["\u201cBut\u2014\u201d \u201cNow.\u201d Muttering\tand\tclicking\ttheir\ttongues,\tthe\thandlers\tshuffled\tout\tand\tshut\tthe\tgate.\tWhen they\twere\talone,\tManon\tstroked\tthe\tmassive\tsnout. However\t the\t king\t had\t bred\t these\t beasts,\t Abraxos\t had\t somehow\t been\t born\t different. Smaller,\t but\t smarter.\t Or\t perhaps\t the\t others\t didn\u2019t\t ever\t need\t to\t think.\t Cared\t for\t and trained,\t they\t did\t what\t they\t were\t told.\t But\t Abraxos\t had\t learned\t to\t survive,\t and\t perhaps that\thad\topened\this\tmind.\tHe\tcould\tunderstand\ther\twords\u2014her\texpressions. And\tif\the\tcould\tcomprehend\tthose\tthings\t\u2026\the\tcould\tpossibly\tteach\tthe\tother\tmounts of\tthe\tThirteen.\tIt\twas\ta\tsmall\tedge,\tbut\tan\tedge\tthat\tcould\tmake\tthem\tWing\tLeader\u2014and make\tthem\tinvincible\tagainst\tthe\tking\u2019s\tenemies. \u201cI\tam\tgoing\tto\tput\tthis\tsaddle\ton\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tstill\tcupping\tthat\tsnout.\tHe\tshifted,\tbut Manon\tgrabbed\ton\ttight,\tforcing\thim\tto\tlook\tat\ther.\t\u201cYou\twant\tout\tof\tthis\tshithole?\tThen you\u2019ll\tlet\tme\tput\tthis\tsaddle\ton\tyou\tto\tcheck\tthe\tfit.\tAnd\twhen\twe\u2019re\tdone,\tyou\u2019re\tgoing to\tlet\tme\tlook\tat\tyour\ttail.\tThose\thuman\tbastards\tcut\toff\tyour\tspikes,\tso\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tbuild some\t for\t you.\t Iron\t ones.\t Like\t mine,\u201d\t she\t said,\t and\t flashed\t her\t iron\t nails\t for\t him\t to\t see. \u201cAnd\tfangs,\ttoo,\u201d\tshe\tadded,\tbaring\ther\tiron\tteeth.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tgoing\tto\thurt,\tand\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto want\t to\t kill\t the\t men\t who\t put\t them\t in,\t but\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t let\t them\t do\t it,\t because\t if\t you don\u2019t,\tthen\tyou\twill\trot\tdown\there\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tyour\tlife.\tUnderstand?\u201d A\tlong,\thot\thuff\tof\tair\tinto\ther\thands. \u201cOnce\tall\tthat\tis\tdone,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tsmiling\tfaintly\tat\ther\twyvern,\t\u201cyou\tand\tI\tare\tgoing\tto learn\thow\tto\tfly.\tAnd\tthen\twe\u2019ll\tstain\tthis\tkingdom\tred.\u201d Abraxos\t did\t everything\t she\t asked,\t though\t he\t growled\t at\t the\t handlers\t who\t inspected\t and poked\t and\t prodded,\t and\t nearly\t bit\t off\t the\t arm\t of\t the\t physician\t who\t had\t to\t dig\t out\t his rotted\tteeth\tto\tmake\tway\tfor\tthe\tiron\tfangs.\tIt\ttook\tfive\tdays\tto\tdo\tit\tall. He\t almost\t took\t out\t a\t wall\t when\t they\t welded\t the\t iron\t spikes\t onto\t his\t tail,\t but\t Manon stood\t with\t him\t the\t entire\t time,\t talking\t to\t him\t about\t what\t it\t was\t like\t to\t ride\t with\t the Thirteen\t on\t their\t ironwood\t brooms\t and\t hunt\t down\t the\t Crochan\t witches.\t She\t told\t the stories\tas\tmuch\tto\tdistract\thim\tas\tshe\tdid\tto\tremind\tthe\tmen\tthat\tif\tthey\tmade\ta\tmistake,\tif they\thurt\thim,\ther\tretribution\twould\tbe\ta\tlong,\tbloody\tprocess.\tNot\tone\tof\tthem\tmade\tan error. During\t the\t five\t days\t they\t worked\t on\t him,\t she\t missed\t her\t riding\t lessons\t with\t the Thirteen.\t And\t with\t each\t passing\t day,\t the\t window\t for\t getting\t Abraxos\t airborne\t became smaller\tand\tsmaller. Manon\t stood\t with\t Asterin\t and\t Sorrel\t in\t the\t training\t hall,\t watching\t the\t tail\t end\t of\t the day\u2019s\tsparring\tsession.\tSorrel\thad\tbeen\tworking\twith\tthe\tyoungest\tcoven\tof\tBlackbeaks\u2014 all\tof\tthem\tunder\tseventy,\tand\tfew\tof\tthem\texperienced. \u201cHow\tbad?\u201d\tManon\tasked,\tcrossing\ther\tarms. Sorrel,\tsmall\tand\tdark-haired,\tcrossed\ther\tarms\tas\twell.\t\u201cNot\tas\tbad\tas\twe\tfeared.\tBut","they\u2019re\t still\t sorting\t out\t coven\t dynamics\u2014and\t their\t leader\t is\t \u2026\u201d\t Sorrel\t frowned\t at\t a mousy-looking\twitch\twho\thad\tjust\tbeen\tthrown\tto\tthe\tground\tby\tan\tinferior.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tsuggest either\t having\t her\t coven\t decide\t what\t to\t do\t with\t her\t or\t picking\t a\t new\t leader.\t One\t weak coven\tin\tthe\twing\tand\twe\tcould\tlose\tthe\tWar\tGames.\u201d The\tcoven\tleader\twas\tpanting\ton\tthe\thard\tstone\tfloor,\tnose\tdripping\tblue\tblood.\tManon ground\ther\tteeth.\t\u201cGive\ther\ttwo\tdays\u2014let\u2019s\tsee\tif\tshe\tsorts\therself\tout.\u201d\tNo\tneed\tto\thave word\tof\tunstable\tcovens\tget\taround.\t\u201cBut\thave\tVesta\ttake\ther\tout\ttonight,\u201d\tManon\tadded, glancing\t to\t the\t red-haired\t beauty\t leading\t another\t coven\t in\t archery\t drills.\t \u201cTo\t wherever she\u2019s\tbeen\tgoing\tto\ttorment\tthe\tmen\tin\tthe\tNorthern\tFang.\u201d Sorrel\t raised\t her\t thick\t brows\t innocently,\t and\t Manon\t rolled\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t worse liar\t than\t Vesta.\t You\t think\t I\t haven\u2019t\t noticed\t those\t men\t grinning\t at\t her\t at\t all\t hours\t of\t the day?\tOr\tthe\tbite\tmarks\ton\tthem?\tJust\tkeep\tthe\tdeath\ttoll\tdown.\tWe\thave\tenough\tto\tworry about\tas\tit\tis\u2014we\tdon\u2019t\tneed\ta\tmutiny\tfrom\tthe\tmortals.\u201d Asterin\t snorted,\t but\t when\t Manon\t gave\t her\t a\t sidelong\t look,\t the\t witch\t kept\t her\t gaze ahead,\t face\t all\t too\t innocent.\t Of\t course,\t if\t Vesta\t had\t been\t bedding\t and\t bleeding\t the\t men, then\t Asterin\t had\t been\t right\t there\t with\t her.\t Neither\t of\t them\t had\t reported\t anything\t about the\tmen\ttasting\tstrange. \u201cAs\tyou\twill\tit,\tLady,\u201d\tSorrel\tsaid,\ta\tfaint\thint\tof\tcolor\ton\ther\ttan\tcheeks.\tIf\tManon\twas ice\tand\tAsterin\twas\tfire,\tthen\tSorrel\twas\trock.\tHer\tgrandmother\thad\ttold\ther\ton\toccasion to\t make\t Sorrel\t her\t Second,\t as\t ice\t and\t stone\t were\t sometimes\t too\t similar.\t But\t without Asterin\u2019s\tflame,\twithout\ther\tSecond\tbeing\table\tto\trile\tup\ta\thost\tor\trip\tout\tthe\tthroat\tof\tany challenger\t to\t Manon\u2019s\t dominance,\t Manon\t would\t not\t have\t led\t the\t Thirteen\t so successfully.\tSorrel\twas\tgrounded\tenough\tto\teven\tthem\tboth\tout.\tThe\tperfect\tThird. \u201cThe\tonly\tones\thaving\tfun\tright\tnow,\u201d\tAsterin\tsaid,\t\u201care\tthe\tgreen-eyed\tdemon-twins.\u201d Indeed,\tthe\tmidnight-haired\tFaline\tand\tFallon\twere\tgrinning\twith\tmaniacal\tglee\tas\tthey led\t three\t covens\t in\t knife-throwing\t exercises,\t using\t their\t inferiors\t as\t target\t practice. Manon\t just\t shook\t her\t head.\t Whatever\t worked;\t whatever\t shook\t the\t dust\t off\t these Blackbeak\twarriors. \u201cAnd\tmy\tShadows?\u201d\tManon\tasked\tAsterin.\t\u201cHow\tare\tthey\tdoing?\u201d Edda\tand\tBriar,\ttwo\tcousins\tthat\twere\tas\tclose\tas\tsisters,\thad\tbeen\ttrained\tsince\tinfancy to\tblend\tinto\tany\tsliver\tof\tdarkness\tand\tlisten\u2014and\tthey\twere\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen\tin\tthis hall.\tJust\tas\tManon\thad\tordered. \u201cThey\u2019ll\t have\t a\t report\t for\t you\t tonight,\u201d\t Asterin\t said.\t Distant\t cousins\t to\t Manon,\t the Shadows\tbore\tthe\tsame\tmoon-white\thair.\tOr\tthey\thad,\tuntil\tthey\u2019d\tdiscovered\teighty\tyears ago\tthat\tthe\tsilver\thair\twas\tas\tgood\tas\ta\tbeacon\tand\tdyed\tit\tsolid\tblack.\tThey\trarely\tspoke, never\tlaughed,\tand\tsometimes\teven\tAsterin\therself\tcouldn\u2019t\tdetect\tthem\tuntil\tthey\twere\tat her\t throat.\t It\t was\t their\t sole\t source\t of\t amusement:\t sneaking\t up\t on\t people,\t though\t they\u2019d never\tdared\tdo\tit\tto\tManon.\tIt\twas\tno\tsurprise\tthey\u2019d\ttaken\ttwo\tonyx\twyverns. Manon\teyed\ther\tSecond\tand\tThird.\t\u201cI\twant\tyou\tboth\tin\tmy\troom\tfor\ttheir\treport,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\t have\t Lin\t and\t Vesta\t stand\t watch,\u201d\t Asterin\t said.\t They\t were\t Manon\u2019s\t fallback sentries\u2014Vesta\tfor\tthe\tdisarming\tsmiles,\tand\tLin\tbecause\tif\tanyone\tever\tcalled\ther\tby\ther","full\t name,\t Linnea\u2014the\t name\t her\t softhearted\t mother\t had\t given\t her\t before\t Lin\u2019s grandmother\t tore\t out\t her\t heart\u2014that\t person\t wound\t up\t with\t missing\t teeth\t at\t best.\t A missing\tface\tat\tworst. Manon\t was\t about\t to\t turn\t away\t when\t she\t caught\t her\t Second\t and\t Third\t watching\t her. She\tknew\tthe\tquestion\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\task,\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tairborne\twith\tAbraxos\tin\ta week,\tand\tthen\twe\u2019ll\tbe\tflying\tas\tone.\u201d It\twas\ta\tlie,\tbut\tthey\tbelieved\ther\tanyway.","Chapter\t28 Days\t passed,\t and\t not\t all\t of\t them\t were\t awful.\t Out\t of\t nowhere,\t Rowan\t decided\t to\t take Celaena\t to\t the\t commune\t of\t healers\t fifteen\t miles\t away,\t where\t the\t finest\t healers\t in\t the world\t learned,\t taught,\t and\t worked.\t Situated\t on\t the\t border\t between\t the\t Fae\t and\t mortal world,\tthey\twere\taccessible\tto\tanyone\twho\tcould\treach\tthem.\tIt\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tfew\tgood things\tMaeve\thad\tdone. As\t a\t child,\t Celaena\t had\t begged\t her\t mother\t to\t bring\t her.\t But\t the\t answer\t had\t always been\t no,\t accompanied\t by\t a\t vague\t promise\t that\t they\t would\t someday\t take\t a\t trip\t to\t the Torre\tCesme\tin\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent,\twhere\tmany\tof\tthe\tteachers\thad\tbeen\ttaught\tby\tthe Fae.\t Her\t mother\t had\t done\t everything\t she\t could\t to\t keep\t her\t from\t Maeve\u2019s\t clutches.\t The irony\tof\tit\twasn\u2019t\twasted\ton\ther. So\tRowan\ttook\ther.\tShe\tcould\thave\tspent\tall\tday\u2014all\tmonth\u2014wandering\tthe\tgrounds under\tthe\tclever,\tkind\teyes\tof\tthe\tHead\tHealer.\tBut\ther\ttime\tthere\twas\thalved\tthanks\tto\tthe distance\t and\t her\t inability\t to\t shift,\t and\t Rowan\t wanted\t to\t be\t home\t before\t nightfall. Honestly,\t while\t she\u2019d\t actually\t enjoyed\t herself\t at\t the\t peaceful\t riverside\t compound,\t she wondered\t whether\t Rowan\t had\t just\t brought\t her\t there\t to\t make\t her\t feel\t bad\t about\t the\t life she\u2019d\tfallen\tinto.\tIt\thad\tmade\ther\tquiet\ton\tthe\tlong\thike\tback. And\the\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\ther\ta\tmoment\u2019s\trest:\tthey\twere\tto\tset\tout\tthe\tfollowing\tdawn\ton\tan overnight\ttrip,\tbut\the\twouldn\u2019t\tsay\twhere.\tFantastic. Already\tmaking\tthe\tday\u2019s\tbread,\tEmrys\tonly\tlooked\tfaintly\tamused\tas\tCelaena\thurried in,\tstuffed\ther\tface\twith\tfood\tand\tguzzled\tdown\ttea,\tand\thurried\tback\tout. Rowan\t was\t waiting\t by\t her\t rooms,\t a\t small\t pack\t dangling\t from\t his\t hands.\t He\t held\t it open\tfor\ther.\t\u201cClothes,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tshe\tstuffed\tthe\textra\tshirt\tand\tunderclothes\tshe\u2019d\tlaid out\tinto\tthe\tbag.\tHe\tshouldered\tit\u2014which\tshe\tsupposed\tmeant\the\twas\tin\ta\tgood\tmood,\tas she\u2019d\t fully\t expected\t to\t play\t pack\t mule\t on\t their\t way\t to\t wherever\t they\t were\t going.\t He didn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tuntil\tthey\twere\tin\tthe\tmist-shrouded\ttrees,\tagain\theading\twest.\tWhen the\t fortress\t walls\t had\t vanished\t behind\t them,\t the\t ward-stones\t zinging\t against\t her\t skin\t as they\t passed\t through,\t he\t stopped\t at\t last,\t throwing\t back\t the\t heavy\t hood\t of\t his\t jacket.\t She did\tthe\tsame,\tthe\tcool\tair\tbiting\ther\twarm\tcheeks. \u201cShift,\tand\tlet\u2019s\tgo,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tHis\tsecond\twords\tto\ther\tthis\tmorning. \u201cAnd\there\tI\twas,\tthinking\twe\u2019d\tbecome\tfriends.\u201d He\t raised\t his\t brows\t and\t gestured\t with\t a\t hand\t for\t her\t to\t shift.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t twenty\t miles,\u201d\t he said\tby\tway\tof\tencouragement,\tand\tgave\ther\ta\twicked\tgrin.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\trunning.\tEach\tway.\u201d Her\t knees\t trembled\t at\t the\t thought\t of\t it.\t Of\t course\t he\u2019d\t make\t this\t into\t some\t sort\t of torture\tsession.\tOf\tcourse.\t\u201cAnd\twhere\tare\twe\tgoing?\u201d He\tclenched\this\tjaw,\tthe\ttattoo\tstretching.\t\u201cThere\twas\tanother\tbody\u2014a\tdemi-Fae\tfrom a\tneighboring\tfortress.\tDumped\tin\tthe\tsame\tarea,\tsame\tpatterns.\tI\twant\tto\tgo\tto\tthe\tnearby town\t to\t question\t the\t citizens,\t but\t \u2026\u201d\t His\t mouth\t twisted\t to\t the\t side,\t then\t he\t shook\t his","head\tat\tsome\tsilent\tconversation\twith\thimself.\t\u201cBut\tI\tneed\tyour\thelp.\tIt\u2019ll\tbe\teasier\tfor\tthe mortals\tto\ttalk\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\ta\tcompliment?\u201d\tHe\trolled\this\teyes. Perhaps\t yesterday\u2019s\t outing\t to\t the\t healers\u2019\t compound\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t out\t of\t spite.\t Maybe he\u2019d\t\u2026\tbeen\ttrying\tto\tdo\tsomething\tnice\tfor\ther.\t\u201cShift,\tor\tit\u2019ll\ttake\tus\ttwice\tas\tlong.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t.\tYou\tknow\tit\tdoesn\u2019t\twork\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\twant\tto\tsee\thow\tfast\tyou\tcan\trun?\u201d \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t use\t my\t other\t form\t in\t Adarlan\t anyway,\t so\t what\u2019s\t the\t point?\u201d\t Which\t was\t the start\tof\ta\twhole\tmassive\tissue\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tyet\tlet\therself\tcontemplate. \u201cThe\tpoint\tis\tthat\tyou\u2019re\there\tnow,\tand\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tproperly\ttested\tyour\tlimits.\u201d\tIt\twas true.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\treally\tseen\twhat\tshe\twas\tcapable\tof.\t\u201cThe\tpoint\tis,\tanother\thusk\tof\ta\tbody was\tfound,\tand\tI\tconsider\tthat\tto\tbe\tunacceptable.\u201d Another\tbody\u2014from\tthat\tcreature.\tA\thorrible,\twretched\tdeath.\tIt\twas\tunacceptable. He\tgave\ther\tbraid\ta\tsharp,\tpainful\ttug.\t\u201cUnless\tyou\u2019re\tstill\tfrightened.\u201d Her\t nostrils\t flared.\t \u201cThe\t only\t thing\t that\t frightens\t me\t is\t how\t very\t much\t I\t want\t to throttle\t you.\u201d\t More\t than\t that,\t she\t wanted\t to\t find\t the\t creature\t and\t destroy\t it,\t for\t those\t it had\t murdered\t and\t for\t what\t it\t had\t made\t her\t walk\t through.\t She\t would\t kill\t it\u2014slowly.\t A miserable\tsort\tof\tpressure\tand\theat\tbegan\tbuilding\tunder\ther\tskin. Rowan\tmurmured,\t\u201cHone\tit\u2014the\tanger.\u201d Was\tthat\twhy\the\u2019d\ttold\ther\tabout\tthe\tbody?\tBastard\u2014bastard\tfor\tmanipulating\ther,\tfor making\ther\tpull\tdouble\tduty\tin\tthe\tkitchen.\tBut\this\tface\twas\tunreadable\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cLet\tit be\ta\tblade,\tAelin.\tIf\tyou\tcannot\tfind\tthe\tpeace,\tthen\tat\tleast\thone\tthe\tanger\tthat\tguides\tyou to\tthe\tshift.\tEmbrace\tand\tcontrol\tit\u2014it\tis\tnot\tyour\tenemy.\u201d Arobynn\t had\t done\t everything\t he\t could\t to\t make\t her\t hate\t her\t heritage,\t to\t fear\t it.\t What he\u2019d\t done\t to\t her,\t what\t she\u2019d\t allowed\t herself\t to\t become\t \u2026\t \u201cThis\t will\t not\t end\t well,\u201d\t she breathed. He\t didn\u2019t\t back\t down.\t \u201cSee\t what\t you\t want,\t Aelin,\t and\t seize\t it.\t Don\u2019t\t ask\t for\t it;\t don\u2019t wish\tfor\tit.\tTake\tit.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tcertain\tthe\taverage\tmagic\tinstructor\twould\tnot\trecommend\tthis\tto\tmost\tpeople.\u201d \u201cYou\t are\t not\t most\t people,\t and\t I\t think\t you\t like\t it\t that\t way.\t If\t it\u2019s\t a\t darker\t set\t of emotions\t that\t will\t help\t you\t shift\t on\t command,\t then\t that\u2019s\t what\t we\u2019ll\t use.\t There\t might come\ta\tday\twhen\tyou\tfind\tthat\tanger\tdoesn\u2019t\twork,\tor\twhen\tit\tis\ta\tcrutch,\tbut\tfor\tnow\t\u2026\u201d A\tcontemplative\tlook.\t\u201cIt\twas\tthe\tcommon\tdenominator\tthose\ttimes\tyou\tshifted\u2014anger\tof varying\tkinds.\tSo\town\tit.\u201d He\twas\tright\u2014and\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tthink\ton\tit\tany\tmore\tthan\tthat,\tor\tlet\therself\tget that\tenraged,\tnot\twhen\tshe\thad\tbeen\tso\tangry\tfor\tso\tlong.\tFor\tnow\t\u2026 Celaena\ttook\ta\tlong\tbreath.\tThen\tanother.\tShe\tlet\tthe\tanger\tanchor\ther,\ta\tknife\tslicing past\tthe\tusual\thesitation\tand\tdoubt\tand\temptiness.","She\t brushed\t up\t against\t that\t familiar\t inner\t wall\u2014no,\t a\t veil,\t shimmering\t with\t a\t soft light.\tAll\tthis\ttime,\tshe\tthought\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\treaching\tdown\tfor\tthe\tpower,\tbut\tthis\twas\tmore of\ta\treach\tin.\tNot\ta\twish,\tbut\ta\tcommand.\tShe\twould\tshift\u2014because\tthere\twas\ta\tcreature prowling\t these\t lands,\t and\t it\t deserved\t to\t pay.\t With\t a\t silent\t growl,\t she\t punched\t herself through\tthe\tveil,\tpain\tshooting\talong\tevery\tinch\tand\tpore\tas\tshe\tshifted. A\t fierce,\t challenging\t grin,\t and\t Rowan\t moved,\t so\t fast\t she\t could\t hardly\t follow\t as\t he appeared\t on\t her\t other\t side\t and\t yanked\t on\t her\t braid\t again.\t When\t she\t whirled,\t he\t was already\tgone,\tand\u2014She\tyelped\tas\the\tpinched\ther\tside.\t\u201cStop\u2014\u201d He\twas\tstanding\tin\tfront\tof\ther\tnow,\ta\twild\tinvitation\tin\this\teyes.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tstudying the\t way\t he\t moved,\t his\t tricks\t and\t tells,\t the\t way\t he\t assumed\t she\u2019d\t react.\t So\t when\t she crossed\ther\tarms,\tfeigning\tthe\ttantrum\the\texpected,\tshe\twaited.\tWaited,\tand\tthen\u2014 He\tshot\tleft\tto\tpinch\tor\tpoke\tor\thit\ther,\tand\tshe\twhirled,\tslamming\tdown\this\tarm\twith an\t elbow\t and\t whacking\t him\t upside\t the\t head\t with\t her\t other\t hand.\t He\t stopped\t dead\t and blinked\ta\tfew\ttimes.\tShe\tsmirked\tat\thim. He\tbared\this\tteeth\tin\ta\tferal,\tpetrifying\tgrin.\t\u201cOh,\tyou\u2019d\tbetter\trun\tnow.\u201d When\the\tlunged,\tshe\tshot\tthrough\tthe\ttrees. She\t had\t a\t suspicion\t that\t Rowan\t was\t letting\t her\t get\t ahead\t for\t the\t first\t few\t minutes, because\t though\t she\t moved\t faster,\t she\t could\t barely\t adjust\t enough\t to\t her\t altered\t body\t to leap\tover\trocks\tand\tfallen\ttrees.\tHe\u2019d\tsaid\tthey\twere\tgoing\tsouthwest,\tand\tthat\twas\twhere she\t went,\t dodging\t between\t the\t trees,\t the\t anger\t simmering\t away,\t shifting\t into\t something else\tentirely. Rowan\twas\ta\tsilver\tand\twhite\tstreak\tbeside\tand\tbehind\ther,\tand\tevery\ttime\the\tgot\ttoo close,\t she\t veered\t the\t other\t way,\t testing\t out\t the\t senses\t that\t told\t her\t where\t the\t trees\t were without\t seeing\t them\u2014the\t smell\t of\t oak\t and\t moss\t and\t living\t things,\t the\t open\t coolness\t of the\tmist\tpassing\tbetween\tthem\tlike\ta\tpath\tthat\tshe\tfollowed. They\thit\ta\tplateau,\tthe\tground\teasy\tbeneath\ther\tboots.\tFaster\u2014she\twanted\tto\tsee\tif\tshe could\tgo\tfaster,\tif\tshe\tcould\toutrun\tthe\twind\titself. Rowan\tappeared\tat\ther\tleft,\tand\tshe\tpumped\ther\tarms,\ther\tlegs,\tsavoring\tthe\tbreath\tin her\t lungs\u2014smooth\t and\t calm,\t ready\t to\t see\t what\t she\t would\t do\t next.\t More\u2014this\t body wanted\tmore. She\twanted\tmore. And\t then\t she\t was\t going\t swifter\t than\t she\t ever\t had\t in\t her\t life,\t the\t trees\t a\t blur,\t her immortal\t body\t singing\t as\t she\t let\t its\t rhythms\t fall\t into\t place.\t Her\t powerful\t lungs\t gobbled down\tthe\tmisty\tair\tand\tfilled\twith\tthe\tsmell\tand\ttaste\tof\tthe\tworld,\tonly\tinstinct\tand\treflex guiding\ther,\ttelling\ther\tshe\tcould\tgo\tfaster\tstill,\tfeet\teating\tup\tthe\tloamy\tearth\tstep\tby\tstep by\tstep. Gods.\tOh,\tgods. She\tcould\thave\tflown,\tcould\thave\tsoared\tfor\tthe\tsudden\tsurge\tof\tecstasy\tin\ther\tblood, the\tsheer\tfreedom\tgranted\tby\tthe\tmarvel\tof\tcreation\tthat\twas\ther\tbody.","Rowan\t shot\t at\t her\t from\t the\t right,\t but\t she\t dodged\t a\t tree\t with\t such\t ease\t she\t let\t out\t a whoop,\t then\t threw\t herself\t between\t two\t long-hanging\t branches,\t mere\t hurdles\t that\t she landed\twith\tfeline\tskill. Rowan\twas\tat\ther\tside\tagain,\tlunging\twith\ta\tsnap\tof\this\tteeth,\tbut\tshe\twhirled\tand\tleapt over\t a\t rock,\t letting\t the\t moves\t she\u2019d\t honed\t as\t an\t assassin\t blend\t into\t the\t instincts\t of\t her Fae\tbody. She\tcould\tdie\tfor\tlove\tof\tthis\tspeed,\tthis\tsurety\tin\ther\tbones.\tHow\thad\tshe\tbeen\tafraid of\tthis\tbody\tfor\tso\tlong?\tEven\ther\tsoul\tfelt\tlooser.\tAs\tif\tit\thad\tbeen\tlocked\tup\tand\tburied and\twas\tonly\tnow\tstarting\tto\tshake\tfree.\tNot\tjoy,\tperhaps\tnot\tever,\tbut\ta\tglimmer\tof\twhat she\thad\tbeen\tbefore\tgrief\thad\tdecimated\ther\tso\tthoroughly. Rowan\traced\tbeside\ther,\tbut\tmade\tno\tmove\tto\tgrab\ther.\tNo,\tRowan\twas\t\u2026\tplaying. He\t threw\t a\t glance\t at\t her,\t breathing\t hard\t but\t evenly.\t And\t it\t might\t have\t been\t the\t sun through\tthe\tcanopy,\tbut\tshe\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthat\tshe\tsaw\this\teyes\talight\twith\ta\tglimmer of\tthat\tsame,\tferal\tcontentment.\tShe\tcould\thave\tsworn\the\twas\tsmiling. It\t was\t the\t fastest\t twenty\t miles\t of\t her\t life.\t Granted,\t the\t last\t five\t were\t slower,\t and\t by\t the time\tRowan\tbrought\tthem\tto\ta\thalt,\tthey\twere\tboth\tgulping\tdown\tair.