["Because\t she\t could,\t because\t she\t was\t growing\t bored,\t Manon\t cocked\t her\t jaw,\t sending her\t iron\t teeth\t snapping\t down.\t The\t guard\t took\t a\t step\t back,\t his\t breath\t coming\t faster,\t the acrid\ttang\tof\tfear\tsharpening. With\t her\t moon-white\t hair,\t alabaster\t skin,\t and\t burnt-gold\t eyes,\t she\u2019d\t been\t told\t by\t ill- fated\tmen\tthat\tshe\twas\tbeautiful\tas\ta\tFae\tqueen.\tBut\twhat\tthose\tmen\trealized\ttoo\tlate\twas that\ther\tbeauty\twas\tmerely\ta\tweapon\tin\ther\tnatural-born\tarsenal.\tAnd\tit\tmade\tthings\tso,\tso fun. Feet\tcrunched\tin\tthe\tsnow\tand\tbits\tof\tdead\tgrass,\tand\tManon\tturned\tfrom\tthe\ttrembling guard\tand\tthe\troaring\tbrown\tAcanthus\tto\tfind\ther\tgrandmother\tapproaching. In\t the\t ten\t years\t since\t magic\t had\t vanished,\t their\t aging\t process\t had\t warped.\t Manon herself\twas\twell\tover\ta\tcentury\told,\tbut\tuntil\tten\tyears\tago,\tshe\thad\tlooked\tno\tolder\tthan sixteen.\tNow,\tshe\tlooked\tto\tbe\tin\ther\tmidtwenties.\tThey\twere\taging\tlike\tmortals,\tthey\thad soon\trealized\twith\tno\tsmall\tamount\tof\tpanic.\tAnd\ther\tgrandmother\t\u2026 The\t rich,\t voluminous\t midnight\t robes\t of\t Mother\t Blackbeak\t flowed\t like\t water\t in\t the crisp\tbreeze.\tHer\tgrandmother\u2019s\tface\twas\tnow\tmarred\twith\tthe\tbeginnings\tof\twrinkles,\ther ebony\t hair\t sprinkled\t with\t silver.\t The\t High\t Witch\t of\t the\t Blackbeak\t Clan\t wasn\u2019t\t just beautiful\u2014she\t was\t alluring.\t Even\t now,\t with\t mortal\t years\t pressing\t down\t upon\t her\t bone- white\tskin,\tthere\twas\tsomething\tentrancing\tabout\tthe\tMatron. \u201cWe\t leave\t now,\u201d\t Mother\t Blackbeak\t said,\t walking\t north\t along\t the\t river.\t Behind\t them, the\tduke\u2019s\tmen\tclosed\tranks\taround\tthe\tencampment.\tSmart\tfor\tmortals\tto\tbe\tso\tcautious when\tthe\tThirteen\twere\tpresent\u2014and\tbored. One\t jerk\t of\t the\t chin\t from\t Manon\t was\t all\t it\t took\t for\t the\t Thirteen\t to\t fall\t in\t line.\t The twelve\t other\t sentinels\t kept\t the\t required\t distance\t behind\t Manon\t and\t her\t grandmother, footsteps\t near\t silent\t in\t the\t winter\t grass.\t None\t of\t them\t had\t been\t able\t to\t find\t a\t single Crochan\t in\t the\t months\t they\u2019d\t been\t infiltrating\t town\t after\t town.\t And\t Manon\t fully expected\tsome\tform\tof\tpunishment\tfor\tit\tlater.\tFlogging,\tperhaps\ta\tfew\tbroken\tfingers\u2014 nothing\t too\t permanent,\t but\t it\t would\t be\t public.\t That\t was\t her\t grandmother\u2019s\t preferred method\tof\tpunishment:\tnot\tthe\thow,\tbut\tthe\thumiliation. Yet\t her\t grandmother\u2019s\t gold-flecked\t black\t eyes,\t the\t heirloom\t of\t the\t Blackbeak\t Clan\u2019s purest\t bloodline,\t were\t bent\t on\t the\t northern\t horizon,\t toward\t Oakwald\t Forest\t and\t the towering\tWhite\tFangs\tfar\tbeyond.\tThe\tgold-speckled\teyes\twere\tthe\tmost\tcherished\ttrait\tin their\t Clan\t for\t a\t reason\t Manon\t had\t never\t bothered\t to\t learn\u2014and\t when\t her\t grandmother had\t seen\t that\t Manon\u2019s\t were\t wholly\t of\t pure,\t dark\t gold,\t the\t Matron\t had\t carried\t her\t away from\ther\tdaughter\u2019s\tstill-cooling\tcorpse\tand\tproclaimed\tManon\ther\tundisputed\their. Her\t grandmother\t kept\t walking,\t and\t Manon\t didn\u2019t\t press\t her\t to\t speak.\t Not\t unless\t she wanted\ther\ttongue\tripped\tclean\tfrom\ther\tmouth. \u201cWe\u2019re\tto\ttravel\tnorth,\u201d\ther\tgrandmother\tsaid\twhen\tthe\tencampment\twas\tswallowed\tup by\tthe\tfoothills.\t\u201cI\twant\tyou\tto\tsend\tthree\tof\tyour\tThirteen\tsouth,\twest,\tand\teast.\tThey\tare to\tseek\tout\tour\tkith\tand\tkin\tand\tinform\tthem\tthat\twe\twill\tall\tassemble\tin\tthe\tFerian\tGap. Every\tlast\tBlackbeak\u2014no\twitch\tor\tsentinel\tleft\tbehind.\u201d Nowadays\tthere\twas\tno\tdifference\u2014every\twitch\tbelonged\tto\ta\tcoven\tand\twas\ttherefore a\tsentinel.\tSince\tthe\tdownfall\tof\ttheir\twestern\tkingdom,\tsince\tthey\thad\tstarted\tclawing\tfor","their\t survival,\t every\t Black-beak,\t Yellowlegs,\t and\t Blueblood\t had\t to\t be\t ready\t to\t fight\u2014 ready\t at\t any\t time\t to\t reclaim\t their\t lands\t or\t die\t for\t their\t people.\t Manon\t herself\t had\t never set\tfoot\tin\tthe\tformer\tWitch\tKingdom,\thad\tnever\tseen\tthe\truins\tor\tthe\tflat,\tgreen\texpanse that\t stretched\t to\t the\t western\t sea.\t None\t of\t her\t Thirteen\t had\t seen\t it,\t either,\t all\t of\t them wanderers\tand\texiles\tthanks\tto\ta\tcurse\tfrom\tthe\tlast\tCrochan\tQueen\tas\tshe\tbled\tout\ton\tthat legendary\tbattlefield. The\tMatron\twent\ton,\tstill\tstaring\tat\tthe\tmountains.\t\u201cAnd\tif\tyour\tsentinels\tsee\tmembers of\t the\t other\t clans,\t they\t are\t to\t inform\t them\t to\t gather\t in\t the\t Gap,\t too.\t No\t fighting,\t no provoking\u2014just\t spread\t the\t word.\u201d\t Her\t grandmother\u2019s\t iron\t teeth\t flashed\t in\t the\t afternoon sun.\tLike\tmost\tof\tthe\tancient\twitches\u2014the\tones\twho\thad\tbeen\tborn\tin\tthe\tWitch\tKingdom and\tfought\tin\tthe\tIronteeth\tAlliance\tto\tshatter\tthe\tchains\tof\tthe\tCrochan\tQueens\u2014Mother Blackbeak\t wore\t her\t iron\t teeth\t permanently\t on\t display.\t Manon\t had\t never\t seen\t them retracted. Manon\tbit\tback\ther\tquestions.\tThe\tFerian\tGap\u2014the\tdeadly,\tblasted\tbit\tof\tland\tbetween the\tWhite\tFang\tand\tRuhnn\tMountains,\tand\tone\tof\tthe\tfew\tpasses\tbetween\tthe\tfertile\tlands of\tthe\teast\tand\tthe\tWestern\tWastes. Manon\thad\tmade\tthe\tpassage\tthrough\tthe\tsnow-crusted\tlabyrinth\tof\tcaves\tand\travines on\t foot\u2014just\t once,\t with\t the\t Thirteen\t and\t two\t other\t covens,\t right\t after\t magic\t had vanished,\t when\t they\t were\t all\t nearly\t blind,\t deaf,\t and\t dumb\t with\t the\t agony\t of\t suddenly being\t grounded.\t Half\t of\t the\t other\t witches\t hadn\u2019t\t made\t it\t through\t the\t Gap.\t The\t Thirteen had\tbarely\tsurvived,\tand\tManon\thad\talmost\tlost\tan\tarm\tto\tan\tice\tcavern\tcave-in.\tAlmost lost\tit,\tbut\tkept\tit\tthanks\tto\tthe\tquick\tthinking\tof\tAsterin,\ther\tsecond\tin\tcommand,\tand\tthe brute\t strength\t of\t Sorrel,\t her\t Third.\t The\t Ferian\t Gap;\t Manon\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t back\t since.\t For months\tnow\tthere\thad\tbeen\trumors\tof\tfar\tdarker\tthings\tthan\twitches\tdwelling\tthere. \u201cBaba\t Yellowlegs\t is\t dead.\u201d\t Manon\t whipped\t her\t head\t to\t her\t grandmother,\t who\t was smiling\tfaintly.\t\u201cKilled\tin\tRifthold.\tThe\tduke\treceived\tword.\tNo\tone\tknows\twho,\tor\twhy.\u201d \u201cCrochans?\u201d \u201cPerhaps.\u201d\t Mother\t Blackbeak\u2019s\t smile\t spread,\t revealing\t iron\t teeth\t spotted\t with\t rust. \u201cThe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thas\tinvited\tus\tto\tassemble\tin\tthe\tFerian\tGap.\tHe\tsays\the\thas\ta\tgift for\tus\tthere.\u201d Manon\t considered\t what\t she\t knew\t about\t the\t vicious,\t deadly\t king\t hell-bent\t on conquering\t the\t world.\t Her\t responsibility\t as\t both\t Coven\t leader\t and\t heir\t was\t to\t keep\t her grandmother\t alive;\t it\t was\t instinct\t to\t anticipate\t every\t pitfall,\t every\t potential\t threat.\t \u201cIt could\tbe\ta\ttrap.\tTo\tgather\tus\tin\tone\tplace,\tand\tthen\tdestroy\tus.\tHe\tcould\tbe\tworking\twith the\t Crochans.\t Or\t perhaps\t the\t Bluebloods.\t They\u2019ve\t always\t wanted\t to\t make\t themselves High\tWitches\tof\tevery\tIronteeth\tClan.\u201d \u201cOh,\t I\t think\t not,\u201d\t Mother\t Blackbeak\t purred,\t her\t depthless\t ebony\t eyes\t crinkling.\t \u201cFor the\tking\thas\tmade\tus\tan\toffer.\tMade\tall\tthe\tIron-teeth\tClans\tan\toffer.\u201d Manon\twaited,\teven\tthough\tshe\tcould\thave\tgutted\tsomeone\tjust\tto\tease\tthe\tmiserable impatience. \u201cThe\tking\tneeds\triders,\u201d\tMother\tBlackbeak\tsaid,\tstill\tstaring\tat\tthe\thorizon.\t\u201cRiders\tfor his\twyverns\u2014to\tbe\this\taerial\tcavalry.\tHe\u2019s\tbeen\tbreeding\tthem\tin\tthe\tGap\tall\tthese\tyears.\u201d","It\thad\tbeen\ta\twhile\u2014too\tdamn\tlong\u2014but\tManon\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tthreads\tof\tfate\ttwisting around\tthem,\ttightening. \u201cAnd\twhen\twe\tare\tdone,\twhen\twe\thave\tserved\thim,\the\twill\tlet\tus\tkeep\tthe\twyverns.\tTo take\tour\thost\tto\treclaim\tthe\tWastes\tfrom\tthe\tmortal\tpigs\twho\tnow\tdwell\tthere.\u201d\tA\tfierce, wild\t thrill\t pierced\t Manon\u2019s\t chest,\t sharp\t as\t a\t knife.\t Following\t the\t Matron\u2019s\t gaze,\t Manon looked\tto\tthe\thorizon,\twhere\tthe\tmountains\twere\tstill\tblanketed\twith\twinter.\tTo\tfly\tagain, to\tsoar\tthrough\tthe\tmountain\tpasses,\tto\thunt\tdown\tprey\tthe\tway\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tborn\tto\t\u2026 They\tweren\u2019t\tenchanted\tironwood\tbrooms. But\twyverns\twould\tdo\tjust\tfine.","Chapter\t10 After\t a\t grueling\t day\t of\t training\t new\t recruits,\t avoiding\t Dorian,\t and\t keeping\t well\t away from\t the\t king\u2019s\t watchful\t eye,\t Chaol\t was\t almost\t at\t his\t rooms,\t more\t than\t ready\t to\t sleep, when\the\tnoticed\tthat\ttwo\tof\this\tmen\twere\tmissing\tfrom\ttheir\tposts\toutside\tthe\tGreat\tHall. The\ttwo\tremaining\tmen\twinced\tas\the\tstopped\tdead. It\t wasn\u2019t\t unusual\t for\t guards\t to\t occasionally\t miss\t a\t shift.\t If\t someone\t was\t sick,\t if\t they had\t some\t family\t tragedy,\t Chaol\t always\t found\t a\t replacement.\t But\t two\t missing\t guards, with\tno\treplacement\tin\tsight\t\u2026\t\u201cSomeone\thad\tbetter\tstart\ttalking,\u201d\the\tground\tout. One\t of\t them\t cleared\t their\t throats\u2014a\t newer\t guard,\t who\t had\t just\t finished\t his\t training three\tmonths\tbefore.\tThe\tother\tone\twas\trelatively\tnew,\ttoo,\twhich\twas\twhy\the\u2019d\tassigned them\tto\tnight\tduty\toutside\tthe\tempty\tGreat\tHall.\tBut\the\u2019d\tput\tthem\tunder\tthe\tsupposedly responsible\t and\t watchful\t eyes\t of\t the\t two\t other\t guards,\t both\t of\t whom\t had\t been\t there\t for years. The\tguard\twho\u2019d\tcleared\this\tthroat\twent\tred.\t\u201cIt\u2014they\tsaid\t\u2026\tAh,\tCaptain,\tthey\tsaid that\tno\tone\twould\treally\tnotice\tif\tthey\twere\tgone,\tsince\tit\u2019s\tthe\tGreat\tHall,\tand\tit\u2019s\tempty and,\tah\u2014\u201d \u201cUse\tyour\twords,\u201d\tChaol\tsnapped.\tHe\twas\tgoing\tto\tmurder\tthe\ttwo\tdeserters. \u201cThe\t general\u2019s\t party,\t sir,\u201d\t said\t the\t other.\t \u201cGeneral\t Ashryver\t walked\t past\t on\t his\t way into\tRifthold\tand\tinvited\tthem\tto\tjoin\thim.\tHe\tsaid\tit\twould\tbe\tall\tright\twith\tyou,\tso\tthey went\twith\thim.\u201d A\tmuscle\tfeathered\tin\this\tjaw.\tOf\tcourse\tAedion\tdid. \u201cAnd\t you\t two,\u201d\t Chaol\t growled,\t \u201cdidn\u2019t\t think\t it\t would\t be\t useful\t to\t report\t this\t to anyone?\u201d \u201cWith\t all\t due\t respect,\t sir,\u201d\t said\t the\t second\t one,\t \u201cwe\t were\t \u2026\t we\t didn\u2019t\t want\t them\t to think\twe\twere\tratters.\tAnd\tit\u2019s\tjust\tthe\tGreat\tHall\u2014\u201d \u201cWrong\tthing\tto\tsay,\u201d\tChaol\tsnarled.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tboth\ton\tdouble\tduty\tfor\ta\tmonth\u2014in\tthe gardens.\u201d\t Where\t it\t was\t still\t freezing.\t \u201cYour\t leisure\t time\t is\t now\t nonexistent.\t And\t if\t you ever\t again\t fail\t to\t report\t another\t guard\t abandoning\t his\t post,\t you\u2019re\t both\t gone. Understood?\u201d When\t he\t got\t a\t mumbled\t confirmation,\t he\t stalked\t toward\t the\t front\t gate\t of\t the\t castle. Like\t hell\t he\u2019d\t go\t to\t sleep\t now.\t He\t had\t two\t guards\t to\t hunt\t down\t in\t Rifthold\t \u2026\t and\t a general\tto\texchange\tsome\twords\twith. Aedion\thad\trented\tout\tan\tentire\ttavern.\tMen\twere\tat\tthe\tdoor\tto\tkeep\tout\tthe\triffraff,\tbut one\t glare\t from\t Chaol,\t one\t glimpse\t of\t the\t eagle-shaped\t pommel\t of\t his\t sword,\t had\t them stepping\t aside.\t The\t tavern\t was\t crammed\t with\t various\t nobles,\t some\t women\t who\t could have\t been\t courtesans\t or\t courtiers,\t and\t men\u2014lots\t of\t drunk,\t boisterous\t men.\t Card\t games,","dice,\t bawdy\t singing\t to\t the\t music\t made\t by\t the\t small\t quintet\t by\t the\t roaring\t fire,\t free- flowing\ttaps\tof\tale,\tbottles\tof\tsparkling\twine\t\u2026\tWas\tAedion\tgoing\tto\tpay\tfor\tthis\twith\this blood\tmoney,\tor\twas\tit\ton\tthe\tking? Chaol\t spotted\t his\t two\t guards,\t plus\t half\t a\t dozen\t others,\t playing\t cards,\t women\t in\t their laps,\tgrinning\tlike\tfiends.\tUntil\tthey\tsaw\thim. They\t were\t still\t groveling\t as\t Chaol\t sent\t them\t packing\u2014back\t to\t the\t castle,\t where\t he would\t deal\t with\t them\t tomorrow.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t decide\t whether\t they\t deserved\t to\t lose\t their positions,\t since\t Aedion\t had\t lied,\t and\t he\t didn\u2019t\t like\t making\t choices\t like\t that\t unless\t he\u2019d slept\t on\t them\t first.\t So\t out\t they\t went,\t into\t the\t freezing\t night.\t And\t then\t Chaol\t began\t the process\tof\thunting\tdown\tthe\tgeneral. But\t no\t one\t knew\t where\t he\t was.\t First,\t someone\t sent\t Chaol\t upstairs,\t to\t one\t of\t the tavern\u2019s\t bedrooms.\t Where\t he\t indeed\t found\t the\t two\t women\t someone\t said\t Aedion\t had slipped\taway\twith\u2014but\tanother\tman\twas\tbetween\tthem.\tChaol\tonly\tdemanded\twhere\tthe general\t had\t gone.\t The\t women\t said\t they\u2019d\t seen\t him\t playing\t dice\t in\t the\t cellar\t with\t some masked,\t high-ranking\t nobles.\t So\t Chaol\t stormed\t down\t there.\t And\t indeed,\t there\t were\t the masked,\t high-ranking\t nobles.\t They\t were\t pretending\t to\t be\t mere\t revelers,\t but\t Chaol recognized\t them\t anyway,\t even\t if\t he\t didn\u2019t\t call\t them\t out\t by\t name.\t They\t insisted\t Aedion was\tlast\tseen\tplaying\tthe\tfiddle\tin\tthe\tmain\troom. So\tChaol\twent\tback\tupstairs.\tAedion\twas\tcertainly\tnot\tplaying\tthe\tfiddle.\tOr\tthe\tdrum, or\t the\t lute\t or\t the\t pipes.\t In\t fact,\t it\t seemed\t that\t Aedion\t Ashryver\t wasn\u2019t\t even\t at\t his\t own party. A\t courtesan\t prowled\t up\t to\t him\t to\t sell\t her\t wares,\t and\t would\t have\t walked\t away\t at\t his snarl\thad\tChaol\tnot\toffered\ther\ta\tsilver\tcoin\tfor\tinformation\tabout\tthe\tgeneral.\tShe\u2019d\tseen him\t leave\t an\t hour\t ago\u2014on\t the\t arm\t of\t one\t of\t her\t rivals.\t Headed\t off\t to\t a\t more\t private location,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t know\t where.\t If\t Aedion\t was\t no\t longer\t here,\t then\t \u2026\t Chaol\t went back\tto\tthe\tcastle. But\the\tdid\thear\tone\tmore\tbit\tof\tinformation.\tThe\tBane\twould\tarrive\tsoon,\tpeople\tsaid, and\t when\t the\t legion\t descended\t on\t the\t city,\t they\t planned\t to\t show\t Rifthold\t a\t whole\t new level\tof\tdebauchery.\tAll\tof\tChaol\u2019s\tguards\twere\tinvited,\tapparently. It\twas\tthe\tlast\tthing\the\twanted\tor\tneeded\u2014an\tentire\tlegion\tof\tlethal\twarriors\twreaking havoc\t on\t Rifthold\t and\t distracting\t his\t men.\t If\t that\t happened,\t the\t king\t might\t look\t too closely\tat\tChaol\u2014or\task\twhere\the\tsometimes\tdisappeared\tto. So\the\tneeded\tto\thave\tmore\tthan\tjust\twords\twith\tAedion.\tHe\tneeded\tto\tfind\tsomething to\tuse\tagainst\thim\tso\tAedion\twould\tagree\tnot\tto\tthrow\tthese\tparties\tand\tswear\tto\tkeep\this Bane\tunder\tcontrol.\tTomorrow\tnight,\the\u2019d\tgo\tto\twhatever\tparty\tAedion\tthrew. And\tsee\twhat\tleverage\the\tcould\tfind.","Chapter\t11 Freezing\tand\taching\tfrom\tshivering\tall\tnight,\tCelaena\tawoke\tbefore\tdawn\tin\ther\tmiserable little\t room\t and\t found\t an\t ivory\t tin\t sitting\t outside\t the\t door.\t It\t was\t filled\t with\t a\t salve\t that smelled\tof\tmint\tand\trosemary,\tand\tbeneath\tit\twas\ta\tnote\twritten\tin\ttight,\tconcise\tletters. You\tdeserved\tit.\tMaeve\tsends\ther\twishes\tfor\ta\tspeedy\trecovery. Snorting\t at\t the\t lecture\t Rowan\t must\t have\t received,\t and\t how\t it\t must\t have\t ruffled\t his feathers\tto\tbring\ther\tthe\tgift,\tCelaena\tsmeared\tthe\tsalve\tonto\ther\tstill-swollen\tlip.