were\t bringing\t peace\t and civilization\tto\tthe\tcontinent.\tWhat\tI\u2019ve\tseen\trecently\thas\tmade\tme\trealize\thow\tmuch\tof\tit is\ta\tlie.\u201d \u201cYou\tknew\tabout\tthe\tlabor\tcamps,\tthough.\tAbout\tthe\tmassacres.\u201d \u201cIt\t is\t easy\t to\t be\t lied\t to\t when\t you\t do\t not\t know\t any\t of\t those\t people\t firsthand.\u201d\t But Celaena\t with\t her\t scars,\t and\t Nehemia\t with\t her\t people\t butchered\t \u2026\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t easy\t to\t believe when\t your\t king\t tells\t you\t that\t the\t people\t in\t Endovier\t deserve\t to\t be\t there\t because\t they\u2019re criminals\tor\trebels\twho\ttried\tto\tslaughter\tinnocent\tAdarlanian\tfamilies.\u201d \u201cAnd\thow\tmany\tof\tyour\tcountrymen\twould\tstand\tagainst\tyour\tking\tif\tthey,\ttoo,\tlearned the\t truth?\t If\t they\t stopped\t to\t consider\t what\t it\t would\t be\t like\t if\t it\t were\t their\t family,\t their village,\t being\t enslaved\t or\t murdered?\t How\t many\t would\t stand\t if\t they\t knew\t what\t power their\tprince\tpossessed\u2014if\ttheir\tprince\trose\tup\tto\tfight\twith\tus?\u201d Chaol\tdidn\u2019t\tknow,\tand\the\twasn\u2019t\tsure\the\twanted\tto.\tAs\tfor\tDorian\t\u2026\the\tcould\tnot\task that\tof\this\tfriend.\tCould\tnot\texpect\tit.\tHis\tgoal\twas\tkeeping\tDorian\tsafe.\tEven\tif\tit\twould cost\thim\ttheir\tfriendship,\the\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tDorian\tinvolved.\tEver. The\tpast\tweek\thad\tbeen\tterrifying\tand\twonderful\tfor\tDorian. Terrifying\tbecause\ttwo\tmore\tpeople\tknew\this\tsecret,\tand\tbecause\the\twalked\tsuch\ta\tfine line\twhen\tit\tcame\tto\tcontrolling\this\tmagic,\twhich\tseemed\tmore\tvolatile\twith\teach\tpassing day. Wonderful\t because\t every\t afternoon,\t he\t visited\t the\t forgotten\t workroom\t Sorscha\t had discovered\t tucked\t in\t a\t lower\t level\t of\t the\t catacombs\t where\t no\t one\t would\t find\t them.\t She brought\t books\t from\t the\t gods\t knew\t where,\t herbs\t and\t plants\t and\t salts\t and\t powders,\t and","every\tday,\tthey\tresearched\tand\ttrained\tand\tpondered. There\tweren\u2019t\tmany\tbooks\tabout\tdampening\ta\tpower\tlike\this\u2014many\thad\tbeen\tburned, she\u2019d\t told\t him.\t But\t she\t looked\t at\t the\t magic\t like\t a\t disease:\t if\t she\t could\t find\t the\t right channels\t to\t block,\t she\t could\t keep\t it\t contained.\t And\t if\t not,\t she\t always\t said,\t they\t could resort\t to\t drugging\t him,\t just\t enough\t to\t even\t out\t his\t moods.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t like\t the\t idea\t of\t it, and\tneither\tdid\the,\tthough\tit\twas\ta\tcomfort\tto\tknow\tthe\toption\twas\tthere. An\thour\teach\tday\twas\tall\tthey\tcould\tmanage\ttogether.\tFor\tthat\thour,\tregardless\tof\tthe laws\t they\t were\t breaking,\t Dorian\t felt\t like\t himself\t again.\t Not\t twisted\t and\t reeling\t and stumbling\t through\t the\t dark,\t but\t grounded.