\tIt\twas\tonly\tthen,\tas they\tstared\tat\teach\tother\tbetween\tthe\ttrees,\tthat\tshe\trealized\tthe\tmagic\thadn\u2019t\tonce\tflared \u2014hadn\u2019t\tonce\ttried\tto\toverpower\tor\terupt.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\tit\twaiting\tdown\tin\ther\tgut,\twarm but\tcalm.\tSlumbering. She\t wiped\t the\t sweat\t from\t her\t brow,\t her\t neck,\t her\t face.\t Though\t she\t was\t panting,\t she still\tcould\thave\trun\tfor\tmiles\tmore.\tGods,\tif\tshe\thad\tbeen\tthis\tfast\tthe\tnight\tNehemia\thad \u2014 It\t wouldn\u2019t\t have\t made\t a\t difference.\t Nehemia\t had\t orchestrated\t every\t step\t in\t her\t own destruction,\t and\t would\t have\t found\t another\t way.\t And\t she\t had\t only\t done\t it\t because Celaena\trefused\tto\thelp\u2014refused\tto\tact.\tHaving\tthis\tglorious\tFae\tbody\tchanged\tnothing. She\tblinked,\trealizing\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tstaring\tat\tRowan,\tand\tthat\twhatever\tsatisfaction\tshe\u2019d seen\ton\this\tface\thad\tagain\tturned\tto\tice.\tHe\ttossed\tsomething\tat\ther\u2014the\tshirt\the\u2019d\tcarried with\thim.\t\u201cChange.\u201d\tHe\tturned\tand\tstripped\toff\this\town\tshirt.\tHis\tback\twas\tjust\tas\ttan\tand scarred\t as\t the\t rest\t of\t him.\t But\t seeing\t those\t markings\t didn\u2019t\t make\t her\t want\t to\t show\t him what\ther\town\truined\tback\tlooked\tlike,\tso\tshe\tmoved\tbetween\tthe\ttrees\tuntil\tshe\twas\tsure he\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\ther,\tand\tswapped\ther\tshirt.\tWhen\tshe\treturned\tto\twhere\the\u2019d\tdumped\tthe pack,\the\ttossed\ther\ta\tskein\tof\twater,\twhich\tshe\tgulped\tdown.\tIt\ttasted\t\u2026\tShe\tcould\ttaste each\tlayer\tof\tminerals\tin\tthe\twater,\tand\tthe\tmusk\tof\tthe\tskein\titself. By\tthe\ttime\tthey\tstrode\tinto\tthe\tred-roofed\tlittle\ttown,\tCelaena\tcould\tbreathe\tagain. They\tquickly\tlearned\tthat\tit\twas\talmost\timpossible\tto\tget\tanyone\tto\ttalk,\tespecially\tto two\t Fae\t visitors.\t Celaena\t debated\t returning\t to\t her\t human\t form,\t but\t with\t her\t accent\t and ever-worsening\t mood,\t she\t was\t fairly\t certain\t a\t woman\t from\t Adarlan\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t much better\t received\t than\t a\t Fae.\t Windows\t were\t shuttered\t as\t they\t passed,\t probably\t because\t of Rowan,\t who\t looked\t like\t nothing\t short\t of\t death\t incarnate.\t But\t he\t was\t surprisingly\t calm with\tthe\tvillagers\tthey\tapproached.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\traise\this\tvoice,\tdidn\u2019t\tsnarl,\tdidn\u2019t\tthreaten. He\tdidn\u2019t\tsmile,\tbut\tfor\tRowan,\the\twas\tdownright\tcheerful.","Still,\tit\tgot\tthem\tnowhere.\tNo,\tthey\thad\tnot\theard\tof\ta\tmissing\tdemi-Fae,\tor\tany\tother bodies.\t No,\t they\t had\t not\t seen\t any\t strange\t people\t lurking\t about.\t No,\t livestock\t were\t not disappearing,\tthough\tthere\twas\ta\tchicken\tthief\ta\tfew\ttowns\taway.\tNo,\tthey\twere\tperfectly safe\t and\t protected\t in\t Wendlyn,\t and\t didn\u2019t\t appreciate\t Fae\t and\t demi-Fae\t poking\t into\t their business,\teither. Celaena\thad\tgiven\tup\ton\tflirting\twith\ta\tpock-faced\tstable\tboy\tat\tthe\tinn,\twho\thad\tjust gawked\t at\t her\t ears\t and\t canines\t as\t though\t she\t were\t one\t heartbeat\t away\t from\t eating\t him alive. She\tstalked\tdown\tthe\tpleasant\tmain\tstreet,\thungry\tand\ttired\tand\tannoyed\tthat\tthey\twere indeed\t going\t to\t need\t their\t bedrolls\t because\t the\t innkeeper\t had\t already\t informed\t them\t he had\t no\t vacancies.\t Rowan\t fell\t into\t step\t beside\t her,\t the\t storm\t clouds\t in\t his\t eyes\t saying enough\tabout\thow\this\tconversation\twith\tthe\ttaproom\tmaid\thad\tgone. \u201cI\tcould\tbelieve\tit\twas\ta\thalf-wild\tcreature\tif\tat\tleast\tsome\tof\tthem\tknew\tthese\tpeople had\t vanished,\u201d\t she\t mused.\t \u201cBut\t consistently\t selecting\t someone\t who\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t missed or\t noticed?\t It\t must\t be\t sentient\t enough\t to\t know\t who\t to\t target.\t The\t demi-Fae\t has\t to\t be\t a message\u2014but\twhat?\tTo\tstay\taway?\tThen\twhy\tleave\tbodies\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace?\u201d\tShe\ttugged at\tthe\tend\tof\ther\tbraid,\tstopping\tin\tfront\tof\ta\tclothier\u2019s\twindow.\tSimple,\twell-cut\tdresses stood\ton\tdisplay,\tnot\tat\tall\tlike\tthe\telegant,\tintricate\tfashions\tin\tRifthold. She\t noticed\t the\t wide-eyed,\t pale\t shopkeeper\t a\t heartbeat\t before\t the\t woman\t slashed\t the curtains\tshut.\tWell,\tthen. Rowan\tsnorted,\tand\tCelaena\tturned\tto\thim.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tused\tto\tthis,\tI\tassume?\u201d \u201cA\tlot\tof\tthe\tFae\twho\tventure\tinto\tmortal\tlands\thave\tearned\tthemselves\ta\treputation\tfor \u2026\ttaking\twhat\tthey\twant.\tIt\twent\tunchecked\tfor\ttoo\tmany\tyears,\tbut\teven\tthough\tour\tlaws are\tstricter\tnow,\tthe\tfear\tremains.\u201d\tA\tcriticism\tof\tMaeve? \u201cWho\tenforces\tthese\tlaws?\u201d A\t dark\t smile.\t \u201cI\t do.\t When\t I\u2019m\t not\t off\t campaigning,\t my\t aunt\t has\t me\t hunt\t down\t the rogues.\u201d \u201cAnd\tkill\tthem?\u201d The\tsmile\tremained.\t\u201cIf\tthe\tsituation\tcalls\tfor\tit.\tOr\tI\tjust\thaul\tthem\tback\tto\tDoranelle and\tlet\tMaeve\tdecide\twhat\tto\tdo\twith\tthem.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tI\u2019d\tprefer\tdeath\tat\tyour\thands\tto\tdeath\tat\tMaeve\u2019s.\u201d \u201cThat\tmight\tbe\tthe\tfirst\twise\tthing\tyou\u2019ve\tsaid\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cThe\tdemi-Fae\tsaid\tyou\thave\tfive\tother\twarrior\tfriends.\tDo\tthey\thunt\twith\tyou?\tHow often\tdo\tyou\tsee\tthem?\u201d \u201cI\tsee\tthem\twhenever\tthe\tsituation\tcalls\tfor\tit.\tMaeve\thas\tthem\tserve\ther\tas\tshe\tsees\tfit, as\tshe\tdoes\twith\tme.\u201d\tEvery\tword\twas\tclipped.\t\u201cIt\tis\tan\thonor\tto\tbe\ta\twarrior\tserving\tin her\t inner\t circle.\u201d\t Celaena\t hadn\u2019t\t suggested\t otherwise,\t but\t she\t wondered\t why\t he\t felt\t the need\tto\tadd\tit. The\t street\t around\t them\t was\t empty;\t even\t food\t carts\t had\t been\t abandoned.\t She\t took\t a long\tbreath,\tsniffing,\tand\u2014was\tthat\tchocolate?\t\u201cDid\tyou\tbring\tany\tmoney?\u201d","A\thesitant\tlift\tof\this\tbrow.\t\u201cYes.\tThey\twon\u2019t\ttake\tyour\tbribes,\tthough.\u201d \u201cGood.\tMore\tfor\tme,\tthen.\u201d\tShe\tpointed\tout\tthe\tpretty\tsign\tswaying\tin\tthe\tsea\tbreeze. Confectionery.\t \u201cIf\t we\t can\u2019t\t win\t them\t with\t charm,\t we\t might\t as\t well\t win\t them\t with\t our business.\u201d \u201cDid\t you\t somehow\t not\t hear\t what\t I\t just\u2014\u201d\t But\t she\t had\t already\t reached\t the\t shop, which\tsmelled\tdivine\tand\twas\tstocked\twith\tchocolates\tand\tcandies\tand\toh\tgods,\thazelnut truffles.\tEven\tthough\tthe\tconfectioner\tblanched\tas\tthe\ttwo\tof\tthem\toverpowered\tthe\tspace, Celaena\tgave\tthe\twoman\ther\tbest\tsmile. Over\ther\trotting\tcorpse\twas\tshe\tletting\tthese\tpeople\tget\taway\twith\tshutting\tcurtains\tin her\tface\u2014or\tletting\tthem\tthink\tthat\tshe\twas\there\tto\tplunder.\tNehemia\thad\tnever\tonce\tlet the\t preening,\t bigoted\t idiots\t in\t Rifthold\t shut\t her\t out\t of\t any\t store,\t dining\t room,\t or household. And\tshe\thad\tthe\tsense\tthat\ther\tfriend\tmight\thave\tbeen\tproud\tof\tthe\tway\tshe\twent\tfrom shop\tto\tshop\tthat\tafternoon,\thead\theld\thigh,\tand\tcharmed\tthe\tever-loving\thell\tout\tof\tthose villagers. Once\t word\t spread\t that\t the\t two\t Fae\t strangers\t were\t spending\t silver\t on\t chocolates,\t then\t a few\t books,\t then\t some\t fresh\t bread\t and\t meat,\t the\t streets\t filled\t again.\t Vendors\t bearing everything\tfrom\tapples\tto\tspices\tto\tpocket\twatches\twere\tsuddenly\teager\tto\tchat,\tso\tlong\tas they\tsold\tsomething.\tWhen\tCelaena\tpopped\tin\tto\tthe\tcramped\tmessenger\u2019s\tguild\tto\tmail\ta letter,\tshe\tmanaged\tto\task\ta\tfew\tnovices\tif\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\thired\tby\tanyone\tof\tinterest.\tThey hadn\u2019t,\tbut\tshe\tstill\ttipped\tthem\thandsomely. Rowan\tdutifully\tcarried\tevery\tbag\tand\tbox\tCelaena\tbought\tsave\tthe\tchocolates,\twhich she\t ate\t as\t she\t strolled\t around,\t one\t after\t another\t after\t another.\t When\t she\t offered\t one\t to him,\the\tclaimed\the\tdidn\u2019t\teat\tsweets.\tEver.\tNot\tsurprising. The\tvillagers\twound\tup\tnot\tknowing\tanything,\twhich\tshe\tsupposed\twas\tgood,\tbecause it\t meant\t that\t they\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t lying,\t but\t the\t crab-monger\t did\t say\t he\u2019d\t found\t a\t few discarded\t knives\u2014small,\t sharp-as-death\t knives\u2014in\t his\t nets\t recently.\t He\t tossed\t them\t all back\tinto\tthe\twater\tas\tgifts\tfor\tthe\tSea\tGod.\tThe\tcreature\thad\tsucked\tthese\tpeople\tdry,\tnot cut\t them\t up.\t So\t it\t was\t likely\t that\t Wendlynite\t soldiers\t had\t somehow\t lost\t a\t trunk\t of\t their blades\tin\tsome\tstorm. At\tsunset,\tthe\tinnkeeper\teven\tapproached\tthem\tabout\ta\tsuddenly\tvacant\tsuite.\tThe\tvery best\t suite\t in\t town,\t he\t claimed,\t but\t Celaena\t was\t starting\t to\t wonder\t whether\t they\t might attract\t the\t wrong\t sort\t of\t attention,\t and\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t particularly\t in\t the\t mood\t to\t see\t Rowan disembowel\ta\twould-be\tthief.\tSo\tshe\tpolitely\trefused,\tand\tthey\tset\tout\tdown\tthe\tstreet,\tthe light\tturning\tthick\tand\tgolden\tas\tthey\tentered\tthe\tforest\tonce\tmore. Not\ta\tbad\tday,\tshe\trealized\tas\tshe\tnodded\toff\tunder\tthe\tforest\tcanopy.\tNot\tbad\tat\tall. Her\tmother\thad\tcalled\ther\tFireheart. But\tto\ther\tcourt,\tto\ther\tpeople,\tshe\twould\tone\tday\tbe\tQueen.\tTo\tthem,\tshe\twas\tthe\their to\ttwo\tmighty\tbloodlines,\tand\tto\ta\ttremendous\tpower\tthat\twould\tkeep\tthem\tsafe\tand\traise","their\tkingdom\tto\teven\tgreater\theights.\tA\tpower\tthat\twas\ta\tgift\u2014or\ta\tweapon. That\thad\tbeen\tthe\tnear-constant\tdebate\tfor\tthe\tfirst\teight\tyears\tof\ther\tlife.\tAs\tshe\tgrew older\tand\tit\tbecame\tapparent\tthat\twhile\tshe\u2019d\tinherited\tmost\tof\ther\tmother\u2019s\tlooks,\tshe\u2019d received\t her\t father\u2019s\t volatile\t temper\t and\t wildness,\t the\t wary\t questions\t became\t more frequent,\tasked\tby\trulers\tin\tkingdoms\tfar\tfrom\ttheir\town. And\t on\t days\t like\t this,\t she\t knew\t that\t everyone\t would\t hear\t of\t the\t event,\t for\t better\t or worse. She\t was\t supposed\t to\t be\t asleep,\t and\t was\t wearing\t her\t favorite\t silk\t nightgown,\t her parents\thaving\ttucked\ther\tin\tminutes\tago.\tThough\tthey\thad\ttold\ther\tthey\tweren\u2019t,\tshe\tknew they\twere\texhausted,\tand\tfrustrated.\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tthe\tway\tthe\tcourt\twas\tacting,\tand\thow\ther uncle\thad\tput\ta\tgentle\thand\ton\ther\tfather\u2019s\tshoulder\tand\ttold\thim\tto\ttake\ther\tup\tto\tbed. But\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t sleep,\t not\t when\t her\t door\t was\t cracked\t open,\t and\t she\t could\t hear\t her parents\tfrom\ttheir\tbedroom\tin\tthe\tsuite\tthey\tshared\tin\tthe\tupper\tlevels\tof\tthe\twhite\tcastle. They\t thought\t they\t were\t speaking\t quietly,\t but\t it\t was\t with\t an\t immortal\u2019s\t ears\t that\t she listened\tin\tthe\tnear-dark. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t you\t expect\t me\t to\t do,\t Evalin,\u201d\t her\t father\t said.\t She\t could\t almost hear\t him\t prowling\t before\t the\t giant\t bed\t on\t which\t she\t had\t been\t born.\t \u201cWhat\u2019s\t done\t is done.\u201d \u201cTell\t them\t it\t was\t exaggerated,\t tell\t them\t the\t librarians\t were\t making\t a\t fuss\t over nothing,\u201d\t her\t mother\t hissed.\t \u201cStart\t a\t rumor\t that\t someone\t else\t did\t it,\t trying\t to\t pin\t the blame\ton\ther\u2014\u201d \u201cThis\tis\tall\tbecause\tof\tMaeve?\u201d \u201cThis\tis\tbecause\tshe\tis\tgoing\tto\tbe\thunted,\tRhoe.\tFor\ther\twhole\tlife,\tMaeve\tand\tothers will\thunt\ther\tfor\tthis\tpower\u2014\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tthink\tagreeing\tto\tlet\tthose\tlittle\tbastards\tban\ther\tfrom\tthe\tlibrary\twill\tprevent that?\tTell\tme:\twhy\tdoes\tour\tdaughter\tlove\treading\tso\tmuch?\u201d \u201cThat\thas\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tit.\u201d \u201cTell\tme.\u201d\tWhen\ther\tmother\tdidn\u2019t\trespond,\ther\tfather\tgrowled.\t\u201cShe\tis\teight\u2014and\tshe has\ttold\tme\tthat\ther\tdearest\tfriends\tare\tcharacters\tin\tbooks.\u201d \u201cShe\thas\tAedion.\u201d \u201cShe\thas\tAedion\tbecause\the\tis\tthe\tonly\tchild\tin\tthis\tcastle\twho\tisn\u2019t\tpetrified\tof\ther\u2014 who\t hasn\u2019t\t been\t kept\t away\t because\t we\t have\t been\t lax\t with\t her\t training.\t She\t needs training,\tEv\u2014training,\tand\tfriends.\tIf\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\thave\teither,\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tshe\u2019ll\tturn\tinto what\tthey\u2019re\tafraid\tof.\u201d Silence,\tand\tthen\u2014a\thuff\tfrom\tbeside\ther\tbed. \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t a\t child,\u201d\t Aedion\t hissed\t from\t where\t he\t sat\t in\t a\t chair,\t arms\t crossed.\t He\u2019d slipped\tin\there\tafter\ther\tparents\thad\tleft\u2014to\ttalk\tquietly\tto\ther,\tas\the\toften\tdid\twhen\tshe was\tupset.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twhy\tit\u2019s\ta\tbad\tthing\tif\tI\u2019m\tyour\tonly\tfriend.\u201d \u201cQuiet,\u201d\t she\t hissed\t back.\t Though\t Aedion\t couldn\u2019t\t shift,\t his\t mixed\t blood\t allowed\t him","to\thear\twith\tuncanny\trange\tand\taccuracy,\tbetter\teven\tthan\thers.\tAnd\tthough\the\twas\tfive years\t older,\t he\t was\t her\t only\t friend.\t She\t loved\t her\t court,\t yes\u2014loved\t the\t adults\t who pampered\tand\tcoddled\ther.\tBut\tthe\tfew\tchildren\twho\tlived\tin\tthe\tcastle\tkept\taway,\tdespite their\t parents\u2019\t urging.\t Like\t dogs,\t she\u2019d\t sometimes\t thought.\t The\t others\t could\t smell\t her differences. \u201cShe\tneeds\tfriends\ther\tage,\u201d\ther\tfather\twent\ton.\t\u201cMaybe\twe\tshould\tsend\ther\tto\tschool. Cal\tand\tMarion\thave\tbeen\ttalking\tabout\tsending\tElide\tnext\tyear\u2014\u201d \u201cNo\t schools.\t And\t certainly\t not\t that\t so-called\t magic\t school,\t when\t it\u2019s\t so\t close\t to\t the border\tand\twe\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tAdarlan\tis\tplanning.\u201d Aedion\t loosed\t a\t breath,\t his\t legs\t propped\t on\t the\t mattress.\t His\t tan\t face\t was\t angled toward\t the\t cracked\t door,\t his\t golden\t hair\t shining\t faintly,\t but\t there\t was\t a\t crease\t between his\tbrows.\tNeither\tof\tthem\ttook\twell\tto\tbeing\tseparated,\tand\tthe\tlast\ttime\tone\tof\tthe\tcastle boys\thad\tteased\thim\tfor\tit,\tAedion\thad\tspent\ta\tmonth\tshoveling\thorse\tdung\tfor\tbeating\tthe boy\tinto\ta\tpulp. Her\tfather\tsighed.\t\u201cEv,\tdon\u2019t\tkill\tme\tfor\tthis,\tbut\u2014you\u2019re\tnot\tmaking\tthis\teasy.\tFor\tus, or\tfor\ther.\u201d\tHer\tmother\twas\tquiet,\tand\tshe\theard\ta\trustle\tof\tclothing\tand\ta\tmurmur\tof,\t\u201cI know,\tI\tknow,\u201d\tbefore\ther\tparents\tstarted\tspeaking\ttoo\tquietly\tfor\teven\ther\tFae\tears. Aedion\t growled\t again,\t his\t eyes\u2014their\t matching\t eyes\u2014gleaming\t in\t the\t dark.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t see\t what\t all\t the\t fuss\t is\t about.\t So\t what\t if\t you\t burned\t a\t few\t books?\t Those\t librarians deserve\tit.\tWhen\twe\u2019re\tolder,\tmaybe\twe\u2019ll\tburn\tit\tto\tthe\tground\ttogether.\u201d She\tknew\the\tmeant\tit.\tHe\u2019d\tburn\tthe\tlibrary,\tthe\tcity,\tor\tthe\twhole\tworld\tto\tashes\tif\tshe asked\thim.\tIt\twas\ttheir\tbond,\tmarked\tby\tblood\tand\tscent\tand\tsomething\telse\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t place.\tA\ttether\tas\tstrong\tas\tthe\tone\tthat\tbound\ther\tto\ther\tparents.\tStronger,\tin\tsome\tways. She\t didn\u2019t\t answer\t him,\t not\t because\t she\t didn\u2019t\t have\t a\t reply\t but\t because\t the\t door groaned,\tand\tbefore\tAedion\tcould\thide,\ther\tbedroom\tflooded\twith\tlight\tfrom\tthe\tfoyer. Her\tmother\tcrossed\ther\tarms.\tHer\tfather,\thowever,\tlet\tout\ta\tsoft\tlaugh,\this\tbrown\thair illuminated\t by\t the\t hall\t light,\t his\t face\t in\t shadow.\t \u201cTypical,\u201d\t he\t said,\t stepping\t aside\t to clear\ta\tspace\tfor\tAedion\tto\tleave.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\thave\tto\tbe\tup\tat\tdawn\tto\ttrain\twith\tQuinn? You\twere\tfive\tminutes\tlate\tthis\tmorning.\tTwo\tdays\tin\ta\trow\twill\tearn\tyou\ta\tweek\ton\tstable duty.\tAgain.\u201d In\t a\t flash,\t Aedion\t was\t on\t his\t feet\t and\t gone.\t Alone\t with\t her\t parents,\t she\t wished\t she could\tpretend\tto\tsleep,\tbut\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tgo\taway\tto\tschool.\u201d Her\tfather\twalked\tto\ther\tbed,\tevery\tinch\tthe\twarrior\tAedion\taspired\tto\tbe.\tA\twarrior- prince,\t she\t heard\t people\t call\t him\u2014who\t would\t one\t day\t make\t a\t mighty\t king.\t She sometimes\t thought\t her\t father\t had\t no\t interest\t in\t being\t king,\t especially\t on\t days\t when\t he took\ther\tup\tinto\tthe\tStaghorns\tand\tlet\ther\twander\tthrough\tOakwald\tin\tsearch\tof\tthe\tLord of\tthe\tForest.\tHe\tnever\tseemed\thappier\tthan\tat\tthose\ttimes,\tand\talways\tseemed\ta\tlittle\tsad to\tgo\tback\tto\tOrynth. \u201cYou\u2019re\t not\t going\t away\t to\t school,\u201d\t he\t said,\t looking\t over\t his\t broad\t shoulder\t at\t her mother,\t who\t lingered\t by\t the\t doorway,\t her\t face\t still\t in\t shadow.\t \u201cBut\t do\t you\t understand why\tthe\tlibrarians\tacted\tthe\tway\tthey\tdid\ttoday?\u201d","Of\tcourse\tshe\tdid.\tShe\tfelt\thorrible\tfor\tburning\tthe\tbooks.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tan\taccident,\tand she\tknew\ther\tfather\tbelieved\ther.\tShe\tnodded\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d \u201cYou\thave\tnothing\tto\tbe\tsorry\tfor,\u201d\ther\tfather\tsaid,\ta\tgrowl\tin\this\tvoice. \u201cI\twish\tI\twas\tlike\tthe\tothers,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. Her\tmother\tremained\tsilent,\tunmoving,\tbut\ther\tfather\tgripped\ther\thand.\t\u201cI\tknow,\tlove. But\t even\t if\t you\t were\t not\t gifted,\t you\t would\t still\t be\t our\t daughter\u2014you\t would\t still\t be\t a Galathynius,\tand\ttheir\tqueen\tone\tday.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tqueen.\u201d Her\t father\t sighed.\t This\t was\t a\t conversation\t they\u2019d\t had\t before.\t He\t stroked\t her\t hair.\t \u201cI know,\u201d\the\tsaid\tagain.\t\u201cSleep\tnow\u2014we\u2019ll\ttalk\tabout\tit\tin\tthe\tmorning.\u201d They\t wouldn\u2019t,\t though.\t She\t knew\t they\t wouldn\u2019t,\t because\t she\t knew\t there\t was\t no escaping\t her\t fate,\t even\t though\t she\t sometimes\t prayed\t to\t the\t gods\t that\t she\t could.\t She\t lay down\tagain\tnonetheless,\tletting\thim\tkiss\ther\thead\tand\tmurmur\tgood\tnight. Her\tmother\tstill\tsaid\tnothing,\tbut\tas\ther\tfather\twalked\tout,\tEvalin\tremained,\twatching her\tfor\ta\tlong\twhile.\tJust\tas\tshe\twas\tdrifting\toff,\ther\tmother\tleft\u2014and\tas\tshe\tturned,\tshe could\thave\tsworn\tthat\ttears\tgleamed\ton\ther\tpale\tface. Celaena\tjolted\tawake,\thardly\table\tto\tmove,\tto\tthink.\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\tthe\tsmell\u2014the\tsmell\tof that\t gods-damned\t body\t yesterday\t that\t had\t triggered\t the\t dream.\t It\t was\t agony\t seeing\t her parents\u2019\t faces,\t seeing\t Aedion.\t She\t blinked,\t focusing\t on\t her\t breathing,\t until\t she\t was\t no longer\tin\tthat\tbeautiful,\tjewel\tbox\u2013like\troom,\tuntil\tthe\tscent\tof\tthe\tpine\tand\tsnow\ton\tthe northern\t wind\t had\t vanished\t and\t she\t could\t see\t the\t morning\t mist\t weaving\t through\t the canopy\tof\tleaves\tabove\ther.\tThe\tcold,\tdamp\tmoss\tseeped\tthrough\ther\tclothes;\tthe\tbrine\tof the\tnearby\tsea\thung\tthick\tin\tthe\tair.\tShe\tlifted\ther\thand\tto\texamine\tthe\tlong\tscar\tcarved\ton her\tpalm. \u201cDo\t you\t want\t breakfast?\u201d\t Rowan\t asked\t from\t where\t he\t crouched\t over\t unlit\t logs\u2014the first\tfire\tshe\u2019d\tseen\thim\tassemble.\tShe\tnodded,\tthen\trubbed\ther\teyes\twith\tthe\theels\tof\ther palms.\t\u201cThen\tstart\tthe\tfire,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cYou\t can\u2019t\t be\t serious.\u201d\t He\t didn\u2019t\t deign\t to\t respond.\t Groaning,\t she\t rotated\t on\t her sleeping\troll\tuntil\tshe\tsat\tcross-legged\tfacing\tthe\tlogs.\tShe\theld\ta\thand\ttoward\tthe\twood. \u201cPointing\tis\ta\tcrutch.\tYour\tmind\tcan\tdirect\tthe\tflames\tjust\tfine.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tI\tlike\tthe\tdramatics.\u201d He\tgave\ther\ta\tlook\tshe\tinterpreted\tto\tmean\tLight\tthe\tfire.\tNow. She\trubbed\ther\teyes\tagain\tand\tconcentrated\ton\tthe\tlogs. \u201cEasy,\u201d\t Rowan\t said,\t and\t she\t wondered\t if\t that\t was\t approval\t in\t his\t voice\t as\t the\t wood began\tto\tsmoke.\t\u201cA\tknife,\tremember.\tYou\tare\tin\tcontrol.\u201d A\tknife,\tcarving\tout\ta\tsmall\tbit\tof\tmagic.\tShe\tcould\tmaster\tthis.\tLight\tone\tsingle\tfire. Gods,\t she\t was\t so\t heavy\t again.\t That\t stupid\t dream\u2014memory,\t whatever\t it\t was.