\tA\tglance in\t the\t speckled\t shard\t of\t mirror\t above\t the\t dresser\t revealed\t that\t she\t had\t seen\t better\t days. And\twas\tnever\tdrinking\twine\tor\teating\tteggya\tagain.\tOr\tgoing\tmore\tthan\ta\tday\twithout\ta bath. Apparently\t Rowan\t agreed,\t because\t he\u2019d\t also\t left\t a\t few\t pitchers\t of\t water,\t some\t soap, and\t a\t new\t set\t of\t clothes:\t white\t underthings,\t a\t loose\t shirt,\t and\t a\t pale-gray\t surcoat\t and cloak\tsimilar\tto\twhat\the\thad\tworn\tthe\tday\tbefore.\tThough\tsimple,\tthe\tfabric\twas\tthick\tand of\tgood\tquality. Celaena\t washed\t as\t best\t she\t could,\t shaking\t with\t the\t cold\t leaking\t in\t from\t the\t misty forest\t beyond.\t Suddenly\t homesick\t for\t the\t giant\t bathing\t pool\t at\t the\t palace,\t she\t quickly dried\tand\tslid\tinto\tthe\tclothes,\tthankful\tfor\tthe\tlayers. Her\t teeth\t wouldn\u2019t\t stop\t chattering.\t Hadn\u2019t\t stopped\t chattering\t all\t night,\t actually. Having\twet\thair\tnow\tdidn\u2019t\thelp,\teven\tafter\tshe\tbraided\tit\tback.\tShe\tstuffed\ther\tfeet\tinto the\t knee-high\t leather\t boots\t and\t tied\t the\t thick\t red\t sash\t around\t her\t waist\t as\t tightly\t as\t she could\t manage\t without\t losing\t the\t ability\t to\t move,\t hoping\t to\t give\t herself\t some\t shape,\t but \u2026 Celaena\tscowled\tat\tthe\tmirror.\tShe\u2019d\tlost\tweight\u2014enough\tso\tthat\ther\tface\tlooked\tabout as\t hollow\t as\t she\t felt.\t Even\t her\t hair\t had\t become\t rather\t dull\t and\t limp.\t The\t salve\t had already\ttaken\tdown\tthe\tswelling\tin\ther\tlip,\tbut\tnot\tthe\tcolor.\tAt\tleast\tshe\twas\tclean\tagain. If\t frozen\t to\t her\t core.\t And\u2014completely\t overdressed\t for\t kitchen\t duty.\t Sighing,\t she unwrapped\t her\t sash\t and\t shrugged\t off\t the\t overcoat,\t tossing\t them\t onto\t the\t bed.\t Gods,\t her hands\twere\tso\tcold\tthat\tthe\tring\ton\ther\tfinger\twas\tslipping\tand\tsliding\tabout.\tShe\tknew\tit was\ta\tmistake,\tbut\tshe\tlooked\tat\tit\tanyway,\tthe\tamethyst\tdark\tin\tthe\tearly\tmorning\tlight. What\t would\t Chaol\t make\t of\t all\t this?\t She\t was\t here,\t after\t all,\t because\t of\t him.\t Not\t just here\tin\tthis\tphysical\tplace,\tbut\there\tinside\tthis\tendless\texhaustion,\tthe\tnear-constant\tache in\ther\tchest.\tIt\twas\tnot\this\tfault\tthat\tNehemia\tdied,\tnot\twhen\tthe\tprincess\thad\torchestrated everything.\t Yet\t he\t had\t kept\t information\t from\t her.\t He\t had\t chosen\t the\t king.\t Even\t though he\u2019d\tclaimed\the\tloved\ther,\the\tstill\tloyally\tserved\tthat\tmonster.\tMaybe\tshe\thad\tbeen\ta\tfool for\t letting\t him\t in,\t for\t dreaming\t of\t a\t world\t where\t she\t could\t ignore\t the\t fact\t that\t he\t was captain\tto\tthe\tman\twho\thad\tshattered\ther\tlife\tagain\tand\tagain. The\tpain\tin\ther\tchest\tsharpened\tenough\tthat\tbreathing\tbecame\tdifficult.\tShe\tstood\tthere for\ta\tmoment,\tpushing\tback\tagainst\tit,\tletting\tit\tsink\tinto\tthe\tfog\tthat\tsmothered\ther\tsoul,","and\tthen\ttrudged\tout\tthe\tdoor. The\tone\tbenefit\tto\tscullery\tduty\twas\tthat\tthe\tkitchen\twas\twarm.\tHot,\teven.\tThe\tgreat\tbrick oven\t and\t hearth\t were\t blazing,\t chasing\t away\t the\t morning\t mist\t that\t slithered\t in\t from\t the trees\t beyond\t the\t bay\t of\t windows\t above\t the\t copper\t sinks.\t There\t were\t only\t two\t other people\tin\tthe\tkitchen\u2014a\thunched\told\tman\ttending\tto\tthe\tbubbling\tpots\ton\tthe\thearth\tand\ta youth\t at\t the\t wooden\t table\t that\t split\t the\t kitchen\t in\t half,\t chopping\t onions\t and\t monitoring what\t smelled\t like\t bread.\t By\t the\t Wyrd,\t she\t was\t hungry.\t That\t bread\t smelled\t divine.\t And what\twas\tin\tthose\tpots? Despite\t the\t absurdly\t early\t hour,\t the\t young\t man\u2019s\t merry\t prattling\t had\t echoed\t off\t the stones\tof\tthe\tstairwell,\tbut\the\u2019d\tfallen\tsilent,\tboth\tmen\tstopping\ttheir\twork,\twhen\tRowan strode\tdown\tthe\tsteps\tinto\tthe\tkitchen.\tThe\tFae\tprince\thad\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\ther\tdown\tthe hall,\t arms\t crossed,\t already\t bored.\t But\t his\t animal-bright\t eyes\t had\t narrowed\t slightly,\t as\t if he\u2019d\t been\t half\t hoping\t she\t would\t oversleep\t and\t give\t him\t an\t excuse\t to\t punish\t her.\t As\t an immortal,\t he\t probably\t had\t endless\t patience\t and\t creativity\t when\t it\t came\t to\t thinking\t up miserable\tpunishments. Rowan\taddressed\tthe\told\tman\tby\tthe\thearth\u2014standing\tso\tstill\tthat\tCelaena\twondered\tif the\t prince\t had\t learned\t it\t or\t been\t born\t with\t it.\t \u201cYour\t new\t scullery\t maid\t for\t the\t morning shift.\t After\t breakfast,\t I\t have\t her\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t day.\u201d\t Apparently,\t his\t lack\t of\t greeting wasn\u2019t\t personal.\t Rowan\t looked\t at\t her\t with\t raised\t brows,\t and\t she\t could\t see\t the\t words\t in his\t eyes\t as\t clearly\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t spoken\t them:\t You\t wanted\t to\t remain\t unidentified,\t so\t go ahead,\tPrincess.\tIntroduce\tyourself\twith\twhatever\tname\tyou\twant. At\t least\t he\u2019d\t listened\t to\t her\t last\t night.\t \u201cElentiya,\u201d\t she\t choked\t out.\t \u201cMy\t name\t is Elentiya.\u201d\tHer\tgut\ttightened. Thank\t the\t gods\t Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t snort\t at\t the\t name.\t She\t might\t have\t eviscerated\t him\u2014or tried\tto,\tat\tleast\u2014if\the\tmocked\tthe\tname\tNehemia\thad\tgiven\ther. The\t old\t man\t hobbled\t forward,\t wiping\t his\t gnarled\t hands\t on\t a\t crisp\t white\t apron.\t His brown\twoolen\tclothes\twere\tsimple\tand\tworn\u2014a\tbit\tthreadbare\tin\tplaces\u2014and\the\tseemed to\t have\t some\t trouble\t with\t his\t left\t knee,\t but\t his\t white\t hair\t was\t tied\t back\t neatly\t from\t his tan\tface.\tHe\tbowed\tstiffly.\t\u201cSo\tgood\tof\tyou\tto\tfind\tus\tadditional\thelp,\tPrince.\u201d\tHe\tshifted his\tchestnut-brown\teyes\tto\tCelaena\tand\tgave\ther\ta\tno-nonsense\tonceover.\t\u201cEver\twork\tin\ta kitchen?\u201d With\tall\tthe\tthings\tshe\thad\tdone,\tall\tthe\tplaces\tand\tthings\tand\tpeople\tshe\thad\tseen,\tshe had\tto\tsay\tno. \u201cWell,\tI\thope\tyou\u2019re\ta\tfast\tlearner\tand\tquick\ton\tyour\tfeet,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cI\u2019ll\tdo\tmy\tbest.\u201d\tApparently\tthat\twas\tall\tRowan\tneeded\tto\thear\tbefore\the\tstalked\toff, his\tfootsteps\tsilent,\tevery\tmovement\tsmooth\tand\tlaced\twith\tpower.\tJust\twatching\thim,\tshe knew\t he\u2019d\t held\t back\t last\t night\t when\t punching\t her.\t If\t he\u2019d\t wanted\t to,\t he\t could\t have shattered\ther\tjaw. \u201cI\u2019m\t Emrys,\u201d\t the\t old\t man\t said.\t He\t hurried\t to\t the\t oven,\t grabbing\t a\t long,\t flat\t wooden shovel\t from\t the\t wall\t to\t pull\t a\t brown\t loaf\t out\t of\t the\t oven.\t Introduction\t over.\t Good.\t No wishy-washy\tnonsense\tor\tsmiling\tor\tany\tof\tthat.\tBut\this\tears\u2014","Half-breeds.\tPeeking\tup\tfrom\tEmrys\u2019s\twhite\thair\twere\tthe\tmarkers\tof\this\tFae\theritage. \u201cAnd\t this\t is\t Luca,\u201d\t the\t old\t man\t said,\t pointing\t to\t the\t youth\t at\t the\t worktable.\t Even though\ta\track\tof\tiron\tpots\tand\tpans\thanging\tfrom\tthe\tceiling\tpartially\tblocked\ther\tview\tof him,\the\tgave\tCelaena\ta\tbroad\tsmile,\this\tmop\tof\ttawny\tcurls\tsticking\tup\tthis\tway\tand\tthat. He\thad\tto\tbe\ta\tfew\tyears\tyounger\tthan\ther\tat\tleast,\tand\thadn\u2019t\tyet\tgrown\tinto\this\ttall\tframe or\t broad\t shoulders.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t have\t properly\t fitting\t clothes,\t either,\t given\t how\t short\t the sleeves\tof\this\tordinary\tbrown\ttunic\twere.\t\u201cYou\tand\the\twill\tbe\tsharing\ta\tlot\tof\tthe\tscullery work,\tI\u2019m\tafraid.\u201d \u201cOh,\tit\u2019s\tabsolutely\tmiserable,\u201d\tLuca\tchirped,\tsniffling\tloudly\tat\tthe\treek\tof\tthe\tonions he\twas\tchopping,\t\u201cbut\tyou\u2019ll\tget\tused\tto\tit.\tThough\tmaybe\tnot\tthe\twaking\tup\tbefore\tdawn part.\u201d\t Emrys\t shot\t the\t young\t man\t a\t glare,\t and\t Luca\t amended,\t \u201cAt\t least\t the\t company\u2019s good.\u201d She\t gave\t him\t her\t best\t attempt\t at\t a\t civilized\t nod\t and\t took\t in\t the\t layout\t again.\t Behind Luca,\t a\t second\t stone\t staircase\t spiraled\t up\t and\t out\t of\t sight,\t and\t the\t two\t towering cupboards\t on\t either\t side\t of\t it\t were\t crammed\t with\t well-worn,\t if\t not\t cracked,\t dishes\t and cutlery.\tThe\ttop\thalf\tof\ta\twooden\tdoor\tby\tthe\twindows\twas\twide\topen,\ta\twall\tof\ttrees\tand mist\t swirling\t beyond\t a\t small\t clearing\t of\t grass.\t Past\t them,\t the\t ring\t of\t megaliths\t towered like\teternal\tguardians. She\t caught\t Emrys\t studying\t her\t hands\t and\t held\t them\t out,\t scars\t and\t all.\t \u201cAlready mangled\tand\truined,\tso\tyou\twon\u2019t\tfind\tme\tweeping\tover\tbroken\tnails.\u201d \u201cMother\tkeep\tme.\tWhat\thappened?\u201d\tBut\teven\tas\tthe\told\tman\tspoke,\tshe\tcould\tsee\thim putting\t the\t pieces\t together\u2014see\t him\t deciphering\t Celaena\u2019s\t accent,\t taking\t in\t her\t swollen lip\tand\tthe\tshadows\tunder\ther\teyes. \u201cAdarlan\twill\tdo\tthat\tto\ta\tperson.\u201d\tLuca\u2019s\tknife\tthudded\ton\tthe\ttable,\tbut\tCelaena\tkept her\teyes\ton\tthe\told\tman.\t\u201cGive\tme\twhatever\twork\tyou\twant.\tAny\twork.\u201d Let\t Rowan\t think\t she\t was\t spoiled\t and\t selfish.\t She\t was,\t but\t she\t wanted\t sore\t muscles and\tblistered\thands\tand\tto\tfall\tinto\tbed\tso\texhausted\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tdream,\twouldn\u2019t\tthink, wouldn\u2019t\tfeel\tmuch\tof\tanything. Emrys\tclicked\this\ttongue.\tThere\twas\tenough\tpity\tin\tthe\tman\u2019s\teyes\tthat\tfor\ta\theartbeat, Celaena\tcontemplated\tbiting\this\thead\toff.\tThen\the\tsaid,\t\u201cJust\tfinish\tthe\tonions.\tLuca,\tyou mind\tthe\tbread.\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tstart\ton\tthe\tcasseroles.\u201d Celaena\ttook\tup\tthe\tspot\tthat\tLuca\thad\talready\tvacated\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\ttable,\tpassing the\t giant\t hearth\t as\t she\t did\t so\u2014a\t mammoth\t thing\t of\t ancient\t stone,\t carved\t with\t symbols and\todd\tfaces.\tEven\tthe\tposts\tof\tthe\tbrazier\thad\tbeen\tfashioned\tinto\tstanding\tfigures,\tand displayed\tatop\tthe\tthin\tmantel\twas\ta\tset\tof\tnine\tiron\tfigurines.\tGods\tand\tgoddesses. Celaena\tquickly\tlooked\taway\tfrom\tthe\ttwo\tfemales\tin\tthe\tcenter\u2014one\tcrowned\twith\ta star\t and\t armed\t with\t a\t bow\t and\t quiver,\t the\t other\t bearing\t a\t polished\t bronze\t disk\t upheld between\ther\traised\thands.\tShe\tcould\thave\tsworn\tshe\tfelt\tthem\twatching\ther. Breakfast\twas\ta\tmadhouse. As\tdawn\tfilled\tthe\twindows\twith\tgolden\tlight,\tchaos\tdescended\ton\tthe\tkitchen,\tpeople","rushing\tin\tand\tout.\tThere\tweren\u2019t\tany\tservants,\tjust\tweathered\tpeople\tdoing\ttheir\tchores\tor even\t helping\t because\t they\t felt\t like\t it.\t Great\t tubs\t of\t eggs\t and\t potatoes\t and\t vegetables vanished\tas\tsoon\tas\tthey\twere\tplaced\ton\tthe\ttable,\twhisked\tup\tthe\tstairs\tand\tinto\twhat\thad to\t be\t the\t dining\t hall.\t Jugs\t of\t water,\t of\t milk,\t of\t the\t gods\t knew\t what\t were\t hauled\t up. Celaena\twas\tintroduced\tto\tsome\tof\tthe\tpeople,\tbut\tmost\tdidn\u2019t\tcast\ta\tlook\tin\ther\tdirection. And\twasn\u2019t\tthat\ta\tlovely\tchange\tfrom\tthe\tusual\tstares\tand\tterror\tand\twhispers\tthat\thad marked\tthe\tpast\tten\tyears\tof\ther\tlife.\tShe\thad\ta\tfeeling\tRowan\twould\tkeep\this\tmouth\tshut about\ther\tidentity,\tif\tonly\tbecause\the\tseemed\tto\thate\ttalking\tto\tothers\tas\tmuch\tas\tshe\tdid. In\t the\t kitchen,\t chopping\t vegetables\t and\t washing\t pans,\t she\t was\t absolutely,\t gloriously nobody. Her\tdull\tknife\twas\ta\tnightmare\twhen\tit\tcame\tto\tchopping\tmushrooms,\tscallions,\tand\tan endless\t avalanche\t of\t potatoes.\t No\t one,\t except\t perhaps\t Emrys\t with\t his\t all-seeing\t eyes, seemed\tto\tnotice\ther\tperfect\tslices.\tSomeone\tmerely\tscooped\tthem\tup\tand\ttossed\tthem\tin a\tpot,\tthen\ttold\ther\tto\tcut\tsomething\telse. Then\u2014nothing.\t Everyone\t but\t her\t two\t companions\t vanished\t upstairs,\t and\t sleepy laughter,\t grumbling,\t and\t clinking\t silverware\t echoed\t down\t the\t stairwell.\t Famished, Celaena\tlooked\tlongingly\tat\tthe\tfood\tleft\ton\tthe\tworktable\tjust\tas\tshe\tcaught\tLuca\tstaring at\ther. \u201cGo\t ahead,\u201d\t he\t said\t with\t a\t grin\t before\t moving\t to\t help\t Emrys\t haul\t a\t massive\t iron cauldron\tover\ttoward\tthe\tsink.\tEven\twith\tthe\tinsanity\tof\tthe\tpast\thour,\tLuca\thad\tmanaged to\tchat\tup\talmost\tevery\tperson\twho\tcame\tinto\tthe\tkitchen,\this\tvoice\tand\tlaughter\tfloating over\tthe\tclanging\tpots\tand\tbarked\torders.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tbe\tat\tthose\tdishes\tfor\ta\twhile\tand\tmight as\twell\teat\tnow.\u201d Indeed,\tthere\twas\ta\ttower\tof\tdishes\tand\tpots\talready\tby\tthe\tsinks.\tThe\tcauldron\talone would\t take\t forever.\t So\t Celaena\t plunked\t down\t at\t the\t table,\t served\t herself\t some\t eggs\t and potatoes,\tpoured\ta\tcup\tof\ttea,\tand\tdug\tin. Devouring\t was\t a\t better\t word\t for\t what\t she\t did.\t Holy\t gods,\t it\t was\t delicious.\t Within moments,\t she\u2019d\t consumed\t two\t pieces\t of\t toast\t laden\t with\t eggs,\t then\t started\t on\t the\t fried potatoes.\t Which\t were\t as\t absurdly\t good\t as\t the\t eggs.\t She\t ditched\t the\t tea\t in\t favor\t of downing\ta\tglass\tof\tthe\trichest\tmilk\tshe\u2019d\tever\ttasted.\tNot\tthat\tshe\tever\treally\tdrank\tmilk, since\tshe\u2019d\thad\ther\tpick\tof\texotic\tjuices\tin\tRifthold,\tbut\t\u2026\tShe\tlooked\tup\tfrom\ther\tplate to\tfind\tEmrys\tand\tLuca\tgaping\tfrom\tthe\thearth.\t\u201cGods\tabove,\u201d\tthe\told\tman\tsaid,\tmoving to\tsit\tat\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cWhen\twas\tthe\tlast\ttime\tyou\tate?\u201d Good\tfood\tlike\tthis?\tA\twhile.\tAnd\tif\tRowan\twas\tcoming\tback\tat\tsome\tpoint,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t want\t to\t be\t swaying\t from\t hunger.\t She\t needed\t her\t strength\t for\t training.\t Magic\t training. Which\twas\tsure\tto\tbe\thorrific,\tbut\tshe\twould\tdo\tit\u2014to\tfulfill\ther\tbargain\twith\tMaeve\tand honor\ther\tvow\tto\tNehemia.\tSuddenly\tnot\tvery\thungry,\tshe\tset\tdown\ther\tfork.\t\u201cSorry,\u201d\tshe said. \u201cOh,\t eat\t all\t you\t like,\u201d\t Emrys\t said.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t nothing\t more\t satisfying\t to\t a\t cook\t than seeing\tsomeone\tenjoy\this\tfood.\u201d\tHe\tsaid\tit\twith\tenough\thumor\tand\tkindness\tthat\tit\tchafed. How\twould\tthey\treact\tif\tthey\tknew\tthe\tthings\tshe\u2019d\tdone?\tWhat\twould\tthey\tdo\tif\tthey knew\t about\t the\t blood\t she\u2019d\t spilled,\t how\t she\u2019d\t tortured\t Grave\t and\t taken\t him\t apart\t piece","by\t piece,\t the\t way\t she\u2019d\t gutted\t Archer\t in\t that\t sewer?\t The\t way\t she\u2019d\t failed\t her\t friend. Failed\ta\tlot\tof\tpeople. They\t were\t noticeably\t quieter\t as\t they\t sat\t down.\t They\t didn\u2019t\t ask\t her\t any\t questions. Which\twas\tperfect,\tbecause\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\treally\twant\tto\tstart\ta\tconversation.\tShe\twouldn\u2019t\tbe here\t for\t long,\t anyway.\t Emrys\t and\t Luca\t kept\t to\t themselves,\t chatting\t about\t the\t training Luca\twas\tto\tdo\twith\tsome\tof\tthe\tsentries\ton\tthe\tbattlements\tthat\tday,\tthe\tmeat\tpies\tEmrys would\tmake\tfor\tlunch,\tthe\toncoming\tspring\trains\tthat\tmight\truin\tthe\tBeltane\tfestival\tlike last\t year.\t Such\t ordinary\t things\t to\t talk\t about,\t worry\t about.\t And\t they\t were\t so\t easy\t with each\tother\u2014a\tfamily\tin\ttheir\town\tway. Uncorrupted\tby\ta\twicked\tempire,\tby\tyears\tof\tbrutality\tand\tslavery\tand\tbloodshed.\tShe could\talmost\tsee\tthe\tthree\tsouls\tin\tthe\tkitchen\tlined\tup\tbeside\teach\tother:\ttheirs\tbright\tand clear,\thers\ta\tflickering\tblack\tflame. Do\t not\t let\t that\t light\t go\t out.