\t Calm.\t No\t matter\t what\t he\t told\t Sorscha,\t she never\tjudged\tor\tbetrayed\thim.\tChaol\thad\tbeen\tthat\tperson\tonce.\tYet\tnow,\twhen\tit\tcame\tto his\tmagic,\the\tcould\tstill\tsee\tfear\tand\ta\thint\tof\tdisgust\tin\tChaol\u2019s\teyes. \u201cDid\t you\t know,\u201d\t Sorscha\t said\t from\t her\t spot\t across\t the\t worktable,\t \u201cthat\t before\t magic vanished,\tthey\thad\tto\tfind\tspecial\tways\tof\tsubduing\tgifted\tprisoners?\u201d Dorian\t looked\t up\t from\t his\t book,\t a\t useless\t tome\t on\t garden\t remedies.\t Before\t magic vanished\t \u2026\t at\t the\t hand\t of\t his\t father\t and\t his\t Wyrdkeys.\t His\t stomach\t turned.\t \u201cBecause they\u2019d\tuse\ttheir\tmagic\tto\tbreak\tout\tof\tprison?\u201d Sorscha\tstudied\tthe\tbook\tagain.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\twhy\ta\tlot\tof\tthe\told\tprisons\tuse\tsolid\tiron\u2014it\u2019s immune\tto\tmagic.\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tshe\traised\ta\tbrow.\tShe\twas\tslowly\tstarting\tto\tcome\talive\taround him\u2014though\t he\u2019d\t also\t learned\t to\t read\t her\t subtle\t expressions\t better.\t \u201cBack\t when\t my power\tfirst\tappeared,\tI\ttried\tusing\tit\ton\tan\tiron\tdoor,\tand\t\u2026\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\twell.\u201d \u201cHmm.\u201d\tSorscha\tchewed\ton\ther\tlip.\tIt\twas\tsurprisingly\tdistracting.\t\u201cBut\tiron\u2019s\tin\tyour blood,\tso\thow\tdoes\tthat\twork?\u201d \u201cI\t think\t it\t was\t the\t gods\u2019\t way\t of\t keeping\t us\t from\t growing\t too\t powerful:\t if\t we\t keep contact\twith\tthe\tmagic,\tif\tit\u2019s\tflowing\tthrough\tus\tfor\ttoo\tlong,\twe\tfaint.\tOr\tworse.\u201d \u201cI\t wonder\t what\t would\t happen\t if\t we\t increased\t the\t iron\t in\t your\t diet,\t perhaps\t adding\t a large\tamount\tof\ttreacle\tto\tyour\tfood.\tWe\tgive\tit\tto\tanemic\tpatients,\tbut\tif\twe\tgave\tyou\ta highly\tconcentrated\tdose\t\u2026\tit\twould\ttaste\tawful,\tand\tcould\tbe\tdangerous,\tbut\u2014\u201d \u201cBut\t perhaps\t if\t it\u2019s\t in\t my\t body,\t then\t when\t the\t magic\t rises\t up\t \u2026\u201d\t He\t grimaced.\t He might\thave\tbalked\tat\tthe\tmemory\tof\tthe\tagony\twhen\the\u2019d\ttried\tto\tseal\tthat\tiron\tdoor,\tbut \u2026\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\thimself\tto\tsay\tno\tto\ther.\t\u201cDo\tyou\thave\tany\there?\tJust\tsomething\tto add\tto\ta\tdrink?\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t,\tbut\tshe\tgot\tsome.\tAnd\twithin\ta\tquarter\tof\tan\thour,\tDorian\tsaid\ta\tprayer\tto Silba\tand\tswallowed\tit,\tcringing\tat\tthe\tobscene\tsweetness.\tNothing. Sorscha\u2019s\teyes\tdarted\tfrom\this\town\tto\tthe\tpocket\twatch\tin\ther\thand.\tCounting.\tWaiting to\tsee\tif\tthere\twas\tan\tadverse\treaction.\tA\tminute\tpassed.\tAnd\tthen\tten.\tDorian\thad\tto\tgo soon,\t and\t so\t did\t she,\t but\t after\t a\t while,\t Sorscha\t quietly\t said,\t \u201cTry\t it.