\t Today would\tbe\tan\teffort.","A\t pit\t yawned\t open\t inside\t her,\t the\t magic\t rupturing\t out\t before\t she\t could\t shout\t a warning. She\tincinerated\tthe\tentire\tsurrounding\tarea. When\t the\t smoke\t and\t flames\t cleared\t thanks\t to\t Rowan\u2019s\t wind,\t he\t merely\t sighed.\t \u201cAt least\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tpanic\tand\tshift\tback\tinto\tyour\thuman\tform.\u201d She\t supposed\t that\t was\t a\t compliment.\t The\t magic\t had\t felt\t like\t a\t release\u2014a\t thrown punch.\tThe\tpressure\tunder\ther\tskin\thad\tlessened. So\tCelaena\tjust\tnodded.\tBut\tshifting,\tit\tseemed,\twas\tto\tbe\tthe\tleast\tof\ther\tproblems.","Chapter\t29 It\t had\t just\t been\t a\t kiss,\t Sorscha\t told\t herself\t every\t day\t afterward.\t A\t quick,\t breathless\t kiss that\t made\t the\t world\t spin.\t The\t iron\t in\t the\t treacle\t had\t worked,\t though\t it\t bothered\t Dorian enough\tthat\tthey\tstarted\tto\ttoy\twith\tthe\tdosage\t\u2026\tand\tways\tto\tmask\tit.\tIf\the\twere\tcaught ingesting\tpowders\tat\tall\thours\tof\tthe\tday,\tit\twould\tlead\tto\tquestions. So\tit\tbecame\ta\tdaily\tcontraceptive\ttonic.\tBecause\tno\tone\twould\tbat\tan\teye\tat\tthat\u2014not with\t his\t reputation.\t Sorscha\t was\t still\t reassuring\t herself\t that\t the\t kiss\t had\t meant\t nothing more\tthan\ta\tthank-you\tas\tshe\treached\tthe\tdoor\tto\tDorian\u2019s\ttower\troom,\this\tdaily\tdose\tin hand. She\t knocked,\t and\t the\t prince\t called\t her\t inside.\t The\t assassin\u2019s\t hound\t was\t sprawled\t on his\t bed,\t and\t the\t prince\t himself\t was\t lounging\t on\t his\t shabby\t couch.\t He\t sat\t up,\t however, and\tsmiled\tat\ther\tin\tthat\tway\tof\this. \u201cI\t think\t I\t found\t a\t better\t combination\u2014the\t mint\t might\t go\t down\t better\t than\t the\t sage,\u201d she\t said,\t holding\t up\t the\t glass\t of\t reddish\t liquid.\t He\t came\t toward\t her,\t but\t there\t was something\t in\t his\t gait\u2014a\t kind\t of\t prowl\u2014that\t made\t her\t straighten.\t Especially\t as\t he\t set down\tthe\tglass\tand\tstared\tat\ther,\tlong\tand\tdeep.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d\tshe\tbreathed,\tbacking\tup\ta\tstep. He\t gripped\t her\t hand\u2014not\t hard\t enough\t to\t hurt,\t but\t enough\t to\t stop\t her\t retreat.\t \u201cYou understand\tthe\trisks,\tand\tyet\tyou\u2019re\tstill\thelping\tme,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tthe\tright\tthing.\u201d \u201cMy\tfather\u2019s\tlaws\tsay\totherwise.\u201d Her\tface\theated.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tyou\twant\tme\tto\tsay.\u201d His\thands\twere\tcool\tas\the\tbrushed\ther\tcheeks,\this\tcalluses\tscraping\tgently.\t\u201cI\tjust\twant to\tthank\tyou,\u201d\the\tmurmured,\tleaning\tin.\t\u201cFor\tseeing\tme\tand\tnot\trunning.\u201d \u201cI\u2014\u201d\tShe\twas\tburning\tup\tfrom\tthe\tinside\tout,\tand\tshe\tpulled\tback,\thard\tenough\tthat\the let\t go.\t Amithy\t was\t right,\t even\t if\t she\t was\t vicious.\t There\t were\t plenty\t of\t beautiful\t women here,\tand\tanything\tmore\tthan\ta\tflirtation\twould\tend\tpoorly.\tHe\twas\tCrown\tPrince,\tand\tshe was\tnobody.\tShe\tgestured\tto\tthe\tgoblet.\t\u201cIf\tit\u2019s\tnot\ttoo\tmuch\ttrouble,\tYour\tHighness\u201d\u2014he cringed\tat\tthe\ttitle\u2014\u201csend\tword\tabout\thow\tthis\tone\tworks\tfor\tyou.\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t a\t by-your-leave\t or\t farewell\t or\t anything\t that\t would\t keep\t her\t in\t that room\ta\tmoment\tlonger.\tAnd\the\tdidn\u2019t\ttry\tto\tstop\ther\tas\tshe\twalked\tout\tand\tshut\tthe\tdoor behind\ther. She\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tstone\twall\tof\tthe\tnarrow\tlanding,\ta\thand\ton\ther\tthundering\theart. It\twas\tthe\tsmart\tthing\tto\tdo,\tthe\tright\tthing\tto\tdo.\tShe\thad\tsurvived\tthis\tlong,\tand\twould only\tsurvive\tthe\troad\tahead\tif\tshe\tcontinued\tto\tbe\tunnoticed,\treliable,\tquiet. But\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tunnoticed\u2014not\twith\thim,\tnot\tforever. He\tmade\ther\twant\tto\tlaugh\tand\tsing\tand\tshake\tthe\tworld\twith\ther\tvoice.","The\tdoor\tswung\topen,\tand\tshe\tfound\thim\tstanding\tin\tthe\tdoorway,\tsolemn\tand\twary. Maybe\t there\t could\t be\t no\t future,\t no\t hope\t of\t anything\t more,\t but\t just\t looking\t at\t him standing\tthere,\tin\tthis\tmoment,\tshe\twanted\tto\tbe\tselfish\tand\tstupid\tand\twild. It\t could\t all\t go\t to\t hell\t tomorrow,\t but\t she\t had\t to\t know\t what\t it\t was\t like,\t just\t for\t a\t little while,\tto\tbelong\tto\tsomeone,\tto\tbe\twanted\tand\tcherished. He\tdid\tnot\tmove,\tdidn\u2019t\tdo\tanything\tbut\tstare\u2014seeing\ther\texactly\thow\tshe\tsaw\thim\u2014 as\t she\t grabbed\t the\t lapels\t of\t his\t tunic,\t pulled\t his\t face\t down\t to\t hers,\t and\t kissed\t him fiercely. Chaol\thad\tbeen\tbarely\table\tto\tconcentrate\tfor\tthe\tpast\tfew\tdays\tthanks\tto\tthe\tmeeting\the was\t moments\t away\t from\t having.\t It\t had\t taken\t longer\t than\t he\t had\t anticipated\t before\t Ren and\tMurtaugh\twere\tfinally\tready\tto\tmeet\thim\u2014their\tfirst\tencounter\tsince\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe slums.\tChaol\thad\tto\twait\tfor\this\tnext\tnight\toff,\tAedion\thad\tto\tfind\ta\tsecure\tlocation,\tand then\tthey\thad\tto\tcoordinate\twith\tthe\ttwo\tlords\tfrom\tTerrasen.\tHe\tand\tthe\tgeneral\thad\tleft the\tcastle\tseparately,\tand\tChaol\thad\thated\thimself\twhen\the\tlied\tto\this\tmen\tabout\twhere\the was\tgoing\u2014hated\tthat\tthey\twished\thim\tfun,\thated\tthat\tthey\ttrusted\thim,\tthe\tman\twho\twas meeting\twith\ttheir\tmortal\tenemies. Chaol\t shoved\t those\t thoughts\t aside\t as\t he\t approached\t the\t dim\t alley\t a\t few\t blocks\t from the\t decrepit\t boarding\t house\t where\t they\t were\t to\t meet.\t Under\t his\t heavy-hooded\t cloak\t he was\tarmed\tmore\theavily\tthan\the\tusually\tbothered.\tEvery\tbreath\the\ttook\tfelt\ttoo\tshallow.\tA two-note\t whistle\t sounded\t down\t the\t alley,\t and\t he\t echoed\t it.\t Aedion\t stalked\t through\t the low-lying\tmist\tcoming\toff\tthe\tAvery,\this\tface\tconcealed\tin\tthe\tcowl\tof\this\town\tcloak. He\twasn\u2019t\twearing\tthe\tSword\tof\tOrynth.\tInstead,\tan\tassortment\tof\tblades\tand\tfighting knives\t were\t strapped\t to\t the\t general\u2014a\t man\t able\t to\t walk\t into\t hell\t itself\t and\t come\t out grinning. \u201cWhere\tare\tthe\tothers?\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tsoftly.\tThe\tslums\twere\tquiet\ttonight\u2014too\tquiet\tfor his\t liking.\t Dressed\t as\t he\t was,\t few\t would\t dare\t approach\t him,\t but\t the\t walk\t through\t the crooked\tand\tdark\tstreets\thad\tbeen\tharrowing.\tSuch\tpoverty\tand\tdespair\u2014and\tdesperation. It\tmade\tpeople\tdangerous,\twilling\tto\trisk\tanything\tto\tscratch\tout\tanother\tday\tof\tliving. Aedion\t leaned\t against\t the\t crumbling\t brick\t wall\t behind\t them.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t get\t your undergarments\tin\ta\ttwist.\tThey\u2019ll\tbe\there\tsoon.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\twaited\tlong\tenough\tfor\tthis\tinformation.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\trush?\u201d\tAedion\tdrawled,\tscanning\tthe\talley. \u201cI\u2019m\tleaving\tRifthold\tin\ta\tfew\tweeks\tto\treturn\tto\tAnielle.\u201d\tAedion\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tdirectly at\thim,\tbut\the\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tgeneral\tstaring\tat\thim\tfrom\tbeneath\this\tdark\thood. \u201cSo\tget\tout\tof\tit\u2014tell\tthem\tyou\u2019re\tbusy.\u201d \u201cI\tmade\ta\tpromise,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\talready\tbargained\tfor\ttime,\tbut\tI\twant\tto\thave\t\u2026 done\tsomething\tfor\tthe\tprince\tbefore\tI\tleave.\u201d The\t general\t turned\t to\t him\t then.\t \u201cI\u2019d\t heard\t you\t were\t estranged\t from\t your\t father;\t why the\tsudden\tchange?\u201d","It\twould\thave\tbeen\teasier\tto\tlie,\tbut\tChaol\tsaid,\t\u201cMy\tfather\tis\ta\tpowerful\tman\u2014he\thas the\tear\tof\tmany\tinfluential\tmembers\tat\tcourt\tand\tis\ton\tthe\tking\u2019s\tcouncil.\u201d Aedion\t let\t out\t a\t low\t laugh.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t butted\t heads\t with\t him\t in\t more\t than\t a\t few\t war councils.\u201d That\t Chaol\t would\t have\t paid\t good\t money\t to\t see,\t but\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t smiling\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cIt was\tthe\tonly\tway\tI\tcould\tget\ther\tsent\tto\tWendlyn.\u201d\tHe\tquickly\texplained\tthe\tbargain\the\u2019d made,\tand\twhen\the\twas\tfinished,\tAedion\tloosed\ta\tlong\tbreath. \u201cDamn,\u201d\t the\t general\t said,\t then\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t think\t that\t kind\t of\t honor\t still existed\tin\tAdarlan.\u201d He\tsupposed\tit\twas\ta\tcompliment\u2014and\ta\thigh\tone,\tcoming\tfrom\tAedion.\t\u201cAnd\twhat\tof your\tfather?\u201d\tChaol\tsaid,\tif\tonly\tto\tshift\tconversation\taway\tfrom\tthe\thole\tin\this\tchest.\t\u201cI know\tyour\tmother\twas\tkin\tto\u2014to\ther,\tbut\twhat\tof\tyour\tfather\u2019s\tline?\u201d \u201cMy\tmother\tnever\tadmitted\twho\tmy\tfather\twas,\teven\twhen\tshe\twas\twasting\taway\ton her\t sickbed,\u201d\t Aedion\t said\t flatly.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t if\t it\t was\t from\t shame,\t or\t because\t she couldn\u2019t\t even\t remember,\t or\t to\t protect\t me\t somehow.\t Once\t I\t was\t brought\t over\t here,\t I didn\u2019t\treally\tcare.\tBut\tI\u2019d\trather\thave\tno\tfather\tthan\tyour\tfather.\u201d Chaol\tchuckled\tand\tmight\thave\tasked\tanother\tquestion\thad\tboots\tnot\tscraped\ton\tstone at\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\talley,\tfollowed\tby\ta\trasping\tbreath. That\tfast,\tAedion\thad\tpalmed\ttwo\tfighting\tknives,\tand\tChaol\tdrew\this\town\tsword\u2014a bland,\tnondescript\tblade\the\u2019d\tswiped\tfrom\tthe\tbarracks\u2014as\ta\tman\tstaggered\tinto\tview. He\thad\tan\tarm\twrapped\taround\this\tmiddle,\tthe\tother\tbracing\thimself\tagainst\tthe\tbrick wall\t of\t an\t abandoned\t building.\t Aedion\t was\t instantly\t moving,\t knives\t sheathed\t again.\t It wasn\u2019t\tuntil\tChaol\theard\thim\tsay,\t\u201cRen?\u201d\tthat\the\talso\thurried\ttoward\tthe\tyoung\tman. In\tthe\tmoonlight,\tthe\tblood\ton\tRen\u2019s\ttunic\twas\ta\tshining,\tdeep\tstain. \u201cWhere\tis\tMurtaugh?\u201d\tAedion\tdemanded,\tslinging\tan\tarm\tunder\tRen\u2019s\tshoulders. \u201cSafe.\u201d\t Ren\t panted,\t his\t face\t dealthy\t pale.\t Chaol\t scanned\t either\t end\t of\t the\t alley.\t \u201cWe were\u2014followed.\tSo\twe\ttried\tlosing\tthem.\u201d\tHe\theard,\tmore\tthan\tsaw,\tRen\u2019s\twince.\t\u201cThey cornered\tme.\u201d \u201cHow\t many?\u201d\t Aedion\t said\t softly,\t though\t Chaol\t could\t almost\t feel\t the\t violence simmering\toff\tthe\tgeneral. \u201cEight,\u201d\t Ren\t said,\t and\t hissed\t in\t pain.\t \u201cKilled\t two,\t then\t got\t free.\t They\u2019re\t following me.\u201d Leaving\tsix.\tIf\tthey\twere\tunharmed,\tthey\twere\tprobably\tclose\tbehind.\tChaol\texamined the\tstones\tbeyond\tRen.\tThe\twound\tto\this\tabdomen\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdeep,\tif\the\u2019d\tmanaged\tto keep\tthe\tblood\tflow\tfrom\tleaving\ta\ttrail.\tBut\tit\tstill\thad\tto\tbe\tagonizing\u2014potentially\tfatal, if\tit\thad\tpierced\tthe\twrong\tspot. Aedion\twent\trigid,\thearing\tsomething\tthat\tChaol\tcouldn\u2019t.\tHe\tquietly,\tgently\tpassed\tthe sagging\tRen\tinto\tChaol\u2019s\tarms.\t\u201cThere\tare\tthree\tbarrels\tten\tpaces\taway,\u201d\tthe\tgeneral\tsaid with\tlethal\tcalm\tas\the\tfaced\tthe\talley\tentrance.\t\u201cHide\tbehind\tthem\tand\tkeep\tyour\tmouths shut.\u201d","That\twas\tall\tChaol\tneeded\tto\thear\tas\the\ttook\tRen\u2019s\tweight\tand\thauled\thim\tto\tthe\tlarge barrels,\tthen\teased\thim\tonto\tthe\tground.\tRen\tstifled\ta\tgroan\tof\tpain,\tbut\tkept\tstill.\tThere was\ta\tsmall\tcrack\tbetween\ttwo\tof\tthe\tbarrels\twhere\tChaol\tcould\tsee\tthe\talley,\tand\tthe\tsix men\t who\t stalked\t into\t it\t almost\t shoulder-to-shoulder.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t make\t out\t much\t more than\tdark\ttunics\tand\tcloaks. The\t men\t paused\t when\t they\t beheld\t Aedion\t standing\t before\t them,\t still\t hooded.\t The general\tdrew\this\tfighting\tknives\tand\tpurred,\t\u201cNone\tof\tyou\tare\tleaving\tthis\talley\talive.\u201d They\tdidn\u2019t. Chaol\t marveled\t at\t Aedion\u2019s\t skill\u2014the\t speed\t and\t swiftness\t and\t utter\t confidence\t that made\tit\tlike\twatching\ta\tbrutal,\tunforgiving\tdance. It\twas\tover\tbefore\tit\treally\tstarted.\tThe\tsix\tassailants\tseemed\tat\tease\twith\tweapons,\tbut against\ta\tman\twith\tFae\tblood\tsurging\tin\this\tveins,\tthey\twere\tuseless. No\twonder\tAedion\thad\trisen\tto\tsuch\thigh\tranking\tso\tquickly.\tHe\u2019d\tnever\tseen\tanother man\t fight\t like\t that.\t Only\u2014only\t Celaena\t had\t come\t close.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t which\t of\t them would\t win\t if\t they\t were\t ever\t matched\t against\t each\t other,\t but\t together\t \u2026\t Chaol\u2019s\t heart went\tcold\tat\tthe\tthought.\tSix\tmen\tdead\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\tmoments\u2014six. Aedion\twasn\u2019t\tsmiling\tas\the\tcame\tback\tover\tto\tChaol\tand\tdropped\ta\tscrap\tof\tfabric\ton the\tground\tbefore\tthem.\tEven\tRen,\tpanting\tthrough\tclenched\tteeth,\tlooked. It\t was\t a\t black,\t heavy\t material\u2014and\t emblazoned\t on\t it\t in\t dark\t thread,\t nearly\t invisible save\tfor\tthe\tglint\tof\tthe\tmoonlight,\twas\ta\twyvern.\tThe\troyal\tsigil. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t these\t men,\u201d\t Chaol\t said,\t more\t to\t himself\t than\t to\t protest\t his\t innocence. \u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tthat\tuniform.\u201d \u201cFrom\tthe\tsound\tof\tit,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tthat\trage\tstill\tsimmering\tin\this\tvoice\tas\the\tcocked his\thead\ttoward\tnoises\tthat\tChaol\tcould\tnot\thear\twith\this\thuman\tears,\t\u201cthere\tare\tmore\tof them\t out\t there,\t and\t they\u2019re\t combing\t the\t slums\t door-to-door\t for\t Ren.\t We\t need\t a\t place\t to hide.\u201d Ren\theld\ton\tto\tconsciousness\tlong\tenough\tto\tsay,\t\u201cI\tknow\twhere.\u201d","Chapter\t30 Chaol\theld\this\tbreath\tfor\tthe\tentire\twalk\tas\the\tand\tAedion\tgripped\tthe\thalf-conscious\tRen between\t them,\t the\t three\t of\t them\t swaying\t and\t staggering,\t looking\t for\t all\t the\t world\t like drunkards\tout\tfor\ta\tnight\tof\tthrills\tin\tthe\tslums.\tThe\tstreets\twere\tstill\tteeming\tdespite\tthe hour,\t and\t one\t of\t the\t women\t they\t passed\t slouched\t over\t and\t gripped\t Aedion\u2019s\t tunic, spewing\t a\t slur\t of\t sultry\t words.\t But\t the\t general\t used\t a\t gentle\t hand\t to\t disengage\t her\t and said,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tpay\tfor\twhat\tI\tcan\tget\tfor\tfree.\u201d Somehow,\tit\tfelt\tlike\ta\tlie,\tsince\tChaol\thadn\u2019t\tseen\tor\theard\tof\tAedion\tsharing\tanyone\u2019s bed\tall\tthese\tweeks.\tBut\tperhaps\tknowing\tthat\tAelin\twas\talive\tchanged\this\tpriorities. They\treached\tthe\topium\tden\tRen\thad\tnamed\tin\tbetween\tspurts\tof\tunconsciousness\tjust as\t the\t shouts\t of\t soldiers\t storming\t into\t boardinghouses,\t inns,\t and\t taverns\t echoed\t from down\t the\t street.\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t wait\t to\t see\t who\t they\t were\t and\t shoved\t through\t the\t carved wooden\t door.\t The\t reek\t of\t unwashed\t bodies,\t waste,\t and\t sweet\t smoke\t clotted\t in\t Chaol\u2019s nostrils.\tEven\tAedion\tcoughed\tand\tgave\tRen,\twho\twas\talmost\ta\tdead\tweight\tin\ttheir\tarms, a\tdisapproving\tstare. But\t the\t aging\t madam\t swept\t forward\t to\t greet\t them,\t her\t long\t tunic\t and\t over-robe flowing\t on\t some\t phantom\t wind,\t and\t ushered\t them\t down\t the\t wood-paneled\t hallway,\t her feet\tsoft\ton\tthe\tworn,\tcolorful\trugs.\tShe\tbegan\tprattling\toff\tprices\tand\tthe\tnight\u2019s\tspecials, but\tChaol\ttook\tone\tlook\tin\ther\tgreen,\tcunning\teyes\tand\tknew\tshe\twas\tfamiliar\twith\tRen\u2014 someone\twho\thad\tprobably\tbuilt\therself\ther\town\tempire\there\tin\tRifthold. She\t set\t them\t up\t in\t a\t veiled-off\t alcove\t littered\t with\t worn\t silk\t cushions\t that\t stank\t of sweet\tsmoke\tand\tsweat,\tand\tafter\tshe\tlifted\ther\tbrows\tat\tChaol,\the\thanded\tover\tthree\tgold pieces.\t Ren\t groaned\t from\t where\t he\t was\t sprawled\t on\t the\t cushions\t between\t Aedion\t and Chaol,\tbut\tbefore\tChaol\tcould\tso\tmuch\tas\tsay\ta\tword,\tthe\tmadam\treturned\twith\ta\tbundle in\ther\tarms.\t\u201cThey\tare\tnext\tdoor,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\taccent\tlovely\tand\tstrange.\t\u201cHurry.\u201d She\u2019d\t brought\t a\t tunic.\t Aedion\t made\t quick\t work\t of\t stripping\t Ren,\t whose\t face\t was deathly\tpale,\tlips\tbloodless.\tThe\tgeneral\tswore\tas\tthey\tbeheld\tthe\twound\u2014a\tslice\tlow\tin his\t belly.\t \u201cAny\t deeper\t and\t his\t damn\t intestines\t would\t be\t hanging\t out,\u201d\t Aedion\t said.\t He took\t a\t strip\t of\t clean\t fabric\t from\t the\t madam\t and\t wrapped\t it\t around\t the\t young\t lord\u2019s muscled\t abdomen.\t There\t were\t scars\t all\t over\t Ren\t already.\t If\t he\t survived,\t this\t probably would\tnot\tbe\tthe\tworst\tof\tthem. The\tmadam\tknelt\tbefore\tChaol\tand\topened\tthe\tbox\tin\ther\thands.\tThree\tpipes\tnow\tlay on\t the\t low-lying\t table\t before\t them.\t \u201cYou\t need\t to\t play\t the\t part,\u201d\t she\t breathed,\t glancing over\t her\t shoulder\t through\t the\t thick\t black\t veil,\t no\t doubt\t calculating\t how\t much\t time\t they had\tleft. Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t even\t try\t to\t object\t as\t she\t used\t rouge\t to\t redden\t the\t skin\t around\t his\t eyes, applied\tsome\tpaste\tand\tpowder\tto\tleech\tthe\tcolor\tfrom\this\tface,\tshook\tfree\ta\tfew\tbuttons on\t his\t tunic,\t and\t mussed\t his\t hair.\t \u201cLay\t back,\t limp\t and\t loose,\t and\t keep\t the\t pipe\t in\t your hand.\tSmoke\tit\tif\tyou\tneed\tto\ttake\tthe\tedge\toff.\u201d\tThat\twas\tall\tshe\ttold\thim\tbefore\tshe\tgot","to\twork\ton\tAedion,\twho\thad\tfinished\tstuffing\tRen\tinto\this\tclean\tclothes.\tIn\tmoments,\tthe three\tof\tthem\twere\treclined\ton\tthe\treeking\tcushions,\tand\tthe\tmadam\thad\tbustled\toff\twith Ren\u2019s\tbloody\ttunic. The\tlord\u2019s\tbreathing\twas\tlabored\tand\tuneven,\tand\tChaol\tfought\tthe\tshaking\tin\this\town hands\tas\tthe\tfront\tdoor\tbanged\topen.\tThe\tsoft\tfeet\tof\tthe\tmadam\thurried\tpast\tto\tgreet\tthe men.\tThough\tChaol\tstrained\tto\thear,\tAedion\tseemed\tto\tbe\tlistening\twithout\ta\tproblem. \u201cFive\tof\tyou,\tthen?\u201d\tthe\tmadam\tchirped\tloudly\tenough\tfor\tthem\tto\thear. \u201cWe\u2019re\tlooking\tfor\ta\tfugitive,\u201d\twas\tthe\tgrowled\tresponse.\t\u201cClear\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\u201d \u201cSurely\tyou\twould\tlike\tto\trest\u2014we\thave\tprivate\trooms\tfor\tgroups,\tand\tyou\tare\tall\tsuch big\t men.\u201d\t Each\t word\t was\t purred,\t a\t sensual\t feast.\t \u201cIt\t is\t extra\t for\t bringing\t in\t swords\t and daggers\u2014a\tliability,\tyou\tsee,\twhen\tthe\tdrug\ttakes\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cWoman,\tenough,\u201d\tthe\tman\tbarked.\tFabric\tripped\tas\teach\tveiled\talcove\twas\tinspected. Chaol\u2019s\t heart\t thundered,\t but\t he\t kept\t his\t body\t limp,\t even\t as\t he\t itched\t to\t reach\t for\t his blade. \u201cThen\tI\tshall\tleave\tyou\tto\tyour\twork,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tdemurely. Between\t them,\t Ren\t was\t so\t dazed\t that\t he\t truly\t could\t have\t been\t drugged\t out\t of\t his mind.\tChaol\tjust\thoped\this\town\tperformance\twas\tconvincing\tas\tthe\tcurtain\tripped\tback. \u201cIs\tthat\tthe\twine?\u201d\tAedion\tslurred,\tsquinting\tat\tthe\tmen,\this\tface\twan\tand\this\tlips\tset\tin a\t loose\t grin.\t He\t was\t hardly\t recognizable.\t \u201cWe\u2019ve\t been\t waiting\t twenty\t minutes,\t you know.\u201d Chaol\t smiled\t blearily\t up\t at\t the\t six\t men\t peering\t into\t the\t room.\t All\t in\t those\t dark uniforms,\tall\tunfamiliar.\tWho\tthe\thell\twere\tthey?\tWhy\thad\tRen\tbeen\ttargeted? \u201cWine,\u201d\tAedion\tsnapped,\ta\tspoiled\tson\tof\ta\tmerchant,\tperhaps.\t\u201cNow.\u201d The\tmen\tjust\tswore\tat\tthem\tand\tcontinued\ton.\tFive\tminutes\tlater,\tthey\twere\tgone. The\t den\t must\t have\t been\t a\t meeting\t point,\t because\t Murtaugh\t found\t them\t there\t an\t hour later.\t The\t madam\t had\t brought\t them\t to\t her\t private\t office,\t and\t they\u2019d\t been\t forced\t to\t pin Ren\t to\t the\t worn\t couch\t as\t she\u2014with\t surprising\t adeptness\u2014disinfected,\t stitched,\t and bound\t up\t his\t nasty\t wound.\t He\t would\t survive,\t she\t said,\t but\t the\t blood\t loss\t and\t injury would\t keep\t him\t incapacitated\t for\t a\t while.\t Murtaugh\t paced\t the\t entire\t time,\t until\t Ren collapsed\tinto\ta\tdeep\tsleep,\tcourtesy\tof\tsome\ttonic\tthe\twoman\tmade\thim\tchoke\tdown. Chaol\tand\tAedion\tsat\tat\tthe\tsmall\ttable\tcrammed\tin\tamongst\tthe\tcrates\tupon\tcrates\tof opium\t stacked\t against\t the\t walls.