\t Nehemia\u2019s\t last\t words\t to\t her\t that\t night\t in\t the\t tunnels. Celaena\t pushed\t around\t the\t food\t on\t her\t plate.\t She\u2019d\t never\t known\t anyone\t whose\t life hadn\u2019t\tbeen\tovershadowed\tby\tAdarlan.\tShe\tcould\tbarely\tremember\ther\tbrief\tyears\tbefore the\tcontinent\thad\tbeen\tenslaved,\twhen\tTerrasen\thad\tstill\tbeen\tfree. She\tcould\tnot\tremember\twhat\tit\twas\tlike\tto\tbe\tfree. A\t pit\t yawned\t open\t beneath\t her\t feet,\t so\t deep\t that\t she\t had\t to\t move\t lest\t it\t swallow\t her whole. She\t was\t about\t to\t get\t started\t on\t the\t dishes\t when\t Luca\t said\t from\t down\t the\t table,\t \u201cSo you\teither\thave\tto\tbe\tvery\timportant\tor\tvery\tunlucky\tto\thave\tRowan\ttraining\tyou\tto\tenter Doranelle.\u201d\tDamned\twas\tmore\tlike\tit,\tbut\tshe\tkept\ther\tmouth\tshut.\tEmrys\twas\tlooking\ton with\tcautious\tinterest.\t\u201cThat\tis\twhat\tyou\u2019re\ttraining\tfor,\tright?\u201d \u201cIsn\u2019t\tthat\twhy\tyou\u2019re\tall\there?\u201d\tThe\twords\tcame\tout\tflatter\tthan\teven\tshe\texpected. Luca\tsaid,\t\u201cYes,\tbut\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tyears\tuntil\tI\tlearn\twhether\tI\u2019ve\tmet\ttheir\tqualifications.\u201d Years.\tYears?\tMaeve\tcouldn\u2019t\tmean\tfor\ther\tto\tbe\there\tthat\tlong.\tShe\tlooked\tat\tEmrys. \u201cHow\tlong\thave\tyou\tbeen\ttraining?\u201d The\told\tman\tsnorted.\t\u201cOh,\tI\twas\tabout\tfifteen\twhen\tI\tcame\there,\tand\tworked\tfor\tthem for\tabout\t\u2026\tten\tyears,\tand\tI\twas\tnever\tworthy\tenough.\tToo\tordinary.\tThen\tI\tdecided\tI\u2019d rather\thave\ta\thome\tand\tmy\town\tkitchen\there\tthan\tbe\tlooked\tdown\tupon\tin\tDoranelle\tfor the\t rest\t of\t my\t days.\t It\t didn\u2019t\t hurt\t that\t my\t mate\t felt\t the\t same\t way.\t You\u2019ll\t meet\t him\t soon enough.\tHe\u2019s\talways\tpopping\tin\tto\tsteal\tfood\tfor\thimself\tand\this\tmen.\u201d\tHe\tchuckled,\tand Luca\tgrinned. Mate\u2014not\t husband.\t The\t Fae\t had\t mates:\t an\t unbreakable\t bond,\t deeper\t than\t marriage, that\tlasted\tbeyond\tdeath.\tCelaena\tasked,\t\u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\tall\u2014half-breeds?\u201d Luca\tstiffened,\tbut\tflashed\ta\tsmile\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cOnly\tthe\tpure-blooded\tFae\tcall\tus\tthat. We\t prefer\t demi-Fae.\t But\t yes,\t most\t of\t us\t were\t born\t to\t mortal\t mothers,\t with\t the\t fathers unaware\tthey\u2019d\tsired\tus.\tThe\tgifted\tones\tusually\tget\tsnatched\taway\tto\tDoranelle,\tbut\tfor us\t common\t offspring,\t the\t humans\t still\t aren\u2019t\t comfortable\t with\t us,\t so\t \u2026\t we\t go\t here,\t we come\t to\t Mistward.\t Or\t to\t the\t other\t border\t outposts.\t Few\t enough\t get\t permission\t to\t go\t to Doranelle\tthat\tmost\tjust\tcome\there\tto\tlive\tamong\ttheir\town\tkind.\u201d\tLuca\u2019s\teyes\tnarrowed","on\ther\tears.\t\u201cLooks\tlike\tyou\tgot\tmore\thuman\tin\tyou\tthan\tFae.\u201d \u201cBecause\tI\u2019m\tnot\thalf.\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tshare\tany\tmore\tdetails\tthan\tthat. \u201cCan\tyou\tshift?\u201d\tLuca\tasked.\tEmrys\tshot\thim\ta\twarning\tlook. \u201cCan\tyou?\u201d\tshe\tasked. \u201cOh,\tno.\tNeither\tof\tus\tcan.\tIf\twe\tcould,\twe\u2019d\tprobably\tbe\tin\tDoranelle\twith\tthe\tother \u2018gifted\u2019\toffspring\tthat\tMaeve\tlikes\tto\tcollect.\u201d Emrys\tgrowled.\t\u201cCareful,\tLuca.\u201d \u201cMaeve\t doesn\u2019t\t deny\t it,\t so\t why\t should\t I?\t That\u2019s\t what\t Bas\t and\t the\t others\t are\t saying, too.\t Anyway,\t there\t are\t a\t few\t sentries\t here\t who\t have\t secondary\t forms,\t like\t Malakai\u2014 Emrys\u2019s\tmate.\tAnd\tthey\u2019re\there\tbecause\tthey\twant\tto\tbe.\u201d She\t wasn\u2019t\t at\t all\t surprised\t that\t Maeve\t took\t an\t interest\t in\t the\t gifted\t ones\u2014or\t that Maeve\tlocked\tall\tthe\tuseless\tones\tout.\t\u201cAnd\tdo\teither\tof\tyou\thave\u2014gifts?\u201d \u201cYou\tmean\tmagic?\u201d\tLuca\tsaid,\this\tmouth\tquirking\tto\tthe\tside.\t\u201cOh,\tno\u2014neither\tof\tus got\ta\tlick\tof\tit.\tI\theard\tyour\tcontinent\talways\thad\tmore\twielders\tthan\twe\tdid,\tanyway,\tand more\tvariety.\tSay,\tis\tit\ttrue\tthat\tit\u2019s\tall\tgone\tover\tthere?\u201d She\t nodded.\t Luca\t let\t out\t a\t low\t whistle.\t He\t opened\t his\t mouth\t to\t ask\t more,\t but\t she wasn\u2019t\tparticularly\tin\tthe\tmood\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit\tso\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cDoes\tanyone\tat\tthis\tfortress have\tmagic?\u201d\tMaybe\tthey\u2019d\tbe\table\tto\ttell\ther\twhat\tto\texpect\twith\tRowan\u2014and\tMaeve. Luca\tshrugged.\t\u201cSome.\tThey\u2019ve\tonly\tgot\ta\thint\tof\tboring\tstuff,\tlike\tencouraging\tplants to\tgrow\tor\tfinding\twater\tor\tconvincing\train\tto\tcome.\tNot\tthat\twe\tneed\tit\there.\u201d They\u2019d\tbe\tof\tno\tassistance\twith\tRowan\tor\tMaeve,\tthen.\tWonderful. \u201cBut,\u201d\t Luca\t chattered\t on,\t \u201cno\t one\t here\t has\t any\t exciting\t or\t rare\t abilities.\t Like\t shape- shifting\tinto\twhatever\tform\tthey\twant,\tor\tcontrolling\tfire\u201d\u2014her\tstomach\tclenched\tat\tthat \u2014\u201cor\toracular\tsight.\tWe\tdid\thave\ta\tfemale\twander\tin\twith\traw\tmagic\ttwo\tyears\tago\u2014she could\t do\t anything\t she\t wanted,\t summon\t any\t element,\t and\t she\t was\t here\t a\t week\t before Maeve\tcalled\ther\tto\tDoranelle\tand\twe\tnever\theard\tfrom\ther\tagain.\tA\tshame\u2014she\twas\tso pretty,\t too.\t But\t it\u2019s\t the\t same\t here\t as\t it\t is\t everywhere\t else:\t a\t few\t people\t with\t a\t pathetic trace\tof\telemental\tpowers\tthat\tare\treally\tonly\tfun\tfor\tfarmers.\u201d Emrys\tclicked\this\ttongue.\t\u201cYou\tshould\tpray\tthe\tgods\tdon\u2019t\tstrike\tyou\twith\tlightning\tfor speaking\t like\t that.\u201d\t Luca\t groaned,\t rolling\t his\t eyes,\t but\t Emrys\t continued\t his\t lecture, gesturing\tat\tthe\tyouth\twith\this\tteacup.\t\u201cThose\tpowers\twere\tgifts\tgiven\tto\tus\tby\tthem\tlong ago\u2014gifts\t we\t needed\t to\t survive\u2014and\t were\t passed\t down\t through\t the\t generations.\t Of course\tthey\u2019d\tbe\taligned\twith\tthe\telements,\tand\tof\tcourse\tthey\u2019d\tbe\twatered\tdown\tafter\tso long.\u201d Celaena\t glanced\t toward\t those\t iron\t figurines\t on\t the\t mantel.\t She\t contemplated mentioning\t that\t some\t believed\t the\t gods\t had\t also\t bred\t with\t ancient\t humans\t and\t given them\tmagic\tthat\tway,\tbut\t\u2026\tthat\twould\tinvolve\tmore\ttalking\tthan\tnecessary.\tShe\ttilted\ther head\t to\t the\t side.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t know\t about\t Rowan?\t How\t old\t is\t he?\u201d\t The\t more\t she learned,\tthe\tbetter. Emrys\twrapped\this\twrinkled\thands\taround\this\tteacup.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tone\tof\tthe\tfew\tFae\twe\tsee","around\t Mistward\u2014he\t stops\t in\t every\t now\t and\t then\t to\t retrieve\t reports\t for\t Maeve,\t but\t he keeps\tto\thimself.\tNever\tstays\tthe\tnight.\tOccasionally\the\u2019ll\tcome\twith\tthe\tothers\tlike\thim \u2014there\tare\tsix\tof\tthem\twho\tclosely\tserve\tthe\tQueen\tas\twar\tleaders\tor\tspies,\tyou\tsee.\tThey never\t talk\t to\t us,\t and\t all\t we\t hear\t are\t rumors\t about\t where\t they\t go\t and\t what\t they\t do.\t But I\u2019ve\t known\t Rowan\t since\t I\t first\t came\t here.\t Not\t that\t I\t really\t know\t him,\t mind\t you. Sometimes\the\u2019s\tgone\tfor\tyears,\toff\tserving\tHer\tMajesty.\tAnd\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tanyone\tknows how\told\the\tis.\tWhen\tI\twas\tfifteen,\tthe\toldest\tpeople\tliving\there\thad\tknown\thim\tsince\tthey were\tyounglings,\tso\t\u2026\tI\u2019d\tsay\the\u2019s\tvery\told.\u201d \u201cAnd\tmean\tas\tan\tadder,\u201d\tLuca\tmuttered. Emrys\t gave\t him\t a\t warning\t look.\t \u201cYou\u2019d\t best\t mind\t your\t tongue.\u201d\t He\t glanced\t toward the\tdoors,\tas\tif\tRowan\twould\tbe\tlurking\tthere.\tWhen\this\tgaze\tfell\tagain\ton\tCelaena,\tit\twas wary.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tadmit\tthat\tyou\u2019re\tprobably\tin\tfor\ta\tgood\theap\tof\tdifficulty.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\ta\tstone-cold\tkiller\tand\ta\tsadist\tis\twhat\the\tmeans,\u201d\tLuca\tadded.\t\u201cThe\tmeanest\tof Maeve\u2019s\tpersonal\tcabal\tof\twarriors,\tthey\tsay.\u201d Well,\t that\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t surprise,\t either.\t But\t there\t were\t five\t others\t like\t him\u2014that\twas\tan unpleasant\tfact.\tShe\tsaid\tquietly,\t\u201cI\tcan\thandle\thim.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\t not\t allowed\t to\t learn\t the\t Old\t Language\t until\t we\t enter\t Doranelle,\u201d\t Luca\t said, \u201cbut\tI\theard\this\ttattoo\tis\ta\tlist\tof\tall\tthe\tpeople\the\u2019s\tslaughtered.\u201d \u201cHush,\u201d\tEmrys\tsaid. \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tlike\the\tdoesn\u2019t\tact\tlike\tit.\u201d\tLuca\tfrowned\tagain\tat\tCelaena.\t\u201cMaybe\tyou\tshould consider\twhether\tDoranelle\tis\tworth\tit,\tyou\tknow?\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tso\tbad\tliving\there.\u201d She\u2019d\t already\t had\t enough\t interacting.\t \u201cI\t can\t handle\t him,\u201d\t she\t repeated.\t Maeve couldn\u2019t\t intend\t to\t keep\t her\t here\t for\t years.\t If\t that\t started\t to\t seem\t likely,\t Celaena\t would leave.\tAnd\tfind\tanother\tway\tto\tstop\tthe\tking. Luca\t opened\t his\t mouth\t but\t Emrys\t hushed\t him\t again,\t his\t gaze\t falling\t on\t Celaena\u2019s scarred\thands.\t\u201cLet\ther\trun\ther\town\tcourse.\u201d Luca\t started\t chattering\t about\t the\t weather,\t and\t Celaena\t headed\t to\t the\t mountain\t of dishes.\tAs\tshe\twashed,\tshe\tfell\tinto\ta\trhythm,\tas\tshe\u2019d\tdone\twhile\tcleaning\ther\tweapons aboard\tthat\tship. The\t kitchen\t sounds\t turned\t muffled\t as\t she\t let\t herself\t spiral\t down,\t contemplating\t that horrible\trealization\tagain\tand\tagain:\tshe\tcould\tnot\tremember\twhat\tit\twas\tlike\tto\tbe\tfree.","Chapter\t12 The\tBlackbeak\tClan\twas\tthe\tlast\tto\tfully\tassemble\tat\tthe\tFerian\tGap. As\ta\tresult,\tthey\tgot\tthe\tsmallest\tand\tfarthest\trooms\tin\tthe\twarren\tof\thalls\tcarved\tinto the\t Omega,\t the\t last\t of\t the\t Ruhnn\t Mountains\t and\t the\t northernmost\t of\t the\t sister-peaks flanking\tthe\tsnow-blasted\tpass. Across\t the\t gap\t was\t the\t Northern\t Fang,\t the\t final\t peak\t of\t the\t White\t Fangs,\t which\t was currently\toccupied\tby\tthe\tking\u2019s\tmen\u2014massive\tbrutes\twho\tstill\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tquite\twhat\tto make\tof\tthe\twitches\twho\thad\tstalked\tin\tfrom\tevery\tdirection. They\u2019d\tbeen\there\tfor\ta\tday\tand\tManon\thad\tyet\tto\tglimpse\tany\tsign\tof\tthe\twyverns\tthe king\thad\tpromised.\tShe\u2019d\theard\tthem,\teven\tthough\tthey\twere\thoused\tacross\tthe\tpass\tin\tthe Northern\tFang.\tNo\tmatter\thow\tdeep\tyou\tgot\tinto\tthe\tOmega\u2019s\tstone\thalls,\tthe\tshrieks\tand roars\tvibrated\tin\tthe\tstone,\tthe\tair\tpulsed\twith\tthe\tboom\tof\tleathery\twings,\tand\tthe\tfloors hissed\twith\tthe\tscrape\tof\ttalon\ton\trock. It\t had\t been\t five\t hundred\t years\t since\t all\t three\t Clans\t had\t assembled.\t There\t had\t been over\t twenty\t thousand\t of\t them\t at\t one\t point.\t Now\t only\t three\t thousand\t remained,\t and\t that was\ta\tgenerous\testimate.\tAll\tthat\twas\tleft\tof\ta\tonce-mighty\tkingdom. Still,\t the\t halls\t of\t the\t Omega\t were\t a\t dangerous\t place\t to\t be.\t Already\t she\u2019d\t had\t to\t pull apart\t Asterin\t and\t a\t Yellowlegs\t bitch\t who\t hadn\u2019t\t yet\t learned\t that\t Blackbeak\t sentinels\u2014 especially\tmembers\tof\tthe\tThirteen\u2014didn\u2019t\ttake\tlightly\tto\tbeing\tcalled\tsoft-hearted. There\thad\tbeen\tblue\tblood\tsplattered\ton\ttheir\tfaces,\tand\tthough\tManon\twas\tmore\tthan pleased\t to\t see\t that\t Asterin,\t beautiful,\t brash\t Asterin,\t had\t done\t most\t of\t the\t damage,\t she\u2019d still\thad\tto\tpunish\ther\tSecond. Three\t unblocked\t blows.\t One\t to\t the\t gut,\t so\t Asterin\t could\t feel\t her\t own\t powerlessness; one\t to\t the\t ribs,\t so\t she\u2019d\t consider\t her\t actions\t every\t time\t she\t drew\t breath;\t and\t one\t to\t the face,\tso\ther\tbroken\tnose\twould\tremind\ther\tthat\tthe\tpunishment\tcould\thave\tbeen\tfar\tworse. Asterin\t had\t taken\t them\t all\t without\t scream\t or\t complaint\t or\t plea,\t just\t as\t any\t of\t the Thirteen\twould\thave\tdone. And\t this\t morning,\t her\t Second,\t nose\t swollen\t and\t bruised\t at\t the\t bridge,\t had\t given Manon\t a\t fierce\t grin\t over\t their\t miserable\t breakfast\t of\t boiled\t oats.\t Had\t it\t been\t another witch,\tManon\twould\thave\tdragged\ther\tby\tthe\tneck\tto\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\troom\tand\tmade\ther regret\tthe\tinsolence,\tbut\tAsterin\t\u2026 Even\t though\t Asterin\t was\t her\t cousin,\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t friend.\t Manon\t didn\u2019t\t have\t friends. None\t of\t the\t witches,\t especially\t the\t Thirteen,\t had\t friends.\t But\t Asterin\t had\t guarded\t her back\t for\t a\t century,\t and\t the\t grin\t was\t a\t sign\t that\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t put\t a\t dagger\t in\t Manon\u2019s spine\tthe\tnext\ttime\tthey\twere\tknee-deep\tin\tbattle. No,\tAsterin\twas\tjust\tinsane\tenough\tto\twear\tthe\tbroken\tnose\tlike\ta\tbadge\tof\thonor,\tand would\tlove\ther\tcrooked\tnose\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\ther\tnot-so-immortal\tlife.","The\t Yellowlegs\t heir,\t a\t haughty\t bull\t of\t a\t witch\t named\t Iskra,\t had\t merely\t given\t her offending\tsentinel\ta\twarning\tto\tkeep\ther\tmouth\tshut\tand\tsent\ther\tdown\tto\tthe\tinfirmary\tin the\tbelly\tof\tthe\tmountain.\tFool. All\tthe\tcoven\tleaders\twere\tunder\torders\tto\tkeep\ttheir\tsentinels\tin\tline\u2014to\tsuppress\tthe fighting\t between\t Clans.\t Or\t else\t the\t three\t Matrons\t would\t come\t down\t on\t them\t like\t a hammer.\t Without\t punishment,\t without\t Iskra\t making\t an\t example\t of\t her,\t the\t offending witch\t would\t keep\t at\t it\t until\t she\t got\t strung\t up\t by\t her\t toes\t by\t the\t new\t High\t Witch\t of\t the Yellowlegs\tClan. They\u2019d\t held\t a\t sham\t of\t a\t memorial\t service\t last\t night\t for\t Baba\t Yellowlegs\t in\t the cavernous\t mess\t hall\u2014lighting\t any\t old\t candles\t in\t lieu\t of\t the\t traditional\t black\t ones, wearing\t whatever\t hoods\t they\t could\t find,\t and\t going\t through\t the\t Sacred\t Words\t to\t the Three-Faced\tGoddess\tas\tthough\tthey\twere\treading\ta\trecipe. Manon\t had\t never\t met\t Baba\t Yellowlegs,\t and\t didn\u2019t\t particularly\t care\t that\t she\u2019d\t died. She\t was\t more\t interested\t in\t who\t had\t killed\t her,\t and\t why.\t They\t all\t were,\t and\t it\t was\t those questions\tthat\twere\texchanged\tbetween\tthe\texpected\twords\tof\tloss\tand\tmourning.\tAsterin and\t Vesta\t had\t done\t the\t talking,\t as\t they\t usually\t did,\t chatting\t up\t the\t other\t witches\t while Manon\t listened\t from\t nearby.\t No\t one\t knew\t anything,\t though.\t Even\t her\t two\t Shadows, concealed\tin\tthe\tdark\tpockets\tof\tthe\tmess\thall\tas\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\ttrained\tto\tdo,\thad\toverheard nothing. It\t was\t the\t not\t knowing\t that\t made\t her\t shoulders\t tight\t as\t Manon\t stalked\t up\t the\t sloped hallway\tto\twhere\tthe\tMatrons\tand\tall\tthe\tCoven\tleaders\twere\tto\tassemble,\tBlackbeak\tand Yellowlegs\twitches\tstepping\taside\tto\tlet\ther\tpass.\tShe\tresented\tnot\tknowing\tanything\tthat might\tbe\tuseful,\tthat\tmight\tgive\tthe\tThirteen\tor\tthe\tBlackbeaks\tan\tadvantage.\tOf\tcourse, the\t Bluebloods\t were\t nowhere\t to\t be\t seen.\t The\t reclusive\t witches\t had\t arrived\t first\t and claimed\t the\t uppermost\t rooms\t in\t the\t Omega,\t saying\t they\t needed\t the\t mountain\t breeze\t to complete\ttheir\trituals\tevery\tday. Religious\tfanatics\twith\ttheir\tnoses\tin\tthe\twind,\twas\twhat\tMother\tBlackbeak\thad\talways called\t them.