\t Try\t summoning\t it. The\tiron\tshould\tbe\tin\tyour\tblood\tnow.\u201d\tHe\tshut\this\teyes,\tand\tshe\tadded,\t\u201cIt\treacts\twhen you\u2019re\t upset\u2014angry\t or\t scared\t or\t sad.\t Think\t about\t something\t that\t makes\t you\t feel\t that way.\u201d","She\twas\trisking\ther\tposition,\ther\tlife,\teverything\tfor\tthis.\tFor\thim,\tthe\tson\tof\tthe\tman who\thad\tordered\this\tarmy\tto\tdestroy\ther\tvillage,\tthen\tslaughter\ther\tfamily\twith\tthe\tother unwanted\timmigrants\tsquatting\tin\tRifthold.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tdeserve\tit. He\tbreathed\tin.\tOut.\tShe\talso\tdidn\u2019t\tdeserve\tthe\tworld\tof\ttrouble\the\twas\tbringing\tdown upon\ther\u2014or\twould\tcontinue\tto\tbring\tto\ther\tdoor\tevery\ttime\the\tcame\there.\tHe\tknew\twhen women\tliked\thim,\tand\the\u2019d\tknown\tfrom\tthe\tfirst\tmoment\the\u2019d\tseen\ther\tthat\tshe\tfound\thim attractive.\t He\u2019d\t hoped\t that\t opinion\t hadn\u2019t\t changed\t for\t the\t worse,\t but\t now\t \u2026\t Think\tof what\tupsets\tyou. Everything\tupset\thim.\tIt\tupset\thim\tthat\tshe\twas\trisking\ther\tlife,\tthat\the\thad\tno\tchoice but\tto\tendanger\ther.\tEven\tif\the\ttook\tthat\tfinal\tstep\ttoward\ther,\teven\tif\the\ttook\ther\tinto\this bed\t like\t he\t so\t badly\t wanted\t to,\t he\t was\t still\t \u2026\t the\t Crown\t Prince.\t You\t will\t always\t be\t my enemy,\tCelaena\thad\tonce\tsaid. There\twas\tno\tescaping\this\tcrown.\tOr\this\tfather,\twho\twould\tbehead\tSorscha,\tburn\ther, and\t scatter\t her\t ashes\t to\t the\t wind\t if\t he\t found\t out\t she\u2019d\t helped\t him.\t His\t father,\t whom\t his friends\twere\tnow\tworking\tto\tdestroy.\tThey\thad\tlied\tto\thim\tand\tignored\thim\tfor\tthat\tcause. Because\the\twas\ta\tdanger,\tto\tthem,\tto\tSorscha,\tand\u2014 Roaring\tpain\tsurged\tfrom\this\tcore\tand\tup\this\tthroat,\tand\the\tgagged.\tThere\twas\tanother wave,\tand\ta\tcool\tbreeze\ttried\tto\tkiss\this\tface,\tbut\tit\tvanished\tlike\tmist\tunder\tthe\tsun\tas\tthe pain\ttrembled\tthrough\thim.\tHe\tleaned\tforward,\tsqueezing\this\teyes\tshut\tas\tthe\tagony\tand then\tthe\tnausea\twent\tthrough\thim\tagain.\tAnd\tagain. But\tthen\tit\twas\tquiet.\tDorian\topened\this\teyes\tto\tfind\tSorscha,\tclever,\tsteady,\twonderful Sorscha,\tstanding\tthere,\tbiting\ther\tlip.\tShe\ttook\tone\tstep\u2014toward\thim,\tnot\taway,\tfor\tonce. \u201cDid\tit\u2014\u201d Dorian\t was\t on\t his\t feet\t so\t fast\t the\t chair\t rocked\t behind\t him,\t and\t had\t her\t face\t between his\t hands\t a\t heartbeat\t after\t that.\t \u201cYes,\u201d\t he\t breathed,\t and\t kissed\t her.\t It\t was\t fast\u2014but\t her face\twas\tflushed,\tand\ther\teyes\twide\tas\the\tpulled\tback.\tHis\town\teyes\twere\twide,\tgods\tbe damned,\t and\t he\t was\t still\t rubbing\t his\t thumb\t against\t her\t soft\t cheek.