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\t what\t was\t in\t the\t tonic\t Ren\t had ingested. Aedion\twas\twatching\tthe\tlocked\tdoor,\thead\tcocked\tas\tif\tlistening\tto\tthe\tsounds\tof\tthe den,\tas\the\tsaid\tto\tMurtaugh,\t\u201cWhy\twere\tyou\tbeing\tfollowed,\tand\twho\twere\tthose\tmen?\u201d The\t old\t man\t kept\t pacing.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t But\t they\t knew\t where\t Ren\t and\t I\t would\t be. Ren\t has\t a\t network\t of\t informants\t throughout\t the\t city.\t Any\t one\t of\t them\t could\t have betrayed\tus.\u201d","Aedion\u2019s\t attention\t remained\t on\t the\t door,\t a\t hand\t on\t one\t of\t his\t fighting\t knives.\t \u201cThey wore\tuniforms\twith\tthe\troyal\tsigil\u2014even\tthe\tcaptain\tdidn\u2019t\trecognize\tthem.\tYou\tneed\tto lay\tlow\tfor\ta\twhile.\u201d Murtaugh\u2019s\tsilence\twas\ttoo\theavy.\tChaol\tasked\tquietly,\t\u201cWhere\tdo\twe\tbring\thim\twhen he\tcan\tbe\tmoved?\u201d Murtaugh\t paused\t his\t pacing,\t his\t eyes\t full\t of\t grief.\t \u201cThere\t is\t no\t place.\t We\t have\t no home.\u201d Aedion\tlooked\tsharply\tat\thim.\t\u201cWhere\tthe\thell\thave\tyou\tbeen\tstaying\tall\tthis\ttime?\u201d \u201cHere\tand\tthere,\tsquatting\tin\tabandoned\tbuildings.\tWhen\twe\tare\table\tto\ttake\twork,\twe stay\tin\tboardinghouses,\tbut\tthese\tdays\t\u2026\u201d They\t would\t not\t have\t access\t to\t the\t Allsbrook\t coffers,\t Chaol\t realized.\t Not\t if\t they\t had been\tin\thiding\tfor\tso\tmany\tyears.\tBut\tto\tbe\thomeless\t\u2026 Aedion\u2019s\t face\t was\t a\t mask\t of\t disinterest.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t have\t no\t place\t in\t Rifthold\t safe enough\tto\thold\thim\u2014to\tsee\tto\this\tmending.\u201d\tNot\ta\tquestion,\tbut\tMurtaugh\tnodded\tall\tthe same.\t Aedion\t examined\t Ren,\t sprawled\t on\t the\t dark\t sofa\t against\t the\t far\t wall.\t His\t throat bobbed\tonce,\tbut\tthen\the\tsaid,\t\u201cTell\tthe\tcaptain\tyour\ttheory\tabout\tmagic.\u201d In\tthe\tlong\thours\tthat\tpassed\tas\tRen\tregained\this\tstrength\tenough\tto\tbe\tmoved,\tMurtaugh explained\teverything\the\tknew.\tHis\tentire\tstory\tcame\tout,\tthe\told\tman\talmost\twhispering\tat times\u2014of\t the\t horrors\t they\u2019d\t fled,\t and\t how\t Ren\t had\t gotten\t each\t and\t every\t scar.\t Chaol understood\twhy\tthe\tyoung\tman\thad\tbeen\tso\tclose-lipped\tuntil\tnow.\tSecrecy\thad\tkept\tthem alive. All\t together,\t Murtaugh\t and\t Ren\t had\t learned,\t the\t various\t waves\t the\t day\t magic\t had vanished\t formed\t a\t rough\t triangle\t across\t the\t continent.\t The\t first\t line\t went\t right\t from Rifthold\tto\tthe\tFrozen\tWastes.\tThe\tsecond\twent\tdown\tfrom\tthe\tFrozen\tWastes\tto\tthe\tedge of\t the\t Deserted\t Peninsula.\t The\t third\t line\t went\t from\t there\t back\t to\t Rifthold.\t A\t spell,\t they believed,\thad\tbeen\tthe\tcause\tof\tit. Standing\t around\t the\t map\t Aedion\t had\t produced,\t the\t general\t traced\t a\t finger\t over\t the lines\tagain\tand\tagain,\tas\tif\tsorting\tout\ta\tbattle\tstrategy.\t\u201cA\tspell\tsent\tfrom\tspecific\tpoints, like\ta\tbeacon.\u201d Chaol\tthumped\this\tknuckles\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cIs\tthere\tsome\tway\tof\tundoing\tit?\u201d Murtaugh\t sighed.\t \u201cOur\t work\t was\t interrupted\t by\t the\t disturbance\t with\t Archer,\t and\t our sources\tvanished\tfrom\tthe\tcity\tfor\tfear\tof\ttheir\tlives.\tBut\tthere\thas\tto\tbe\ta\tway.\u201d \u201cSo\t where\t do\t we\t start\t looking?\u201d\t Aedion\t asked.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t no\t chance\t in\t hell\t the\t king would\tleave\tclues\tlying\taround.\u201d Murtaugh\t nodded.\t \u201cWe\t need\t eyewitnesses\t to\t confirm\t what\t we\t suspect,\t but\t the\t places we\tthink\tthe\tspell\toriginated\tare\toccupied\tby\tthe\tking\u2019s\tforces.\tWe\u2019ve\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tan in.\u201d Aedion\tgave\thim\ta\tlazy\tgrin.\t\u201cNo\twonder\tyou\tkept\ttelling\tRen\tto\tbe\tnice\tto\tme.\u201d As\tif\tin\tresponse,\tRen\tgroaned,\tstruggling\tto\trise\tto\tconsciousness.\tHad\tthe\tyoung\tlord","ever\tfelt\tsafe\tor\tat\tpeace\tat\tany\tpoint\tin\tthe\tpast\tten\tyears?\tIt\twould\texplain\tthat\tanger\u2014 the\t reckless\t anger\t that\t coursed\t through\t all\t the\t young,\t shattered\t hearts\t of\t Terrasen, including\tCelaena\u2019s. Chaol\tsaid,\t\u201cThere\tis\tan\tapartment\thidden\tin\ta\twarehouse\tin\tthe\tslums.\tIt\u2019s\tsecure,\tand has\t all\t the\t amenities\t you\t need.\t You\u2019re\t welcome\t to\t stay\t there\t for\t however\t long\t you require.\u201d He\tfelt\tAedion\twatching\thim\tcarefully.\tBut\tMurtaugh\tfrowned.\t\u201cHowever\tgenerous,\tI cannot\taccept\tthe\toffer\tto\tstay\tin\tyour\thouse.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tmy\thouse,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tbelieve\tme,\tthe\towner\twon\u2019t\tmind\tone\tbit.\u201d","Chapter\t31 \u201cEat\tit,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\tholding\tout\tthe\traw\tleg\tof\tmutton\tto\tAbraxos.\tThe\tday\twas\tbright, but\t the\t wind\t off\t the\t snowy\t peaks\t of\t the\t Fangs\t still\t carried\t a\t brutal\t chill.\t They\u2019d\t been going\t outside\t the\t mountain\t for\t little\t spurts\t to\t stretch\t his\t legs,\t using\t the\t back\t door\t that opened\t onto\t a\t narrow\t road\t leading\t into\t the\t mountains.\t She\u2019d\t guided\t him\t by\t the\t giant chain\u2014as\t if\t it\t would\t do\t anything\t to\t stop\t him\t from\t taking\t off\u2014up\t a\t sharp\t incline,\t and then\tonto\tthe\tmeadow\tatop\ta\tplateau. \u201cEat\t it,\u201d\t she\t said,\t shaking\t the\t freezing\t meat\t at\t Abraxos,\t who\t was\t now\t lying\t on\t his belly\t in\t the\t meadow,\t huffing\t at\t the\t first\t grasses\t and\t flowers\t to\t poke\t through\t the\t melting ice.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tyour\treward,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tthrough\ther\tteeth.\t\u201cYou\tearned\tit.\u201d Abraxos\tsniffed\tat\ta\tcluster\tof\tpurple\tflowers,\tthen\tflicked\this\teyes\tto\ther.\tNo\tmeat,\the seemed\tto\tsay. \u201cIt\u2019s\tgood\tfor\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\the\twent\tright\tback\tto\tsniffing\tthe\tviolets\tor\twhatever they\twere.\tIf\ta\tplant\twasn\u2019t\tgood\tfor\tpoisoning\tor\thealing\tor\tkeeping\ther\talive\tif\tshe\twere starving,\tshe\u2019d\tnever\tbothered\tto\tlearn\tits\tname\u2014especially\tnot\twildflowers. She\t tossed\t the\t leg\t right\t in\t front\t of\t his\t massive\t mouth\t and\t tucked\t her\t hands\t into\t the folds\tof\ther\tred\tcloak.\tHe\tsnuffed\tat\tit,\this\tnew\tiron\tteeth\tglinting\tin\tthe\tradiant\tlight,\tthen stretched\tout\tone\tmassive,\tclaw-tipped\twing\tand\u2014 Shoved\tit\taside. Manon\trubbed\ther\teyes.\t\u201cIs\tit\tnot\tfresh\tenough?\u201d He\tmoved\tto\tsniff\tsome\twhite-and-yellow\tflowers. A\tnightmare.\tThis\twas\ta\tnightmare.\t\u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\treally\tlike\tflowers.\u201d Again\t those\t dark\t eyes\t shifted\t to\t her.\t Blinked\t once.\t I\t most\t certainly\t do,\t he\t seemed\t to say. She\tsplayed\ther\tarms.\t\u201cYou\tnever\teven\tsmelled\ta\tflower\tuntil\tyesterday.\tWhat\u2019s\twrong with\tthe\tmeat\tnow?\u201d\tHe\tneeded\tto\teat\ttons\tand\ttons\tof\tmeat\tto\tput\ton\tthe\tmuscle\the\twas lacking. When\t he\t went\t back\t to\t sniffing\t the\t flowers\t rather\t delicately\u2014the\t insufferable,\t useless worm\u2014she\tstalked\tto\tthe\tleg\tof\tmutton\tand\thauled\tit\tup.\t\u201cIf\tyou\twon\u2019t\teat\tit,\u201d\tshe\tsnarled at\thim,\thoisting\tit\tup\twith\tboth\thands\tto\ther\tmouth\tand\tpopping\ther\tiron\tteeth\tdown,\t\u201cthen I\twill.\u201d Abraxos\t watched\t her\t with\t those\t bemused\t dark\t eyes\t as\t she\t bit\t into\t the\t icy,\t raw\t meat. And\tspat\tit\teverywhere. \u201cWhat\t in\t the\t Mother\u2019s\t dark\t shadow\u2014\u201d\t She\t sniffed\t at\t the\t meat.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t rancid,\t but like\t the\t men\t here,\t it\t tasted\t off.\t The\t sheep\t were\t raised\t inside\t the\t mountain,\t so\t maybe\t it was\tsomething\tin\tthe\twater.\tAs\tsoon\tas\tshe\tgot\tback,\tshe\u2019d\tgive\tthe\tThirteen\tthe\torder\tnot","to\ttouch\tthe\tmen\u2014not\tuntil\tshe\tknew\twhat\tin\thell\twas\tmaking\tthem\ttaste\tand\tsmell\tthat way. Regardless,\t Abraxos\t had\t to\t eat,\t because\t he\t had\t to\t get\t strong\u2014so\t she\t could\t be\t Wing Leader,\t so\t she\t could\t see\t the\t look\t on\t Iskra\u2019s\t face\t when\t she\t ripped\t her\t apart\t at\t the\t War Games.\tAnd\tif\tthis\twas\tthe\tonly\tway\tto\tget\tthe\tworm\tto\teat\t\u2026 \u201cFine,\u201d\t she\t said,\t chucking\t the\t leg\t away.\t \u201cYou\t want\t fresh\t meat?\u201d\t She\t scanned\t the mountains\t towering\t around\t them,\t eyeing\t the\t gray\t stones.\t \u201cThen\t we\u2019re\t going\t to\t have\t to hunt.\u201d \u201cYou\t smell\t like\t shit\t and\t blood.\u201d\t Her\t grandmother\t didn\u2019t\t turn\t from\t her\t desk,\t and\t Manon didn\u2019t\tflinch\tat\tthe\tinsult.\tShe\twas\tcovered\tin\tboth,\tactually. It\t was\t thanks\t to\t Abraxos,\t the\t flower-loving\t worm,\t who\t had\t just\t watched\t while\t she scaled\t one\t of\t the\t nearby\t cliffs\t and\t brought\t down\t a\t braying\t mountain\t goat\t for\t him. \u201cBrought\t down\u201d\t was\t a\t more\t elegant\t phrase\t than\t what\t had\t actually\t happened:\t she\t half froze\t to\t death\t as\t she\t waited\t for\t some\t goats\t to\t pass\t on\t their\t treacherous\t climb,\t and\t then, when\tshe\u2019d\tfinally\tambushed\tone,\tshe\u2019d\tnot\tonly\trolled\tin\tits\tdung\tas\tshe\u2019d\tgrappled\twith it\tbut\tit\thad\talso\tdumped\ta\tfresh\tload\ton\ther,\tright\tbefore\tit\twent\ttumbling\tout\tof\ther\tarms and\tbroke\tits\tskull\ton\tthe\trocks\tbelow. It\t had\t nearly\t taken\t her\t with\t it,\t but\t she\u2019d\t managed\t to\t grab\t on\t to\t a\t dead\t root.\t Abraxos was\tstill\tlying\ton\this\tbelly,\tsniffing\tthe\twildflowers,\twhen\tshe\treturned\twith\tthe\tdead\tgoat in\ther\tarms,\tits\tblood\tnow\ticed\ton\ther\tcloak\tand\ttunic. He\u2019d\t devoured\t the\t goat\t in\t two\t bites,\t then\t gone\t back\t to\t enjoying\t the\t wildflowers.\t At least\the\u2019d\teaten.\tGetting\thim\tback\tto\tthe\tNorthern\tFang,\thowever,\twas\ta\ttrial\tin\titself.\tHe hadn\u2019t\t hurt\t her,\t hadn\u2019t\t fled,\t but\t he\u2019d\t pulled\t on\t the\t chains,\t shaking\t his\t head\t again\t and again\t as\t they\t neared\t the\t cavernous\t back\t door\t where\t the\t sounds\t of\t the\t wyverns\t and\t men reached\t them.\t But\t he\u2019d\t gone\t in\u2014though\t he\u2019d\t snapped\t and\t growled\t at\t the\t handlers\t who rushed\t out\t to\t retrieve\t him.\t For\t some\t reason,\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t able\t to\t stop\t thinking\t about his\treluctance\u2014the\tway\the\u2019d\tlooked\tat\ther\twith\ta\tmute\tplea.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tpity\thim,\tbecause she\tpitied\tnothing,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tthinking\tabout\tit. \u201cYou\tsummoned\tme,\u201d\tsaid\tManon,\thead\thigh.\t\u201cI\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tkeep\tyou\twaiting.\u201d \u201cYou\t are\t keeping\t me\t waiting,\t Manon.\u201d\t The\t witch\t turned,\t eyes\t full\t of\t death\t and promises\t of\t endless\t pain.\t \u201cIt\t has\t been\t weeks\t now,\t and\t you\t are\t not\t airborne\t with\t your Thirteen.\t The\t Yellowlegs\t have\t been\t flying\t as\t a\t host\t for\t three\t days.\t Three\t days,\t Manon. And\tyou\u2019re\tcoddling\tyour\tbeast.\u201d Manon\tdidn\u2019t\tshow\tone\tflicker\tof\tfeeling.\tApologizing\twould\tmake\tit\tworse,\tas\twould excuses.\t\u201cGive\tme\torders,\tand\tthey\twill\tbe\tdone.\u201d \u201cI\twant\tyou\tairborne\tby\ttomorrow\tevening.\tDon\u2019t\tbother\tcoming\tback\tif\tyou\taren\u2019t.\u201d \u201cI\t hate\t you,\u201d\t Manon\t panted\t through\t her\t iron\t teeth\t as\t she\t and\t Abraxos\t finished\t their grueling\ttrek\tto\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tmountain\tpeak.\tIt\thad\ttaken\thalf\ta\tday\tto\tget\there\u2014and\tif this\t didn\u2019t\t work,\t it\t would\t take\t until\t evening\t to\t get\t back\t to\t the\t Omega.\t To\t pack\t her","belongings. Abraxos\twas\tcurled\tup\tlike\ta\tcat\ton\tthe\tnarrow\tstretch\tof\tflat\trock\tatop\tthe\tmountain. \u201cWillful,\tlazy\tworm.\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tblink\tat\ther. Take\t the\t eastern\t side,\t the\t overseer\t had\t said\t as\t he\u2019d\t helped\t her\t saddle\t up\t and\t set\t out from\t the\t back\t door\t of\t the\t Northern\t Fang\t before\t dawn.\t They\t used\t this\t peak\t to\t train\t the hatchling\twyverns\u2014and\treluctant\tfliers.\tThe\teastern\tside,\tManon\tsaw\tas\tshe\tpeered\tover the\t lip\t she\u2019d\t just\t climbed,\t was\t a\t smooth\t incline\t after\t a\t twenty-foot\t drop.\t Abraxos\t could take\t a\t running\t start\t off\t the\t edge,\t try\t to\t glide,\t and\t if\t he\t fell\t \u2026\t Well,\t it\t would\t only\t be twenty\t feet\t and\t then\t wind-smooth\t rock\t to\t slide\t down\t for\t a\t ways.\t Slim\t possibility\t for death. No,\tdeath\tlay\ton\tthe\twestern\tside.\tFrowning\tat\tAbraxos,\twho\twas\tlicking\this\tnew\tiron claws,\t Manon\t crossed\t the\t plateau\t and,\t despite\t herself,\t winced\t at\t the\t blistering\t wind\t that shot\tup. To\tthe\twest\twas\tan\tendless\tplunge\tthrough\tnothing\tuntil\tthe\tspiked,\tunforgiving\trocks below.\tIt\twould\ttake\ta\tcrew\tof\tmen\tto\tscrape\toff\ther\tremains.\tEastern\tside\tit\twas. She\tchecked\ther\ttight\tbraid\tand\tflicked\ther\tclear\tinner\tlid\tinto\tplace.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo.\u201d Abraxos\tlifted\this\tmassive\thead\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\tWe\tjust\tgot\there. She\tpointed\tto\tthe\teastern\tedge.\t\u201cFlying.\tNow.\u201d He\thuffed,\tcurling\this\tback\tto\ther,\tthe\tleather\tsaddle\tgleaming.\t\u201cOh,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso,\u201d she\t snapped,\t stalking\t around\t to\t get\t in\t his\t face.\t She\t pointed\t to\t the\t edge\t again.\t \u201cWe\u2019re flying,\tyou\trutting\tcoward.\u201d He\ttucked\this\thead\ttoward\this\tbelly,\this\ttail\twrapping\taround\thim.\tHe\twas\tpretending he\tcouldn\u2019t\thear\ther. She\tknew\tit\tmight\tcost\ther\tlife,\tbut\tshe\tgripped\this\tnostrils\u2014hard\tenough\tto\tmake\this eyes\tfly\topen.\t\u201cYour\twings\tare\tfunctional.\tThe\thumans\tsaid\tthey\twere.\tSo\tyou\tcan\tfly,\tand you\t are\t going\t to\t fly,\t because\t I\t say\t so.\t I\u2019ve\t been\t fetching\t your\t useless\t carcass\t mountain goats\tby\tthe\therd,\tand\tif\tyou\thumiliate\tme,\tI\u2019ll\tuse\tyour\thide\tfor\ta\tnew\tleather\tcoat.\u201d\tShe rustled\ther\ttorn\tand\tstained\tcrimson\tcloak.\t\u201cThis\tis\truined,\tthanks\tto\tyour\tgoats.\u201d He\tshifted\this\thead\taway,\tand\tshe\tlet\tgo\u2014because\tit\twas\teither\tlet\tgo\tor\tbe\ttossed\tinto the\tair.\tHe\tset\tdown\this\thead\tand\tclosed\this\teyes. This\twas\tpunishment,\tsomehow.\tFor\twhat,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow.\tPerhaps\ther\town\tstupidity in\tpicking\ta\tbait\tbeast\tfor\ta\tmount. She\t hissed\t to\t herself,\t eyeing\t the\t saddle\t on\t his\t back.\t Even\t with\t a\t running\t jump\t she couldn\u2019t\tmake\tit.\tBut\tshe\tneeded\tto\tbe\tin\tthat\tsaddle\tand\tairborne,\tor\telse\t\u2026\tOr\telse\tthe Thirteen\twould\tbe\tbroken\tapart\tby\ther\tgrandmother. Abraxos\tcontinued\tto\tlie\tin\tthe\tsun,\tvain\tand\tindulgent\tas\ta\tcat.\t\u201cWarrior\theart\tindeed.\u201d She\teyed\tthe\teastern\tedge,\tthe\tsaddle,\tthe\tdangling\treins.\tHe\u2019d\tbucked\tand\tthrashed\tthe first\t time\t they\u2019d\t shoved\t the\t bit\t into\t his\t mouth,\t but\t he\u2019d\t gotten\t used\t to\t it\t now\u2014at\t least, enough\tso\tthat\the\u2019d\ttried\tto\ttake\toff\tthe\thead\tof\tonly\tone\thandler\ttoday.","The\t sun\t was\t still\t rising\t high,\t but\t soon\t it\t would\t start\t its\t descent,\t and\t then\t she\u2019d\t be completely\tand\tperfectly\truined.\tLike\thell\tshe\twould\tbe. \u201cYou\t had\t this\t coming\u201d\t was\t all\t the\t warning\t she\t gave\t him\t before\t she\t took\t a\t running leap,\tlanding\ton\this\thaunch\tand\tthen\tscrambling,\tso\tfast\the\thad\tbarely\tlifted\this\thead\tby the\ttime\tshe\tscuttled\tacross\this\tscaly\tback\tand\tinto\tthe\tsaddle. He\t jerked\t upright,\t stiff\t as\t a\t board\t as\t she\t shoved\t her\t booted\t feet\t into\t the\t stirrups\t and gripped\tthe\treins.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tflying\u2014now.\u201d\tShe\tdug\ther\theels\tinto\this\tsides. Perhaps\tthe\tspurs\thurt\tor\tsurprised\thim,\tbecause\tAbraxos\tbucked\u2014bucked\tand\troared. She\tyanked\ton\tthe\treins\tas\thard\tas\tshe\tcould.\t\u201cEnough,\u201d\tshe\tbarked,\thauling\twith\tone\tarm to\tguide\thim\tover\tthe\teastern\tedge.\t\u201cEnough,\tAbraxos.\u201d He\t was\t still\t thrashing,\t and\t she\t clenched\t her\t thighs\t as\t hard\t as\t she\t could\t to\t stay\t in\t the saddle,\t leaning\t into\t each\t movement.\t When\t the\t bucking\t didn\u2019t\t dislodge\t her,\t he\t lifted\t his wings,\t as\t if\t he\t would\t fling\t her\t off.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t dare,\u201d\t she\t growled,\t but\t he\t was\t still twisting\tand\tbellowing. \u201cStop\tit.\u201d\tHer\tbrain\trattled\tin\ther\tskull\tand\ther\tteeth\tclacked\ttogether\tso\thard\tshe\thad to\tretract\ther\tfangs\tso\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tpunch\tright\tthrough\ther\tskin. But\tAbraxos\tkept\tbucking,\twild\tand\tfrantic.\tNot\ttoward\tthe\teastern\tedge,\tbut\taway\u2014 toward\tthe\tlip\tof\tthe\twestern\tplunge. \u201cAbraxos,\tstop.\u201d\tHe\twas\tgoing\tto\tgo\tright\tover.\tAnd\tthen\tthey\u2019d\tsplatter\ton\tthe\tstones. He\twas\tso\tpanicked,\tso\tenraged\tthat\ther\tvoice\twas\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tcrackling\tleaf\ton\tthe wind.\t The\t western\t drop\t loomed\t to\t her\t right,\t then\t her\t left,\t flashing\t beneath\t the\t leathery, mottled\t wings\t as\t they\t flapped\t and\t snapped.\t Under\t Abraxos\u2019s\t massive\t talons,\t stones hissed\tand\tcrumbled\tas\the\tneared\tthe\tedge. \u201cAbraxos\u2014\u201d\tBut\tthen\this\tleg\tslid\toff\tthe\tcliff,\tand\tManon\u2019s\tworld\ttilted\tdown\u2014down, down,\tas\the\tlost\this\tgrip\tand\tthey\tplummeted\tinto\topen\tair.","Chapter\t32 Manon\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tcontemplate\ther\toncoming\tdeath. She\t was\t too\t busy\t holding\t on\t to\t the\t saddle,\t the\t world\t flipping\t and\t spinning,\t the\t wind shrieking,\tor\tperhaps\tthat\twas\tAbraxos,\tas\tthey\tplunged\tdown\tthe\tcliff\tface. Her\t muscles\t locked\t and\t trembled,\t but\t she\t kept\t her\t arms\t laced\t through\t the\t straps,\t the only\t thing\t keeping\t her\t from\t death,\t even\t as\t it\t swiftly\t approached\t with\t every\t rotation\t of Abraxos\u2019s\truined\tbody. The\ttrees\tbelow\ttook\tshape,\tas\tdid\tthe\tspiked,\twind-carved\trocks\tbetween\tthem.\tFaster and\tfaster,\tthe\tcliff\twall\ta\tblur\tof\tgray\tand\twhite. Maybe\this\tbody\twould\ttake\tthe\timpact\tand\tshe\tcould\twalk\taway. Maybe\tall\tthose\trocks\twould\tgo\tright\tthrough\tthem\tboth. Maybe\the\u2019d\tflip\tand\tshe\twould\tland\ton\tthe\trocks\tfirst. She\thoped\tit\twould\thappen\ttoo\tquickly\tfor\ther\tto\trecognize\tjust\thow\tshe\twas\tdying,\tto know\t what\t part\t of\t her\t broke\t first.\t They\t hurtled\t down.\t There\t was\t a\t little\t river\t running through\tthe\tspiked\trocks. Wind\t slammed\t into\t them\t from\t below,\t a\t draft\t that\t rocked\t Abraxos\t upright,\t but\t they were\tstill\trotating,\tstill\tplunging. \u201cOpen\t your\t wings!\u201d\t she\t screamed\t over\t the\t wind,\t over\t her\t thundering\t heart.\t They stayed\tshut. \u201cOpen\t them\t and\t pull\t up!\u201d\t she\t bellowed,\t just\t as\t the\t rapids\t on\t the\t stream\t began\t to appear,\tjust\tas\tshe\tunderstood\tthat\tshe\thated\tthe\toncoming\tembrace\tof\tthe\tDarkness,\tand that\tthere\twas\tnothing\tto\tdo\tto\tstop\tthis\tsplattering,\tthis\tdoom\tfrom\u2014 She\tcould\tsee\tthe\tpine\tcones\ton\tthe\ttrees.\t\u201cOpen\tthem!\u201d\tA\tlast,\trallying\twar\tcry\tagainst the\tDarkness. A\t war\t cry\t that\t was\t answered\t with\t a\t piercing\t shriek\t as\t Abraxos\t flung\t open\t his\t wings, caught\tthe\tupdraft,\tand\tsent\tthem\tsoaring\taway\tfrom\tthe\tground. Manon\u2019s\t stomach\t went\t from\t her\t throat\t right\t out\t her\t ass,\t but\t they\t were\t swooping upward,\t and\t his\t wings\t were\t pumping,\t each\t boom\t the\t most\t beautiful\t sound\t she\t had\t ever heard\tin\ther\tlong,\tmiserable\tlife. Higher\the\tflapped,\tlegs\ttucked\tbeneath\thim.\tManon\tcrouched\tin\ther\tsaddle,\tclinging\tto his\twarm\thide\tas\the\ttook\tthem\tup\tthe\tface\tof\tthe\tneighboring\tmountain.\tIts\tpeaks\trose\tto meet\tthem\tlike\tlifted\thands,\tbut\the\twobbled\tpast,\tbeating\thard.