\t But\t it\t had\t been\t their\t insane\t devotion\t to\t the\t Three-Faced\t Goddess\t and\t their vision\t of\t the\t Witch\t Kingdom\t under\t Ironteeth\t rule\t that\t had\t mustered\t the\t Clans\t five centuries\t ago\u2014even\t if\t it\t had\t been\t the\t Blackbeak\t sentinels\t who\u2019d\t won\t the\t battles\t for them. Manon\t treated\t her\t body\t as\t she\t would\t any\t other\t weapon:\t she\t kept\t it\t clean\t and\t honed and\tready\tat\tany\ttime\tto\tdefend\tand\tdestroy.\tBut\teven\ther\ttraining\tcouldn\u2019t\tkeep\ther\tfrom being\t out\t of\t breath\t when\t she\t reached\t the\t atrium\t by\t the\t black\t bridge\t that\t connected\t the Omega\tto\tthe\tNorthern\tFang.\tShe\thated\tthe\texpanse\tof\tstone\twithout\teven\ttouching\tit.\tIt smelled\twrong. It\t smelled\t like\t those\t two\t prisoners\t she\u2019d\t seen\t with\t the\t duke.\t In\t fact,\t this\t whole\t place reeked\tlike\tthat.\tThe\tscent\twasn\u2019t\tnatural;\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tbelong\tin\tthis\tworld. About\tfifty\twitches\u2014the\thighest-ranking\tcoven\tleaders\tin\teach\tClan\u2014were\tgathered\tat the\t giant\t hole\t in\t the\t side\t of\t the\t mountain.\t Manon\t spotted\t her\t grandmother\t immediately, standing\t at\t the\t bridge\t entrance\t with\t what\t had\t to\t be\t the\t Blueblood\t and\t Yellowlegs Matrons.","The\tnew\tYellowlegs\tMatron\twas\tsupposedly\tsome\thalf\tsister\tof\tBaba,\tand\tshe\tcertainly looked\t the\t part:\t huddled\t in\t brown\t robes,\t saffron\t ankles\t peeking\t out,\t white\t hair\t braided back\tto\treveal\ta\twrinkled,\tbrutal\tface\tmottled\twith\tage.\tBy\trule,\tall\tYellowlegs\twore\ttheir iron\t teeth\t and\t nails\t on\t permanent\t display,\t and\t the\t new\t High\t Witch\u2019s\t were\t shining\t in\t the dull\tmorning\tlight. Unsurprisingly,\t the\t Blueblood\t Matron\t was\t tall\t and\t willowy,\t more\t priestess\t than warrior.\tShe\twore\tthe\ttraditional\tdeep\tblue\trobes,\tand\ta\tband\tof\tiron\tstars\tcircled\ther\tbrow. As\tManon\tapproached\tthe\tcrowd,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthat\tthe\tstars\twere\tbarbed.\tNot\tsurprising, either. Legend\t had\t it\t that\t all\t witches\t had\t been\t gifted\t by\t the\t Three-Faced\t Goddess\t with\t iron teeth\t and\t nails\t to\t keep\t them\t anchored\t to\t this\t world\t when\t magic\t threatened\t to\t pull\t them away.\tThe\tiron\tcrown,\tsupposedly,\twas\tproof\tthat\tthe\tmagic\tin\tthe\tBlueblood\tline\tran\tso strong\t that\t their\t leader\t needed\t more\u2014needed\t iron\t and\t pain\u2014to\t keep\t her\t tethered\t in\t this realm. Nonsense.\tEspecially\twhen\tmagic\thad\tbeen\tgone\tthese\tpast\tten\tyears.\tBut\tManon\thad heard\trumors\tof\tthe\trituals\tthe\tBluebloods\tdid\tin\ttheir\tforests\tand\tcaves,\trituals\tin\twhich pain\twas\tthe\tgateway\tto\tmagic,\tto\topening\ttheir\tsenses.\tOracles,\tmystics,\tzealots. Manon\tstalked\tthrough\tthe\tranks\tof\tthe\tassembled\tBlackbeak\tcoven\tleaders.\tThey\twere the\t most\t numerous\u2014twenty\t coven\t leaders,\t over\t which\t Manon\t ruled\t with\t her\t Thirteen. Each\tleader\ttouched\ttwo\tfingers\tto\ther\tbrow\tin\tdeference.\tShe\tignored\tthem\tand\ttook\tup\ta spot\tat\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\tcrowd,\twhere\ther\tgrandmother\tgave\ther\tan\tacknowledging\tglance. An\thonor,\tfor\tany\tHigh\tWitch\tto\tacknowledge\tan\tindividual.\tManon\tbowed\ther\thead, pressing\t two\t fingers\t to\t her\t brow.\t Obedience,\t discipline,\t and\t brutality\t were\t the\t most beloved\t words\t in\t the\t Blackbeak\t Clan.\t All\t else\t was\t to\t be\t extinguished\t without\t second thought. She\tstill\thad\ther\tchin\thigh,\thands\tbehind\ther\tback,\twhen\tshe\tspotted\tthe\tother\ttwo\theirs watching\ther. The\tBlueblood\their,\tPetrah,\tstood\tclosest\tto\tthe\tHigh\tWitches,\ther\tgroup\tin\tthe\tcenter of\tthe\tcrowd.\tManon\tstiffened\tbut\theld\ther\tgaze. Her\t freckled\t skin\t was\t as\t pale\t as\t Manon\u2019s,\t and\t her\t braided\t hair\t was\t as\t golden\t as Asterin\u2019s\u2014a\tdeep,\tbrassy\tcolor\tthat\tcaught\tthe\tgray\tlight.\tShe\twas\tbeautiful,\tlike\tso\tmany of\tthem,\tbut\tgrave.\tAbove\ther\tblue\teyes,\ta\tworn\tleather\tband\trested\ton\ther\tbrow\tin\tlieu\tof the\t iron-star\t crown.\t There\t was\t no\t way\t of\t telling\t how\t old\t she\t was,\t but\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t be much\t older\t than\t Manon\t if\t she\t looked\t this\t way\t after\t magic\t had\t vanished.\t There\t was\t no aggression,\t but\t no\t smile,\t either.\t Smiles\t were\t rare\t amongst\t witches\u2014unless\t you\t were\t on the\thunt\tor\ton\ta\tkilling\tfield. The\tYellowlegs\their,\tthough\t\u2026\tIskra\twas\tgrinning\tat\tManon,\tbristling\twith\ta\tchallenge that\t Manon\t found\t herself\t aching\t to\t meet.\t Iskra\t hadn\u2019t\t forgotten\t the\t brawl\t between\t their sentinels\t in\t the\t hallway\t yesterday.\t If\t anything,\t from\t the\t look\t in\t Iskra\u2019s\t brown\t eyes,\t it seemed\t that\t the\t brawl\t had\t been\t an\t invitation.\t Manon\t found\t herself\t debating\t how\t much trouble\tshe\u2019d\tget\tinto\tfor\tshredding\tthe\tthroat\tof\tthe\tYellowlegs\their.\tIt\twould\tput\tan\tend to\tany\tfights\tbetween\ttheir\tsentinels.","It\t would\t also\t put\t an\t end\t to\t her\t life,\t if\t the\t attack\t were\t unprovoked.\t Witch\t justice\t was swift.\tDominance\tbattles\tcould\tend\tin\tloss\tof\tlife,\tbut\tthe\tclaim\thad\tto\tbe\tmade\tup\tfront. Without\ta\tformal\tprovocation\tfrom\tIskra,\tManon\u2019s\thands\twere\ttied. \u201cNow\t that\t we\u2019re\t assembled,\u201d\t the\t Blueblood\t Matron\u2014Cresseida\u2014said,\t drawing Manon\u2019s\tattention,\t\u201cshall\twe\tshow\tyou\twhat\twe\u2019ve\tbeen\tbrought\there\tto\tdo?\u201d Mother\t Blackbeak\t waved\t a\t hand\t to\t the\t bridge,\t black\t robes\t billowing\t in\t the\t icy\t wind. \u201cWe\twalk\tinto\tthe\tsky,\twitches.\u201d The\tcrossing\tof\tthe\tblack\tbridge\twas\tmore\tharrowing\tthan\tManon\twanted\tto\tadmit.\tFirst, there\twas\tthe\tmiserable\tstone,\twhich\tthrobbed\tbeneath\ther\tfeet,\tgiving\toff\tthat\treek\tthat\tno one\telse\tseemed\tto\tnotice.\tThen\tthere\twas\tthe\tscreeching\twind,\twhich\tbattered\tthem\tthis way\tand\tthat,\ttrying\tto\tshove\tthem\tover\tthe\tcarved\trailing. They\t couldn\u2019t\t even\t see\t the\t floor\t of\t the\t Gap.\t Mist\t shrouded\t everything\t below\t the bridge\u2014a\tmist\tthat\thadn\u2019t\tvanished\tin\tthe\tday\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\there,\tor\tthe\tdays\tthey\u2019d\thiked up\t the\t Gap.\t It\t was,\t she\t supposed,\t some\t trick\t of\t the\t king\u2019s.\t Contemplating\t it\t led\t only\t to more\tquestions,\tnone\tof\twhich\tshe\tbothered\tto\tvoice,\tor\treally\tcare\tabout\tall\tthat\tmuch. By\t the\t time\t they\t reached\t the\t cavernous\t atrium\t of\t the\t Northern\t Fang,\t Manon\u2019s\t ears were\t frozen\t and\t her\t face\t was\t raw.\t She\u2019d\t flown\t at\t high\t altitudes,\t in\t all\t kinds\t of\t weather, but\tnot\tfor\ta\tlong\twhile.\tNot\twithout\ta\tfresh\tbelly\tof\tmeat\tin\ther,\tkeeping\ther\twarm. She\twiped\ther\trunny\tnose\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tof\ther\tred\tcloak.\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tthe\tother\tcoven leaders\t eyeing\t the\t crimson\t material\u2014as\t they\t always\t did,\t with\t yearning\t and\t scorn\t and envy.\t Iskra\t had\t gazed\t at\t it\t the\t longest,\t sneering.\t It\t would\t be\t nice\u2014really\t damn\t nice\u2014to peel\toff\tthe\tYellowlegs\their\u2019s\tface\tone\tday. They\treached\tthe\tgaping\tmouth\tinto\tthe\tupper\treaches\tof\tthe\tNorthern\tFang.\tHere\tthe stone\t was\t scarred\t and\t gouged,\t splattered\t with\t the\t Triple\t Goddess\t knew\t what.\t From\t the tang\tof\tit,\tit\twas\tblood.\tHuman\tblood. Five\t men\u2014all\t looking\t hewn\t from\t the\t same\t scarred\t stone\t themselves\u2014met\t the\t three Matrons\t with\t grim\t nods.\t Manon\t fell\t into\t step\t behind\t her\t grandmother,\t one\t eye\t on\t the men,\t the\t other\t on\t their\t surroundings.\t The\t other\t two\t heirs\t did\t the\t same.\t At\t least\t they agreed\ton\tthat. As\t heirs,\t their\t foremost\t duty\t was\t to\t protect\t their\t High\t Witches,\t even\t if\t it\t meant sacrificing\tthemselves.\tManon\tglanced\tat\tthe\tYellowlegs\tMatron,\twho\theld\therself\tjust\tas proudly\tas\tthe\ttwo\tAncients\tas\tthey\twalked\tinto\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\tmountain.\tBut\tManon didn\u2019t\ttake\ther\thand\toff\ther\tblade,\tWind-Cleaver,\tfor\ta\theartbeat. The\tscreams\tand\twing\tbeats\tand\tclank\tof\tmetal\twere\tfar\tlouder\there. \u201cThis\tis\twhere\twe\tbreed\tand\ttrain\t\u2019em\tuntil\tthey\tcan\tmake\tthe\tCrossing\tto\tthe\tOmega,\u201d one\tof\tthe\tmen\twas\tsaying,\tgesturing\tto\tthe\tmany\tcave\tmouths\tthey\tpassed\tas\tthey\tstrode through\tthe\tcavernous\thall.\t\u201cHatcheries\tare\tin\tthe\tbelly\tof\tthe\tmountain,\ta\tlevel\tabove\tthe forges\t for\t the\t armory\u2014to\t keep\t the\t eggs\t warm,\t you\t see.\t Dens\t are\t a\t level\t above\t that.\t We keep\t \u2019em\t separated\t by\t gender\t and\t type.\t The\t bulls\t we\t hold\t in\t their\t own\t pens\t unless\t we want\tto\tbreed\t\u2019em.\tThey\tkill\tanyone\tin\ttheir\tcages.\tLearned\tthat\tthe\thard\tway.\u201d\tThe\tmen","chuckled,\t but\t the\t witches\t did\t not.\t He\t went\t on\t about\t the\t different\t types\u2014the\t bulls\t were the\t best,\t but\t a\t female\t could\t be\t just\t as\t fierce\t and\t twice\t as\t smart.\t The\t smaller\t ones\t were good\tfor\tstealth,\tand\thad\tbeen\tbred\tto\tbe\ttotally\tblack\tagainst\tthe\tnight\tsky,\tor\ta\tpale\tblue to\t blend\t into\t daylight\t patrols.\t The\t average\t wyvern\u2019s\t colors\t they\t didn\u2019t\t care\t about\t so much,\tsince\tthey\twanted\ttheir\tenemies\tto\tdrop\tdead\tfrom\tterror,\tthe\tman\tclaimed. They\t descended\t steps\t carved\t into\t the\t stone\t itself,\t and\t if\t the\t reek\t of\t blood\t and\t waste didn\u2019t\toverwhelm\tevery\tsense,\tthen\tthe\tdin\tof\tthe\twyverns\u2014a\troaring\tand\tscreeching\tand booming\t of\t wings\t and\t flesh\t on\t rock\u2014nearly\t drowned\t out\t the\t man\u2019s\t words.\t But\t Manon stayed\t focused\t on\t her\t grandmother\u2019s\t position,\t on\t the\t positions\t of\t the\t others\t around\t her. And\tshe\tknew\tthat\tAsterin,\tone\tstep\tbehind\ther,\twas\tdoing\tthe\tsame\tfor\ther. He\tled\tthem\tonto\ta\tviewing\tplatform\tin\ta\tmassive\tcavern.\tThe\tsunken\tfloor\twas\tat\tleast forty\t feet\t below,\t one\t end\t of\t the\t chamber\t wholly\t open\t to\t the\t cliff\t face,\t the\t other\t sealed with\tan\tiron\tgrate\u2014no,\ta\tdoor. \u201cThis\tis\tone\tof\tthe\ttraining\tpits,\u201d\tthe\tman\texplained.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\teasy\tto\tsort\tout\tthe\tnatural- born\t killers,\t but\t we\t discover\t a\t lot\t of\t them\t show\t their\t mettle\t in\t the\t pits.\t Before\t you\t \u2026 ladies,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ttrying\tto\thide\this\twince\tat\tthe\tword,\t\u201ceven\tlay\teyes\ton\tthem,\tthey\u2019ll\tbe\tin here,\tfighting\tit\tout.\u201d \u201cAnd\t when,\u201d\t said\t Mother\t Blackbeak,\t pinning\t him\t with\t a\t stare,\t \u201cwill\t we\t select\t our mounts?\u201d The\tman\tswallowed.\t\u201cWe\ttrained\ta\tbrood\tof\tgentler\tones\tto\tteach\tyou\tthe\tbasics.\u201d A\t growl\t from\t Iskra.\t Manon\t might\t also\t have\t snarled\t at\t the\t implied\t insult,\t but\t the Blueblood\tMatron\tspoke.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tlearn\tto\tride\tby\thopping\ton\ta\twarhorse,\tdo\tyou?\u201d The\tman\talmost\tsagged\twith\trelief.\t\u201cOnce\tyou\u2019re\tcomfortable\twith\tthe\tflying\u2014\u201d \u201cWe\t were\t born\t on\t the\t back\t of\t the\t wind,\u201d\t said\t one\t of\t the\t coven\t leaders\t in\t the\t back. Some\t grunts\t of\t approval.\t Manon\t kept\t silent,\t as\t did\t her\t Blackbeak\t coven\t leaders. Obedience.\tDiscipline.\tBrutality.\tThey\tdid\tnot\tdescend\tto\tboasting. The\tman\tfidgeted\tand\tkept\this\tfocus\ton\tCresseida,\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tthe\tonly\tsafe\tone\tin the\t room,\t even\t with\t her\t barbed\t crown\t of\t stars.\t Idiot.\t Manon\t sometimes\t thought\t the Bluebloods\twere\tthe\tdeadliest\tof\tthem\tall. \u201cSoon\tas\tyou\u2019re\tready,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cwe\tcan\tbegin\tthe\tselection\tprocess.\tGet\tyou\ton\tyour mounts,\tand\tstart\tthe\ttraining.\u201d Manon\t risked\t taking\t her\t eyes\t off\t her\t grandmother\t to\t study\t the\t pit.\t There\t were\t giant chains\t anchored\t in\t one\t of\t the\t walls,\t and\t enormous\t splotches\t of\t dark\t blood\t stained\t the stones,\t as\t if\t one\t of\t these\t beasts\t had\t been\t pushed\t against\t it.\t A\t giant\t crack\t spider-webbed from\tthe\tcenter.\tWhatever\thit\tthe\twall\thad\tbeen\ttossed\thard. \u201cWhat\t are\t the\t chains\t for?\u201d\t Manon\t found\t herself\t asking.\t Her\t grandmother\t gave\t her\t a warning\tlook,\tbut\tManon\tfocused\ton\tthe\tman.\tPredictably,\this\teyes\twidened\tat\ther\tbeauty \u2014then\tstayed\twide\tas\the\tbeheld\tthe\tdeath\tlurking\tbeneath\tit. \u201cChains\t are\t for\t the\t bait\t beasts,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t the\t wyverns\t we\t use\t to\t show\t the others\thow\tto\tfight,\tto\tturn\ttheir\taggression\tinto\ta\tweapon.\tWe\u2019re\tunder\torders\tnot\tto\tput","any\tof\t\u2019em\tdown,\teven\tthe\trunts\tand\tbroken\tones,\tso\twe\tput\tthe\tweaklings\tto\tgood\tuse.\u201d Just\t like\t dog\t fighting.\t She\t looked\t again\t to\t the\t splotch\t and\t the\t crack\t in\t the\t wall.\t The bait\tbeast\thad\tprobably\tbeen\tthrown\tby\tone\tof\tthe\tbigger\tones.\tAnd\tif\tthe\twyverns\tcould hurl\t each\t other\t like\t that,\t then\t the\t damage\t to\t humans\t \u2026\t Her\t chest\t tightened\t with anticipation,\tespecially\tas\tthe\tman\tsaid,\t\u201cWant\tto\tsee\ta\tbull?\u201d A\tglimmer\tof\tiron\tnails\tas\tCresseida\tmade\tan\telegant\tgesture\tto\tcontinue.\tThe\tman\tlet out\t a\t sharp\t whistle.\t None\t of\t them\t spoke\t as\t chains\t rattled,\t a\t whip\t cracked,\t and\t the\t iron gate\tto\tthe\tpit\tgroaned\tas\tit\tlifted.\tAnd\tthen,\theralded\tby\tmen\twith\twhips\tand\tspears,\tthe wyvern\tappeared. A\tcollective\tintake\tof\tbreath,\teven\tfrom\tManon. \u201cTitus\tis\tone\tof\tour\tbest,\u201d\tthe\tman\tsaid,\tpride\tgleaming\tin\this\tvoice. Manon\t couldn\u2019t\t tear\t her\t eyes\t away\t from\t the\t gorgeous\t beast:\t his\t mottled\t gray\t body covered\tin\ta\tleathery\thide;\this\tmassive\tback\tlegs,\tarmed\twith\ttalons\tas\tbig\tas\ther\tforearm; and\t his\t enormous\t wings,\t tipped\t with\t a\t claw\t and\t used\t to\t propel\t him\t forward\t like\t a\t front set\tof\tlimbs. The\ttriangular\thead\tswiveled\tthis\tway\tand\tthat,\tand\this\tdripping\tmaw\trevealed\tyellow, curved\tfangs.\t\u201cTail\u2019s\tarmed\twith\ta\tvenomous\tbarb,\u201d\tthe\tman\tsaid\tas\tthe\twyvern\temerged fully\tfrom\tthe\tpit,\tsnarling\tat\tthe\tmen\tdown\tthere\twith\thim.\tThe\treverberations\tof\tthe\tsnarl echoed\tthrough\tthe\tstone,\tinto\ther\tboots\tand\tup\ther\tlegs,\tright\tinto\ther\thusk\tof\ta\theart. A\tchain\twas\tclamped\taround\this\tback\tleg,\tundoubtedly\tto\tkeep\thim\tfrom\tflying\tout\tof the\tpit.\tThe\ttail,\tas\tlong\tas\this\tbody\tand\ttipped\twith\ttwo\tcurved\tspikes,\tflicked\tback\tand forth\tlike\ta\tcat\u2019s. \u201cThey\tcan\tfly\thundreds\tof\tmiles\tin\ta\tday\tand\tstill\tbe\tready\tto\tfight\twhen\tthey\tarrive,\u201d the\tman\tsaid,\tand\tthe\twitches\tall\thissed\tin\ta\tbreath.\tThat\tsort\tof\tspeed\tand\tendurance\t\u2026 \u201cWhat\tdo\tthey\teat?\u201d\tasked\tPetrah,\tfreckled\tface\tstill\tcalm\tand\tgrave. The\tman\trubbed\this\tneck.\t\u201cThey\u2019ll\teat\tanything.\tBut\tthey\tlike\tit\tfresh.\u201d \u201cSo\tdo\twe,\u201d\tsaid\tIskra\twith\ta\tgrin.\tHad\tanyone\tbut\tthe\tYellowlegs\their\tsaid\tit,\tManon would\thave\tjoined\tin\twith\tthe\tother\tgrins\taround\ther. Titus\tgave\ta\tsudden\tthrash,\tlunging\tfor\tthe\tnearest\tman\twhile\tusing\this\tmagnificent\ttail to\tsnap\tthe\traised\tspears\tbehind\thim.