\t Still\t contemplating going\tback\tfor\tmore,\tbecause\tthat\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tnearly\tenough. But\tshe\tpulled\taway,\treturning\tto\ther\twork.\tAs\tif\u2014as\tif\tit\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tanything,\tother than\tan\tembarrassment.\t\u201cTomorrow?\u201d\tshe\tmurmured.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\tlook\tat\thim. He\tcould\thardly\tmuster\tthe\twords\tto\ttell\ther\tyes\tas\the\tstaggered\tout.\tShe\u2019d\tlooked\tso surprised,\tand\tif\the\tdidn\u2019t\tget\tout,\the\twas\tlikely\tto\tkiss\ther\tagain. But\tmaybe\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tkissed.","Chapter\t27 Standing\t atop\t a\t viewing\t platform\t on\t the\t side\t of\t the\t Omega,\t Manon\t watched\t the\t first Yellowlegs\tcoven\tof\tthe\tday\ttake\tthe\tCrossing.\tThe\tplunge\tdown\tfollowed\tby\tthe\tviolent sweep\tup\twas\tstunning,\teven\twhen\tit\twas\tthe\tYellowlegs\triders\tastride\tthe\twind. Leading\tthem\talong\tthe\tsheer\tface\tof\tthe\tNorthern\tFang\twas\tIskra.\tHer\tbull,\ta\tmassive beast\t named\t Fendir,\t was\t a\t force\t of\t nature\t in\t himself.\t Though\t smaller\t than\t Titus,\t he\t was twice\tas\tnasty. \u201cThey\tsuit\teach\tother,\u201d\tAsterin\tsaid\tfrom\tbeside\tManon.\tThe\trest\tof\tthe\tThirteen\twere in\t the\t sparring\t room,\t instructing\t the\t other\t covens\t in\t hand-to-hand\t combat.\t Faline\t and Fallon,\t the\t green-eyed\t demon-twins,\t were\t undoubtedly\t taking\t some\t pleasure\t from torturing\tthe\tnewest\tsentinels.\tThey\tthrived\ton\tthat\tsort\tof\tthing. Iskra\t and\t Fendir\t swept\t over\t the\t uppermost\t peak\t of\t the\t Northern\t Fang\t and\t vanished into\tthe\tclouds,\tthe\tother\ttwelve\triders\ttrailing\tin\ttight\tformation.\tThe\tcold\twind\twhipped at\tManon\u2019s\tface,\tbeckoning\tto\ther.\tShe\twas\ton\ther\tway\tto\tthe\tcaverns\tto\tsee\tAbraxos,\tbut she\u2019d\t wanted\t to\t monitor\t the\t Yellowlegs\t Crossing\t first.\t Just\t to\t make\t sure\t they\t were\t truly gone\tfor\tthe\tnext\tthree\thours. She\tlooked\tacross\tthe\tspan\tof\tthe\tbridge\tto\tthe\tFang\tand\tits\tgiant\tentryway.\tScreeching and\t roaring\t echoed\t from\t it,\t reverberating\t across\t the\t mountains.\t \u201cI\t want\t you\t to\t keep\t the Thirteen\toccupied\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tday,\u201d\tManon\tsaid. As\tSecond,\tAsterin\twas\tthe\tonly\tone\tof\tthe\tThirteen\twith\tany\tsort\tof\tright\tto\tquestion her,\tand\teven\tthen,\tit\twas\tonly\tin\tvery\tlimited\tcircumstances.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\ttrain\twith him?\u201d\t Manon\t nodded.\t \u201cYour\t grandmother\t said\t she\u2019d\t gut\t me\t if\t I\t let\t you\t out\t of\t my\t sight again.\u201d\t Golden\t hair\t twining\t about\t her\t in\t the\t wind,\t Asterin\u2019s\t face,\t with\t its\t now-crooked nose,\twas\twary. \u201cYou\u2019re\t going\t to\t have\t to\t decide,\u201d\t Manon\t said,\t not\t bothering\t to\t bare\t her\t iron\t teeth. \u201cAre\tyou\ther\tspy\tor\tmy\tSecond?