\tManon\tlifted\tand\tfell\twith him,\tnot\ttaking\tone\tbreath\tas\tthey\tcleared\tthe\thighest\tsnow-capped\tpeak\tand\tAbraxos,\tin joy\tor\trage\tor\tfor\tthe\thell\tof\tit,\tgripped\tclawfuls\tof\tsnow\tand\tice\tand\tset\tthem\tscattering behind,\tthe\tsun\tlighting\tthem\tup\tlike\ta\ttrail\tof\tstars.","The\tsun\twas\tblinding\tas\tthey\thit\tthe\topen\tsky,\tand\tthere\twas\tnothing\taround\tthem\tbut clouds\tas\tmassive\tas\tthe\tmountains\tfar\tbelow,\tcastles\tand\ttemples\tof\twhite\tand\tpurple\tand blue. And\t the\t cry\t that\t Abraxos\t let\t out\t as\t they\t entered\t that\t hall\t of\t clouds,\t as\t he\t leveled\t out and\tcaught\ta\tlightning-fast\tcurrent\tcarving\ta\tpathway\tthrough\tit\t\u2026 She\thad\tnot\tunderstood\twhat\tit\thad\tbeen\tlike\tfor\thim\tto\tlive\this\tentire\tlife\tunderground, chained\tand\tbeaten\tand\tcrippled\u2014until\tthen. Until\tshe\theard\tthat\tnoise\tof\tundiluted,\tunyielding\tjoy. Until\tshe\techoed\tit,\ttipping\ther\thead\tback\tto\tthe\tclouds\taround\tthem. They\tsailed\tover\ta\tsea\tof\tclouds,\tand\tAbraxos\tdipped\this\tclaws\tin\tthem\tbefore\ttilting\tto race\tup\ta\twind-carved\tcolumn\tof\tcloud.\tHigher\tand\thigher,\tuntil\tthey\treached\tits\tpeak\tand he\tflung\tout\this\twings\tin\tthe\tfreezing,\tthin\tsky,\tstopping\tthe\tworld\tentirely\tfor\ta\theartbeat. And\t Manon,\t because\t no\t one\t was\t watching,\t because\t she\t did\t not\t care,\t flung\t out\t her arms\t as\t well\t and\t savored\t the\t freefall,\t the\t wind\t now\t a\t song\t in\t her\t ears,\t in\t her\t shriveled heart. The\t gray\t skies\t were\t just\t filling\t with\t light\t as\t the\t sun\t slipped\t over\t the\t horizon\t at\t their backs.\tBundled\tin\ther\tred\tcloak,\tManon\tsat\tatop\tAbraxos,\ther\tvision\tslightly\tcloudy\tfrom the\tinner\tlid\tshe\u2019d\talready\tblinked\tinto\tplace.\tStill,\tshe\tsurveyed\ther\tThirteen,\tastride\ttheir wyverns\tat\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\tcanyon\trun. They\u2019d\tassembled\tin\ttwo\trows\tof\tsix,\tAsterin\tand\ther\tpale\tblue\tmount\tdirectly\tbehind Manon,\t leading\t the\t first\t row,\t Sorrel\t claiming\t center\t in\t the\t second.\t They\t were\t all\t awake and\t alert\u2014and\t slightly\t befuddled.\t Abraxos\u2019s\t damaged\t wings\t weren\u2019t\t ready\t to\t make\t the narrow\t Crossing,\t not\t yet.\t So\t they\u2019d\t met\t at\t the\t back\t door,\t where\t they\u2019d\t walked\t their wyverns\t the\t two\t miles\t to\t the\t first\t canyon\t run\u2014walked\t like\t a\t proper\t unit,\t in\t rank\t and quietly. The\t mouth\t of\t the\t canyon\t was\t wide\t enough\t for\t Abraxos\t to\t leap\t into\t an\t easy\t glide. Takeoffs\t were\t a\t problem\t thanks\t to\t the\t shredded\t muscle\t and\t weak\t spots\t in\t his\t wings\u2014 areas\tthat\thad\ttaken\ttoo\tmany\tbeatings\tand\tmight\tnever\tbe\tat\ttheir\tfull\tstrength. But\tshe\tdid\tnot\texplain\tthat\tto\ther\tThirteen,\tbecause\tit\twas\tnone\tof\ttheir\tdamn\tbusiness and\tit\tdid\tnot\timpact\tthem. \u201cEvery\t morning,\t from\t today\t until\t the\t War\t Games,\u201d\t Manon\t said,\t staring\t into\t the labyrinth\t of\t ravines\t and\t archways\t that\t made\t up\t the\t wind-carved\t canyon,\t \u201cwe\t will\t meet here,\t and\t until\t breakfast,\t we\t are\t going\t to\t train.\t Then\t we\u2019ll\t have\t our\t afternoon\t training with\t the\t other\t covens.\t Tell\t no\t one.\u201d\t She\u2019d\t just\t have\t to\t leave\t early\t so\t she\t could\t get Abraxos\tairborne\twhile\tthe\tothers\tmade\tthe\tCrossing. \u201cI\t want\t us\t in\t close\t quarters.\t I\t don\u2019t\t care\t what\t the\t men\t say\t about\t keeping\t the\t mounts separate.\tLet\tthe\twyverns\tsort\tout\ttheir\tdominance,\tlet\tthem\tsquabble,\tbut\tthey\tare\tgoing to\t fly,\t tight\t as\t armor.\t There\t will\t be\t no\t gaps\t and\t no\t room\t for\t attitude\t or\t territorial horseshit.\tWe\tfly\tthis\tcanyon\ttogether,\tor\twe\tdon\u2019t\tfly\tat\tall.\u201d","She\t looked\t each\t of\t the\t witches\t and\t their\t mounts\t in\t the\t eye.\t Abraxos,\t to\t her\t surprise, did\tthe\tsame.\tWhat\the\tlacked\tin\tsize\the\tmade\tup\tfor\tin\tsheer\twill,\tspeed,\tand\tdexterity.\tHe sensed\tcurrents\teven\tbefore\tManon\tdid.\t\u201cWhen\twe\tare\tdone,\tif\twe\tsurvive,\twe\u2019ll\tmeet\ton the\tother\tside\tand\tdo\tit\tagain.\tUntil\tit\u2019s\tperfect.\tYour\tbeasts\twill\tlearn\tto\ttrust\teach\tother and\t follow\t orders.\u201d\t The\t wind\t kissed\t her\t cheeks.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t fall\t behind,\u201d\t she\t said,\t and Abraxos\tplunged\tinto\tthe\tcanyon.","Chapter\t33 In\tthe\tweek\tthat\tfollowed,\tthere\twere\tno\tmore\tbodies,\tand\tcertainly\tno\thint\tof\tthe\tcreature that\thad\tdrained\tthose\tpeople,\tthough\tCelaena\toften\tfound\therself\tthinking\tover\tthe\tdetails as\t Rowan\t made\t her\t light\t candle\t after\t candle\t at\t the\t ruins\t of\t the\t Sun\t Goddess\u2019s\t temple. Now\t that\t she\t could\t shift\t on\t command,\t this\t was\t her\t new\t task:\t to\t light\t a\t candle\t without destroying\t everything\t in\t sight.\t She\t failed\t every\t time,\t singeing\t her\t cloak,\t cracking\t the ruins,\tincinerating\ttrees\tas\ther\tmagic\ttore\tout\tof\ther.\tBut\tRowan\thad\ta\tbottomless\tsupply of\t candles,\t so\t she\t spent\t her\t days\t staring\t at\t them\t until\t her\t eyes\t crossed.\t She\t could\t sweat for\t hours\t and\t focus\t on\t honing\t her\t anger\t and\t all\t that\t nonsense\t but\t not\t get\t as\t much\t as\t a tendril\t of\t smoke.\t The\t only\t thing\t that\t came\t of\t it\t was\t an\t unending\t appetite:\t Celaena\t ate whatever\tand\twhenever\tshe\tcould,\tthanks\tto\ther\tmagic\tgobbling\tso\tmuch\tof\ther\tenergy. The\t rain\t returned,\t and\t with\t it,\t the\t crowd\t for\t Emrys\u2019s\t stories.\t Celaena\t always\t listened while\tshe\twashed\tthe\tnight\u2019s\tdishes,\tto\ttales\tof\tshield\tmaidens\tand\tenchanted\tanimals\tand cunning\t sorcerers,\t all\t the\t legends\t of\t Wendlyn.\t Rowan\t still\t appeared\t in\t his\t hawk\t form\u2014 and\tthere\twere\tsome\tnights\twhen\tshe\teven\tsat\tbeside\tthe\tback\tdoor,\tand\tRowan\tsidled\ta bit\tcloser,\ttoo. Celaena\t was\t standing\t at\t the\t sink,\t back\t throbbing\t and\t hunger\t gnawing\t at\t her\t belly\t as she\t scrubbed\t the\t last\t of\t the\t copper\t pots\t while\t Emrys\t finished\t narrating\t the\t story\t of\t a clever\t wolf\t and\t a\t magical\t firebird.\t There\t was\t a\t pause,\t and\t then\t came\t the\t usual\t requests for\tthe\tsame\told\tstories.\tCelaena\tdidn\u2019t\tacknowledge\tthe\theads\tthat\tturned\tin\ther\tdirection as\tshe\tasked\tfrom\tthe\tsink,\t\u201cDo\tyou\tknow\tany\tstories\tabout\tQueen\tMaeve?\u201d Dead.\t Silence.\t Emrys\u2019s\t eyes\t widened\t before\t he\t smiled\t faintly\t and\t said,\t \u201cLots.\t Which one\twould\tyou\tlike\tto\thear?\u201d \u201cThe\tearliest\tones\tthat\tyou\tknow.\tAll\tof\tthem.\u201d\tIf\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tface\ther\taunt\tagain, perhaps\t she\t should\t start\t learning\t as\t much\t as\t she\t could.\t Emrys\t might\t know\t stories\t that hadn\u2019t\treached\tthe\tshores\tof\ther\town\tlands.\tIf\tthe\tstories\tabout\tthe\tskinwalkers\thad\tbeen true,\tif\tthe\timmortal\tstags\twere\treal\t\u2026\tperhaps\tshe\tcould\tglean\tsomething\tvital\there. There\t were\t some\t nervous\t glances,\t but\t at\t last\t Emrys\t said,\t \u201cThen\t I\t shall\t start\t at\t the beginning.\u201d Celaena\tnodded\tand\tmoved\tto\tsit\tin\ther\tusual\tchair,\tpropped\tagainst\tthe\tback\tdoor\tnear the\tsharp-eyed\thawk.\tRowan\tclicked\this\tbeak,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook\tover\ther\tshoulder at\thim.\tInstead,\tshe\tdug\tinto\tan\tentire\tloaf\tof\tbread. \u201cLong\t ago,\t when\t there\t was\t no\t mortal\t king\t on\t Wendlyn\u2019s\t throne,\t the\t faeries\t still walked\tamong\tus.\tSome\twere\tgood\tand\tfair,\tsome\twere\tprone\tto\tlittle\tmischiefs,\tand\tsome were\tfouler\tand\tdarker\tthan\tthe\tblackest\tnight.\tBut\tthey\twere\tall\tof\tthem\truled\tby\tMaeve and\ther\ttwo\tsisters,\twhom\tthey\tcalled\tMora\tand\tMab.\tCunning\tMora,\twho\tbore\tthe\tshape of\ta\tgreat\thawk\u201d\u2014that\twas\tRowan\u2019s\tmighty\tbloodline\u2014\u201cFair\tMab,\twho\tbore\tthe\tshape\tof a\tswan.\tAnd\tthe\tdark\tMaeve,\twhose\twildness\tcould\tnot\tbe\tcontained\tby\tany\tsingle\tform.\u201d","Emrys\t recited\t the\t history,\t much\t of\t which\t Celaena\t knew:\t Mora\t and\t Mab\t had\t fallen\t in love\t with\t human\t men,\t and\t yielded\t their\t immortality.\t Some\t said\t Maeve\t forced\t them\t to give\tup\ttheir\tgift\tof\teternal\tlife\tas\tpunishment.\tSome\tsaid\tthey\twanted\tto,\tif\tonly\tto\tescape their\tsister. And\t when\t Celaena\t asked,\t the\t room\t falling\t deathly\t silent\t again,\t if\t Maeve\t herself\t had ever\t mated,\t Emrys\t told\t her\t no\u2014though\t she\t had\t come\t close,\t at\t the\t dawn\t of\t time.\t A warrior,\t rumor\t claimed,\t had\t stolen\t her\t heart\t with\t his\t clever\t mind\t and\t pure\t soul.\t But\t he had\t died\t in\t some\t long-ago\t war\t and\t lost\t the\t ring\t he\u2019d\t intended\t for\t her,\t and\t since\t then, Maeve\t had\t cherished\t her\t warriors\t above\t all\t others.\t They\t loved\t her\t for\t it\u2014made\t her\t a mighty\tqueen\twhom\tno\tone\tdared\tchallenge.\tCelaena\texpected\tRowan\tto\tpuff\this\tfeathers at\tthat,\tbut\the\tremained\tstill\tand\tquiet\ton\this\tperch. Emrys\t told\t stories\t about\t the\t Fae\t Queen\t well\t into\t the\t night,\t painting\t a\t portrait\t of\t a ruthless,\tcunning\truler\twho\tcould\tconquer\tthe\tworld\tif\tshe\twished,\tbut\tinstead\tkept\tto\ther forest\trealm\tof\tDoranelle,\tplanting\ther\tstone\tcity\tin\tthe\theart\tof\ta\tmassive\triver\tbasin. Celaena\tpicked\tthrough\tthe\tdetails\tand\tcommitted\tthem\tto\tmemory,\ttrying\tnot\tto\tthink about\tthe\tprince\tperched\ta\tfew\tfeet\tabove\ther\twho\thad\twillingly\tsworn\ta\tblood\toath\tto\tthe immortal\t monster\t who\t dwelled\t beyond\t the\t mountains.\t She\t was\t about\t to\t ask\t for\t another story\twhen\tshe\tcaught\tthe\tmotion\tin\tthe\ttrees. She\t choked\t on\t the\t piece\t of\t blackberry\t pie\t she\t was\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t devouring\t as\t the massive\t mountain\t cat\t trotted\t from\t the\t forest\t and\t across\t the\t rain-drenched\t grass,\t heading right\t for\t their\t door.\t The\t rain\t had\t darkened\t its\t golden\t fur,\t and\t its\t eyes\t gleamed\t in\t the torches.\t Did\t the\t guards\t not\t see\t it?\t Malakai\t was\t listening\t to\t his\t mate\t with\t rapt\t attention. She\topened\ther\tmouth\tto\tshout\ta\twarning\twhen\tshe\tpaused. The\t guards\t saw\t everything.\t And\t weren\u2019t\t shooting.\t Because\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t mountain\t cat, but\u2014 In\ta\tflash\tthat\tcould\thave\tbeen\tdistant\tlightning,\tthe\tmountain\tcat\tbecame\ta\ttall,\tbroad- shouldered\t male\t walking\t toward\t the\t open\t door.\t Rowan\t surged\t into\t flight,\t then\t shifted, seamlessly\tlanding\tmidstride\tas\the\twalked\tinto\tthe\train. The\ttwo\tmales\tclasped\tforearms\tand\tclapped\teach\tother\ton\tthe\tback\u2014a\tquick,\tefficient greeting.\t With\t the\t rain\t and\t Emrys\u2019s\t narrating\t it\t was\t hard\t to\t hear,\t and\t she\t silently\t cursed her\tmortal\tears\tas\tshe\tstrained\tto\tlisten. \u201cI\u2019ve\t been\t looking\t for\t you\t for\t six\t weeks,\u201d\t the\t golden-haired\t stranger\t said,\t his\t voice sharp\t but\t hollow.\t Not\t urgent,\t but\t tired\t and\t frustrated.\t \u201cVaughan\t said\t you\t were\t at\t the eastern\tborder,\tbut\tLorcan\tsaid\tyou\twere\ton\tthe\tcoast,\tinspecting\tthe\tfleet.\tThen\tthe\ttwins told\t me\t that\t the\t queen\t had\t been\t all\t the\t way\t out\t here\t with\t you\t and\t returned\t alone,\t so\t I came\ton\ta\thunch\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\twas\tbabbling,\this\tlack\tof\tcontrol\tat\todds\twith\this\thard\tmuscles and\t the\t weapons\t strapped\t to\t him.\t A\t warrior,\t like\t Rowan\u2014though\t his\t surprisingly\t lovely face\thad\tnone\tof\tthe\tprince\u2019s\tseverity. Rowan\tput\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tmale\u2019s\tshoulder.\t\u201cI\theard\twhat\thappened,\tGavriel.\u201d\tWas\tthis one\tof\tRowan\u2019s\tmysterious\tfriends?\tShe\twished\tEmrys\twere\tfree\tto\tidentify\thim.\tRowan had\t told\t her\t so\t little\t about\t his\t five\t companions,\t but\t it\t was\t clear\t that\t Rowan\t and\t Gavriel were\t more\t than\t acquaintances.\t She\t sometimes\t forgot\t that\t Rowan\t had\t a\t life\t beyond\t this","fortress.\t It\t hadn\u2019t\t bothered\t her\t before,\t and\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t why\t remembering\t it\t now suddenly\t settled\t in\t her\t stomach\t like\t a\t dead\t weight,\t or\t why\t it\t suddenly\t mattered\t that Rowan\tat\tleast\tacknowledge\tthat\tshe\twas\tthere.\tThat\tshe\texisted. Gavriel\t scrubbed\t at\t his\t face,\t his\t heavily\t muscled\t back\t expanding\t as\t he\t took\t a\t breath. \u201cI\tknow\tyou\tprobably\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\u2014\u201d \u201cJust\ttell\tme\twhat\tyou\twant\tand\tit\twill\tbe\tdone.\u201d Gavriel\t seemed\t to\t deflate,\t and\t Rowan\t guided\t him\t toward\t another\t door.\t They\t both moved\t with\t unearthly,\t powerful\t grace\u2014as\t if\t the\t rain\t itself\t parted\t to\t let\t them\t through. Rowan\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tlook\tback\tat\ther\tbefore\the\tdisappeared. Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t come\t back\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t night,\t and\t curiosity,\t not\t kindness,\t made\t her realize\this\tfriend\tprobably\thadn\u2019t\thad\tdinner.\tAt\tleast,\tno\tone\thad\tbrought\tanything\tout\tof the\t kitchen,\t and\t Rowan\t hadn\u2019t\t called\t for\t food.\t So\t why\t not\t bring\t up\t a\t tray\t of\t stew\t and bread? Balancing\t the\t heavy\t tray\t on\t her\t hip,\t she\t knocked\t on\t his\t door.\t The\t murmuring\t within went\t silent,\t and\t for\t a\t second,\t she\t had\t the\t mortifying\t thought\t that\t perhaps\t the\t male\t was here\tfor\ta\tfar\tmore\tintimate\treason.\tThen\tsomeone\tsnapped,\t\u201cWhat?\u201d\tand\tshe\teased\topen the\tdoor\twide\tenough\tto\tglance\tin.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\tmight\twant\tsome\tstew\tand\u2014\u201d Well,\tthe\tstranger\twas\thalf-naked.\tAnd\tlying\ton\this\tback\tatop\tRowan\u2019s\tworktable.\tBut Rowan\t was\t fully\t clothed,\t seated\t before\t him,\t and\t looking\t pissed\t as\t hell.\t Yes,\t she\t had certainly\twalked\tin\ton\tsomething\tprivate. It\ttook\ta\theartbeat\tto\tnote\tthe\tflattened\tneedles,\tthe\tsmall\tcauldron-shaped\tvat\tof\tdark pigment,\tthe\trag\tsoaked\twith\tink\tand\tblood,\tand\tthe\ttracings\tof\ta\ttattoo\tsnaking\tfrom\tthe stranger\u2019s\tleft\tpectoral\tdown\this\tribs\tand\tright\tto\this\thip\tbone. \u201cGet\t out,\u201d\t Rowan\t said\t flatly,\t lowering\t the\t needle.\t Gavriel\t lifted\t his\t head,\t the\t bright candles\t showing\t tawny\t eyes\t glazed\t with\t pain\u2014and\t not\t necessarily\t from\t the\t markings being\t etched\t over\t his\t heart\t and\t rib\t cage.\t Words\t in\t the\t Old\t Language,\t just\t like\t Rowan\u2019s. There\twere\talready\tso\tmany\u2014most\tof\tthem\taged\tand\tinterrupted\tby\tvarious\tscars. \u201cDo\tyou\twant\tthe\tstew?\u201d\tshe\tasked,\tstill\tstaring\tat\tthe\ttattoo,\tthe\tblood,\tthe\tlittle\tiron pot\tof\tink,\tand\tthe\tway\tRowan\tseemed\tas\tmuch\tat\tease\twith\tthe\ttools\tin\this\thands\tas\the did\twith\this\tweapons.\tHad\the\tmade\this\town\ttattoo? \u201cLeave\t it,\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t she\t knew\u2014just\t knew\u2014that\t he\t would\t bite\t her\t head\t off\t later. Schooling\t her\t features\t into\t neutrality,\t she\t set\t the\t tray\t on\t the\t bed\t and\t walked\t back\t to\t the door. \u201cSorry\tto\tinterrupt.\u201d\tWhatever\tthe\ttattoos\twere\tfor,\thowever\tthey\tknew\teach\tother,\tshe had\tno\tright\tto\tbe\tin\there.\tThe\tpain\tin\tthe\tstranger\u2019s\teyes\ttold\ther\tenough.\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tit\tin her\t own\t reflection\t plenty.\t Gavriel\u2019s\t attention\t darted\t between\t her\t and\t Rowan,\t his\t nostrils flaring\u2014he\twas\tsmelling\ther. It\t was\t definitely\t time\t to\t get\t the\t hell\t out.\t \u201cSorry,\u201d\t she\t said\t again,\t and\t shut\t the\t door behind\ther.","She\tmade\tit\ttwo\tsteps\tdown\tthe\thall\tbefore\tshe\thad\tto\tstop\tand\tlean\tagainst\tthe\tstone wall,\t rubbing\t at\t her\t face.\t Stupid.\t Stupid\t to\t even\t care\t what\t he\t did\t outside\t of\t training,\t to think\the\tmight\tconsider\tsharing\tpersonal\tinformation\twith\ther,\teven\tif\tit\twas\tonly\tthat\the was\tretiring\tto\this\trooms\tearly.\tIt\thurt,\tthough\u2014more\tthan\tshe\twanted\tto\tadmit. She\twas\tabout\tto\tdrag\therself\tto\ther\troom\twhen\tthe\tdoor\tflung\topen\tdown\tthe\thall\tand Rowan\tstormed\tout,\tpractically\tglowing\twith\tire.\tBut\tjust\tseeing\tthe\tlividness\twritten\tall over\t him\t had\t her\t riding\t that\t reckless,\t stupid\t edge\t again,\t and\t clinging\t to\t the\t anger\t was easier\t than\t embracing\t the\t quiet\t darkness\t that\t wanted\t to\t pull\t her\t down,\t down,\t down. Before\the\tcould\tstart\tshouting,\tshe\tasked,\t\u201cDo\tyou\tdo\tit\tfor\tmoney?\u201d A\t flicker\t of\t teeth.\t \u201cOne,\t it\u2019s\t none\t of\t your\t business.\t And\t two,\t I\t would\t never\t stoop\t so low.\u201d\tThe\tlook\the\tgave\ther\ttold\ther\texactly\twhat\the\tthought\tof\ther\tprofession. \u201cYou\tknow,\tit\tmight\tbe\tbetter\tif\tyou\tjust\tslapped\tme\tinstead.\u201d \u201cInstead\tof\twhat?\u201d \u201cInstead\t of\t reminding\t me\t again\t and\t again\t how\t rutting\t worthless\t and\t awful\t and cowardly\t I\t am.\t Believe\t me,\t I\t can\t do\t the\t job\t well\t enough\t on\t my\t own.\t So\t just\t hit\t me, because\tI\u2019m\tdamned\ttired\tof\ttrading\tinsults.\tAnd\tyou\tknow\twhat?\tYou\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tbother to\t tell\t me\t you\u2019d\t be\t unavailable.\t If\t you\u2019d\t said\t something,\t I\t never\t would\t have\t come.\t I\u2019m sorry\tI\tdid.\tBut\tyou\tjust\tleft\tme\tdownstairs.\u201d Saying\t those\t last\t words\t made\t a\t sharp,\t quick\t panic\t rise\t up\t in\t her,\t an\t aching\t pain\t that had\ther\tthroat\tclosing.\t\u201cYou\tleft\tme,\u201d\tshe\trepeated.\tMaybe\tit\twas\tonly\tout\tof\tblind\tterror at\tthe\tabyss\topening\tup\tagain\taround\ther,\tbut\tshe\twhispered,\t\u201cI\thave\tno\tone\tleft.\tNo\tone.\u201d She\t hadn\u2019t\t realized\t how\t much\t she\t meant\t it,\t how\t much\t she\t needed\t it\t not\t to\t be\t true, until\tnow. His\t features\t remained\t impassive,\t turning\t vicious,\t even,\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cThere\t is\t nothing that\tI\tcan\tgive\tyou.\tNothing\tI\twant\tto\tgive\tyou.\tYou\tare\tnot\towed\tan\texplanation\tfor\twhat I\tdo\toutside\tof\ttraining.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\twhat\tyou\thave\tbeen\tthrough\tor\twhat\tyou\twant\tto\tdo with\tyour\tlife.\tThe\tsooner\tyou\tcan\tsort\tout\tyour\twhining\tand\tself-pity,\tthe\tsooner\tI\tcan\tbe rid\tof\tyou.\tYou\tare\tnothing\tto\tme,\tand\tI\tdo\tnot\tcare.\u201d There\t was\t a\t faint\t ringing\t in\t her\t ears\t that\t turned\t into\t a\t roar.\t And\t beneath\t it,\t a\t sudden wave\tof\tnumbness,\ta\ttoo-familiar\tlack\tof\tsight\tor\tsound\tor\tfeeling.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tit happened,\t because\t she\t had\t been\t so\t dead\t set\t on\t hating\t him,\t but\t \u2026\t it\t would\t have\t been nice,\t she\t supposed.\t It\t would\t have\t been\t nice\t to\t have\t one\t person\t who\t knew\t the\t absolute truth\tabout\ther\u2014and\tdidn\u2019t\thate\ther\tfor\tit. It\twould\thave\tbeen\treally,\treally\tnice. She\twalked\taway\twithout\tanother\tword.\tWith\teach\tstep\tshe\ttook\tback\tto\ther\troom,\tthat flickering\tlight\tinside\tof\ther\tguttered. And\twent\tout.","Chapter\t34 Celaena\tdid\tnot\tremember\tcurling\tup\tin\ther\tbed,\tboots\tstill\ton.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tremember\ther dreams,\t or\t feel\t the\t pangs\t of\t hunger\t or\t thirst\t when\t she\t awoke,\t and\t she\t could\t barely respond\t to\t anyone\t as\t she\t trudged\t down\t to\t the\t kitchen\t and\t set\t about\t helping\t with breakfast.\tEverything\tswirled\tpast\tin\tdull\tcolors\tand\twhispers\tof\tsound.\tBut\tshe\twas\tstill. A\tbit\tof\trock\tin\ta\tstream. Breakfast\t passed,\t and\t when\t it\t was\t done,\t in\t the\t quiet\t of\t the\t kitchen,\t the\t sounds\t sorted out\tinto\tvoices.\tA\tmurmur\u2014Malakai.\tA\tlaugh\u2014Emrys. \u201cLook,\u201d\tEmrys\tsaid,\tcoming\tup\tto\twhere\tCelaena\tstood\tat\tthe\tkitchen\tsink,\tstill\tstaring out\tat\tthe\tfield.\t\u201cLook\twhat\tMalakai\tbought\tme.\u201d She\tcaught\tthe\tflash\tof\tthe\tgolden\thilt\tbefore\tshe\tunderstood\tEmrys\twas\tholding\tout\ta new\tknife.\tIt\twas\ta\tjoke.\tThe\tgods\thad\tto\tbe\tplaying\ta\tjoke.\tOr\tthey\tjust\ttruly,\ttruly\thated her. The\t hilt\t was\t engraved\t with\t lotus\t blossoms,\t a\t ripple\t of\t lapis\t lazuli\t edging\t the\t bottom like\t a\t river\t wave.\t Emrys\t was\t smiling,\t eyes\t bright.\t But\t that\t knife,\t the\t gold\t polished\t and bright\t\u2026 \u201cI\tgot\tit\tfrom\ta\tmerchant\tfrom\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent,\u201d\tMalakai\tsaid\tfrom\tthe\ttable,\this satisfied\ttone\tenough\tto\ttell\ther\tthat\the\twas\tbeaming.\t\u201cIt\tcame\tall\tthe\tway\tfrom\tEyllwe.\u201d The\tnumbness\tsnapped. Snapped\twith\tsuch\ta\tviolent\tcrack\tthat\tshe\twas\tsurprised\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\thear\tit. And\tin\tits\tplace\twas\ta\tscreaming,\thigh-pitched\tand\tkeening,\tloud\tas\ta\tteakettle,\tloud\tas a\t storm\t wind,\t loud\t as\t the\t sound\t the\t maid\t had\t emitted\t the\t morning\t she\u2019d\t walked\t into Celaena\u2019s\tparents\u2019\tbedroom\tand\tseen\tthe\tchild\tlying\tbetween\ttheir\tcorpses. It\t was\t so\t loud\t that\t she\t could\t hardly\t hear\t herself\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\t do\t not\t care.