\tA\twhip\tcracked,\tbut\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate. Blood\t and\t screams\t and\t the\t crunch\t of\t bone.\t The\t man\u2019s\t legs\t and\t head\t tumbled\t to\t the ground.\tThe\ttorso\twas\tswallowed\tdown\tin\tone\tbite.\tThe\tsmell\tof\tblood\tfilled\tthe\tair,\tand every\tsingle\tone\tof\tthe\tIron-teeth\twitches\tinhaled\tdeeply.\tThe\tman\tin\tfront\tof\tthem\ttook\ta too-casual\tstep\taway. The\tbull\tin\tthe\tpit\twas\tnow\tlooking\tup\tat\tthem,\ttail\tstill\tslashing\tagainst\tthe\tfloor. Magic\twas\tgone,\tand\tyet\tthis\twas\tpossible\u2014this\tcreation\tof\tmagnificent\tbeasts.\tMagic was\tgone,\tand\tyet\tManon\tfelt\tthe\tsureness\tof\tthe\tmoment\tsettle\talong\ther\tbones.\tShe\twas meant\tto\tbe\there.\tShe\u2019d\thave\tTitus\tor\tno\tother. Because\t she\u2019d\t suffer\t no\t creature\t to\t be\t her\t mount\t but\t the\t fiercest,\t the\t one\t whose","blackness\tcalled\tto\ther\town.\tAs\ther\teyes\tmet\twith\tthe\tendless\tdark\tof\tTitus\u2019s,\tshe\tsmiled at\tthe\twyvern. She\tcould\thave\tsworn\the\tsmiled\tback.","Chapter\t13 Celaena\tdidn\u2019t\trealize\thow\texhausted\tshe\twas\tuntil\tall\tsounds\u2014Emrys\u2019s\tsoft\tsinging\tfrom the\t table,\t the\t thud\t of\t dough\t as\t he\t kneaded\t it,\t the\t chopping\t of\t Luca\u2019s\t knife\t and\t his ceaseless\tchatter\tabout\teverything\tand\tanything\u2014stopped.\tAnd\tshe\tknew\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tfind when\t she\t turned\t toward\t the\t stairwell.\t Her\t hands\t were\t pruny,\t fingers\t aching,\t back\t and neck\t throbbing,\t but\t \u2026\t Rowan\t was\t leaning\t against\t the\t archway\t of\t the\t stairwell,\t arms crossed\tand\tviolence\tbeckoning\tin\this\tlifeless\teyes.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tgo.\u201d Though\t his\t features\t remained\t cold,\t she\t had\t the\t distinct\t impression\t that\t he\t was somewhat\tannoyed\tat\ther\tfor\tnot\tsulking\tin\ta\tcorner,\tbemoaning\tthe\tstate\tof\ther\tnails.\tAs she\tleft,\tLuca\tdrew\ta\tfinger\tacross\this\tneck\tas\the\tmouthed\tgood\tluck. Rowan\tled\ther\tthrough\ta\tsmall\tcourtyard,\twhere\tsentries\ttried\tto\tpretend\tthey\tweren\u2019t watching\t their\t every\t move,\t and\t out\t into\t the\t forest.\t The\t ward-magic\t woven\t between\t the ring\tof\tmegaliths\tagain\tnipped\tat\ther\tskin\tas\tthey\tpassed,\tand\tnausea\twashed\tthrough\ther. Without\t the\t constant\t heat\t of\t the\t kitchen,\t she\t was\t half-frozen\t by\t the\t time\t they\t strode between\tthe\tmoss-coated\ttrees,\tbut\teven\tthat\twas\tonly\ta\tvague\tflicker\tof\tfeeling. Rowan\ttrekked\tup\ta\trocky\tridge\ttoward\tthe\thighest\treaches\tof\tthe\tforest,\tstill\tclouded in\t mist.\t She\t barely\t paused\t to\t take\t in\t the\t view\t of\t the\t foothills\t below,\t the\t plains\t before them,\t all\t green\t and\t fresh\t and\t safe\t from\t Adarlan.\t Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t utter\t a\t single\t word\t until they\treached\twhat\tlooked\tlike\tthe\tweather-stained\truins\tof\ta\ttemple. It\t was\t now\t no\t more\t than\t a\t flat\t bed\t of\t stone\t blocks\t and\t columns\t whose\t carvings\t had been\tdulled\tby\twind\tand\train.\tTo\ther\tleft\tlay\tWendlyn,\tfoothills\tand\tplains\tand\tpeace.\tTo her\t right\t arose\t the\t wall\t of\t the\t Cambrian\t Mountains,\t blocking\t any\t sight\t of\t the\t immortal lands\t beyond.\t Behind\t her,\t far\t down,\t she\t could\t make\t out\t the\t fortress\t snaking\t along\t the spine\tof\tthe\tmountain. Rowan\tcrossed\tthe\tcracked\tstones,\this\tsilver\thair\tbattered\tby\tthe\tcrisp,\tdamp\twind.\tShe kept\t her\t arms\t loose\t at\t her\t sides,\t more\t out\t of\t reflex\t than\t anything.\t He\t was\t armed\t to\t the teeth,\this\tface\ta\tmask\tof\tunyielding\tbrutality. She\tmade\therself\tgive\ta\tlittle\tsmile,\ther\tbest\tattempt\tat\ta\tdutiful,\teager\texpression.\t\u201cDo your\tworst.\u201d He\tlooked\ther\tover\tfrom\thead\tto\ttoe:\tthe\tmist-damp\tshirt,\tnow\ticy\tagainst\ther\tpuckered skin,\tthe\tequally\tstained\tand\tdamp\tpants,\tthe\tposition\tof\ther\tfeet\t\u2026 \u201cWipe\tthat\tsmarmy,\tlying\tsmile\toff\tyour\tface.\u201d\tHis\tvoice\twas\tas\tdead\tas\this\teyes,\tbut\tit had\ta\trazor-sharp\tbite\tbehind\tit. She\tkept\ther\tsmarmy,\tlying\tsmile.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tabout.\u201d He\tstepped\ttoward\ther,\tthe\tcanines\tcoming\tout\tthis\ttime.\t\u201cHere\u2019s\tyour\tfirst\tlesson,\tgirl: cut\t the\t horseshit.\t I\t don\u2019t\t feel\t like\t dealing\t with\t it,\t and\t I\u2019m\t probably\t the\t only\t one\t who doesn\u2019t\tgive\ta\tdamn\tabout\thow\tangry\tand\tvicious\tand\tawful\tyou\tare\tunderneath.\u201d","\u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t you\t particularly\t want\t to\t see\t how\t angry\t and\t vicious\t and\t awful\t I\t am underneath.\u201d \u201cGo\tahead\tand\tbe\tas\tnasty\tas\tyou\twant,\tPrincess,\tbecause\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tten\ttimes\tas\tnasty, for\tten\ttimes\tlonger\tthan\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\talive.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\tit\tout\u2014no,\tbecause\the\tdidn\u2019t\ttruly\tunderstand\ta\tthing\tabout\twhat\tlurked under\ther\tskin\tand\tran\tclaws\tdown\ther\tinsides\u2014but\tshe\tstopped\tany\tattempt\tto\tcontrol\ther features.\tHer\tlips\tpulled\tback\tfrom\ther\tteeth. \u201cBetter.\tNow\tshift.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tsound\tpleasant\tas\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tsomething\tI\tcan\tcontrol.\u201d \u201cIf\tI\twanted\texcuses,\tI\u2019d\task\tfor\tthem.\tShift.\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how.\t She\t had\t never\t mastered\t it\t as\t a\t child,\t and\t there\t certainly\t hadn\u2019t been\t any\t opportunities\t to\t learn\t in\t the\t past\t decade.\t \u201cI\t hope\t you\t brought\t snacks,\t because we\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tbe\there\ta\tlong,\tlong\twhile\tif\ttoday\u2019s\tlesson\tis\tdependent\tupon\tmy\tshifting.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\treally\tgoing\tto\tmake\tme\tenjoy\ttraining\tyou.\u201d\tShe\thad\ta\tfeeling\the\tcould\thave switched\tout\ttraining\tyou\tfor\teating\tyou\talive. \u201cI\u2019ve\t already\t participated\t in\t a\t dozen\t versions\t of\t the\t master-disciple\t training\t saga,\t so why\tdon\u2019t\twe\tcut\tthat\thorseshit,\ttoo?\u201d His\tsmile\tturned\tquieter,\tmore\tlethal.\t\u201cShut\tyour\tsmart-ass\tmouth\tand\tshift.\u201d A\tshuddering\trush\twent\tthrough\ther\u2014a\tspear\tof\tlightning\tin\tthe\tabyss.\t\u201cNo.\u201d And\tthen\the\tattacked. She\u2019d\t contemplated\t his\t blows\t all\t morning,\t the\t way\t he\u2019d\t moved,\t the\t swiftness\t and angles.\tSo\tshe\tdodged\tthe\tfirst\tblow,\tsidestepping\this\tfist,\tstrands\tof\ther\thair\tsnapping\tin the\twind. She\t even\t twisted\t far\t enough\t in\t the\t other\t direction\t to\t avoid\t the\t second\t strike.\t But\t he was\tso\tdamn\tfast\tshe\tcould\tbarely\tregister\tthe\tmovements\u2014so\tfast\tthat\tshe\thad\tno\tchance of\tdodging\tor\tblocking\tor\tanticipating\tthe\tthird\tblow.\tNot\tto\ther\tface\tbut\tto\ther\tlegs,\tjust as\the\thad\tthe\tnight\tbefore. One\tsweep\tof\this\tfoot\tand\tshe\twas\tfalling,\ttwisting\tto\tcatch\therself,\tbut\tnot\tfast\tenough to\t avoid\t thudding\t her\t brow\t against\t a\t weather-smooth\t rock.\t She\t rolled,\t the\t gray\t sky looming,\t and\t tried\t to\t remember\t how\t to\t breathe\t as\t the\t impact\t echoed\t through\t her\t skull. Rowan\tpounced\twith\tfluid\tease,\this\tpowerful\tthighs\tdigging\tinto\ther\tribs\tas\the\tstraddled her.\t Breathless,\t head\t reeling,\t and\t muscles\t drained\t from\t a\t morning\t in\t the\t kitchen\t and weeks\t of\t hardly\t eating,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t twist\t and\t toss\t him\u2014couldn\u2019t\t do\t anything.\t She\t was outweighed,\t out-muscled,\t and\t for\t the\t first\t time\t in\t her\t life,\t she\t realized\t she\t was\t utterly outmatched. \u201cShift,\u201d\the\thissed. She\tlaughed\tup\tat\thim,\ta\tdead,\twretched\tsound\teven\tto\ther\town\tears.\t\u201cNice\ttry.\u201d\tGods, her\t head\t throbbed,\t a\t warm\t trickle\t of\t blood\t was\t leaking\t from\t the\t right\t side\t of\t her\t brow, and\t he\t was\t now\t sitting\t on\t her\t chest.\t She\t laughed\t again,\t strangled\t by\t his\t weight.\t \u201cYou","think\tyou\tcan\ttrick\tme\tinto\tshifting\tby\tpissing\tme\toff?\u201d He\t snarled,\t his\t face\t speckled\t with\t the\t stars\t floating\t in\t her\t vision.\t Every\t blink\t shot daggers\tof\tpain\tthrough\ther.\tIt\twould\tprobably\tbe\tthe\tworst\tblack\teye\tof\ther\tlife. \u201cHere\u2019s\tan\tidea:\tI\u2019m\trich\tas\thell,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tover\tthe\tpounding\tin\ther\thead.\t\u201cHow\tabout we\t pretend\t to\t do\t this\t training\t for\t a\t week\t or\t so,\t and\t then\t you\t tell\t Maeve\t I\u2019m\t good\t and ready\tto\tenter\ther\tterritory,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tgive\tyou\tall\tthe\tgods-damned\tgold\tyou\twant.\u201d He\tbrought\this\tcanines\tso\tclose\tto\ther\tneck\tthat\tone\tmovement\twould\thave\thim\tripping out\t her\t throat.\t \u201cHere\u2019s\t an\t idea,\u201d\t he\t growled.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t what\t the\t hell\t you\u2019ve\t been doing\t for\t ten\t years,\t other\t than\t flouncing\t around\t and\t calling\t yourself\t an\t assassin.\t But\t I think\t you\u2019re\t used\t to\t getting\t your\t way.\t I\t think\t you\t have\t no\t control\t over\t yourself.\t No control,\t and\t no\t discipline\u2014not\t the\t kind\t that\t counts,\t deep\t down.\t You\t are\ta\tchild,\t and\t a spoiled\tone\tat\tthat.\tAnd,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tthose\tgreen\teyes\tholding\tnothing\tbut\tdistaste,\t\u201cyou\tare a\tcoward.\u201d Had\t her\t arms\t not\t been\t pinned,\t she\t would\t have\t clawed\t his\t face\t off\t right\t then.\t She struggled,\t trying\t every\t technique\t she\u2019d\t ever\t learned\t to\t dislodge\t him,\t but\t he\t didn\u2019t\t move an\tinch. A\t low,\t nasty\t laugh.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t like\t that\t word?\u201d\t He\t leaned\t closer\t still,\t that\t tattoo\t of\t his swimming\tin\ther\tmuddled\tvision.\t\u201cCoward.\t You\u2019re\t a\t coward\t who\t has\t run\t for\t ten\t years while\tinnocent\tpeople\twere\tburned\tand\tbutchered\tand\u2014\u201d She\tstopped\thearing\thim. She\tjust\u2014stopped. It\twas\tlike\tbeing\tunderwater\tagain.\tLike\tcharging\tinto\tNehemia\u2019s\troom\tand\tfinding\tthat beautiful\t body\t mutilated\t on\t the\t bed.\t Like\t seeing\t Galan\t Ashryver,\t beloved\t and\t brave, riding\toff\tinto\tthe\tsunset\tto\tthe\tcheers\tof\this\tpeople. She\tlay\tstill,\twatching\tthe\tchurning\tclouds\tabove.\tWaiting\tfor\thim\tto\tfinish\tthe\twords she\tcouldn\u2019t\thear,\twaiting\tfor\ta\tblow\tshe\twas\tfairly\tcertain\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tfeel. \u201cGet\tup,\u201d\the\tsaid\tsuddenly,\tand\tthe\tworld\twas\tbright\tand\twide\tas\the\tstood.\t\u201cGet\tup.\u201d Get\t up.\t Chaol\t had\t said\t that\t to\t her\t once,\t when\t pain\t and\t fear\t and\t grief\t had\t shoved\t her over\t an\t edge.\t But\t the\t edge\t she\u2019d\t gone\t over\t the\t night\t Nehemia\t had\t died,\t the\t night\t she\u2019d gutted\tArcher,\tthe\tday\tshe\u2019d\ttold\tChaol\tthe\thorrible\ttruth\t\u2026\tChaol\thad\thelped\tshove\ther over\tthat\tedge.\tShe\twas\tstill\ton\tthe\tfall\tdown.\tThere\twas\tno\tgetting\tup,\tbecause\tthere\twas no\tbottom. Powerful,\t rough\t hands\t under\t her\t shoulders,\t the\t world\t tilting\t and\t spinning,\t then\t that tattooed,\t snarling\t face\t in\t hers.\t Let\t him\t take\t her\t head\t between\t those\t massive\t hands\t and snap\ther\tneck. \u201cPathetic,\u201d\the\tspat,\treleasing\ther.\t\u201cSpineless\tand\tpathetic.\u201d For\tNehemia,\tshe\thad\tto\ttry,\thad\tto\ttry\u2014 But\twhen\tshe\treached\tin,\ttoward\tthe\tplace\tin\ther\tchest\twhere\tthat\tmonster\tdwelled,\tshe found\tonly\tcobwebs\tand\tashes.","Celaena\u2019s\t head\t was\t still\t reeling,\t and\t dried\t blood\t now\t itched\t down\t the\t side\t of\t her\t face. She\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\twipe\tit\toff,\tor\tto\treally\tcare\tabout\tthe\tblack\teye\tthat\tshe\twas\tpositive had\t blossomed\t during\t the\t miles\t they\u2019d\t hiked\t from\t the\t temple\t ruins\t and\t into\t the\t forested foothills.\tBut\tnot\tback\tto\tMistward. She\t was\t swaying\t on\t her\t feet\t when\t Rowan\t drew\t a\t sword\t and\t a\t dagger\t and\t stopped\t at the\t edge\t of\t a\t grassy\t plateau,\t speckled\t with\t small\t hills.\t Not\t hills\u2014barrows,\t the\t ancient tombs\t of\t lords\t and\t princes\t long\t dead,\t rolling\t to\t the\t other\t edge\t of\t trees.\t There\t were dozens,\teach\tmarked\twith\ta\tstone\tthreshold\tand\tsealed\tiron\tdoor.\tAnd\tthrough\tthe\tmurky vision,\tthe\tpounding\theadache,\tthe\thair\ton\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tneck\trose. The\t grassy\t mounds\t seemed\t to\t \u2026\t breathe.\t To\t sleep.\t Iron\t doors\u2014to\t keep\t the\t wights inside,\tlocked\twith\tthe\ttreasure\tthey\u2019d\tstolen.\tThey\tinfiltrated\tthe\tbarrows\tand\tlurked\tthere for\teons,\tfeeding\ton\twhatever\tunwitting\tfools\tdared\tseek\tthe\tgold\twithin. Rowan\tinclined\this\thead\ttoward\tthe\tbarrows.\t\u201cI\thad\tplanned\tto\twait\tuntil\tyou\thad\tsome handle\ton\tyour\tpower\u2014planned\tto\tmake\tyou\tcome\tat\tnight,\twhen\tthe\tbarrow-wights\tare really\tsomething\tto\tbehold,\tbut\tconsider\tthis\ta\tfavor,\tas\tthere\tare\tfew\tthat\twill\tdare\tcome out\tin\tthe\tday.\tWalk\tthrough\tthe\tmounds\u2014face\tthe\twights\tand\tmake\tit\tto\tthe\tother\tside\tof the\tfield,\tAelin,\tand\twe\tcan\tgo\tto\tDoranelle\twhenever\tyou\twish.\u201d It\t was\t a\t trap.\t She\t knew\t that\t well\t enough.\t He\t had\t the\t gift\t of\t endless\t time,\t and\t could play\t games\t that\t lasted\t centuries.\t Her\t impatience,\t her\t mortality,\t the\t fact\t that\t every heartbeat\tbrought\ther\tcloser\tto\tdeath,\twas\tbeing\tused\tagainst\ther.\tTo\tface\tthe\twights\t\u2026 Rowan\u2019s\t weapons\t gleamed,\t close\t enough\t to\t grab.\t He\t shrugged\t those\t powerful shoulders\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cYou\tcan\teither\twait\tto\tearn\tback\tyour\tsteel,\tor\tyou\tcan\tenter\tas\tyou are\tnow.\u201d The\t flash\t of\t temper\t snapped\t her\t out\t of\t it\t long\t enough\t to\t say,\t \u201cMy\t bare\t hands\t are weapon\tenough.\u201d\tHe\tjust\tgave\ta\ttaunting\tgrin\tand\tsauntered\tinto\tthe\tmaze\tof\thills. She\ttrailed\thim\tclosely,\tfollowing\thim\taround\teach\tmound,\tknowing\tthat\tif\tshe\tfell\ttoo far\tbehind,\the\u2019d\tleave\ther\tout\tof\tspite. Steady\t breathing\t and\t the\t yawns\t of\t awakening\t things\t arose\t beyond\t those\t iron\t doors. They\t were\t unadorned,\t bolted\t into\t the\t stone\t lintels\t with\t spikes\t and\t nails\t that\t were\t so\t old they\tprobably\tpredated\tWendlyn\titself. Her\tfootsteps\tcrunched\tin\tthe\tgrass.\tEven\tthe\tbirds\tand\tinsects\tdid\tnot\tutter\ta\ttoo-loud sound\t here.\t The\t hills\t parted\t to\t reveal\t an\t inner\t circle\t of\t dead\t grass\t around\t the\t most crumbling\t barrow\t of\t all.\t Where\t the\t others\t were\t rounded,\t this\t one\t looked\t as\t if\t some ancient\tgod\thad\tstepped\ton\tit.\tIts\tflattened\ttop\thad\tbeen\toverrun\twith\tthe\tgnarled\troots\tof bushes;\t the\t three\t massive\t stones\t of\t the\t threshold\t were\t beaten,\t stained,\t and\t askew.\t The iron\tdoor\twas\tgone. There\twas\tonly\tblackness\twithin.\tAgeless,\tbreathing\tblackness. Her\theartbeat\tpounded\tin\ther\tears\tas\tthe\tdarkness\treached\tfor\ther. \u201cI\tleave\tyou\there,\u201d\tRowan\tsaid.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\tset\tone\tfoot\tinside\tthe\tcircle,\this\tboots\tjust an\tinch\tshy\tof\tthe\tdead\tgrass.\tHis\tsmile\tturned\tferal.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tmeet\tyou\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe","field.