\u201d No\thint\tof\tpain\tor\tfear\tor\tbetrayal.\tJust\ta\tslight\tnarrowing\tof\ther\teyes.\t\u201cI\tserve\tyou.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\tyour\tMatron.\u201d \u201cI\tserve\tyou.\u201d For\t a\t heartbeat,\t Manon\t wondered\t when\t she\u2019d\t ever\t earned\t that\t kind\t of\t loyalty.\t They weren\u2019t\t friends\u2014at\t least,\t not\t in\t the\t way\t that\t humans\t seemed\t to\t be\t friends.\t Every Blackbeak\talready\towed\ther\ttheir\tloyalty\tand\tobedience\tas\tthe\their.\tBut\tthis\t\u2026 Manon\t had\t never\t explained\t herself,\t her\t plans,\t or\t her\t intentions\t to\t anyone\t except\t her grandmother.\t But\t she\t found\t herself\t saying\t to\t her\t Second,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t still\t going\t to\t be\t Wing Leader.\u201d Asterin\tsmiled,\ther\tiron\tteeth\tlike\tquicksilver\tin\tthe\tmorning\tsun.\t\u201cWe\tknow.\u201d","Manon\t lifted\t her\t chin.\t \u201cI\t want\t the\t Thirteen\t adding\t tumbling\t to\t their\t hand-to-hand training.\t And\t when\t you\t can\t handle\t your\t wyvern\t on\t your\t own,\t I\t want\t you\t in\t the\t skies when\tthe\tYellowlegs\tare\taloft.\tI\twant\tto\tknow\twhere\tthey\tfly,\thow\tthey\tfly,\tand\twhat\tthey do.\u201d Asterin\tnodded.\t\u201cI\talready\thave\tthe\tShadows\twatching\tthe\tYellowlegs\tin\tthe\thalls,\u201d\tshe said,\t a\t glimmer\t of\t rage\t and\t bloodthirst\t in\t those\t gold-flecked\t black\t eyes.\t When\t Manon raised\ta\tbrow,\tAsterin\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tI\u2019d\tlet\tIskra\toff\tso\teasily,\tdid\tyou?\u201d Manon\t could\t still\t feel\t the\t iron-tipped\t fingers\t digging\t into\t her\t back,\t shoving\t her\t into the\tpit.\tHer\tankle\twas\tsore\tand\tstiff\tfrom\tthe\tfall,\ther\tribs\tbruised\tfrom\tthe\tbeating\tshe\u2019d taken\t from\t Titus\u2019s\t tail.\t \u201cKeep\t them\t in\t line.\t Unless\t you\t want\t your\t nose\t broken\t a\t second time.\u201d Asterin\tflashed\ta\tgrin.\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\tmove\twithout\tyour\tcommand,\tLady.\u201d Manon\t didn\u2019t\t want\t the\t overseer\t in\t the\t pen.\t Or\t his\t three\t handlers,\t all\t bearing\t spears\t and whips.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tany\tof\tthem\tfor\tthree\treasons. The\tfirst\twas\tthat\tshe\twanted\tto\tbe\talone\twith\tAbraxos,\twho\twas\tcrouched\tagainst\tthe back\twall,\twaiting\tand\twatching. The\t second\t was\t that\t the\t human\t smell\t of\t them,\t the\t beckoning\t warmth\t of\t the\t blood pulsing\t in\t their\t necks,\t was\t distracting.\t The\t stench\t of\t their\t fear\t was\t distracting.\t She\u2019d debated\tfor\ta\tgood\tminute\twhether\tit\twould\tbe\tworth\tit\tto\tgut\tone\tof\tthem\tjust\tto\tsee\twhat the\t others\t would\t do.\t Already,\t men\t were\t going\t missing\t from\t the\t Fang\u2014men\t who\t were rumored\tto\thave\tcrossed\tthe\tbridge\tto\tthe\tOmega\tand\tnever\treturned.