\u201d\t She couldn\u2019t\t hear\t anything\t over\t that\t silent\t screaming,\t so\t she\t raised\t her\t own\t voice,\t breath coming\tfast,\ttoo\tfast,\tas\tshe\trepeated,\t\u201cI.\tDo.\tNot.\tCare.\u201d Silence.\tThen\tLuca\twarily\tsaid\tfrom\tacross\tthe\troom,\t\u201cElentiya,\tdon\u2019t\tbe\trude.\u201d Elentiya.\tElentiya.\tSpirit\tthat\tcannot\tbe\tbroken. Lies,\t lies,\t lies.\t Nehemia\t had\t lied\t about\t everything.\t About\t her\t stupid\t name,\t about\t her plans,\tabout\tevery\tdamn\tthing.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tgone.\tAll\tthat\tCelaena\twould\thave\tleft\tof\ther were\t reminders\t like\t this\u2014weapons\t similar\t to\t the\t ones\t the\t princess\t had\t worn\t with\t such pride.\tNehemia\twas\tgone,\tand\tshe\thad\tnothing\tleft. Trembling\tso\thard\tshe\tthought\ther\tbody\twould\tfall\tapart\tat\tthe\tseams,\tshe\tturned.\t\u201cI\tdo not\tcare\tabout\tyou,\u201d\tshe\thissed\tto\tEmrys\tand\tMalakai\tand\tLuca.\t\u201cI\tdo\tnot\tcare\tabout\tyour knife.\t I\t do\t not\t care\t about\t your\t stories\t or\t your\t little\t kingdom.\u201d\t She\t pinned\t Emrys\t with\t a stare.\t Luca\t and\t Malakai\t were\t across\t the\t room\t in\t an\t instant,\t stepping\t in\t front\t of\t the\t old","man\u2014teeth\t bared.\t Good.\t They\t should\t feel\t threatened.\t \u201cSo\t leave\t me\t alone.\t Keep\t your gods-damned\tlives\tto\tyourselves\tand\tleave\tme\talone.\u201d She\twas\tshouting\tnow,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\thearing\tthe\tscreaming,\tcouldn\u2019t\thone\tthe anger\tinto\tanything,\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\twhich\tway\twas\tup\tor\tdown,\tonly\tthat\tNehemia\thad\tlied about\t everything,\t and\t her\t friend\t once\t had\t sworn\t an\t oath\t not\t to\u2014sworn\t an\t oath\t and broken\tit,\tjust\tas\tshe\u2019d\tbroken\tCelaena\u2019s\town\theart\tthe\tday\tshe\tlet\therself\tdie. She\tsaw\tthe\ttears\tin\tEmrys\u2019s\teyes\tthen.\tSorrow\tor\tpity\tor\tanger,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tLuca and\tMalakai\twere\tstill\tbetween\tthem,\tgrowling\tsoftly.\tA\tfamily\u2014they\twere\ta\tfamily,\tand they\tstuck\ttogether.\tThey\twould\trip\ther\tapart\tif\tshe\thurt\tone\tof\tthem. Celaena\tlet\tout\ta\tlow,\tjoyless\tlaugh\tas\tshe\ttook\tin\tthe\tthree\tof\tthem.\tEmrys\topened\this mouth\tto\tsay\twhatever\tit\twas\the\tthought\twould\thelp. But\tCelaena\tlet\tout\tanother\tdead\tlaugh\tand\twalked\tout\tthe\tdoor. After\tan\tentire\tnight\tof\ttattooing\tthe\tnames\tof\tthe\tfallen\tonto\tGavriel\u2019s\tflesh\tand\tlistening to\tthe\twarrior\ttalk\tabout\tthe\tmen\the\u2019d\tlost,\tRowan\tsent\thim\ton\this\tway\tand\theaded\tfor\tthe kitchen.\t He\t found\t it\t empty\t save\t for\t the\t ancient\t male,\t who\t sat\t at\t the\t empty\t worktable, hands\twrapped\taround\ta\tmug.\tEmrys\tlooked\tup,\this\teyes\tbright\tand\t\u2026\tgrieving. The\tgirl\twas\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen,\tand\tfor\ta\theartbeat,\the\thoped\tshe\u2019d\tleft\tagain,\tif\tonly so\the\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tface\twhat\the\u2019d\tsaid\tyesterday.\tThe\tdoor\tto\tthe\toutside\twas\topen\u2014as\tif someone\thad\tthrown\tit\twide.\tShe\u2019d\tprobably\tgone\tthat\tway. Rowan\ttook\ta\tstep\ttoward\tit,\tnodding\this\tgreeting,\tbut\tthe\told\tmale\tlooked\thim\tup\tand down\tand\tquietly\tsaid,\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d Emrys\t didn\u2019t\t raise\t his\t voice\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cTo\t that\t girl.\t What\t are\t you\t doing\t that\t makes her\tcome\tin\there\twith\tsuch\temptiness\tin\ther\teyes?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnone\tof\tyour\tconcern.\u201d Emrys\t pressed\t his\t lips\t into\t a\t tight\t line.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t see\t when\t you\t look\t at\t her, Prince?\u201d He\t didn\u2019t\t know.\t These\t days,\t he\t didn\u2019t\t know\t a\t damn\t thing.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t none\t of\t your concern,\teither.\u201d Emrys\tran\ta\thand\tover\this\tweathered\tface.\t\u201cI\tsee\ther\tslipping\taway,\tbit\tby\tbit,\tbecause you\tshove\ther\tdown\twhen\tshe\tso\tdesperately\tneeds\tsomeone\tto\thelp\ther\tback\tup.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twhy\tI\twould\tbe\tof\tany\tuse\tto\u2014\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tknow\tthat\tEvalin\tAshryver\twas\tmy\tfriend?\tShe\tspent\talmost\ta\tyear\tworking in\tthis\tkitchen\u2014living\there\twith\tus,\tfighting\tto\tconvince\tyour\tqueen\tthat\tdemi-Fae\thave\ta place\tin\tyour\trealm.\tShe\tfought\tfor\tour\trights\tuntil\tthe\tvery\tday\tshe\tdeparted\tthis\tkingdom \u2014and\tthe\tmany\tyears\tafter,\tuntil\tshe\twas\tmurdered\tby\tthose\tmonsters\tacross\tthe\tsea.\tSo\tI knew.\tI\tknew\twho\ther\tdaughter\twas\tthe\tmoment\tyou\tbrought\ther\tinto\tthis\tkitchen.\tAll\tof us\twho\twere\there\ttwenty-five\tyears\tago\trecognized\ther\tfor\twhat\tshe\tis.\u201d","It\twasn\u2019t\toften\tthat\the\twas\tsurprised,\tbut\t\u2026\tRowan\tjust\tstared. \u201cShe\t has\t no\t hope,\t Prince.\t She\t has\t no\t hope\t left\t in\t her\t heart.\t Help\t her.\t If\t not\t for\t her sake,\tthen\tat\tleast\tfor\twhat\tshe\trepresents\u2014what\tshe\tcould\toffer\tall\tof\tus,\tyou\tincluded.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tis\tthat?\u201d\the\tdared\task. Emrys\tmet\this\tgaze\tunflinchingly\tas\the\twhispered,\t\u201cA\tbetter\tworld.\u201d Celaena\t walked\t and\t walked,\t until\t she\t found\t herself\t by\t the\t tree-lined\t shore\t of\t a\t lake, glaringly\t bright\t in\t the\t midday\t sun.\t She\t figured\t it\t was\t as\t good\t a\t spot\t as\t any\t as\t she crumpled\tto\tthe\tmossy\tbank,\tas\ther\tarms\twrapped\ttight\taround\therself\tand\tshe\tbowed\tover her\tknees. There\twas\tnothing\tthat\tcould\tbe\tdone\tto\tfix\ther.\tAnd\tshe\twas\t\u2026\tshe\twas\t\u2026 A\twhimpering\tnoise\tcame\tout\tof\ther,\tlips\ttrembling\tso\thard\tshe\thad\tto\tclamp\tdown\tto keep\tthe\tsound\tinside. But\t the\t sound\t was\t in\t her\t throat\t and\t her\t lungs\t and\t her\t mouth,\t and\t when\t she\t took\t a breath,\tit\tcracked\tout.\tOnce\tshe\theard\tit,\teverything\tcame\tspilling\tinto\tthe\tworld,\tuntil\ther body\tached\twith\tthe\tforce\tof\tit. She\tvaguely\tfelt\tthe\tlight\tshifting\ton\tthe\tlake.\tVaguely\tfelt\tthe\tsighing\twind,\twarm\tas\tit brushed\t against\t her\t damp\t cheeks.\t And\t heard,\t so\t soft\t it\t was\t as\t if\t she\t dreamed\t it,\t a woman\u2019s\tvoice\twhispering,\tWhy\tare\tyou\tcrying,\tFireheart? It\thad\tbeen\tten\tyears\u2014ten\tlong\tyears\tsince\tshe\thad\theard\ther\tmother\u2019s\tvoice.\tBut\tshe heard\tit\tthen\tover\tthe\tforce\tof\ther\tweeping,\tas\tclear\tas\tif\tshe\tknelt\tbeside\ther.\tFireheart\u2014 why\tdo\tyou\tcry? \u201cBecause\tI\tam\tlost,\u201d\tshe\twhispered\tonto\tthe\tearth.\t\u201cAnd\tI\tdo\tnot\tknow\tthe\tway.\u201d It\twas\twhat\tshe\thad\tnever\tbeen\table\tto\ttell\tNehemia\u2014that\tfor\tten\tyears,\tshe\thad\tbeen unsure\thow\tto\tfind\tthe\tway\thome,\tbecause\tthere\twas\tno\thome\tleft. Storm\t winds\t and\t ice\t crackled\t against\t her\t skin\t before\t she\t registered\t Rowan\t sitting down\tbeside\ther,\tlegs\tout,\tpalms\tbraced\tbehind\thim\tin\tthe\tmoss.\tShe\traised\ther\thead,\tbut didn\u2019t\tbother\tto\twipe\ther\tface\tas\tshe\tstared\tacross\tthe\tglittering\tlake. \u201cYou\twant\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit?\u201d\the\tasked. \u201cNo.\u201d\t Swallowing\t a\t few\t times,\t she\t yanked\t a\t handkerchief\t from\t her\t pocket\t and\t blew her\tnose,\ther\thead\tclearing\twith\teach\tbreath. They\tsat\tin\tsilence,\tno\tsound\tbut\tthe\tquiet\tlapping\tof\tthe\tlake\ton\tthe\tmossy\tbank\tand the\twind\tin\tthe\tleaves.\tThen\u2014\u201cGood.\tBecause\twe\u2019re\tgoing.\u201d Bastard.\tShe\tcalled\thim\tas\tmuch,\tand\tthen\tasked,\t\u201cGoing\twhere?\u201d He\tsmiled\tgrimly.\t\u201cI\tthink\tI\u2019ve\tstarted\tto\tfigure\tyou\tout,\tAelin\tGalathynius.\u201d \u201cWhat\t in\t every\t burning\t ring\t of\t hell,\u201d\t Celaena\t panted,\t gazing\t at\t the\t cave\t mouth\t nestled into\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tcraggy\tmountain,\t\u201care\twe\tdoing\there?\u201d","It\thad\tbeen\ta\tfive-mile\thike.\tUphill.\tWith\thardly\tanything\tin\ther\tstomach. The\t trees\t butted\t against\t the\t gray\t stones,\t flowing\t up\t the\t slope\t for\t a\t ways\t and\t then fading\t into\t lichen-covered\t rock\t that\t eventually\t turned\t into\t the\t snow-capped\t peak\t that marked\tthe\tbarrier\tbetween\tWendlyn\tand\tDoranelle\tbeyond.\tFor\tsome\treason,\tthis\thulking giant\tmade\tthe\thair\ton\ther\tneck\tstand\tup.\tAnd\tit\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tfrozen\twind. Rowan\t strode\t into\t the\t gaping\t maw\t of\t the\t cave\t mouth,\t his\t pale-gray\t cloak\t flapping behind\thim.\t\u201cHurry\tup.\u201d Pulling\ther\town\tcloak\ttighter\taround\ther,\tshe\tstaggered\tafter\thim.\tThis\twas\ta\tbad\tsign. A\thorrible\tsign,\tactually,\tbecause\twhatever\twas\tin\tthat\tcave\t\u2026 She\t walked\t into\t the\t dark,\t following\t Rowan\t by\t the\t light\t on\t his\t hair,\t letting\t her\t eyes adjust.\tThe\tground\twas\trocky,\tthe\tstones\tsmall\tand\tworn\tsmooth.\tAnd\tlittered\twith\trusted weapons,\t armor,\t and\u2014clothes.\t No\t skeletons.\t Gods,\t it\t was\t so\t cold\t that\t she\t could\t see\t her breath,\tsee\u2014 \u201cTell\tme\tI\u2019m\thallucinating.\u201d Rowan\thad\tstopped\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tan\tenormous\tfrozen\tlake,\tstretching\tinto\tthe\tgloom. Sitting\ton\ta\tblanket\tin\tits\tcenter,\tthe\tchains\taround\this\twrists\tanchored\tunder\tthe\tice,\twas Luca. Luca\u2019s\tchains\tclanked\tas\the\traised\ta\thand\tin\tgreeting.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\u2019d\tnever\tshow.\tI\u2019m freezing,\u201d\t he\t called,\t and\t tucked\t his\t hands\t back\t under\t his\t arms.\t The\t sound\t echoed throughout\tthe\tchamber. The\t thick\t sheet\t of\t ice\t covering\t the\t lake\t was\t so\t clear\t that\t she\t could\t see\t the\t water beneath\u2014pale\tstones\ton\tthe\tbottom,\twhat\tlooked\tto\tbe\told\troots\tfrom\ttrees\tlong\tdead,\tand no\t sign\t of\t life\t whatsoever.\t An\t occasional\t sword\t or\t dagger\t or\t lance\t poked\t up\t from\t the stones.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthis\tplace?\u201d \u201cGo\tget\thim,\u201d\twas\tRowan\u2019s\tanswer. \u201cAre\tyou\tout\tof\tyour\tmind?\u201d Rowan\tgave\ther\ta\tsmile\tthat\tsuggested\the\twas,\tin\tfact,\tinsane.\tShe\tstepped\ttoward\tthe ice,\tbut\the\tblocked\ther\tpath\twith\ta\tmuscled\tarm.\t\u201cIn\tyour\tother\tform.\u201d Luca\u2019s\t head\t was\t angled,\t as\t if\t trying\t to\t hear.\t \u201cHe\t doesn\u2019t\t know\t what\t I\t am,\u201d\t she murmured. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tliving\tin\ta\tfortress\tof\tdemi-Fae,\tyou\tknow.\tHe\twon\u2019t\tcare.\u201d That\twas\tthe\tleast\tof\ther\tconcerns,\tanyway.\t\u201cHow\tdare\tyou\tdrag\thim\tinto\tthis?\u201d \u201cYou\t dragged\t him\t in\t yourself\t when\t you\t insulted\t him\u2014and\t Emrys.\t The\t least\t you\t can do\tis\tretrieve\thim.\u201d\tHe\tblew\tout\ta\tbreath\ttoward\tthe\tlake,\tand\tthe\tice\tthawed\tby\tthe\tshore, then\thardened.\tHoly\tgods.\tHe\u2019d\tfrozen\tthe\twhole\tdamn\tlake.\tHe\twas\tthat\tpowerful? \u201cI\thope\tyou\tbrought\tsnacks!\u201d\tLuca\tsaid.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tstarving.\tHurry\tup,\tElentiya.\tRowan\tsaid you\thad\tto\tdo\tthis\tas\tpart\tof\tyour\ttraining,\tand\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\tprattled\ton\tand\ton. \u201cWhat\tis\tthe\tgods-damned\tpoint\tof\tthis?\tJust\tpunishment\tfor\tacting\tlike\tan\tass?\u201d","\u201cYou\t can\t control\t your\t power\t in\t human\t form\u2014keep\t it\t dormant.\t But\t the\t moment\t you switch,\t the\t moment\t you\t get\t agitated\t or\t angry\t or\t afraid,\t the\t moment\t you\t remember\t how much\tyour\tpower\tscares\tyou,\tyour\tmagic\trises\tup\tto\tprotect\tyou.\tIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tunderstand\tthat you\t are\t the\t source\t of\t those\t feelings,\t not\t some\t external\t threat.\t When\t there\t is\tan\toutside threat,\t when\t you\t forget\t to\t fear\t your\t power\t long\t enough,\t you\t have\t control.\t Or\t some control.\u201d\tHe\tpointed\tagain\tto\tthe\tsheet\tof\tice\tbetween\ther\tand\tLuca.\t\u201cSo\tfree\thim.\u201d If\t she\t lost\t control,\t if\t her\t fire\t got\t out\t of\t her\t \u2026\t well,\t fire\t and\t ice\t certainly\t went\t well together,\tdidn\u2019t\tthey?\t\u201cWhat\thappens\tto\tLuca\tif\tI\tfail?\u201d \u201cHe\u2019ll\t be\t very\t cold\t and\t very\t wet.\t And\t possibly\t die.\u201d\t From\t the\t smile\t on\t his\t face,\t she knew\the\twas\tenough\tof\ta\tsadist\tto\tlet\tthe\tboy\tgo\tunder\twith\ther. \u201cWere\t the\t chains\t really\t necessary?\t He\u2019ll\t go\t right\t to\t the\t bottom.\u201d\t A\t stupid,\t bleating kind\tof\tpanic\twas\tstarting\tto\tfill\ther\tveins. When\t she\t held\t out\t her\t hand\t for\t the\t key\t to\t Luca\u2019s\t chains,\t Rowan\t shook\t his\t head. \u201cControl\tis\tyour\tkey.\tAnd\tfocus.\tCross\tthe\tlake,\tthen\tfigure\tout\thow\tto\tfree\thim\twithout drowning\tthe\tboth\tof\tyou.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t give\t me\t a\t lesson\t like\t you\u2019re\t some\t mystical-nonsense\t master!\t This\t is\t the stupidest\tthing\tI\thave\tever\thad\tto\u2014\u201d \u201cHurry,\u201d\t Rowan\t said\t with\t a\t wolfish\t grin,\t and\t the\t ice\t gave\t a\t collective\t groan.\t As\t if\t it was\tmelting.\tThough\tsome\tsmall\tvoice\tin\ther\thead\ttold\ther\the\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tthe\tboy\tdrown, she\tcouldn\u2019t\ttrust\thim,\tnot\tafter\tlast\tnight. She\ttook\tone\tstep\tcloser\tto\tthe\tice.\t\u201cYou\tare\ta\tbastard.\u201d\tWhen\tLuca\twas\tsafely\thome, she\twould\tstart\tfinding\tways\tto\tmake\tRowan\u2019s\tlife\ta\tliving\thell.\tShe\tpunched\tthrough\ther inner\tveil,\tthe\tpain\tbarely\tregistering\tas\ther\tfeatures\tshifted. \u201cI\twas\twaiting\tto\tsee\tyour\tFae\tform!\u201d\tLuca\tsaid.\t\u201cWe\twere\tall\ttaking\tbets\ton\twhen\u2014\u201d And\ton\tand\ton. She\t scowled\t at\t Rowan,\t his\t tattoo\t even\t more\t detailed\t now\t that\t she\t was\t seeing\t it\t with Fae\t eyes.\t \u201cIt\t gives\t me\t comfort\t to\t know\t that\t people\t like\t you\t have\t a\t special\t place\t in\t hell waiting\tfor\tthem.\u201d \u201cTell\tme\tsomething\tI\tdon\u2019t\talready\tknow.\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tparticularly\tvulgar\tgesture\tas\tshe\tstepped\tonto\tthe\tice. As\t she\t took\t each\t tentative\t step\u2014small\t ones\t at\t first\u2014she\t could\t see\t the\t lake\t bottom sloping\taway\tinto\tdarkness,\tswallowing\tthe\tspread\tof\tlost\tweapons.\tLuca\thad\tfinally\tshut up. It\twas\tonly\twhen\tshe\tstepped\tpast\tthe\tvisible\tedge\tof\tthe\trocky\tshelf\tand\thovered\tover the\tdark\tdepths\tthat\ther\tbreath\thitched.\tShe\tslid\ther\tfoot,\tand\tthe\tice\tgroaned. Groaned,\t and\t cracked,\t spiderwebbing\t under\t her\t foot.\t She\t froze,\t gaping\t like\t a\t fool\t as the\t cracks\t spread\t wider\t and\t wider,\t and\t then\u2014she\t kept\t moving.\t There\t was\t another\t crack beneath\ther\tboots.\tDid\tthe\tice\tmove?\t\u201cStop\tit,\u201d\tshe\thissed\tat\tRowan,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tlook behind\ther. Her\tmagic\tshuddered\tawake,\tand\tshe\twent\tstill\tas\tdeath.\tNo.","But\tthere\tit\twas,\tfilling\tup\tthe\tspaces\tin\ther. The\tice\temitted\ta\tdeep\tgroan\tthat\tcould\tonly\tmean\tsomething\tcold\tand\twet\twas\tcoming her\tway\treally\tdamn\tsoon,\tand\tshe\ttook\tanother\tstep,\tif\tonly\tbecause\tthe\tway\tback\tseemed like\t it\t would\t shatter.\t She\t was\t sweating\t now\u2014the\t magic,\t the\t fire\t was\t warming\t her\t from the\tinside\tout. \u201cElentiya?\u201d\t Luca\t asked,\t and\t she\t held\t out\t a\t hand\t toward\t him\u2014a\t silent\t gesture\t to\t shut his\tstupid\tmouth\tas\tshe\tclosed\ther\teyes\tand\tbreathed,\timagining\tthe\tcold\tair\taround\tthem filling\ther\tlungs,\tfreezing\tover\tthe\twell\tof\tpower.\tMagic\u2014it\twas\tmagic.\tIn\tAdarlan\tit\twas a\tdeath\ttrap. She\t clenched\t her\t hands\t into\t fists.\t Here\t it\t was\t not\t a\t death\t trap.\t In\t this\t land,\t she\t could have\tit,\tcould\twear\twhatever\tform\tshe\twished. The\tice\tstopped\tgroaning,\tbut\tit\thad\tclouded\tand\tthinned\taround\ther.\tShe\tstarted\tsliding her\t feet,\t keeping\t as\t balanced\t and\t fluid\t as\t she\t could,\t humming\t a\t melody\u2014a\t bit\t of\t a symphony\tthat\tused\tto\tcalm\ther.\tShe\tlet\tthe\tbeat\tanchor\ther,\tdull\tthe\tedge\tof\ther\tpanic. The\t magic\t simmered\t to\t embers,\t pulsing\t with\t each\t breath.\t I\t am\t safe,\t she\t told\t it. Relatively\tsafe.\t If\t Rowan\t was\t right,\t and\t it\t was\t just\t a\t reaction\t to\t protect\t her\t from\t some enemy\t\u2026 Fire\twas\tthe\treason\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tbanned\tfrom\tthe\tLibrary\tof\tOrynth\twhen\tshe\twas\teight, after\t accidentally\t incinerating\t an\t entire\t bookcase\t of\t ancient\t manuscripts\t when\t she\t grew irritated\t with\t the\t Master\t Scholar\t lecturing\t her\t about\t decorum.\t It\t had\t been\t a\t beautiful, horrible\t relief\t to\t wake\t up\t one\t day\t not\t too\t many\t months\t after\t that\t and\t know\t magic\t was gone.\t That\t she\t could\t hold\t a\t book\u2014hold\t what\t she\t adored\t most\u2014and\t not\t worry\t about turning\tit\tto\tash\tif\tshe\tbecame\tupset\tor\ttired\tor\texcited. Celaena\t Sardothien,\t gloriously\t mortal\t Celaena,\t never\t had\t to\t worry\t about\t accidentally scorching\t a\t playmate,\t or\t having\t a\t nightmare\t that\t might\t incinerate\t her\t bedroom.\t Or burning\t all\t of\t Orynth\t to\t the\t ground.\t Celaena\t had\t been\t everything\t Aelin\t wasn\u2019t.\t She\t had embraced\tthat\tlife,\teven\tif\tCelaena\u2019s\taccomplishments\twere\tdeath\tand\ttorture\tand\tpain. \u201cElentiya?\u201d\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tstaring\tat\tthe\tice.\tHer\tmagic\tflickered\tagain. Burning\t a\t city\t to\t the\t ground.\t That\t was\t the\t fear\t she\t overheard\t Melisande\u2019s\t emissary hiss\tat\ther\tparents\tand\tuncle.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\ttold\the\thad\tcome\tto\tsee\tabout\tan\talliance,\tbut\tshe later\t understood\t he\u2019d\t really\t come\t to\t gather\t information\t on\t her.\t Melisande\t had\t a\t young queen\t on\t its\t throne,\t and\t she\t wanted\t to\t assess\t the\t threat\t she\t might\t face\t from\t the\t heir\t of Terrasen\tone\tday.\tWanted\tto\tknow\tif\tAelin\tGalathynius\twould\tbecome\ta\tweapon\tof\twar. The\tice\tfogged\tover,\tand\ta\tcrack\tsplintered\tthrough\tthe\tair.\tThe\tmagic\twas\tpulsing\tits way\tout\tof\ther,\tsnapping\tits\tjaws\tat\tevery\tbreath\tshe\ttook. \u201cYou\tare\tin\tcontrol\tnow,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tfrom\tthe\tshore.\t\u201cYou\tare\tits\tmaster.\u201d She\t was\t halfway\t there.\t She\t took\t one\t more\t step\t toward\t Luca,\t and\t the\t ice\t cracked further.\tHis\tchains\trustled\u2014impatience,\tor\tfear? She\t had\t never\t been\t in\t control.\t Even\t as\t Celaena,\t control\t had\t been\t an\t illusion.\t Other masters\thad\theld\ther\treins.","\u201cYou\tare\tthe\tkeeper\tof\tyour\town\tfate,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid\tsoftly\tfrom\tthe\tshore,\tas\tif\the\tknew exactly\twhat\twas\tflowing\tthrough\ther\thead. She\thummed\tsome\tmore,\tthe\tmusic\twending\tits\tway\tfrom\ther\tmemory.\tAnd\tsomehow \u2026\tsomehow\tthe\tflame\tgrew\tquiet.\tCelaena\ttook\ta\tstep\tforward,\tthen\tanother.\tThe\tpower smoldering\tin\ther\tveins\twould\tnever\tgo\taway;\tshe\twas\tfar\tmore\tlikely\tto\thurt\tsomeone\tif she\tdidn\u2019t\tmaster\tit. She\t scowled\t over\t her\t shoulder\t at\t Rowan,\t who\t was\t now\t striding\t along\t the\t shore, examining\t some\t of\t the\t fallen\t blades.\t There\t was\t a\t hint\t of\t triumph\t in\t his\t usually\t hollow eyes,\t but\t he\t turned\t away\t and\t approached\t a\t small\t crevice\t in\t the\t cave\t wall,\t feeling\t for something\t inside.\t She\t kept\t walking,\t the\t watery\t abyss\t deepening.\t She\t had\t mastered\t her mortal\tbody\tas\tan\tassassin.\tMastering\ther\timmortal\tpower\twas\tjust\tanother\ttask. Luca\u2019s\teyes\twere\twide\tas\tshe\tcame\tat\tlast\twithin\ttouching\tdistance.\t\u201cYou\thave\tnothing to\t hide,\t you\t know.\t We\t all\t knew\t you\t could\t shift,\t anyway,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t if\t it\t makes\t you feel\tany\tbetter,\tSten\u2019s\tanimal\tform\tis\ta\tpig.\tHe\twon\u2019t\teven\tshift\tfor\tshame.\u201d She\t would\t have\t laughed\u2014actually\t felt\t her\t insides\t tighten\t to\t bark\t out\t the\t sound\t that had\t been\t buried\t for\t months,\t but\t then\t she\t remembered\t the\t chains\t around\t his\t wrists.\t The magic\thad\tquieted\tdown,\tbut\tnow\t\u2026\tmelt\tthrough\tthem,\tor\tmelt\tthe\tice\twhere\tthey\twere anchored\tand\tlet\thim\tdrag\tthe\tchains\tback?\tIf\tshe\twent\tfor\tthe\tice,\tshe\tcould\teasily\tsend them\tright\tto\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthis\tancient\tlake.