\u201d He\texpected\ther\tto\tbolt\tlike\ta\thare.\tAnd\tshe\twanted\tto.\tGods,\tthis\tplace,\tthat\tdamned barrow\t only\t a\t hundred\t yards\t away,\t made\t her\t want\t to\t run\t and\t run\t and\t not\t stop\t until\t she found\ta\tplace\twhere\tthe\tsun\tshone\tday\tand\tnight.\tBut\tif\tshe\tdid\tthis,\tthen\tshe\tcould\tgo\tto Doranelle\t tomorrow.\t And\t those\t wights\t waiting\t in\t the\t other\t half\t of\t the\t field\t \u2026\t they couldn\u2019t\t be\t worse\t than\t what\t she\u2019d\t already\t seen,\t and\t fought,\t and\t found\t dwelling\t in\t the world\tand\tinside\tof\therself. So\tshe\tinclined\ther\thead\tto\tRowan,\tand\twalked\tonto\tthe\tdead\tfield.","Chapter\t14 Each\t step\t toward\t the\t central\t mound\t had\t Celaena\u2019s\t blood\t roaring.\t The\t darkness\t between the\tstained,\tancient\tstones\tgrew,\tswirling.\tIt\twas\tcolder,\ttoo.\tCold\tand\tdry. She\t wouldn\u2019t\t stop,\t not\t with\t Rowan\t still\t watching,\t not\t when\t she\t had\t so\t much\t to\t do. She\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t look\t too\t long\t toward\t the\t open\t doorway\t and\t the\t thing\t lurking\t beyond.\t A lingering\t shred\t of\t pride\u2014stupid,\t mortal\t pride\u2014kept\t her\t from\t bolting\t through\t the\t rest\t of the\tfield.\tRunning,\tshe\tremembered,\tonly\tattracted\tsome\tpredators.\tSo\tshe\tkept\ther\tsteps slow\t and\t called\t on\t every\t bit\t of\t training\t she\u2019d\t had,\t even\t as\t the\t wight\t slunk\t closer\t to\t the threshold,\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tripple\tof\travenous\thunger\tencased\tin\trags. Yet\t the\t wight\t remained\t within\t its\t mound,\t even\t as\t she\t came\t near\t enough\t to\t drag\t into the\tbarrow,\tas\tif\tit\twere\t\u2026\thesitating. She\twas\tjust\tpassing\tthe\tbarrow\twhen\ta\tpulsing,\tstale\tbit\tof\tair\tpushed\tagainst\ther\tears. Maybe\t running\t was\t a\t good\t idea.\t If\t magic\t was\t the\t only\t weapon\t against\t wights,\t then\t her hands\twould\tbe\tuseless.\tStill,\tthe\twight\tlingered\tbeyond\tthe\tthreshold. The\t strange,\t dead\t air\t pushed\t against\t her\t ears\t again,\t a\t high-pitched\t ringing\t wending itself\tinto\ther\thead.\tShe\thurried,\tgrass\tcrunching\tas\tshe\tgathered\tevery\tdetail\tshe\tcould\tto wield\t against\t whatever\t assailant\t lurked\t nearby.\t Treetops\t swayed\t in\t the\t misty\t breeze\t on the\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tfield.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tfar. Celaena\t passed\t the\t central\t mound,\t cracking\t her\t jaw\t against\t the\t ringing\t in\t her\t ears, worse\t and\t worse\t with\t each\t step.\t Even\t the\t wight\t cringed\t away.\t It\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t hesitating because\tof\ther,\tor\tRowan. The\tcircle\tof\tdead\tgrass\tended\ta\tfew\tsteps\taway\u2014just\ta\tfew.\tJust\ta\tfew,\tand\tthen\tshe could\trun\tfrom\twhatever\tit\twas\tthat\tcould\tmake\ta\twight\ttremble\tin\tfear. And\tthen\tshe\tsaw\thim.\tThe\tman\tstanding\tbehind\tthe\tbarrow. Not\t a\t wight.\t She\t glimpsed\t only\t a\t flash\t of\t pale\t skin,\t night-dark\t hair,\t unfathomable beauty,\tand\tan\tonyx\ttorque\taround\this\tstrong\tcolumn\tof\ta\tneck,\tand\u2014 Blackness.\tA\twave\tof\tit,\tslamming\tdown\ton\ther. Not\toblivion\tbut\tactual\tdark,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tthrown\ta\tblanket\tover\tthe\ttwo\tof\tthem. The\tground\tfelt\tgrassy,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tit.\tCouldn\u2019t\tsee\tanything.\tNot\tbeyond,\tnot to\tthe\tside,\tnot\tbehind.\tThere\twas\tonly\ther\tand\tthe\tswirling\tblack. Celaena\t crouched,\t biting\t down\t on\t a\t curse\t as\t she\t scanned\t the\t dark.\t Whatever\t he\t was, despite\t his\t shape,\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t mortal.\t In\t his\t perfection,\t in\t those\t depthless\t eyes,\t there\t was nothing\thuman. Blood\ttickled\ther\tupper\tlip\u2014a\tnosebleed.\tThe\tpounding\tin\ther\tears\tbegan\tto\tdrown\tout her\tthoughts,\tany\tplan,\tas\tif\ther\tbody\twere\trepulsed\tby\tthe\tvery\tessence\tof\twhatever\tthis thing\twas.\tThe\tdarkness\tremained,\timpenetrable,\tunending.","Stop.\tBreathe. But\tsomeone\twas\tbreathing\tbehind\ther.\tWas\tit\tthe\tman,\tor\tsomething\telse? The\t breathing\t was\t louder,\t closer,\t and\t a\t chill\t air\t brushed\t her\t nose,\t her\t lips,\t licking along\t her\t skin.\t Running\u2014running\t was\t smarter\t than\t just\t waiting.\t She\t took\t several bounding\tsteps\tthat\tshould\thave\ttaken\ther\ttoward\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tfield,\tbut\u2014 Nothing.\t Only\t endless\t black\t and\t the\t breathing\t thing\t that\t was\t closer\t now,\t reeking\t of dust\tand\tcarrion\tand\tanother\tscent,\tsomething\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tsmelled\tfor\ta\tlifetime\tbut\tcould never\tforget,\tnot\twhen\tit\thad\tbeen\tcoating\tthat\troom\tlike\tpaint. Oh,\tgods.\tBreath\ton\ther\tneck,\tsnaking\tup\tthe\tshell\tof\ther\tear. She\twhirled,\tdrawing\tin\twhat\tmight\tvery\twell\tbe\ther\tlast\tbreath,\tand\tthe\tworld\tflashed bright.\t Not\t with\t clouds\t and\t dead\t grass.\t Not\t with\t a\t Fae\t Prince\t waiting\t nearby.\t The\t room \u2026 This\troom\t\u2026 The\tservant\twoman\twas\tscreaming.\tScreaming\tlike\ta\tteakettle.\tThere\twere\tstill\tpuddles just\tinside\tthe\tshut\twindows\u2014windows\tCelaena\therself\thad\tsealed\tthe\tnight\tbefore\twhen they\u2019d\tbeen\tflapping\tin\tthe\tswift\tand\tsudden\tstorm. She\t had\t thought\t the\t bed\t was\t wet\t because\t of\t the\t rain.\t She\u2019d\t climbed\t in\t because\t the storm\t had\t made\t her\t hear\t such\t horrible\t things,\t made\t her\t feel\t like\t there\t was\t something wrong,\tlike\tthere\twas\tsomeone\tstanding\tin\tthe\tcorner\tof\ther\troom.\tIt\twas\tnot\train\tsoaking the\tbed\tin\tthat\telegantly\trugged\tchamber\tat\tthe\tcountry\tmanor. It\t was\t not\t rain\t that\t had\t dried\t on\t her,\t on\t her\t hands\t and\t skin\t and\t nightgown.\t And\t that smell\u2014not\t just\t blood,\t but\t something\t else\t \u2026\t \u201cThis\t is\t not\t real,\u201d\t Celaena\t said\t aloud, backing\taway\tfrom\tthe\tbed\ton\twhich\tshe\twas\tstanding\tlike\ta\tghost.\t\u201cThis\tis\tnot\treal.\u201d But\tthere\twere\ther\tparents,\tsprawled\ton\tthe\tbed,\ttheir\tthroats\tsliced\tear\tto\tear. There\twas\ther\tfather,\tbroad-shouldered\tand\thandsome,\this\tskin\talready\tgray. There\twas\ther\tmother,\ther\tgolden\thair\tmatted\twith\tblood,\ther\tface\t\u2026\ther\tface\t\u2026 Slaughtered\t like\t animals.\t The\t wounds\t were\t so\t vulgar,\t so\t gaping\t and\t deep,\t and\t her parents\tlooked\tso\u2014so\u2014 Celaena\tvomited.\tShe\tfell\tto\ther\tknees,\ther\tbladder\tloosening\tjust\tbefore\tshe\tvomited\ta second\ttime. \u201cThis\t is\t not\t real,\t this\t is\t not\t real,\u201d\t she\t gasped\t as\t a\t wet\t warmth\t soaked\t her\t pants.\t She couldn\u2019t\tbreathe,\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreathe,\tcouldn\u2019t\u2014 And\tthen\tshe\twas\tpushing\tto\ther\tfeet,\tbolting\taway\tfrom\tthat\troom,\ttoward\tthe\twood- paneled\twalls,\tthrough\tthem\tlike\ta\twraith\therself,\tuntil\u2014 Another\tbedroom,\tanother\tbody. Nehemia.\tCarved\tup,\tmutilated,\tviolated\tand\tbroken. The\tthing\tlurking\tbehind\ther\tslid\ta\thand\tover\ther\twaist,\talong\ther\tabdomen,\tpulling\ther back\tagainst\tits\tchest\twith\ta\tlover\u2019s\tgentleness.\tPanic\tsurged,\tso\tstrong\tthat\tshe\tslammed","her\telbow\tback\tand\tup\u2014hitting\twhat\tfelt\tlike\tflesh\tand\tbone.\tIt\thissed,\treleasing\ther.\tThat was\tall\tshe\tneeded.\tShe\tran,\ttreading\tthrough\tthe\tillusion\tof\ther\tfriend\u2019s\tblood\tand\torgans, and\tthen\u2014 Watery\t sunlight\t and\t dead\t grass\t and\t a\t heavily\t armed\t silver-haired\t warrior\t whom\t she sprinted\t toward,\t not\t caring\t about\t the\t vomit\t on\t her\t clothes,\t her\t soiled\t pants,\t the\t gasping, shrieking\t noise\t coming\t out\t of\t her\t throat.\t She\t ran\t until\t she\t reached\t him\t and\t fell\t to\t the green\tgrass,\tgripping\tit,\tshredding\tit,\tretching\teven\tthough\tshe\thad\tnothing\tleft\tin\ther\tbut\ta trickle\tof\tbile.\tShe\twas\tscreaming\tor\tsobbing\tor\tnot\tmaking\tany\tsound\tat\tall. Then\t she\t felt\t the\t shift\t and\t the\t surge,\t a\t well\t opening\t beneath\t her\t stomach\t and\t filling with\tburning,\trelentless\tfire. No.\tNo. Agony\tcleaved\ther\tin\ta\tpulse,\ther\tvision\tjumping\tbetween\tcrystal\tclarity\tand\tthe\tmuted eyesight\tof\tmortals,\ther\tteeth\taching\tas\tthe\tfangs\tpunched\tout\tand\tretracted,\tebb\tand\tflow, immortal\tand\tmortal,\tmortal\t and\t immortal,\t shifting\t as\t fast\t as\t a\t hummingbird\u2019s\t flapping wings\u2014 With\teach\tshift,\tthe\twell\tdeepened,\tthat\twildfire\trising\tand\tfalling\tand\treaching\tup,\tup \u2026 She\t really\t did\t scream\t then,\t because\t her\t throat\t burned,\t or\t maybe\t that\t was\t the\t magic coming\tout,\tat\tlast\tunleashed. Magic\u2014 Celaena\t awoke\t under\t the\t canopy\t of\t the\t forest.\t It\t was\t still\t daylight,\t and\t from\t the\t dirt\t on her\t shirt\t and\t pants\t and\t boots,\t it\t seemed\t like\t Rowan\t had\t dragged\t her\t here\t from\t the barrows. That\t was\t vomit\t on\t her\t shirt\t and\t pants.\t And\t then\t there\t was\t \u2026\t She\u2019d\t wet\t herself.\t Her face\theated,\tbut\tshe\tshoved\taway\tthe\tthoughts\tabout\twhy\tshe\thad\tpissed\therself,\twhy\tshe had\thurled\ther\tguts\tup.\tAnd\tthat\tlast\tthought,\tabout\tmagic\u2014 \u201cNo\tdiscipline,\tno\tcontrol,\tand\tno\tcourage,\u201d\tcame\ta\tgrowling\tvoice. Head\t throbbing,\t she\t found\t Rowan\t sitting\t on\t a\t rock,\t his\t muscular\t arms\t braced\t on\t his knees.\tA\tdagger\thung\tfrom\this\tleft\thand,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tbeen\tidly\ttossing\tthe\tdamn\tthing\tin\tthe air\t while\t she\t lay\t in\t her\t own\t filth.\t \u201cYou\t failed,\u201d\t he\t said\t flatly.\t \u201cYou\t made\t it\t to\t the\t other side\tof\tthe\tfield,\tbut\tI\tsaid\tto\tface\tthe\twights\u2014not\tthrow\ta\tmagical\ttantrum.\u201d \u201cI\twill\tkill\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tthe\twords\traw\tand\tgasping.\t\u201cHow\tdare\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tnot\ta\twight,\tPrincess.\u201d\tHe\tflicked\this\tattention\ttoward\tthe\ttrees\tbeyond\ther. She\t might\t have\t roared\t about\t using\t specifics\t to\t escape\t his\t bargain\t to\t bring\t her\t to Doranelle,\tbut\twhen\this\teyes\tmet\thers\tagain,\the\tseemed\tto\tsay,\tThat\tthing\tshould\tnot\thave been\tthere. Then\twhat\tin\thell\twas\tit,\tyou\tstupid\tbastard?\tshe\tsilently\tshot\tback. He\tclenched\this\tjaw\tbefore\the\tsaid\taloud,\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tWe\u2019ve\thad\tskinwalkers\ton\tthe prowl\tfor\tweeks,\troaming\tdown\tfrom\tthe\thills\tto\tsearch\tfor\thuman\tpelts,\tbut\tthis\t\u2026\tthis","was\tsomething\tdifferent.\tI\thave\tnever\tencountered\tits\tlike,\tnot\tin\tthese\tlands\tor\tany\tother. Thanks\t to\t having\t to\t drag\t you\t away,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t I\u2019ll\t learn\t anytime\t soon.\u201d\t He\t gave\t a pointed\t look\t at\t her\t current\t state.\t \u201cIt\t was\t gone\t when\t I\t circled\t back.\t Tell\t me\t what happened.\tI\tsaw\tonly\tdarkness,\tand\twhen\tyou\temerged,\tyou\twere\t\u2026\tdifferent.\u201d\tShe\tdared a\tlook\tat\therself\tagain.\tHer\tskin\twas\tbone-white,\tas\tif\tthe\tlittle\tcolor\tshe\u2019d\treceived\tlying on\tthose\trooftops\tin\tVarese\thad\tbeen\tleeched\taway,\tand\tnot\tonly\tby\tfright\tand\tsickness. \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\tcan\tgo\tto\thell.\u201d \u201cOther\tlives\tmight\tdepend\ton\tit.\u201d \u201cI\t want\t to\t go\t back\t to\t the\t fortress,\u201d\t she\t breathed.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\t about\t the creatures\t or\t about\t the\t skinwalkers\t or\t about\t any\t of\t it.\t Each\t word\t was\t an\t effort.\t \u201cRight now.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tdone\twhen\tI\tsay\tyou\u2019re\tdone.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\tkill\tme\tor\ttorture\tme\tor\tthrow\tme\toff\ta\tcliff,\tbut\tI\tam\tdone\tfor\ttoday.\tIn\tthat darkness,\t I\t saw\t things\t that\t no\t one\t should\t be\t able\t to\t see.\t It\t dragged\t me\t through\t my memories\u2014and\tnot\tthe\tdecent\tones.\tIs\tthat\tenough\tfor\tyou?\u201d He\tspat\tout\ta\tnoise,\tbut\tgot\tto\this\tfeet\tand\tbegan\twalking.\tShe\tstaggered\tand\tstumbled, knees\ttrembling,\tand\tkept\tmoving\tafter\thim,\tall\tthe\tway\tinto\tthe\thalls\tof\tMistward,\twhere she\t angled\t her\t body\t so\t that\t none\t of\t the\t passing\t sentries\t or\t workers\t could\t see\t her\t soiled pants,\t the\t vomit.\t There\t was\t no\t hiding\t her\t face,\t though.\t She\t kept\t her\t attention\t on\t the prince,\tuntil\the\topened\ta\twooden\tdoor\tand\ta\twall\tof\tsteam\thit\ther.\t\u201cThese\tare\tthe\tfemale baths.\tYour\troom\tis\ta\tlevel\tup.\tBe\tin\tthe\tkitchens\tat\tdawn\ttomorrow.\u201d\tAnd\tthen\the\tleft\ther again. Celaena\ttrudged\tinto\tthe\tsteamy\tchamber,\tnot\tcaring\twho\twas\tin\tthere\tas\tshe\tshucked off\t her\t clothes,\t collapsed\t into\t one\t of\t the\t sunken\t stone\t tubs,\t and\t did\t not\t stir\t for\t a\t long, long\twhile.","Chapter\t15 Chaol\twasn\u2019t\tat\tall\tsurprised\tthat\this\tfather\twas\ttwenty\tminutes\tlate\tto\ttheir\tmeeting.\tNor was\the\tsurprised\twhen\this\tfather\tstrode\tinto\tChaol\u2019s\toffice,\tslid\tinto\tthe\tchair\topposite\this desk,\t and\t offered\t no\t explanation\t for\t his\t tardiness.\t With\t calculated\t cool\t and\t distaste,\t he surveyed\t the\t office:\t no\t windows,\t a\t worn\t rug,\t an\t open\t trunk\t of\t discarded\t weapons\t that Chaol\thad\tnever\tfound\tthe\ttime\tto\tpolish\tor\tsend\tfor\trepairs. At\tleast\tit\twas\torganized.\tThe\tfew\tpapers\ton\this\tdesk\twere\tstacked;\this\tglass\tpens\twere in\t their\t proper\t holders;\t his\t suit\t of\t armor,\t which\t he\t rarely\t had\t occasion\t to\t wear,\t gleamed from\t its\t dummy\t in\t the\t corner.\t His\t father\t said\t at\t last,\t \u201cThis\t is\t what\t our\t illustrious\t king gives\tthe\tCaptain\tof\this\tGuard?\u201d Chaol\tshrugged,\tand\this\tfather\tstudied\tthe\theavy\toak\tdesk.\tA\tdesk\the\u2019d\tinherited\tfrom his\tpredecessor,\tand\tone\ton\twhich\the\tand\tCelaena\thad\u2014 He\t shut\t down\t the\t memory\t before\t it\t could\t boil\t his\t blood,\t and\t instead\t smiled\t at\t his father.\t \u201cThere\t was\t a\t larger\t office\t available\t in\t the\t glass\t addition,\t but\t I\t wanted\t to\t be accessible\t to\t my\t men.\u201d\t It\t was\t the\t truth.\t He\t also\t hadn\u2019t\t wanted\t to\t be\t anywhere\t near\t the administrative\twing\tof\tthe\tcastle,\tsharing\ta\thallway\twith\tcourtiers\tand\tcouncilmen. \u201cA\t wise\t decision.\u201d\t His\t father\t leaned\t back\t in\t the\t ancient\t wooden\t chair.\t \u201cA\t leader\u2019s instincts.\u201d Chaol\tpinned\thim\twith\ta\tlong\tstare.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tto\treturn\tto\tAnielle\twith\tyou\u2014I\u2019m\tsurprised you\twaste\tyour\tbreath\ton\tflattery.\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\tso?\tFrom\twhat\tI\u2019ve\tseen,\tyou\thave\tbeen\tmaking\tno\tmove\tto\tprepare\tfor\tthis\tso- called\treturn.\tYou\u2019re\tnot\teven\tlooking\tfor\ta\treplacement.\u201d \u201cDespite\t your\t low\t opinion\t of\t my\t position,\t it\u2019s\t one\t I\t take\t seriously.\t I\t won\u2019t\t have\t just anyone\tlooking\tafter\tthis\tpalace.\u201d \u201cYou\t haven\u2019t\t even\t told\t His\t Majesty\t that\t you\u2019re\t leaving.\u201d\t That\t pleasant,\t dead\t smile remained\ton\this\tfather\u2019s\tface.\t\u201cWhen\tI\tbegged\tfor\tmy\tleave\tnext\tweek,\tthe\tking\tmade\tno mention\t of\t you\t accompanying\t me.\t Rather\t than\t land\t you\t in\t hot\t water,\t boy,\t I\t held\t my tongue.\u201d Chaol\t kept\t his\t face\t bland,\t neutral.\t \u201cAgain,\t I\u2019m\t not\t leaving\t until\t I\t find\t a\t proper replacement.\tIt\u2019s\twhy\tI\tasked\tyou\tto\tmeet\tme.\tI\tneed\ttime.