\tManon\thadn\u2019t\tkilled any\tof\tthe\tmen\there\tyet,\tbut\tevery\tminute\talone\twith\tthem\ttempted\ther\tto\tplay. And\t the\t third\t reason\t she\t resented\t their\t presence\t was\t that\t Abraxos\t loathed\t them,\t with their\twhips\tand\tspears\tand\tchains\tand\ttheir\thulking\tpresence.\tThe\twyvern\twouldn\u2019t\tmove from\this\tspot\tagainst\tthe\twall\tno\tmatter\thow\tviciously\tthey\tcracked\ttheir\twhips.\tHe\thated whips\u2014not\tjust\tfeared,\tbut\tactually\thated.\tThe\tsound\talone\tmade\thim\tcringe\tand\tbare\this teeth. They\u2019d\t been\t in\t the\t pen\t for\t ten\t minutes,\t attempting\t to\t get\t close\t enough\t to\t get\t him chained\tdown\tand\tsaddled.\tIf\tit\tdidn\u2019t\thappen\tsoon,\tshe\u2019d\thave\tto\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tOmega before\tthe\tYellowlegs\treturned. \u201cHe\u2019s\tnever\ttaken\ta\tsaddle,\u201d\tthe\toverseer\tsaid\tto\ther.\t\u201cProbably\twon\u2019t.\u201d\tShe\theard\tthe unspoken\twords.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\trisk\tmy\tmen\tgetting\tit\ton\thim.\tYou\u2019re\tjust\tbeing\tproud. Pick\tanother\tmount\tlike\ta\tgood\tgirl. Manon\tflashed\ther\tiron\tteeth\tat\tthe\toverseer,\ther\tupper\tlip\tpulling\tback\tjust\tenough\tto warn\thim.\tHe\tbacked\tup\ta\tstep,\twhip\tdrooping.\tAbraxos\u2019s\tmutilated\ttail\tslashed\tacross\tthe ground,\this\teyes\tnever\tleaving\tthe\tthree\tmen\ttrying\tto\tforce\thim\tinto\tsubmission. One\t of\t them\t cracked\t the\t whip,\t so\t close\t to\t Abraxos\t that\t he\t flinched\t away.\t Another snapped\t it\t near\t his\t tail\u2014twice.\t Then\t Abraxos\t lunged,\t with\t both\t neck\t and\t tail.\t The\t three handlers\tscrambled,\tbarely\tout\tof\treach\tof\this\tsnapping\tteeth.\tEnough. \u201cYour\tmen\thave\tcowards\u2019\thearts,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tgiving\tthe\toverseer\ta\twithering\tlook\tas\tshe","stalked\tacross\tthe\tdirt\tfloor. The\t overseer\t grabbed\t for\t her,\t but\t she\t slashed\t with\t iron-tipped\t fingers\t and\t sliced\t his hand\topen.\tHe\tcursed,\tbut\tManon\tkept\twalking,\tlicking\this\tblood\toff\ther\tnails.\tShe\talmost spat\tit\tout. Vile.\t The\t blood\t tasted\t rotten,\t as\t if\t it\t had\t curdled\t or\t festered\t inside\t a\t corpse\t for\t days. She\t glanced\t at\t the\t blood\t on\t the\t rest\t of\t her\t hand.\t It\t was\t too\t dark\t for\t human\t blood.\t If witches\t had\t indeed\t been\t killing\t these\t men,\t why\t had\t no\t one\t reported\t this?\t She\t bit\t down the\t questions.\t She\t would\t think\t about\t it\t another\t time.\t Maybe\t drag\t the\t overseer\t into\t a forgotten\tcorner\tand\topen\thim\tup\tto\tsee\twhat\twas\tdecaying\tinside\thim. But\tright\tnow\t\u2026\tThe\tmen\thad\tgone\tquiet.\tEach\tstep\tbrought\ther\tcloser\tto\tAbraxos.\tA line\t had\t been\t marked\t in\t the\t dirt\t where\t the\t safety\t of\t the\t chains\t ended.