\tAnd\tif\tshe\twent\tfor\tthe\tchains\t\u2026\tWell,\tshe could\tlose\tcontrol\tand\tsend\tthem\tto\tthe\tbottom,\tbut\tshe\tcould\talso\twind\tup\tburning\thim. At\tbest,\tbranding\thim\twhere\tthe\tmanacles\twere.\tAt\tworst,\tmelting\this\tbones.\tBetter\tto\trisk the\tice. \u201cErm,\u201d\t Luca\t said.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t forgive\t every\t awful\t thing\t you\t said\t earlier\t if\t we\t can\t go\t eat something\tright\tnow.\tIt\tsmells\tawful\tin\there.\u201d\tHis\tsenses\thad\tto\tbe\tsharper\tthan\thers\u2014the cave\thad\tonly\ta\tfaint\thint\tof\trust,\tmold,\tand\trotting\tthings. \u201cJust\t hold\t still\t and\t stop\t talking,\u201d\t she\t said,\t more\t sharply\t than\t she\u2019d\t intended.\t But\t he shut\t up\t as\t she\t eased\t to\t the\t spot\t where\t Rowan\t had\t frozen\t the\t chains.\t As\t carefully\t as\t she could,\tshe\tknelt,\tspreading\ther\tweight\tout\tevenly. She\tslid\tone\tpalm\tagainst\tthe\tice,\teyeing\tthe\tchain\u2019s\tpath\tto\tthe\thanging\tlength\tswaying in\tthe\twater\tbeneath. Swaying\u2014there\t must\t be\t a\t current.\t Which\t meant\t Rowan\t had\t to\t be\t constantly\t sealing the\t ice\t \u2026\t The\t cold\t bit\t into\t her\t palm,\t and\t she\t eyed\t Luca\t on\t the\t fur\t blanket\t before\t she turned\tback\tto\tthe\tanchor.\tIf\tthe\tice\tbroke,\tshe\u2019d\thave\tto\tgrab\thim.\tRowan\twas\tout\tof\this damned\tmind. She\t took\t several\t long\t breaths,\t letting\t the\t magic\t calm\t and\t cool\t and\t gutter.\t Then,\t hand pressed\tflat\tagainst\tthe\tice,\tshe\tcrooked\tan\tinner\tfinger\tat\ther\tpower\tand\tpulled\tout\ta\ttiny, burning\t thread.\t It\t flowed\t down\t her\t arm,\t snaked\t around\t her\t wrist,\t and\t then\t settled\t in\t her palm,\ther\tskin\twarming,\tthe\tice\t\u2026\tglowing\ta\tbright\tred.\tLuca\tyelped\tas\tthe\tice\tsplintered around\tthem. \u201cControl,\u201d\tRowan\tbarked\tfrom\tthe\tshore,\tpulling\tfree\ta\tdiscarded\tsword\tfrom\twhere\tit had\t been\t knocked\t into\t the\t little\t crevice\t in\t the\t wall,\t its\t golden\t hilt\t glinting.\t Celaena clamped\ton\tthe\tmagic\tso\thard\tit\tsuffocated.\tA\tsmall\thole\thad\tmelted\twhere\ther\tpalm\thad","been\u2014but\tnot\tall\tthe\tway\tthrough.\tNot\tbig\tenough\tto\tfree\tthe\tchain. She\tcould\tmaster\tthis.\tShe\tcould\tmaster\therself\tagain.\tThe\twell\tinside\tof\ther\tfilled\tup and\tshe\tpushed\tback,\twilling\tonly\tthat\tthread\tto\tsqueeze\tfree\tand\tinto\tthe\tice,\tburrowing like\ta\tworm,\tgnawing\taway\tat\tthe\tcold\t\u2026\tThere\twas\ta\tclank\tof\tmetal,\tand\ta\thiss,\tand\tthen \u2014\u201cOh,\tthank\tthe\tgods,\u201d\tLuca\tmoaned,\thauling\tthe\tlength\tof\tchain\tout\tof\tthe\thole. She\t spooled\t the\t thread\t of\t power\t back\t into\t herself,\t into\t that\t well,\t and\t was\t suddenly cold. \u201cPlease\ttell\tme\tyou\tbrought\tfood,\u201d\tLuca\tsaid\tagain. \u201cIs\tthat\twhy\tyou\tcame?\tRowan\tpromised\tyou\tsnacks?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\ta\tgrowing\tboy.\u201d\tHe\twinced\twhen\the\tlooked\tat\tRowan.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tsay\tno\tto him.\u201d No,\t indeed,\t no\t one\t ever\t said\t no\t to\t him,\t and\t that\t was\t probably\t why\t Rowan\t thought\t a scheme\tlike\tthis\twas\tacceptable.\tCelaena\tsighed\tthrough\ther\tnose\tand\tlooked\tat\tthe\tsmall hole\tshe\u2019d\tmade.\tA\tfeat\u2014a\tmiracle.\tAs\tshe\twas\tabout\tto\tstand\tand\thelp\tLuca\tnavigate\tthe way\tback\tto\tshore,\tshe\tglanced\tat\tthe\tice\tonce\tmore.\tNo,\tnot\tthe\tice\u2014the\twater\tbeneath. Where\ta\tgiant\tred\teye\twas\tstaring\tright\tat\ther.","Chapter\t35 The\tnext\tfour\twords\tthat\tcame\tout\tof\tCelaena\u2019s\tmouth\twere\tso\tvulgar\tthat\tLuca\tchoked. But\t Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t move\t as\t a\t massive,\t jagged,\t white\t line\t gleamed\t unnervingly\t far\t from that\tred\teye. \u201cGet\toff\tthe\tice\tnow,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed\tto\tLuca. Because\t that\t jagged\t white\t line\u2014those\t were\t teeth.\t Big,\t rip-your-arm-off-in-one-bite teeth.\t And\t they\t were\t floating\t up\t from\t the\t depths,\t toward\t the\t hole\t she\u2019d\t made.\t That\t was why\tthere\twere\tno\tskeletons\u2014only\tthe\tweapons\tthat\thad\tfailed\tthe\tfools\twho\u2019d\twandered into\tthis\tcave. \u201cHoly\tgods,\u201d\tLuca\tsaid,\tpeering\tfrom\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthat?\u201d \u201cShut\tup\tand\tgo,\u201d\tshe\thissed.\tOn\tthe\tshore,\tRowan\u2019s\teyes\twere\twide,\this\tface\tstrained beneath\this\ttattoo.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\trealized\tthis\tlake\twasn\u2019t\tempty. \u201cNow,\t Luca,\u201d\t Rowan\t growled,\t his\t sword\t out,\t the\t blade\t he\u2019d\t swiped\t from\t the\t ground still\tsheathed\tin\this\tother\thand. It\t was\t swimming\t toward\t them,\t lazily.\t Curious.\t As\t it\t neared,\t she\t could\t make\t out\t a snaking\tbody\tas\tpale\tas\tthe\tstones\ton\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tlake.\tShe\u2019d\tnever\tseen\tanything\tso huge,\tso\tancient,\tand\u2014and\tthere\twas\tonly\ta\tthin\tlayer\tof\tice\tkeeping\ther\tseparated\tfrom it. When\t Luca\t started\t trembling,\t his\t tan\t skin\t going\t pale,\t Celaena\t surged\t to\t her\t feet,\t the ice\t groaning.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t look\t down,\u201d\t she\t said,\t gripping\t his\t elbow.\t A\t patch\t of\t thicker\t ice hardened\tunder\ttheir\tfeet\tand\tspread\u2014a\tpath\tfor\tthe\tshore.\t\u201cGo,\u201d\tshe\ttold\tthe\tboy,\tgiving him\ta\tlight\tshove.\tHe\tstarted\tinto\ta\tswift\tshuffle-slide.\tShe\tlet\thim\tget\tahead,\tgiving\thim time\tso\tshe\tcould\tguard\this\tback,\tand\tglanced\tdown\tagain. She\tswallowed\ther\tshout\tas\ta\tscaled,\tmassive\thead\tstared\tup\tat\ther.\tNot\ta\tdragon\tor\ta wyvern,\tnot\ta\tserpent\tor\ta\tfish,\tbut\tsomething\tin\tbetween.\tIt\twas\tmissing\tan\teye,\tthe\tflesh scarred\taround\tthe\tempty\tsocket.\tWhat\tin\thell\thad\tdone\tthat?\tWas\tthere\tsomething\tworse down\t there,\t swimming\t at\t the\t belly\t of\t the\t mountain?\t Of\t course\u2014of\t course\t she\u2019d\t be\t left unarmed\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\ta\tlake\tlined\twith\tweapons. \u201cFaster,\u201d\tRowan\tbarked.\tLuca\twas\talready\thalfway\tto\tthe\tshore. Celaena\tbroke\tinto\tLuca\u2019s\tsame\tshuffle-slide,\tnot\ttrusting\therself\tto\tstay\tupright\tif\tshe ran.\tJust\tas\tshe\ttook\ther\tthird\tstep,\ta\tflash\tof\tbone-white\tsnapped\tup\tthrough\tthe\tdepths, twisting\tlike\ta\tstriking\tasp. The\tlong\ttail\twhipped\tagainst\tthe\tice\tand\tthe\tworld\tbounced. She\twent\tup,\tlegs\tbuckling\tas\tthe\tice\tlifted\tfrom\tthe\tblow,\tand\tthen\tslammed\tonto\ther hands\t and\t knees.\t Celaena\t shoved\t down\t the\t magic\t that\t arose\t to\t protect\t and\t burn\t and maim.\t She\t scrambled\t and\t veered\t aside\t as\t the\t scaly,\t horned\t head\t hurtled\t toward\t the\t ice near\ther\tfeet.","The\t surface\t jolted.\t Farther\t out,\t but\t getting\t closer,\t the\t ice\t was\t breaking.\t As\t if\t all\t of Rowan\u2019s\tconcentration\twas\tnow\tspent\ton\tkeeping\ta\tthin\tbridge\tof\tice\tfrozen\tbetween\ther and\tthe\tshore.\t\u201cWeapon,\u201d\tshe\tgasped\tout,\tnot\tdaring\tto\ttake\ther\tattention\toff\tthe\tcreature. \u201cHurry,\u201d\tRowan\tbarked,\tand\tCelaena\tlifted\ther\thead\tlong\tenough\tto\tsee\thim\tslide\tthe blade\the\u2019d\tfound\tacross\tthe\tice,\ta\tbrisk\twind\tspinning\tit\ttoward\ther.\tLuca\tabandoned\tthe blanket,\tshuffle-running,\tand\tCelaena\tscooped\tup\tthe\tgolden-hilted\tsword\tas\tshe\tfollowed him.\tA\truby\tthe\tsize\tof\ta\tchicken\tegg\twas\tembedded\tin\tthe\thilt,\tand\tdespite\tthe\tage\tof\tthe scabbard,\t the\t blade\t shone\t when\t she\t whipped\t it\t free,\t as\t if\t it\t had\t been\t freshly\t polished. Something\tclattered\tfrom\tthe\tscabbard\tonto\tthe\tice\u2014a\tplain\tgolden\tring.\tShe\tgrabbed\tit, shoving\tit\tinto\ther\tpocket,\tand\tran\tfaster,\tas\u2014 The\t ice\t lifted\t again,\t the\t boom\t of\t that\t mighty\t tail\t as\t horrific\t as\t the\t moving\t surface beneath\t her.\t Celaena\t stayed\t up\t this\t time,\t sinking\t onto\t her\t haunches\t as\t she\t clutched\t the sword,\tpart\tof\ther\tmarveling\tat\tthe\tbalance\tand\tbeauty\tif\tit;\tbut\tLuca,\tslipping\tand\tsliding, went\tdown.\tShe\treached\thim\tin\ta\tfew\theartbeats,\thauling\thim\tup\tby\tthe\tback\tof\this\ttunic and\tgripping\thim\ttight\tas\tthe\tice\tlifted\tagain\tand\tagain\tand\tagain. They\t got\t past\t the\t drop-off,\t and\t she\t almost\t groaned\t with\t relief\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t the\t pale stone\tshelf\tbeneath\ttheir\tfeet.\tThe\tice\tbehind\tthem\texploded\tup,\tfreezing\twater\tshowering them,\tand\tthen\u2014 She\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t as\t those\t nostrils\t huffed.\t Didn\u2019t\t stop\t hauling\t Luca\t toward\t Rowan, whose\tbrow\tgleamed\twith\tsweat\tas\tmassive\ttalons\tscraped\tover\tthe\tice,\tgouging\tfour\tdeep lines. She\t dragged\t the\t boy\t the\t last\t ten\t yards,\t then\t five,\t then\t they\t were\t on\t the\t shore\t and\t to Rowan,\twho\tlet\tout\ta\tshuddering\tbreath.\tCelaena\tturned\tin\ttime\tto\tsee\tsomething\tout\tof\ta nightmare\ttrying\tto\tcrawl\tonto\tthe\tice,\tits\tone\tred\teye\twild\twith\thunger,\tits\tmassive\tteeth promising\t a\t brutal\t and\t cold\t kind\t of\t death.\t As\t Rowan\u2019s\t sigh\t finished\t sounding,\t the\t ice melted,\tand\tthe\tcreature\tplunged\tbelow. Back\t on\t solid\t ground,\t suddenly\t aware\t that\t the\t ice\t had\t also\t been\t a\t barrier,\t Celaena again\t grabbed\t Luca,\t who\t was\t looking\t ready\t to\t vomit,\t and\t bolted\t from\t the\t cave.\t There was\t nothing\t keeping\t that\t creature\t from\t climbing\t out\t of\t the\t water,\t and\t the\t sword\t was about\tas\tuseful\tas\ta\ttoothpick\tagainst\tit.\tWho\tknew\thow\tfast\tit\tcould\tmove\ton\tland? Luca\t was\t chanting\t a\t steady\t stream\t of\t prayers\t to\t various\t gods\t as\t Celaena\t yanked\t him down\tthe\trocky\tpath\tand\tinto\tthe\tglaring\tafternoon\tsun,\tstumbling\tnear-blind\tuntil\tthey\thit the\tmurky\twoods,\tdodging\ttrees\tmostly\tby\tluck,\tfaster\tand\tfaster\tdownhill,\tand\tthen\u2014 A\troar\tthat\tshook\tthe\tstones\tand\tsent\tthe\tbirds\tscattering\tinto\tthe\tair,\tthe\tleaves\trustling. But\ta\troar\tof\trage\tand\thunger\u2014not\tof\ttriumph.\tAs\tif\tthe\tcreature\thad\treached\tthe\tedge\tof the\t cave\t and,\t after\t millennia\t in\t the\t watery\t dark,\t could\t not\t withstand\t the\t sunshine.\t She didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t consider,\t as\t they\t kept\t running\t from\t the\t echoing\t roar,\t what\t might\t have happened\tif\tit\thad\tbeen\tnight.\tWhat\tstill\tmight\thappen\tat\tnightfall. After\ta\twhile,\tshe\tsensed\tRowan\tbehind\tthem.\tYet\tshe\tcared\tonly\tfor\ther\tyoung\tcharge, who\tpanted\tand\tcursed\tall\tthe\tway\tback\tto\tthe\tfortress. When\t Mistward\t was\t in\t sight,\t she\t told\t Luca\t only\t one\t thing\t before\t she\t sent\t him\t ahead:","keep\this\tmouth\tshut\tabout\twhat\thad\thappened\tin\tthe\tcave.\tThe\tmoment\tthe\tsounds\tof\thim crashing\tthrough\tthe\tbrush\thad\tfaded,\tshe\tturned. Rowan\t was\t standing\t there,\t panting\t as\t well,\t his\t sword\t now\t sheathed.\t She\t plunged\t her new\tblade\tinto\tthe\tearth,\tthe\truby\tin\tthe\thilt\tglowing\tin\ta\tpatch\tof\tsunlight. \u201cI\twill\tkill\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsnarled.\tAnd\tlaunched\therself\tat\thim. Even\t in\t her\t Fae\t form,\t he\t still\t was\t faster\t than\t her,\t stronger,\t and\t dodged\t her\t with\t fluid ease.\tSlamming\tface-first\tinto\tthe\ttree\twas\tbetter\tthan\tcolliding\twith\tthe\tstone\twalls\tof\tthe fortress,\tthough\tnot\tby\tmuch.\tHer\tteeth\tsang,\tbut\tshe\twhirled\tand\tlunged\tfor\tRowan\tagain, now\tstanding\tso\tclose,\this\tteeth\tbared.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\tdodge\ther\tas\tshe\tgrabbed\thim\tby\tthe front\tof\this\tjacket\tand\tconnected. Oh,\thitting\thim\tin\tthe\tface\tfelt\tgood,\teven\tas\ther\tknuckles\tsplit\tand\tthrobbed. He\t snarled\t and\t threw\t her\t to\t the\t ground.\t The\t air\t whooshed\t out\t of\t her\t chest,\t and\t the blood\ttrickling\tout\tof\ther\tnose\tshot\tback\tdown\ther\tthroat.\tBefore\the\tcould\tsit\ton\ther,\tshe got\ther\tlegs\taround\thim\tand\tshoved\twith\tevery\tounce\tof\tthat\timmortal\tstrength.\tAnd\tjust like\tthat,\the\twas\tpinned,\this\teyes\twide\twith\twhat\tcould\tonly\tbe\tfury\tand\tsurprise. She\t hit\t him\t again,\t her\t knuckles\t barking\t in\t agony.\t \u201cIf\t you\t ever\t again\t bring\t someone else\tinto\tthis,\u201d\tshe\tpanted,\thitting\thim\ton\this\ttattoo\u2014on\tthat\tgods-damned\ttattoo.\t\u201cIf\tyou ever\tendanger\tanyone\telse\tthe\tway\tyou\tdid\ttoday\t\u2026\u201d\tThe\tblood\ton\ther\tnose\tsplattered\ton his\t face,\t mingling,\t she\t noted\t with\t some\t satisfaction,\t with\t blood\t from\t the\t blows\t she\u2019d given\thim.\t\u201cI\twill\tkill\tyou.\u201d\tAnother\tstrike,\ta\tbackhanded\tblow,\tand\tit\tvaguely\toccurred\tto her\tthat\the\thad\tgone\tstill\tand\twas\ttaking\tit.\t\u201cI\twill\trip\tout\tyour\trutting\tthroat.\u201d\tShe\tbared her\tcanines.\t\u201cYou\tunderstand?\u201d He\tturned\this\thead\tto\tthe\tside\tto\tspit\tblood. Her\t blood\t was\t pounding,\t so\t wild\t that\t every\t little\t restraint\t she\u2019d\t locked\t into\t place shattered.\tShe\tshoved\tback\tagainst\tit,\tand\tthe\tdistraction\tcost\ther.\tRowan\tmoved,\tand\tthen she\t was\t under\t him\t again.\t She\u2019d\t mangled\t his\t face,\t but\t he\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t care\t as\t he growled,\t\u201cI\twill\tdo\twhatever\tI\tplease.\u201d \u201cYou\t will\t keep\t other\t people\t out\t of\t it!\u201d\t she\t screamed,\t so\t loudly\t that\t the\t birds\t stopped chattering.\tShe\tthrashed\tagainst\thim,\tgripping\this\twrists.\t\u201cNo\tone\telse!\u201d \u201cTell\tme\twhy,\tAelin.\u201d That\tgods-damned\tname\t\u2026\tShe\tdug\ther\tnails\tinto\this\twrists.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tam\tsick\tof\tit!\u201d She\t was\t gulping\t down\t air,\t each\t breath\t shuddering\t as\t the\t horrific\t realization\t she\u2019d\t been holding\t at\t bay\t since\t Nehemia\u2019s\t death\t came\t loose.\t \u201cI\t told\t her\t I\t would\t not\t help,\t so\t she orchestrated\t her\t own\t death.\t Because\t she\t thought\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t laughed\u2014a\t horrible,\t wild sound.\t \u201cShe\t thought\t that\t her\t death\t would\t spur\t me\t into\t action.\t She\t thought\t I\t could somehow\t do\t more\t than\t her\u2014that\t she\t was\t worth\t more\t dead.\t And\t she\t lied\u2014about everything.\t She\t lied\t to\t me\t because\t I\t was\t a\t coward,\t and\t I\t hate\t her\t for\t it.\t I\t hate\t her\t for leaving\tme.\u201d Rowan\tstill\tpinned\ther,\this\twarm\tblood\tdripping\tonto\ther\tface. She\thad\tsaid\tit.\tSaid\tthe\twords\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tchoking\ton\tfor\tweeks\tand\tweeks.\tThe\trage","seeped\t from\t her\t like\t a\t wave\t pulling\t away\t from\t shore,\t and\t she\t let\t go\t of\t his\t wrists. \u201cPlease,\u201d\tshe\tpanted,\tnot\tcaring\tthat\tshe\twas\tbegging,\t\u201cplease\tdon\u2019t\tbring\tanyone\telse\tinto it.\tI\twill\tdo\tanything\tyou\task\tof\tme.\tBut\tthat\tis\tmy\tline.\tAnything\telse\tbut\tthat.\u201d His\teyes\twere\tveiled\tas\the\tfinally\tlet\tgo\tof\ther\tarms.\tShe\tgazed\tup\tat\tthe\tcanopy.\tShe would\tnot\tcry\tin\tfront\tof\thim,\tnot\tagain. He\tpeeled\tback,\tthe\tspace\tbetween\tthem\tnow\ta\ttangible\tthing.\t\u201cHow\tdid\tshe\tdie?\u201d She\tlet\tthe\tmoisture\tagainst\ther\tback\tseep\tinto\ther,\tcool\ther\tbones.\t\u201cShe\tmanipulated\ta mutual\tacquaintance\tinto\tthinking\the\tneeded\tto\tkill\ther\tin\torder\tto\tfurther\this\tagenda.\tHe hired\tan\tassassin,\tmade\tsure\tI\twasn\u2019t\taround,\tand\thad\ther\tmurdered.\u201d Oh,\tNehemia.\tShe\thad\tdone\tit\tall\tout\tof\ta\tfool\u2019s\thope,\tnot\trealizing\twhat\ta\twaste\tit\twas. She\t could\t have\t allied\t with\t flawless\t Galan\t Ashryver\t and\t saved\t the\t world\u2014found\t a\t truly useful\their\tto\tthe\tthrone. \u201cWhat\thappened\tto\tthe\ttwo\tmen?\u201d\tA\tcold\tquestion. \u201cThe\tassassin\tI\thunted\tdown\tand\tleft\tin\tpieces\tin\tan\talleyway.\tAnd\tthe\tman\twho\thired him\t\u2026\u201d\tBlood\ton\ther\thands,\ton\ther\tclothes,\tin\ther\thair,\tChaol\u2019s\thorrified\tstare.\t\u201cI\tgutted him\tand\tdumped\this\tbody\tin\ta\tsewer.\u201d They\t were\t two\t of\t the\t worst\t things\t she\u2019d\t done,\t out\t of\t pure\t hatred\t and\t vengeance\t and rage.\tShe\twaited\tfor\tthe\tlecture.\tBut\tRowan\tmerely\tsaid,\t\u201cGood.\u201d She\t was\t so\t surprised\t that\t she\t looked\t at\t him\u2014and\t saw\t what\t she\t had\t done.\t Not\t his already\t bruised\t and\t bleeding\t face,\t or\t his\t ripped\t jacket\t and\t shirt,\t now\t muddy.\t But\t right where\t she\u2019d\t gripped\t his\t forearms,\t the\t clothes\t were\t burned\t through,\t the\t skin\t beneath covered\tin\tangry\tred\twelts. Handprints.\tShe\u2019d\tburned\tright\tthrough\tthe\ttattoo\ton\this\tleft\tarm.\tShe\twas\ton\ther\tfeet in\tan\tinstant,\twondering\tif\tshe\tshould\tbe\ton\ther\tknees\tbegging\tfor\tforgiveness\tinstead. It\tmust\thave\thurt\tlike\thell.\tYet\the\thad\ttaken\tit\u2014the\tbeating,\tthe\tburning\u2014while\tshe\tlet out\tthose\twords\tthat\thad\tclouded\ther\tsenses\tfor\tso\tmany\tweeks\tnow.\t\u201cI\tam\t\u2026\tso\tsorry,\u201d she\tstarted,\tbut\the\theld\tup\ta\thand. \u201cYou\tdo\tnot\tapologize,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cfor\tdefending\tthe\tpeople\tyou\tcare\tabout.\u201d She\t supposed\t it\t was\t as\t much\t of\t an\t apology\t as\t she\t would\t ever\t get\t from\t him.\t She nodded,\tand\the\ttook\tthat\tas\tanswer\tenough.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tkeeping\tthe\tsword,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tyanking\tit free\tof\tthe\tearth.\tShe\u2019d\tbe\thard-pressed\tto\tfind\ta\tbetter\tone\tanywhere\tin\tthe\tworld. \u201cYou\thaven\u2019t\tearned\tit.\u201d\tHe\tfell\tsilent,\tthen\tadded,\t\u201cBut\tconsider\tthis\ta\tfavor.\tLeave\tit in\tyour\trooms\twhen\twe\u2019re\ttraining.\u201d She\twould\thave\tdebated,\tbut\tthis\twas\ta\tcompromise,\ttoo.\tShe\twondered\tif\the\u2019d\tmade\ta compromise\tany\ttime\tin\tthe\tlast\tcentury.\t\u201cWhat\tif\tthat\tthing\ttracks\tus\tto\tthe\tfortress\tonce darkness\tfalls?\u201d \u201cEven\tif\tit\tdoes,\tit\tcan\u2019t\tget\tpast\tthe\twards.\u201d\tWhen\tshe\traised\ther\tbrows,\the\tsaid,\t\u201cThe stones\t around\t the\t fortress\t have\t a\t spell\t woven\t between\t them\t to\t keep\t out\t enemies.\t Even magic\tbounces\toff\tit.\u201d","\u201cOh.\u201d\tWell,\tthat\texplained\twhy\tthey\tcalled\tit\tMistward.\tA\tcalm,\tif\tnot\tpleasant,\tsilence fell\t between\t them\t while\t they\t walked.\t \u201cYou\t know,\u201d\t she\t said\t slyly,\t \u201cthat\u2019s\t twice\t now you\u2019ve\t made\t a\t mess\t of\t my\t training\t with\t your\t tasks.\t I\u2019m\t fairly\t sure\t that\t makes\t you\t the worst\tinstructor\tI\u2019ve\tever\thad.\u201d He\tgave\ther\ta\tsidelong\tlook.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsurprised\tit\ttook\tyou\tthis\tlong\tto\tcall\tattention\tto\tit.\u201d She\tsnorted,\tand\tas\tthey\tapproached\tthe\tfortress,\tthe\ttorches\tand\tcandles\tignited\tas\tif\tto welcome\tthem\thome. \u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tsuch\ta\tsorry\tsight,\u201d\tEmrys\thissed\tas\tRowan\tand\tCelaena\ttrudged\tinto the\tkitchen.\t\u201cBlood\tand\tdirt\tand\tleaves\tover\tevery\tinch\tof\tyou\tboth.\u201d Indeed,\t they\t were\t something\t to\t behold,\t both\t of\t their\t faces\t swollen\t and\t lacerated, covered\tin\teach\tother\u2019s\tblood,\thair\ta\tmess,\tand\tCelaena\tlimping\tslightly.\tThe\tknuckles\tof two\t of\t her\t fingers\t were\t split,\t and\t her\t knee\t throbbed\t from\t an\t injury\t she\t did\t not\t recall getting. \u201cNo\t better\t than\t alley\t cats,\t brawling\t at\t all\t hours\t of\t the\t day\t and\t night,\u201d\t Emrys\t said, slamming\ttwo\tbowls\tof\tstew\tonto\tthe\tworktable.\t\u201cEat,\tboth\tof\tyou.\tAnd\tthen\tget\tcleaned up.\tElentiya,\tyou\u2019re\toff\tkitchen\tduty\ttonight\tand\ttomorrow.\u201d\tCelaena\topened\ther\tmouth\tto object,\tbut\tthe\told\tman\theld\tup\ta\thand.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tyou\tbleeding\ton\teverything.\tYou\u2019ll be\t more\t trouble\t than\t you\u2019re\t worth.\u201d\t Wincing,\t Celaena\t slumped\t next\t to\t Rowan\t on\t the bench,\tand\tswore\tviciously\tat\tthe\tpain\tin\ther\tleg,\ther\tface,\ther\tarms.\tSwore\tat\tthe\tpain\tin the\t ass\t sitting\t right\t next\t to\t her.\t \u201cClean\t out\t your\t mouth,\t too,\t while\t you\u2019re\t at\t it,\u201d\t Emrys snapped. Luca\twas\thuddled\tby\tthe\tfire,\twide-eyed\tand\tmaking\ta\tsharp,\tcutting\tgesture\tacross\this neck,\tas\tif\tto\twarn\tCelaena\tabout\tsomething.\tEven\tMalakai,\tseated\tat\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe table\twith\ttwo\tweathered\tsentries,\twas\twatching\ther\twith\traised\tbrows. Rowan\twas\talready\thunched\tover\tthe\ttable,\tdigging\tinto\this\tstew.\tShe\tglanced\tagain\tat Luca,\twho\tfrantically\ttapped\this\tears. She\t hadn\u2019t\t shifted\t back.\t And\u2014well,\t now\t they\u2019d\t all\t noticed,\t even\t with\t the\t blood\t and dirt\tand\tleaves.