\u201d\tIt\twas\ttrue\u2014partially,\tat\tleast. Just\tas\the\thad\tfor\tthe\tpast\tfew\tnights,\tChaol\thad\tdropped\tby\tAedion\u2019s\tparty\u2014another tavern,\t even\t more\t expensive,\t even\t more\t packed.\t Aedion\t wasn\u2019t\t there\t again.\t Somehow everyone\t thought\t the\t general\t was\t there,\t and\t even\t the\t courtesan\t who\u2019d\t left\t with\t him\t the first\tnight\tsaid\tthe\tgeneral\thad\tgiven\ther\ta\tgold\tcoin\u2014without\tutilizing\ther\tservices\u2014and gone\toff\tto\tfind\tmore\tsparkling\twine. Chaol\thad\tstood\ton\tthe\tstreet\tcorner\twhere\tthe\tcourtesan\tsaid\tshe\u2019d\tleft\thim,\tbut\tfound nothing.\t And\t wasn\u2019t\t it\t fascinating\t that\t no\t one\t really\t seemed\t to\t know\t exactly\t when\t the","Bane\t would\t arrive,\t or\t where\t they\t were\t currently\t camped\u2014only\t that\t they\t were\t on\t their way.\t Chaol\t was\t too\t busy\t during\t the\t day\t to\t track\t Aedion\t down,\t and\t during\t the\t king\u2019s various\t meetings\t and\t luncheons,\t confronting\t the\t general\t was\t impossible.\t But\t tonight\t he planned\tto\tarrive\tat\tthe\tparty\tearly\tenough\tthat\the\u2019d\tsee\tif\tAedion\teven\tshowed\tand\twhere he\tslipped\toff\tto.\tThe\tsooner\the\tcould\tget\tsomething\ton\tAedion,\tthe\tsooner\the\tcould\tsettle all\tthis\tnonsense\tand\tkeep\tthe\tking\tfrom\tlooking\ttoo\tlong\tin\this\tdirection\tbefore\the\tturned in\this\tresignation. He\u2019d\tonly\tcalled\tthis\tmeeting\tbecause\tof\ta\tthought\tthat\thad\tawoken\thim\tin\tthe\tmiddle of\t the\t night\u2014a\t slightly\t insane,\t highly\t dangerous\t plan\t that\t would\t likely\t get\t him\t killed before\tit\teven\taccomplished\tanything.\tHe\u2019d\tskimmed\tthrough\tall\tthose\tbooks\tCelaena\thad found\ton\tmagic,\tand\tfound\tnothing\tat\tall\tabout\thow\the\tmight\thelp\tDorian\u2014and\tCelaena \u2014by\tfreeing\tit.\tBut\tCelaena\thad\tonce\ttold\thim\tthat\tthe\trebel\tgroup\tArcher\tand\tNehemia had\t run\t claimed\t two\t things:\t one,\t that\t they\t knew\t where\t Aelin\t Galathynius\t was;\t and\t two, that\t they\t were\t close\t to\t finding\t a\t way\t to\t break\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s\t mysterious\t power over\tthe\tcontinent.\tThe\tfirst\tone\twas\ta\tlie,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\tif\tthere\twas\tthe\tslightest\tchance that\tthese\trebels\tknew\thow\tto\tfree\tmagic\t\u2026\the\thad\tto\ttake\tit.\tHe\twas\talready\tgoing\tout\tto trail\t Aedion,\t and\t he\u2019d\t seen\t all\t of\t Celaena\u2019s\t notes\t about\t the\t rebel\t hideouts,\t so\t he\t had\t an idea\tof\twhere\tthey\tcould\tbe\tfound.\tThis\twould\thave\tto\tbe\tdealt\twith\tcarefully,\tand\the\tstill needed\tas\tmuch\ttime\tas\the\tcould\tbuy. His\tfather\u2019s\tdead\tsmile\tfaded,\tand\ttrue\tsteel,\thoned\tby\tdecades\tof\truling\tAnielle,\tshone through.\t \u201cRumor\t has\t it\t you\t consider\t yourself\t a\t man\t of\t honor.\t Though\t I\t wonder\t what manner\tof\tman\tyou\ttruly\tare,\tif\tyou\tdo\tnot\thonor\tyour\tbargains.\tI\twonder\t\u2026\u201d\tHis\tfather made\ta\tgood\tshow\tof\tchewing\ton\this\tbottom\tlip.\t\u201cI\twonder\twhat\tyour\tmotive\twas,\tthen, in\t sending\t your\t woman\t to\t Wendlyn.\u201d\t Chaol\t fought\t the\t urge\t to\t stiffen.\t \u201cFor\t the\t noble Captain\t Westfall,\t there\t would\t be\t no\t question\t that\t he\t truly\t wanted\t His\t Majesty\u2019s Champion\tto\tdispatch\tour\tforeign\tenemies.\tYet\tfor\tthe\toath-breaker,\tthe\tliar\t\u2026\u201d \u201cI\tam\tnot\tbreaking\tmy\tvow\tto\tyou,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid,\tmeaning\tevery\tword.\t\u201cI\tintend\tto\tgo\tto Anielle\u2014I\t will\t swear\t that\t in\t any\t temple,\t before\t any\t god.\t But\t only\t when\t I\u2019ve\t found\t a replacement.\u201d \u201cYou\tswore\ta\tmonth,\u201d\this\tfather\tgrowled. \u201cYou\u2019re\t to\t have\t me\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t my\t damned\t life.\t What\t is\t a\t month\t or\t two\t more\t to you?\u201d His\t father\u2019s\t nostrils\t flared.\t What\t purpose,\t then,\t did\t his\t father\t have\t in\t wanting\t him\t to return\tso\tquickly?\tChaol\twas\tabout\tto\task,\titching\tto\tmake\this\tfather\tsquirm\ta\tbit,\twhen\tan envelope\tlanded\ton\this\tdesk. It\thad\tbeen\tyears\u2014years\tand\tyears,\tbut\the\tstill\tremembered\this\tmother\u2019s\thandwriting, still\trecalled\tthe\telegant\tway\tin\twhich\tshe\tdrew\this\tname.\t\u201cWhat\tis\tthis?\u201d \u201cYour\tmother\tsent\ta\tletter\tto\tyou.\tI\tsuppose\tshe\u2019s\texpressing\ther\tjoy\tat\tyour\tanticipated return.\u201d\tChaol\tdidn\u2019t\ttouch\tthe\tenvelope.\t\u201cAren\u2019t\tyou\tgoing\tto\tread\tit?\u201d \u201cI\thave\tnothing\tto\tsay\tto\ther,\tand\tno\tinterest\tin\twhat\tshe\thas\tto\tsay\tto\tme,\u201d\tChaol\tlied. Another\ttrap,\tanother\tway\tto\tunnerve\thim.\tBut\the\thad\tso\tmuch\tto\tdo\there,\tso\tmany\tthings to\tlearn\tand\tuncover.\tHe\u2019d\thonor\this\tvow\tsoon\tenough.","His\tfather\tsnatched\tback\tthe\tletter,\ttucking\tit\tinto\this\ttunic.\t\u201cShe\twill\tbe\tmost\tsaddened to\t hear\t that.\u201d\t And\t he\t knew\t his\t father,\t well\t aware\t of\t Chaol\u2019s\t lie,\t would\t tell\t his\t mother exactly\twhat\the\u2019d\tsaid.\tFor\ta\theartbeat,\this\tblood\troared\tin\this\tears,\tthe\tway\tit\talways\thad when\the\u2019d\twitnessed\this\tfather\tbelittling\this\tmother,\treprimanding\ther,\tignoring\ther. He\ttook\ta\tsteadying\tbreath.\t\u201cFour\tmonths,\tthen\tI\u2019ll\tgo.\tSet\tthe\tdate\tand\tit\u2019ll\tbe\tdone.\u201d \u201cTwo\tmonths.\u201d \u201cThree.\u201d A\t slow\t smile.\t \u201cI\t could\t go\t to\t the\t king\t right\t now\t and\t ask\t for\t your\t dismissal\t instead\t of waiting\tthree\tmonths.\u201d Chaol\tclenched\this\tjaw.\t\u201cName\tyour\tprice,\tthen.\u201d \u201cOh,\t there\u2019s\t no\t price.\t But\t I\t think\t I\t like\t the\t idea\t of\t you\t owing\t me\t a\t favor.\u201d\t That\t dead smile\treturned.\t\u201cI\tlike\tthat\tidea\tvery\tmuch.\tTwo\tmonths,\tboy.\u201d They\tdid\tnot\tbother\twith\tgood-byes. Sorscha\twas\tcalled\tup\tto\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\u2019s\tchambers\tjust\tas\tshe\twas\tsettling\tin\tto\tbrew\ta calming\ttonic\tfor\tan\toverworked\tkitchen\tgirl.\tAnd\tthough\tshe\ttried\tnot\tto\tseem\ttoo\teager and\t pathetic,\t she\t found\t a\t way\t to\t very,\t very\t quickly\t dump\t the\t task\t on\t one\t of\t the\t lower- level\tapprentices\tand\tmake\tthe\ttrek\tto\tthe\tprince\u2019s\ttower. She\u2019d\tnever\tbeen\there,\tbut\tshe\tknew\twhere\tit\twas\u2014all\tthe\thealers\tdid,\tjust\tin\tcase.\tThe guards\tlet\ther\tpass\twith\thardly\ta\tnod,\tand\tby\tthe\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tascended\tthe\tspiral\tstaircase, the\tdoor\tto\this\tchambers\twas\talready\topen. A\t mess.\t His\t rooms\t were\t a\t mess\t of\t books\t and\t papers\t and\t discarded\t weapons.\t And there,\t sitting\t at\t a\t table\t with\t hardly\t a\t foot\t of\t space\t cleared\t for\t him,\t was\t Dorian,\t looking rather\tembarrassed\u2014either\tat\tthe\tmess,\tor\tat\this\tsplit\tlip. She\t managed\t to\t bow,\t even\t as\t that\t traitorous\t heat\t flooded\t her\t again,\t up\t her\t neck\t and across\ther\tface.\t\u201cYour\tHighness\tsummoned\tme?\u201d A\tcleared\tthroat.\t\u201cI\u2014well,\tI\tthink\tyou\tcan\tsee\twhat\tneeds\trepairing.\u201d Another\t injury\t to\t his\t hand.\t This\t one\t looked\t like\t it\t was\t from\t sparring,\t but\t the\t lip\t \u2026 getting\tthat\tclose\tto\thim\twould\tbe\tan\teffort\tof\twill.\tHand\tfirst,\tthen.\tLet\tthat\tdistract\ther, anchor\ther. She\tset\tdown\ther\tbasket\tof\tsupplies\tand\tlost\therself\tin\tthe\twork\tof\treadying\tointments and\t bandages.\t His\t scented\t soap\t caressed\t her\t nose,\t strong\t enough\t to\t suggest\t he\u2019d\t just bathed.\t Which\t was\t a\t horrible\t thing\t to\t think\t about\t as\t she\t stood\t beside\t his\t chair,\t because she\twas\ta\tprofessional\thealer,\tand\timagining\ther\tpatients\tnaked\twas\tnot\ta\u2014 \u201cAren\u2019t\tyou\tgoing\tto\task\twhat\thappened?\u201d\tthe\tprince\tsaid,\tpeering\tup\tat\ther. \u201cIt\u2019s\t not\t my\t place\t to\t ask\u2014and\t unless\t it\u2019s\t relevant\t to\t the\t injury,\t it\u2019s\t nothing\t I\t need\t to know.\u201d\tIt\tcame\tout\tcolder,\tharder\tthan\tshe\tmeant.\tBut\tit\twas\ttrue. Efficiently,\t she\t patched\t up\t his\t hand.\t The\t silence\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t her;\t she\u2019d\t sometimes spent\tdays\tin\tthe\tcatacombs\twithout\tspeaking\tto\tanyone.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\ta\tquiet\tchild\tbefore","her\t parents\t had\t died,\t and\t after\t the\t massacre\t in\t the\t city\t square,\t she\u2019d\t become\t even\t more so.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t until\t she\u2019d\t come\t to\t the\t castle\t that\t she\t found\t friends\u2014found\t that\t she sometimes\t liked\t talking.\t Yet\t now,\t with\t him\t \u2026\t well,\t it\t seemed\t that\t the\t prince\t didn\u2019t\t like silence,\tbecause\the\tlooked\tup\tat\ther\tagain\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cWhere\tare\tyou\tfrom?\u201d Such\t a\t tricky\t question\t to\t answer,\t since\t the\t how\t and\t why\t of\t her\t journey\t to\t this\t castle were\tstained\tby\tthe\tactions\tof\this\tfather.\t\u201cFenharrow,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tpraying\tthat\twould\tbe\tthe end\tof\tit. \u201cWhere\tin\tFenharrow?\u201d She\talmost\tcringed,\tbut\tshe\thad\tmore\tself-control\tthan\tthat\tafter\tfive\tyears\tof\ttending gruesome\tinjuries\tand\tknowing\tthat\tone\tflicker\tof\tdisgust\tor\tfear\ton\ther\tface\tcould\tshatter a\tpatient\u2019s\tcontrol.\t\u201cA\tsmall\tvillage\tin\tthe\tsouth.\tMost\tpeople\thave\tnever\theard\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cFenharrow\tis\tbeautiful,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAll\tthat\topen\tland,\tstretching\ton\tforever.\u201d She\tdid\tnot\tremember\tenough\tof\tit\tto\trecall\twhether\tshe\thad\tloved\tthe\tflat\texpanse\tof farmland,\tbordered\ton\tthe\twest\tby\tmountains\tand\ton\tthe\teast\tby\tthe\tsea. \u201cDid\tyou\talways\twant\tto\tbe\ta\thealer?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\t she\t said,\t because\t she\t was\t entrusted\t to\t heal\t the\t heir\t to\t the\t empire\t and\t could show\tnothing\tbut\tabsolute\tcertainty. A\tslash\tof\ta\tgrin.\t\u201cLiar.\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t to,\t but\t she\t met\t his\t gaze\u2014those\t sapphire\t eyes\t so\t bright\t in\t the\t late afternoon\tsun\tstreaming\tthrough\tthe\tsmall\twindow.\t\u201cI\tdid\tnot\tmean\tany\toffense,\tYour\u2014\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tprying.\u201d\tHe\ttested\tthe\tbandages.\t\u201cI\twas\ttrying\tto\tdistract\tmyself.\u201d She\t nodded,\t because\t she\t had\t nothing\t to\t say\t and\t could\t never\t come\t up\t with\t anything clever\tanyway.\tShe\tdrew\tout\ther\ttin\tof\tdisinfecting\tsalve.\t\u201cFor\tyour\tlip,\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tmind, Your\tHighness,\tI\twant\tto\tmake\tsure\tthere\u2019s\tno\tdirt\tor\tanything\tin\tthe\twound\tso\tit\u2014\u201d \u201cSorscha.\u201d\t She\t tried\t not\t to\t let\t it\t show,\t what\t it\t did\t to\t her\t to\t have\t him\t remember\t her name.\tOr\tto\thear\thim\tsay\tit.\t\u201cDo\twhat\tyou\tneed\tto\tdo.\u201d She\tbit\ther\tlip,\ta\tstupid\tnervous\thabit,\tand\tnodded\tas\tshe\ttilted\this\tchin\tup\tso\tshe\tcould better\t see\t his\t mouth.\t His\t skin\t was\t so\t warm.\t She\t touched\t the\t wound\t and\t he\t hissed,\t his breath\tcaressing\ther\tfingers,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\tpull\tback\tor\treprimand\tor\tstrike\ther\tas\tsome\tof\tthe other\tcourtiers\tdid. She\tapplied\tthe\tsalve\tto\this\tlip\tas\tquickly\tas\tshe\tcould.\tGods,\this\tlips\twere\tsoft. She\t hadn\u2019t\t known\t he\t was\t the\t prince\t the\t day\t she\t first\t saw\t him,\t striding\t through\t the gardens,\t the\t captain\t in\t tow.\t They\t were\t barely\t into\t their\t teenage\t years,\t and\t she\t was\t an apprentice\t in\t hand-me-down\t clothes,\t but\t for\t a\t moment,\t he\u2019d\t looked\t at\t her\t and\t smiled. He\u2019d\tseen\t her\t when\t no\t one\t else\t had\t for\t years,\t so\t she\t found\t excuses\t to\t be\t in\t the\t upper levels\t of\t the\t castle.\t But\t she\u2019d\t wept\t the\t next\t month\t when\t she\t spied\t him\t again,\t and\t two apprentices\t had\t whispered\t about\t how\t handsome\t the\t prince\t was\u2014Dorian,\t heir\t to\t the throne. It\t had\t been\t secret\t and\t stupid,\t this\t infatuation\t with\t him.\t Because\t when\t she\t finally","encountered\thim\tagain,\tyears\tlater\twhile\thelping\tAmithy\twith\ta\tpatient,\the\tdid\tnot\tlook\tat her.\tShe\thad\tbecome\tinvisible,\tlike\tmany\tof\tthe\thealers\u2014invisible,\tjust\tas\tshe\thad\twanted. \u201cSorscha?\u201d Her\thorror\tachieved\tnew\tdepths\tas\tshe\trealized\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tstaring\tat\this\tmouth,\tfingers still\tin\ther\ttin\tof\tsalve.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\twondering\twhether\tshe\tshould\tthrow\therself from\tthe\ttower\tand\tend\ther\thumiliation.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tbeen\ta\tlong\tday.\u201d\tThat\twasn\u2019t\ta\tlie. She\twas\tacting\tlike\ta\tfool.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\twith\ta\tman\tbefore\u2014one\tof\tthe\tguards,\tjust\tonce and\t long\t enough\t to\t know\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t particularly\t interested\t in\t letting\t another\t one\t touch her\t anytime\t soon.\t But\t standing\t so\t close,\t his\t legs\t brushing\t the\t skirt\t of\t her\t brown homespun\tdress\t\u2026 \u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tanyone?\u201d\the\tasked\tquietly.\t\u201cAbout\tme\tand\tmy\tfriends.\u201d She\tbacked\taway\ta\tstep\tbut\theld\this\tstare,\teven\tthough\ttraining\tand\tinstinct\ttold\ther\tto avert\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cYou\t were\t never\t cruel\t to\t the\t healers\u2014to\t anyone.\t I\t like\t to\t think\t that\t the world\tneeds\t\u2026\u201d\tSaying\tthat\twas\ttoo\tmuch.\tBecause\tthe\tworld\twas\this\tfather\u2019s\tworld. \u201cNeeds\t better\t people,\u201d\t he\t finished\t for\t her,\t standing.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t think\t my\t father\t would have\tused\tyour\tknowledge\tof\tour\t\u2026\tcomings\tand\tgoings\tagainst\tus.\u201d So\the\tknew\tthat\tAmithy\treported\tanything\tunusual.\tAmithy\thad\ttold\tSorscha\tto\tdo\tthe same,\tif\tshe\tknew\twhat\twas\tgood\tfor\ther.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tmean\tto\timply\tthat\tHis\tMajesty\twould \u2014\u201d \u201cDoes\tyour\tvillage\tstill\texist?\tAre\tyour\tparents\tstill\talive?\u201d Even\t years\t later,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t keep\t the\t pain\t from\t her\t voice\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cNo.\t It\t was burned.\t And\t no:\t they\t brought\t me\t to\t Rifthold\t and\t were\t killed\t in\t the\t city\u2019s\t immigrant purge.\u201d A\t shadow\t of\t grief\t and\t horror\t in\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cSo\t why\t would\t you\t ever\t come\t here\u2014work here?\u201d She\tgathered\ther\tsupplies.\t\u201cBecause\tI\thad\tnowhere\telse\tto\tgo.\u201d\tAgony\tflickered\ton\this face.\t\u201cYour\tHighness,\thave\tI\u2014\u201d But\the\twas\tstaring\tas\tif\the\tunderstood\u2014and\tsaw\ther.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d \u201cIt\twasn\u2019t\tyour\tdecision.\tOr\tyour\tsoldiers\twho\trounded\tup\tmy\tparents.\u201d He\t only\t looked\t at\t her\t for\t a\t long\t moment\t before\t thanking\t her.\t A\t polite\t dismissal.\t And she\twished,\tas\tshe\tleft\tthat\tcluttered\ttower,\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tnever\topened\ther\tmouth\u2014because perhaps\t he\u2019d\t never\t call\t on\t her\t again\t for\t the\t sheer\t awkwardness\t of\t it.\t She\t wouldn\u2019t\t lose her\tposition,\tbecause\the\twasn\u2019t\tthat\tcruel,\tbut\tif\the\trefused\ther\tservices,\tthen\tit\tmight\tlead to\t questions.\t So\t Sorscha\t resolved,\t as\t she\t lay\t that\t night\t in\t her\t little\t cot,\t to\t find\t a\t way\t to apologize\u2014or\t maybe\t find\t excuses\t to\t keep\t the\t prince\t from\t seeing\t her\t again.