\t Manon\t took\t three steps\tbeyond\tit,\tone\tfor\teach\tface\tof\ttheir\tGoddess:\tMaiden.\tMother.\tCrone. Abraxos\tcrouched,\tthe\tpowerful\tmuscles\tof\this\tbody\ttense,\tready\tto\tspring. \u201cYou\t know\t who\t I\t am,\u201d\t Manon\t said,\t gazing\t into\t those\t endless\t black\t eyes,\t not\t giving one\t inch\t to\t fear\t or\t doubt.\t \u201cI\t am\t Manon\t Blackbeak,\t heir\t to\t the\t Blackbeak\t Clan,\t and\t you are\tmine.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand?\u201d One\t of\t the\t men\t snorted,\t and\t Manon\t might\t have\t whirled\t to\t tear\t out\t his\t tongue\t right there,\tbut\tAbraxos\t\u2026\tAbraxos\tlowered\this\thead\tever\tso\tslightly.\tAs\tif\the\tunderstood. \u201cYou\t are\t Abraxos,\u201d\t Manon\t said\t to\t him,\t a\t chill\t slithering\t down\t her\t neck.\t \u201cI\t gave\t you that\tname\tbecause\the\tis\tthe\tGreat\tBeast,\tthe\tserpent\twho\twrapped\tthe\tworld\tin\this\tcoils, and\t who\t will\t devour\t it\t at\t the\t very\t end\t when\t the\t Three-Faced\t Goddess\t bids\t him\t to.\t You are\tAbraxos,\u201d\tshe\trepeated,\t\u201cand\tyou\tare\tmine.\u201d A\t blink,\t then\t another.\t Abraxos\t took\t a\t step\t toward\t her.\t Leather\t groaned\t as\t someone tightened\t their\t grip\t on\t a\t coiled\t whip.\t But\t Manon\t held\t fast,\t lifting\t one\t hand\t toward\t her wyvern.\t\u201cAbraxos.\u201d The\t mighty\t head\t came\t toward\t her,\t those\t eyes\t pools\t of\t liquid\t night\t meeting\t her\t own. Her\t hand\t was\t still\t extended,\t tipped\t in\t iron\t and\t stained\t with\t blood.\t He\t pressed\t his\t snout into\ther\tpalm\tand\thuffed. His\tgray\thide\twas\twarm\tand\tsurprisingly\tsoft\u2014thick\tbut\tsupple,\tlike\tworn\tleather.\tUp close,\tthe\tvariation\tin\tcoloring\twas\tstriking\u2014not\tjust\tgray,\tbut\tdark\tgreen,\tbrown,\tblack.\tIt was\t marred\t all\t over\t by\t thick\t scars,\t so\t many\t that\t they\t could\t have\t been\t the\t stripes\t of\t a jungle\t cat.\t Abraxos\u2019s\t teeth,\t yellow\t and\t cracked,\t gleamed\t in\t the\t torchlight.\t Some\t were missing,\tbut\tthose\tthat\tremained\twere\tas\tlong\tas\ta\tfinger\tand\ttwice\tas\tthick.\tHis\thot\tbreath reeked,\teither\tfrom\this\tdiet\tor\trotting\tteeth. Each\tof\tthe\tscars,\tthe\tchipped\tteeth\tand\tbroken\tclaws,\tthe\tmutilated\ttail\u2014they\tweren\u2019t the\t markings\t of\t a\t victim.\t Oh,\t no.\t They\t were\t the\t trophies\t of\t a\t survivor.\t Abraxos\t was\t a warrior\t who\u2019d\t had\t all\t the\t odds\t stacked\t against\t him\t and\t survived.\t Learned\t from\t it. Triumphed. Manon\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t look\t at\t the\t men\t behind\t her\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cGet\t out.\u201d\t She\t kept staring\t into\t those\t dark\t eyes.\t \u201cLeave\t the\t saddle\t and\t get\t out.\t If\t you\t bring\t a\t whip\t in\t here again,\tI\u2019ll\tuse\tit\ton\tyou\tmyself.\u201d"]
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