\tMalakai\tmet\ther\tstare,\tand\tshe\tdared\thim\u2014just\tdared\tthe\told\tman\tto\tsay anything.\t But\t he\t shrugged\t and\t went\t back\t to\t his\t meal.\t So\t it\t really\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t surprise\t after all.\t She\t took\t a\t bite\t of\t her\t stew\t and\t had\t to\t bite\t back\t her\t moan.\t Was\t it\t her\t Fae\t senses,\t or was\tit\teven\tmore\tdelicious\ttonight? Emrys\twas\twatching\tfrom\tthe\thearth,\tand\tCelaena\tgave\thim\tthat\tchallenging\tlook,\ttoo. She\tpunched\tback\tthrough\tthe\tveil,\taching\tas\tshe\tshifted\tinto\ther\tmortal\tform.\tBut\tthe\told man\tbrought\ther\tand\tRowan\ta\tloaf\tof\tbread\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cMakes\tno\tdifference\tto\tme\twhether your\t ears\t are\t pointy\t or\t round,\t or\t what\t your\t teeth\t look\t like.\t But,\u201d\t he\t added,\t looking\t at Rowan,\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tdeny\tI\u2019m\tglad\tto\tsee\tyou\tgot\tin\ta\tfew\tpunches\tthis\ttime.\u201d Rowan\u2019s\t head\t snapped\t up\t from\t his\t bowl,\t and\t Emrys\t pointed\t a\t spoon\t at\t him.\t \u201cDon\u2019t you\t think\t you\u2019ve\t had\t enough\t of\t beating\t each\t other\t into\t a\t pulp?\u201d\t Malakai\t stiffened,\t but Emrys\twent\ton,\t\u201cWhat\tgood\tdoes\tit\taccomplish,\tother\tthan\tproviding\tme\twith\ta\tscullery maid\twhose\tface\tscares\tthe\twits\tout\tof\tour\tsentries?\tYou\tthink\tany\tof\tus\tlike\tto\thear\tyou two\tcursing\tand\tscreaming\tevery\tafternoon?\tThe\tlanguage\tyou\tuse\tis\tenough\tto\tcurdle\tall","the\tmilk\tin\tWendlyn.\u201d Rowan\tlowered\this\thead\tand\tmumbled\tsomething\tinto\this\tstew. For\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\ta\tlong,\tlong\twhile,\tCelaena\tfelt\tthe\tcorners\tof\ther\tlips\ttug\tup. And\t that\t was\t when\t Celaena\t walked\t to\t the\t old\t man\u2014and\t got\t onto\t her\t knees.\t She apologized,\tprofusely.\tTo\tEmrys,\tto\tLuca,\tto\tMalakai.\tApologized\tbecause\tthey\tdeserved it.\tThey\taccepted,\tbut\tEmrys\tstill\tlooked\twary.\tHurt,\teven.\tThe\tshame\tof\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tsaid to\tthat\tman,\tto\tall\tof\tthem,\twould\tcling\tto\ther\tfor\ta\twhile. Though\tit\tmade\ther\tstomach\ttwist\tand\tpalms\tsweat,\tthough\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tmention\tnames, she\twasn\u2019t\tall\tthat\tsurprised\twhen\tEmrys\ttold\ther\tthat\the\tand\tthe\tother\told\tFae\tknew\twho she\t was,\t and\t that\t her\t mother\t had\t worked\t to\t help\t them.\t But\t she\t was\t surprised\t when Rowan\ttook\ta\tspot\tat\tthe\tsink\tand\thelped\tclean\tup\tafter\tthe\tevening\tmeal. They\tworked\tin\tan\teasy\tsilence.\tThere\twere\tstill\ttruths\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tconfessed\tto,\tstains on\t her\t soul\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t yet\t explore\t or\t express.\t But\t maybe\u2014maybe\t he\t wouldn\u2019t\t walk away\twhenever\tshe\tdid\tfind\tthe\tcourage\tto\ttell\thim. At\t the\t table,\t Luca\t was\t grinning\t with\t delight.\t Just\t seeing\t that\t smile\u2014that\t bit\t of\t proof that\ttoday\u2019s\tevents\thadn\u2019t\tscarred\thim\tcompletely\u2014made\tCelaena\tlook\tat\tEmrys\tand\tsay, \u201cWe\thad\tan\tadventure\ttoday.\u201d Malakai\tset\tdown\this\tspoon\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cLet\tme\tguess:\tit\thad\tsomething\tto\tdo\twith\tthat roar\tthat\tsent\tthe\tlivestock\tinto\tpandemonium.\u201d Though\tCelaena\tdidn\u2019t\tsmile,\ther\teyes\tcrinkled.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tknow\tof\ta\tcreature\tthat dwells\tin\tthe\tlake\tunder\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tglanced\tat\tRowan\tto\tfinish. \u201cBald\tMountain.\tAnd\the\tcan\u2019t\tknow\tthat\tstory,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid.\t\u201cNo\tone\tdoes.\u201d \u201cI\tam\ta\tStory\tKeeper,\u201d\tEmrys\tsaid,\tstaring\tdown\tat\thim\twith\tall\tthe\twrath\tof\tone\tof\tthe iron\tfigurines\ton\tthe\tmantel.\t\u201cAnd\tthat\tmeans\tthat\tthe\ttales\tI\tcollect\tmight\tnot\tcome\tfrom Fae\t or\t human\t mouths,\t but\t I\t hear\t them\t anyway.\u201d\t He\t sat\t down\t at\t the\t table,\t folding\t his hands\t in\t front\t of\t him.\t \u201cI\t heard\t one\t story,\t years\t ago,\t from\t a\t fool\t who\t thought\t he\t could cross\tthe\tCambrian\tMountains\tand\tenter\tMaeve\u2019s\trealm\twithout\tinvitation.\tHe\twas\ton\this way\t back,\t barely\t clinging\t to\t life\t thanks\t to\t Maeve\u2019s\t wild\t wolves\t in\t the\t passes,\t so\t we brought\thim\there\twhile\twe\tsent\tfor\tthe\thealers.\u201d Malakai\t murmured,\t \u201cSo\t that\u2019s\t why\t you\t wouldn\u2019t\t give\t him\t a\t moment\u2019s\t peace.\u201d\t A twinkle\tin\tthose\told\teyes,\tand\tEmrys\tgave\this\tmate\ta\twry\tsmile. \u201cHe\t had\t a\t fierce\t infection,\t so\t at\t the\t time\t I\t thought\t it\t might\t have\t been\t a\t fever\t dream, but\t he\t told\t me\t he\t found\t a\t cave\t at\t the\t base\t of\t the\t Bald\t Mountain.\t He\t camped\t there, because\t it\t was\t raining\t and\t cold\t and\t he\t planned\t to\t be\t off\t at\t first\t light.\t Still,\t he\t felt\t like something\t was\t watching\t him\t from\t the\t lake.\t He\t drifted\t off,\t and\t awoke\t only\t because\t the ripples\t were\t lapping\t against\t the\t shore\u2014ripples\t from\t the\t center\t of\t the\t lake.\t And\t just beyond\tthe\tlight\tof\this\tfire,\tout\tin\tthe\tdeep,\the\tspied\tsomething\tswimming.\tBigger\tthan\ta tree\tor\tany\tbeast\the\u2019d\tever\tseen.\u201d \u201cOh,\tit\twas\thorrific,\u201d\tLuca\tcut\tin. \u201cYou\tsaid\tyou\twere\tout\twith\tBas\tand\tthe\tother\tscouts\ton\tborder\tpatrol\ttoday!\u201d\tEmrys","barked,\tthen\tgave\tRowan\ta\tlook\tthat\tsuggested\the\u2019d\tbetter\ttest\this\tnext\tmeal\tfor\tpoison. Emrys\tcleared\this\tthroat\tand\twas\tsoon\tstaring\tat\tthe\ttable\tagain,\tlost\tin\tthought.\t\u201cWhat the\tfool\tlearned\tthat\tnight\twas\tthis:\tthe\tcreature\twas\talmost\tas\told\tas\tthe\tmountain\titself.\tIt claimed\tto\thave\tbeen\tborn\tin\tanother\tworld,\tbut\thad\tslipped\tinto\tthis\tone\twhen\tthe\tgods were\t looking\t elsewhere.\t It\t had\t preyed\t upon\t Fae\t and\t humans\t until\t a\t mighty\t Fae\t warrior challenged\tit.\tAnd\tbefore\tthe\twarrior\twas\tthrough,\the\tcarved\tone\tof\tthe\tcreature\u2019s\teyes\tout \u2014for\t spite\t or\t sport\u2014and\t cursed\t the\t beast,\t so\t that\t as\t long\t as\t that\t mountain\t stood,\t the creature\twould\tbe\tforced\tto\tlive\tbeneath\tit.\u201d A\t monster\t from\t another\t realm.\t Had\t it\t been\t let\t in\t during\t the\t Valg\t wars,\t when\t demons had\t opened\t and\t closed\t portals\t to\t another\t world\t at\t will?\t How\t many\t of\t the\t horrific creatures\t that\t dwelled\t in\t this\t land\t were\t only\t here\t because\t of\t those\t long-ago\t battles\t over the\tWyrdkeys? \u201cSo\t it\t has\t dwelled\t in\t the\t labyrinth\t of\t underwater\t caves\t under\t the\t mountain.\t It\t has\t no name\u2014for\t it\t forgot\t what\t it\t was\t called\t long\t ago,\t and\t those\t who\t meet\t it\t do\t not\t return home.\u201d Celaena\t rubbed\t her\t arms,\t wincing\t as\t the\t split\t skin\t of\t her\t knuckles\t stretched\t with\t the movement.\t Rowan\t was\t staring\t directly\t at\t Emrys,\t his\t head\t cocked\t ever\t so\t slightly\t to\t the side.\tRowan\tglanced\tat\ther,\tas\tif\tto\tmake\tsure\tshe\twas\tlistening,\tand\tasked,\t\u201cWho\twas\tthe warrior\twho\tcarved\tout\tits\teye?\u201d \u201cThe\tfool\tdidn\u2019t\tknow,\tand\tneither\tdid\tthe\tbeast.\tBut\tthe\tlanguage\tit\tspoke\twas\tFae\u2014 an\tarchaic\tform\tof\tthe\tOld\tLanguage,\talmost\tindecipherable.\tIt\tcould\tremember\tthe\tgold ring\the\tbore,\tbut\tnot\twhat\the\tlooked\tlike.\u201d It\ttook\tevery\tounce\tof\teffort\tnot\tto\tgrab\tfor\ther\tpocket\tand\tthe\tring\tshe\u2019d\tput\tin\tthere, or\tto\texamine\tthe\tsword\tshe\u2019d\tleft\tby\tthe\tdoor,\tand\tthe\truby\tthat\tmight\tnot\tbe\ta\truby\tafter all.\tBut\tit\twas\timpossible\u2014too\tmuch\tof\ta\tcoincidence. She\t might\t have\t given\t in\t to\t the\t urge\t to\t look\t had\t Rowan\t not\t reached\t for\t his\t glass\t of water.\t He\t hid\t it\t well,\t and\t she\t didn\u2019t\t think\t anyone\t else\t noticed,\t but\t as\t the\t sleeve\t of\t his jacket\t shifted,\t he\t winced,\t ever\t so\t slightly.\t From\t the\t burns\t she\u2019d\t given\t him.\t They\u2019d\t been blistering\tearlier\u2014they\tmust\tbe\tscreaming\tin\tagony\tnow. Emrys\tpinned\tthe\tprince\twith\ta\tstare.\t\u201cNo\tmore\tadventures.\u201d Rowan\tglanced\tat\tLuca,\twho\tseemed\tabout\tto\texplode\twith\tindignation.\t\u201cAgreed.\u201d Emrys\tdidn\u2019t\tback\tdown.\t\u201cAnd\tno\tmore\tbrawling.\u201d Rowan\tmet\tCelaena\u2019s\tstare\tover\tthe\ttable.\tHis\texpression\tyielded\tnothing.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\ttry.\u201d Even\tEmrys\tdeemed\tthat\tan\tacceptable\tanswer. Despite\tthe\texhaustion\tthat\tslammed\tinto\ther\tlike\ta\twall,\tCelaena\tcouldn\u2019t\tsleep.\tShe\tkept thinking\t of\t the\t creature,\t of\t the\t sword\t and\t the\t ring\t she\u2019d\t examined\t for\t an\t hour\t without learning\tanything,\tand\tthe\tcontrol,\thowever\tshaky,\tshe\u2019d\tmanaged\tto\thave\ton\tthe\tice.\tYet she\tkept\tcircling\tback\tto\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tdone\tto\tRowan\u2014how\tbadly\tshe\u2019d\tburned\thim. His\tpain\ttolerance\tmust\tbe\ttremendous,\tshe\tthought\tas\tshe\ttwisted\ton\ther\tcot,\thuddled","against\t the\t cold\t in\t the\t room.\t She\t eyed\t her\t tin\t of\t salve.\t He\t should\t have\t gone\t to\t a\t healer for\tthose\tburns.\tShe\ttossed\tand\tturned\tfor\tanother\tfive\tminutes\tbefore\tshe\tyanked\ton\ther boots,\t grabbed\t the\t tin,\t and\t left.\t She\u2019d\t probably\t get\t her\t head\t bitten\t off\t again,\t but\t she wouldn\u2019t\tget\ta\twink\tof\tsleep\tif\tshe\twere\ttoo\tbusy\tfeeling\tguilty.\tGods,\tshe\tfelt\tguilty. She\t knocked\t softly\t on\t his\t door,\t half\t hoping\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t there.\t But\t he\t snapped\t \u201cWhat?\u201d and\tshe\twinced\tand\twent\tin. His\troom\twas\ttoasty\tand\twarm,\tif\tnot\ta\tlittle\told\tand\tshabby,\tespecially\tthe\tworn\trugs thrown\t over\t much\t of\t the\t gray\t stone\t floor.\t A\t large\t four-poster\t bed\t occupied\t much\t of\t the space,\ta\tbed\tthat\twas\tstill\tmade\u2014and\tempty.\tRowan\twas\tseated\tat\tthe\tworktable\tin\tfront of\tthe\tcarved\tfireplace,\tshirtless\tand\texamining\twhat\tlooked\tto\tbe\ta\tmap\tmarked\twith\tthe locations\tof\tthose\tbodies. His\teyes\tflashed\twith\tannoyance,\tbut\tshe\tignored\thim\tas\tshe\tstudied\tthe\tmassive\ttattoo that\t went\t from\t his\t face\t down\t his\t neck\t and\t shoulders\t and\t covered\t the\t entirety\t of\t his\t left arm,\tstraight\tto\this\tfingertips.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\treally\tlooked\tthat\tday\tin\tthe\twoods,\tbut\tnow\tshe marveled\tat\tits\tbeautiful,\tunbroken\tlines\u2014save\tfor\tthe\tmanacle-like\tburn\taround\this\twrist. Both\twrists. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant?\u201d She\t hadn\u2019t\t inspected\t his\t body\t too\t closely\t before,\t either.\t His\t chest\u2014tan\t enough\t to suggest\t he\t spent\t a\t good\t amount\t of\t time\t without\t a\t shirt\u2014was\t sculpted\t with\t muscle\t and covered\tin\tthick\tscars.\tFrom\tfights\tor\tbattles\tor\tthe\tgods\tknew\twhat.\tA\twarrior\u2019s\tbody\tthat he\u2019d\thad\tcenturies\tto\thone. She\ttossed\tthe\tsalve\tto\thim.\t\u201cI\tthought\tyou\tmight\twant\tthis.\u201d He\tcaught\tit\twith\tone\thand,\tbut\this\teyes\tremained\ton\ther.\t\u201cI\tdeserved\tit.\u201d \u201cDoesn\u2019t\tmean\tI\tcan\u2019t\tfeel\tbad.\u201d He\tturned\tthe\ttin\tover\tand\tover\tbetween\this\tfingers.\tThere\twas\ta\tparticularly\tlong\tand nasty\tscar\tdown\this\tright\tpectoral\u2014where\thad\tit\tcome\tfrom?\t\u201cIs\tthis\ta\tbribe?\u201d \u201cGive\tit\tback,\tif\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tbe\ta\tpain\tin\tmy\tass.\u201d\tShe\theld\tout\ther\thand. But\t he\t closed\t his\t fingers\t around\t the\t tin,\t then\t set\t it\t on\t his\t worktable.\t He\t said,\t \u201cYou could\theal\tyourself,\tyou\tknow.\tHeal\tme,\ttoo.\tNothing\tmajor,\tbut\tyou\thave\tthat\tgift.\u201d She\t knew\u2014sort\t of.\t Her\t magic\t had\t sometimes\t healed\t her\t injuries\t without\t conscious thought.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\u2014it\u2019s\t the\t drop\t of\t water\t affinity\t I\t inherited\t from\t Mab\u2019s\t line.\u201d\t The\t fire\t had been\t the\t gift\t of\t her\t father\u2019s\t bloodline.\t \u201cMy\t mother\u201d\u2014the\t words\t made\t her\t sick,\t but\t she said\tthem\tfor\tsome\treason\u2014\u201ctold\tme\tthat\tthe\tdrop\tof\twater\tin\tmy\tmagic\twas\tmy\tsalvation \u2014and\tsense\tof\tself-preservation.\u201d\tA\tnod\tfrom\thim,\tand\tshe\tadmitted,\t\u201cI\twanted\tto\tlearn\tto use\t it\t like\t the\t other\t healers\u2014long\t ago,\t I\t mean.\t But\t never\t was\t allowed\t to.\t They\t said\t \u2026 well,\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t all\t that\t useful,\t since\t I\t didn\u2019t\t have\t much\t of\t it,\t and\t Queens\t don\u2019t become\thealers.\u201d\tShe\tshould\tstop\ttalking. For\t some\t reason,\t her\t stomach\t dropped\t as\t he\t said,\t \u201cGo\t to\t bed.\t Since\t you\u2019re\t banned from\t the\t kitchen\t tomorrow,\t we\u2019re\t training\t at\t dawn.\u201d\t Well,\t she\t certainly\t deserved\t the dismissal\tafter\tburning\thim\tlike\tthat.\tSo\tshe\tturned,\tand\tmaybe\tshe\tlooked\tas\tpathetic\tas","she\tfelt,\tbecause\the\tsuddenly\tsaid,\t\u201cWait.\tShut\tthe\tdoor.\u201d She\tobeyed.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\ther\tleave\tto\tsit,\tso\tshe\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\twooden\tdoor\tand waited.\t He\t kept\t his\t back\t to\t her,\t and\t she\t watched\t the\t powerful\t muscles\t expand\t and contract\tas\the\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\tThen\tanother.\tThen\u2014 \u201cWhen\tmy\tmate\tdied,\tit\ttook\tme\ta\tvery,\tvery\tlong\ttime\tto\tcome\tback.\u201d It\ttook\ther\ta\tmoment\tto\tthink\tof\twhat\tto\tsay.\t\u201cHow\tlong\tago?\u201d \u201cTwo\t hundred\t three\t years,\t twenty-seven\t days\t ago.\u201d\t He\t gestured\t to\t the\t tattoo\t on\t his face,\tneck,\tarms.\t\u201cThis\ttells\tthe\tstory\tof\thow\tit\thappened.\tOf\tthe\tshame\tI\u2019ll\tcarry\tuntil\tmy last\tbreath.\u201d The\twarrior\twho\thad\tcome\tthe\tother\tday\thad\tsuch\thollow\teyes\t\u2026\t\u201cOthers\tcome\tto\tyou to\thave\ttheir\town\tgrief\tand\tshame\ttattooed\ton\tthem.\u201d \u201cGavriel\tlost\tthree\tof\this\tsoldiers\tin\tan\tambush\tin\tthe\tsouthern\tmountains.\tThey\twere slaughtered.\tHe\tsurvived.\tFor\tas\tlong\tas\the\u2019s\tbeen\ta\twarrior,\the\u2019s\ttattooed\thimself\twith\tthe names\tof\tthose\tunder\this\tcommand\twho\thave\tfallen.\tBut\twhere\tthe\tblame\tlies\thas\tlittle\tto do\twith\tthe\tpoint\tof\tthe\tmarkings.\u201d \u201cWere\tyou\tto\tblame?\u201d Slowly,\t he\t turned\u2014not\t quite\t all\t the\t way,\t but\t enough\t to\t give\t her\t a\t sidelong\t glance. \u201cYes.\tWhen\tI\twas\tyoung,\tI\twas\t\u2026\tferocious\tin\tmy\tefforts\tto\twin\tvalor\tfor\tmyself\tand\tmy bloodline.\t Wherever\t Maeve\t sent\t me\t on\t campaigns,\t I\t went.\t Along\t the\t way,\t I\t mated\t a female\t of\t our\t race.\t Lyria,\u201d\t he\t said,\t almost\t reverently.\t \u201cShe\t sold\t flowers\t in\t the\t market\t in Doranelle.\tMaeve\tdisapproved,\tbut\t\u2026\twhen\tyou\tmeet\tyour\tmate,\tthere\tis\tnothing\tyou\tcan do\t to\t alter\t it.\t She\t was\t mine,\t and\t no\t one\t could\t tell\t me\t otherwise.\t Mating\t her\t cost\t me Maeve\u2019s\tfavor,\tand\tI\tstill\tyearned\tso\tbadly\tto\tprove\tmyself.\tSo\twhen\twar\tcame\tcalling\tand Maeve\toffered\tme\ta\tchance\tto\tredeem\tmyself,\tI\ttook\tit.\tLyria\tbegged\tme\tnot\tto\tgo.\tBut\tI was\tso\tarrogant,\tso\tmisguided,\tthat\tI\tleft\ther\tat\tour\tmountain\thome\tand\twent\toff\tto\twar.\tI left\ther\talone,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tagain\tlooked\tat\tCelaena. You\t left\t me,\t she\t had\t said\t to\t him.\t That\t was\t when\t he\u2019d\t snapped\u2014the\t wounds\t of centuries\tago\trising\tup\tto\tswallow\thim\tas\tviciously\tas\ther\town\tpast\tconsumed\ther. \u201cI\twas\tgone\tfor\tmonths,\twinning\tall\tthat\tglory\tI\tso\tfoolishly\tsought.\tAnd\tthen\twe\tgot word\tthat\tour\tenemies\thad\tbeen\tsecretly\ttrying\tto\tgain\tentrance\tto\tDoranelle\tthrough\tthe mountain\t passes.\u201d\t Her\t stomach\t dropped\t to\t her\t feet.\t Rowan\t ran\t a\t hand\t through\t his\t hair, scratched\t at\t his\t face.\t \u201cI\t flew\t home.\t As\t fast\t as\t I\u2019d\t ever\t flown.\t When\t I\t got\t there,\t I\t found that\t \u2026\t found\t she\t had\t been\t with\t child.\t And\t they\t had\t slaughtered\t her\t anyway,\t and\t burnt our\thouse\tto\tcinders. \u201cWhen\tyou\tlose\ta\tmate,\tyou\tdon\u2019t\t\u2026\u201d\tA\tshake\tof\tthe\thead.\t\u201cI\tlost\tall\tsense\tof\tself,\tof time\tand\tplace.\tI\thunted\tthem\tdown,\tall\tthe\tmales\twho\thurt\ther.\tI\ttook\ta\tlong\twhile\tkilling them.\tShe\twas\tpregnant\u2014had\tbeen\tpregnant\tsince\tI\u2019d\tleft\ther.\tBut\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tso\tenamored with\tmy\town\tfoolish\tagenda\tthat\tI\thadn\u2019t\tscented\tit\ton\ther.\tI\tleft\tmy\tpregnant\tmate\talone.\u201d Her\tvoice\tbroke,\tbut\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tsay,\t\u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tdo\tafter\tyou\tkilled\tthem?\u201d His\t face\t was\t stark\t and\t his\t eyes\t focused\t on\t some\t far-off\t sight.\t \u201cFor\t ten\t years,\t I\t did","nothing.\t I\t vanished.\t I\t went\t mad.\t Beyond\t mad.\t I\t felt\t nothing\t at\t all.\t I\t just\t \u2026\t left.\t I wandered\t the\t world,\t in\t and\t out\t of\t my\t forms,\t hardly\t marking\t the\t seasons,\t eating\t only when\t my\t hawk\t told\t me\t it\t needed\t to\t feed\t or\t it\t would\t die.\t I\t would\t have\t let\t myself\t die\u2014 except\tI\t\u2026\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\tmyself\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\ttrailed\toff\tand\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u201cI\tmight\thave stayed\tthat\tway\tforever,\tbut\tMaeve\ttracked\tme\tdown.\tShe\tsaid\tit\twas\tenough\ttime\tspent\tin mourning,\tand\tthat\tI\twas\tto\tserve\ther\tas\tprince\tand\tcommander\u2014to\twork\twith\ta\thandful of\t other\t warriors\t to\t protect\t the\t realm.\t It\t was\t the\t first\t time\t I\t had\t spoken\t to\t anyone\t since that\tday\tI\tfound\tLyria.\tThe\tfirst\ttime\tI\u2019d\theard\tmy\tname\u2014or\tremembered\tit.\u201d \u201cSo\tyou\twent\twith\ther?\u201d \u201cI\thad\tnothing.\tNo\tone.\tAt\tthat\tpoint,\tI\thoped\tserving\ther\tmight\tget\tme\tkilled,\tand\tthen I\tcould\tsee\tLyria\tagain.\tSo\twhen\tI\treturned\tto\tDoranelle,\tI\twrote\tthe\tstory\tof\tmy\tshame\ton my\t flesh.\t And\t then\t I\t bound\t myself\t to\t Maeve\t with\t the\t blood\t oath,\t and\t have\t served\t her since.\u201d \u201cHow\u2014how\tdid\tyou\tcome\tback\tfrom\tthat\tkind\tof\tloss?\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t.\tFor\ta\tlong\twhile\tI\tcouldn\u2019t.\tI\tthink\tI\u2019m\tstill\t\u2026\tnot\tback.\tI\tmight\tnever\tbe.\u201d She\tnodded,\tlips\tpressed\ttight,\tand\tglanced\ttoward\tthe\twindow. \u201cBut\tmaybe,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tquietly\tenough\tthat\tshe\tlooked\tat\thim\tagain.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tsmile,\tbut his\teyes\twere\tinquisitive.\t\u201cMaybe\twe\tcould\tfind\tthe\tway\tback\ttogether.\u201d He\twould\tnot\tapologize\tfor\ttoday,\tor\tyesterday,\tor\tfor\tany\tof\tit.\tAnd\tshe\twould\tnot\task him\tto,\tnot\tnow\tthat\tshe\tunderstood\tthat\tin\tthe\tweeks\tshe\thad\tbeen\tlooking\tat\thim\tit\thad been\tlike\tgazing\tat\ta\treflection.\tNo\twonder\tshe\thad\tloathed\thim. \u201cI\tthink,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tbarely\tmore\tthan\ta\twhisper,\t\u201cI\twould\tlike\tthat\tvery\tmuch.\u201d He\theld\tout\ta\thand.\t\u201cTogether,\tthen.\u201d She\t studied\t the\t scarred,\t callused\t palm,\t then\t the\t tattooed\t face,\t full\t of\t a\t grim\t sort\t of hope.\t Someone\t who\t might\u2014who\t did\t understand\t what\t it\t was\t like\t to\t be\t crippled\t at\t your very\tcore,\tsomeone\twho\twas\tstill\tclimbing\tinch\tby\tinch\tout\tof\tthat\tabyss. Perhaps\tthey\twould\tnever\tget\tout\tof\tit,\tperhaps\tthey\twould\tnever\tbe\twhole\tagain,\tbut \u2026\t\u201cTogether,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\ttook\this\toutstretched\thand. And\tsomewhere\tfar\tand\tdeep\tinside\ther,\tan\tember\tbegan\tto\tglow."]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
- 252
- 253
- 254
- 255
- 256
- 257
- 258
- 259
- 260
- 261
- 262
- 263
- 264
- 265
- 266
- 267
- 268
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- 274
- 275
- 276
- 277
- 278
- 279
- 280
- 281
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- 287
- 288
- 289
- 290
- 291
- 292
- 293
- 294
- 295
- 296
- 297
- 298
- 299
- 300
- 301
- 302
- 303
- 304
- 305
- 306
- 307
- 308
- 309
- 310
- 311
- 312
- 313
- 314
- 315
- 316
- 317
- 318
- 319
- 320
- 321
- 322
- 323
- 324
- 325
- 326
- 327
- 328
- 329
- 330
- 331
- 332
- 333
- 334
- 335
- 336
- 337
- 338
- 339
- 340
- 341
- 342
- 343
- 344
- 345
- 346
- 347
- 348
- 349
- 350
- 351
- 352
- 353
- 354
- 355
- 356
- 357
- 358
- 359
- 360
- 361
- 362
- 363
- 364
- 365
- 366
- 367
- 368