\t Tomorrow, she\u2019d\tfigure\tit\tout\ttomorrow. The\tfollowing\tday\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\texpect\tthe\tmessenger\twho\tarrived\tafter\tbreakfast,\tasking for\tthe\tname\tof\ther\tvillage.\tAnd\twhen\tshe\thesitated,\the\tsaid\tthat\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\twanted to\tknow. Wanted\tto\tknow,\tso\the\tcould\thave\tit\tadded\tto\this\tpersonal\tmap\tof\tthe\tcontinent.","Chapter\t16 Of\tall\tthe\tspaces\tin\tthe\tOmega,\tthe\tmess\thall\twas\tby\tfar\tthe\tmost\tdangerous. The\t three\t Ironteeth\t Clans\t had\t been\t divided\t into\t rotating\t shifts\t that\t kept\t them\t mostly separated\u2014training\t with\t the\t wyverns,\t training\t in\t the\t weapons\t room,\t and\t training\t in mortal\twarfare.\tIt\twas\tsmart\tto\tseparate\tthem,\tManon\tsupposed,\tsince\ttensions\twere\thigh, and\twould\tcontinue\tto\trun\thigh\tuntil\tthe\twyverns\twere\tselected.\tEveryone\twanted\ta\tbull. Though\t Manon\t fully\t expected\t to\t get\t one,\t perhaps\t even\t Titus,\t it\t didn\u2019t\t keep\t her\t from wanting\tto\tpunch\tout\tthe\tteeth\tof\tanyone\twho\teven\twhispered\tabout\tcoveting\ta\tbull\tof\ther own. There\twere\tonly\ta\tfew\toverlapping\tminutes\tbetween\ttheir\tthree-hour\trotations,\tand\tthe coven\t leaders\t did\t their\t best\t to\t keep\t them\t from\t running\t into\t each\t other.\t At\t least\t Manon did.\tHer\ttemper\twas\ton\ta\ttight\tleash\tthese\tdays,\tand\tone\tmore\tsneer\tfrom\tthe\tYellowlegs heir\twas\tlikely\tto\tend\tin\tbloodshed.\tThe\tsame\tcould\tbe\tsaid\tof\ther\tThirteen,\ttwo\tof\twhom \u2014the\t green-eyed\t twins\t Faline\t and\t Fallon,\t more\t demon\t than\t witch\u2014had\t gotten\t into\t a brawl\t with\t some\t Yellowlegs\t idiots,\t unsurprisingly.\t She\u2019d\t punished\t them\t just\t as\t she\u2019d punished\t Asterin:\t three\t blows\t each,\t public\t and\t humiliating.\t But,\t like\t clockwork,\t fights still\tbroke\tout\tbetween\tother\tcovens\twhenever\tthey\twere\tin\tclose\tquarters. Which\twas\twhat\tmade\tthe\tmess\thall\tso\tdeadly.\tThe\ttwo\tdaily\tmeals\twere\tthe\tonly\ttime they\tall\tshared\ttogether\u2014and\twhile\tthey\tkept\tto\ttheir\town\ttables,\tthe\ttension\twas\tso\tthick Manon\tcould\tslice\tit\twith\ther\tblade. Manon\t stood\t in\t line\t for\t her\t bowl\t of\t slop\u2014that\t was\t the\t best\t name\t she\t could\t give\t the doughy\t goop\t the\t mess\t hall\t served\u2014flanked\t by\t Asterin,\t with\t the\t last\t of\t the\t Blueblood witches\tin\tthe\tline\tahead\tof\ther.\tSomehow,\tthe\tBluebloods\twere\talways\tfirst\u2014first\tin\tline for\tfood,\tfirst\tto\tride\tthe\twyverns\t(the\tThirteen\thad\tyet\tto\tget\tairborne),\tand\tlikely\tto\tget first\t pick\t of\t the\t beasts.\t A\t growl\t rumbled\t deep\t in\t her\t throat,\t but\t Manon\t pushed\t her\t tray along\tthe\ttable,\twatching\tthe\tpale-faced\tserver\theap\ta\tgrayish-white\tball\tof\tfood\tinto\tthe bowl\tof\tthe\tBlueblood\tin\tfront\tof\ther. She\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tnote\tthe\tdetails\tof\this\tfeatures\tas\tthe\tthick\tvein\tin\this\tthroat\tpulsed. Witches\t didn\u2019t\t need\t blood\t to\t survive,\t but\t humans\t didn\u2019t\t need\t wine,\t either.\t The Bluebloods\twere\tpicky\tabout\twhose\tblood\tthey\tdrank\u2014virgins,\tyoung\tmen,\tpretty\tgirls\u2014 but\tthe\tBlackbeaks\tdidn\u2019t\tparticularly\tcare\tone\tway\tor\tanother. The\tman\u2019s\tladle\tbegan\tshaking,\ttip-tapping\talong\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tcauldron. \u201cRules\t are\t rules,\u201d\t drawled\t a\t voice\t to\t her\t left.\t Asterin\t let\t out\t a\t warning\t snarl,\t and Manon\t didn\u2019t\t have\t to\t look\t to\t know\t that\t the\t Yellowlegs\t heir,\t Iskra,\t lurked\t there.\t \u201cNo eating\t the\t rabble,\u201d\t the\t dark-haired\t witch\t added,\t shoving\t her\t bowl\t in\t front\t of\t the\t man, cutting\t the\t line.\t Manon\t took\t in\t the\t iron\t nails\t and\t teeth,\t the\t calloused\t hand\t so\t blatantly making\ta\tshow\tof\tdominance. \u201cAh.\tI\twas\twondering\twhy\tno\tone\u2019s\tbothered\tto\teat\tyou,\u201d\tManon\tsaid.","Iskra\t shouldered\t her\t way\t farther\t in\t front\t of\t Manon.\t Manon\t could\t feel\t the\t eyes\t in\t the room\t shifting\t toward\t them,\t but\t she\t reined\t in\t her\t temper,\t allowing\t the\t disrespect.\t Mess hall\t posturing\t meant\t nothing.\t \u201cI\t hear\t your\t Thirteen\t are\t taking\t to\t the\t air\t today,\u201d\t said\t the Yellowlegs\their\tas\tManon\treceived\ther\town\tration. \u201cWhat\tbusiness\tis\tit\tof\tyours?\u201d Iskra\tshrugged\ther\ttoned\tshoulders.\t\u201cThey\tsay\tyou\twere\tonce\tthe\tbest\tflier\tin\tall\tthree Clans.\tIt\twould\tbe\ta\tshame\tif\tit\twere\tjust\tmore\tgossip.\u201d It\twas\ttrue\u2014she\u2019d\tearned\ther\tspot\tas\tcoven\tleader\tas\tmuch\tas\tshe\u2019d\tinherited\tit. Iskra\t went\t on,\t sliding\t her\t plate\t along\t to\t the\t next\t server,\t who\t spooned\t some\t pale\t root vegetable\t onto\t her\t slop.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t talk\t of\t skipping\t our\t training\t rotation\t so\t we\t can\t see\t the legendary\tThirteen\ttake\tto\tthe\tskies\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\ta\tdecade.\u201d Manon\t clicked\t her\t tongue\t in\t pretend\t thought.\t \u201cI\t also\t heard\t there\u2019s\t talk\t that\t the Yellowlegs\t need\t all\t the\t help\t they\t can\t get\t in\t the\t sparring\t room.\t But\t I\t suppose\t any\t army needs\tits\tsupply\tdrivers.\u201d A\tlow\tlaugh\tfrom\tAsterin,\tand\tIskra\u2019s\tbrown\teyes\tflashed.\tThey\treached\tthe\tend\tof\tthe serving\ttable,\twhere\tIskra\tfaced\tManon.\tWith\ttheir\ttrays\tin\thand,\tneither\tcould\treach\tfor the\tblades\tat\ttheir\tsides.\tThe\troom\thad\tgone\tsilent,\teven\tthe\thigh\ttable\tat\twhich\tthe\tthree Matrons\tsat. Manon\u2019s\tgums\tstung\tas\ther\tiron\tteeth\tshot\tfrom\ttheir\tslits\tand\tsnapped\tdown.\tShe\tsaid quietly,\t but\t loud\t enough\t for\t everyone\t to\t hear,\t \u201cAny\t time\t you\t need\t a\t lesson\t in\t combat, Iskra,\tyou\tjust\tlet\tme\tknow.\tI\u2019d\tbe\thappy\tto\tteach\tyou\ta\tfew\tthings\tabout\tsoldiering.\u201d Before\t the\t heir\t could\t reply,\t Manon\t stalked\t across\t the\t room.\t Asterin\t gave\t Iskra\t a mocking\tbow\tof\tthe\thead,\tfollowed\tby\tidentical\tgestures\tfrom\tthe\trest\tof\ther\tThirteen,\tbut Iskra\tremained\tstaring\tat\tManon,\tsimmering. Manon\t plunked\t down\t at\t her\t table\t to\t find\t her\t grandmother\t smiling\t faintly.\t And\t when all\t of\t Manon\u2019s\t twelve\t sentinels\t were\t seated\t around\t her,\t Thirteen\t from\t now\t until\t the Darkness\tembraced\tthem,\tManon\tallowed\therself\ta\tsmile,\ttoo. They\twere\tgoing\tto\tfly\ttoday. As\tif\tthe\topen\tcliff\tface\tweren\u2019t\tenough\tto\tmake\tthe\ttwo\tgathered\tBlackbeak\tcovens\tshift on\t their\t feet,\t the\t twenty-six\t tethered\t wyverns\t in\t a\t tight\t space,\t none\t of\t them\t that\t docile, made\teven\tManon\ttwitchy. But\t she\t showed\t no\t fear\t as\t she\t approached\t the\t wyvern\t at\t the\t center.\t Two\t lines\t of thirteen\tstood\tchained\tand\tready.\tThe\tThirteen\ttook\tthe\tfirst.\tThe\tother\tcoven\ttook\tthe\tone behind.\t Manon\u2019s\t new\t riding\t gear\t was\t heavy\t and\t awkward\u2014leather\t and\t fur,\t capped\t with steel\t shoulder-guards\t and\t leather\t wrist-braces.\t More\t than\t she\t was\t used\t to\t wearing, especially\twith\ther\tred\tcloak. They\u2019d\talready\tpracticed\tsaddling\tthe\tmounts\tfor\ttwo\tdays,\tthough\tthey\u2019d\tusually\thave handlers\taround\tto\tdo\tit\tfor\tthem.\tManon\u2019s\tmount\tfor\tthe\tday\u2014a\tsmall\tfemale\u2014was\tlying on\t her\t belly,\t low\t enough\t that\t Manon\t easily\t climbed\t her\t hind\t leg\t and\t hauled\t herself\t into","the\tsaddle\tat\tthe\tspot\twhere\tthe\tlong\tneck\tmet\tthe\tmassive\tshoulders.\tA\tman\tapproached to\t adjust\t the\t stirrups,\t but\t Manon\t leaned\t to\t do\t it\t herself.\t Breakfast\t had\t been\t bad\t enough. Coming\tclose\tto\ta\thuman\tthroat\tnow\twould\tonly\ttempt\ther\tfurther. The\t wyvern\t shifted,\t its\t body\t warm\t against\t her\t cold\t legs,\t and\t Manon\t tightened\t her gloved\t grip\t on\t the\t reins.\t Down\t the\t line,\t her\t sentinels\t mounted\t their\t beasts.\t Asterin\t was ready,\t of\t course,\t her\t cousin\u2019s\t gold\t hair\t tightly\t braided\t back,\t her\t fur\t collar\t ruffling\t in\t the biting\twind\tfrom\tthe\topen\tdrop\tahead\tof\tthem.\tShe\tflashed\tManon\ta\tgrin,\ther\tdark,\tgold- flecked\teyes\tbright.\tNot\ta\ttrace\tof\tfear\u2014just\tthe\tthrill. The\t beasts\t knew\t what\t to\t do,\t the\t handlers\t had\t said.\t They\t knew\t how\t to\t make\t the Crossing\t on\t instinct\t alone.\t That\u2019s\t what\t they\t called\t the\t sheer\t plunge\t between\t the\t two mountain\t peaks,\t the\t final\t test\t for\t a\t rider\t and\t mount.\t If\t the\t wyverns\t couldn\u2019t\t make\t it, they\u2019d\tsplatter\ton\tthe\trocks\tfar\tbelow.\tWith\ttheir\triders. There\twas\tmovement\ton\tthe\tviewing\tplatforms\ton\teither\tside,\tand\tthe\tYellowlegs\their\u2019s coven\tswaggered\tin,\tall\tof\tthem\tsmiling,\tnone\tmore\tbroadly\tthan\tIskra. \u201cBitch,\u201d\t Asterin\t murmured.\t As\t if\t it\t weren\u2019t\t bad\t enough\t that\t Mother\t Blackbeak\t stood on\t the\t opposite\t viewing\t platform,\t flanked\t by\t the\t other\t two\t High\t Witches.\t Manon\t lifted her\tchin\tand\tlooked\tto\tthe\tdrop\tahead. \u201cJust\t like\t we\t practiced,\u201d\t the\t overseer\t said,\t climbing\t from\t the\t open-faced\t pit\t to\t the viewing\tplatform\twhere\tthe\tthree\tMatrons\tstood.\t\u201cHard\tkick\tin\tthe\tside\tsends\t\u2019em\toff.\tLet \u2019em\t navigate\t the\t Crossing.\t Best\t advice\t is\t to\t hold\t on\t like\t hell\t and\t enjoy\t the\t ride.\u201d\t A\t few nervous\tlaughs\tfrom\tthe\tcoven\tbehind\ther,\tbut\tthe\tThirteen\tremained\tsilent.\tWaiting.\tJust as\tthey\twould\tfaced\twith\tany\tarmy,\tbefore\tany\tbattle. Manon\t blinked,\t the\t muscles\t behind\t her\t golden\t eyes\t pulling\t down\t the\t clear\t film\t that would\tshield\ther\tvision\tfrom\tthe\twind.\tManon\tallowed\therself\ta\tmoment\tto\tadjust\tto\tthe thickness\tof\tthe\textra\tlid.\tWithout\tit,\tthey\u2019d\tfly\tlike\tmortals,\tsquinting\tand\tstreaming\ttears all\tover\tthe\tplace. \u201cReady\tat\tyour\tcommand,\tlady,\u201d\tthe\tman\tcalled\tto\ther. Manon\tstudied\tthe\topen\tgap\tahead,\tthe\tbridge\tbarely\tvisible\tabove,\tthe\tgray\tskies\tand mist.\tShe\tlooked\tdown\tthe\tline,\tinto\teach\tof\tthe\tsix\tfaces\ton\teither\tside.\tThen\tshe\tturned ahead,\tto\tthe\tdrop\tand\tthe\tworld\twaiting\tbeyond. \u201cWe\tare\tthe\tThirteen,\tfrom\tnow\tuntil\tthe\tDarkness\tclaims\tus.\u201d\tShe\tsaid\tit\tquietly,\tbut knew\tall\tcould\thear\ther.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tremind\tthem\twhy.\u201d Manon\t kicked\t her\t mount\t into\t action.\t Three\t galloping,\t thunderous\t steps\t beneath\t her, surging\tforward,\tforward,\tforward,\ta\tleap\tinto\tfreezing\tair,\tthe\tclouds\tand\tthe\tbridge\tand the\tsnow\tall\taround,\tand\tthen\tthe\tdrop. Her\t stomach\t shot\t right\t into\t her\t throat\t as\t the\t wyvern\t arced\t and\t angled\t down,\t wings tucked\tin\ttight.\tAs\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tinstructed,\tManon\trose\tinto\ta\tcrouch\tover\tthe\tneck,\tkeeping her\tface\tclose\tto\tthe\tleathery\tskin,\tthe\twind\tscreaming\tin\ther\tface. The\t air\t rippled\t behind\t her,\t her\t Thirteen\t mere\t feet\t away,\t falling\t as\t one,\t past\t rock\t and snow,\tshooting\tfor\tthe\tearth.","Manon\tgritted\ther\tteeth.\tThe\tblur\tof\tstone,\tthe\tkiss\tof\tmist,\ther\thair\tripping\tout\tof\ther braid,\twaving\tlike\ta\twhite\tbanner\tabove\ther. The\tmist\tparted,\tand\tDarkness\tembrace\ther,\tthere\twas\tthe\tGap\tfloor,\tso\tclose,\tand\u2014 Manon\theld\ton\tto\tthe\tsaddle,\tto\tthe\treins,\tto\tconscious\tthought\tas\tmassive\twings\tspread and\tthe\tworld\ttilted,\tand\tthe\tbody\tbeneath\ther\tflipped\tup,\tup,\triding\tthe\twind\u2019s\tcurrent\tin\ta sheer\tclimb\talong\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tNorthern\tFang. There\twere\ttriumphant\thowls\tfrom\tbelow,\tfrom\tabove,\tand\tthe\twyvern\tkept\tclimbing, swifter\tthan\tManon\thad\tever\tflown\ton\ther\tbroom,\tpast\tthe\tbridge\tand\tup\tinto\tthe\topen\tsky. That\tfast,\tManon\twas\tback\tin\tthe\tskies. The\t cloudless,\t endless,\t eternal\t sky\t held\t them\t as\t Asterin\t and\t then\t Sorrel\t and\t Vesta flanked\ther,\tthen\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tThirteen,\tand\tManon\tschooled\ther\tface\tinto\tcool\tvictory. To\t her\t right,\t Asterin\t was\t beaming,\t her\t iron\t teeth\t shining\t like\t silver.\t To\t her\t left,\t red- haired\t Vesta\t was\t just\t shaking\t her\t head,\t gaping\t at\t the\t mountains\t below.\t Sorrel\t was\t as stone-faced\tas\tManon,\tbut\ther\tblack\teyes\tdanced.\tThe\tThirteen\twere\tairborne\tagain. The\tworld\tspread\tbeneath\tthem,\tand\tahead,\tfar\tto\tthe\tWest,\twas\tthe\thome\tthey\twould someday\treclaim.\tBut\tnow,\tnow\t\u2026 The\t wind\t caressed\t and\t sang\t to\t her,\t telling\t her\t of\t its\t currents,\t more\t an\t instinct\t than\t a magical\tgift.\tAn\tinstinct\tthat\thad\tmade\ther\tthe\tbest\tflier\tin\tall\tthree\tClans. \u201cWhat\t now?\u201d\t Asterin\t called.\t And\t though\t she\u2019d\t never\t seen\t any\t of\t her\t Thirteen\t cry, Manon\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthere\twere\ttears\tshining\tin\tthe\tcorners\tof\ther\tcousin\u2019s\teyes. \u201cI\tsay\twe\ttest\tthem\tout,\u201d\tManon\tsaid,\tkeeping\tthat\twild\texuberance\tlocked\tup\ttight\tin her\t chest,\t and\t reined\t her\t mount\t toward\t where\t the\t first\t canyon\t run\t awaited\t them.\t The whoops\t and\t cackles\t of\t her\t Thirteen\t as\t they\t rode\t the\t current\t were\t finer\t than\t any\t mortal music. Manon\t stood\t at\t attention\t in\t her\t grandmother\u2019s\t small\t room,\t staring\t at\t the\t far\t stone\t wall until\tshe\twas\tspoken\tto.\tMother\tBlackbeak\tsat\tat\tthe\twooden\tdesk,\ther\tback\tto\tManon\tas she\t pored\t over\t some\t document\t or\t letter.\t \u201cYou\t did\t well\t today,\t Manon,\u201d\t her\t grandmother said\tat\tlast. Manon\t touched\t two\t fingers\t to\t her\t brow,\t though\t her\t grandmother\t still\t studied\t the papers. Manon\t hadn\u2019t\t needed\t to\t be\t told\t by\t the\t overseer\t that\t it\t was\t the\t best\t Crossing\t he\t had witnessed\tto\tdate.\tShe\u2019d\ttaken\tone\tlook\tat\tthe\tempty\tplatform\twhere\tthe\tYellowlegs\tcoven had\tbeen\tand\tknown\tthey\u2019d\tleft\tas\tsoon\tas\tManon\tdidn\u2019t\tsplatter\ton\tthe\tground. \u201cYour\t Thirteen\t and\t all\t the\t Blackbeak\t covens\t did\t well,\u201d\t her\t grandmother\t went\t on. \u201cYour\twork\tin\tkeeping\tthem\tdisciplined\tthese\tyears\tis\tcommendable.\u201d Manon\u2019s\tchest\tswelled,\tbut\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tmy\thonor\tto\tserve\tyou,\tGrandmother.\u201d Her\tgrandmother\tscribbled\tsomething\tdown.\t\u201cI\twant\tyou\tand\tthe\tThirteen\tto\tbe\tWing Leader\u2014I\twant\tyou\tleading\tall\tthe\tClans.\u201d\tThe\twitch\ttwisted\tto\tlook\tat\tManon,\ther\tface","unreadable.\t\u201cThere\tare\tto\tbe\twar\tgames\tin\ta\tfew\tmonths\tto\tdecide\tthe\tranks.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare how\tyou\tdo\tit,\tbut\tI\texpect\tto\tcrown\tyou\tvictor.\u201d Manon\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\task\twhy. Her\t grandmother\u2019s\t eyes\t fell\t on\t Manon\u2019s\t red\t cloak\t and\t she\t smiled\t faintly.\t \u201cWe\t don\u2019t yet\tknow\twho\tour\tenemies\twill\tbe,\tbut\tonce\twe\tare\tdone\twith\tthe\tking\u2019s\twar\tand\treclaim the\t Wastes,\t it\t will\t not\t be\t a\t Blueblood\t or\t Yellowlegs\t sitting\t on\t the\t Ironteeth\t throne. Understand?\u201d Become\tWing\tLeader,\tcommand\tthe\tIronteeth\tarmies,\tand\tkeep\tcontrol\tof\tthose\tarmies once\tthe\tMatrons\teventually\tturned\ton\tone\tanother.\tManon\tnodded.\tIt\twould\tbe\tdone. \u201cI\t suspect\t the\t other\t Matrons\t will\t give\t similar\t orders\t to\t their\t heirs.\t Make\t sure\t your Second\tkeeps\tclose\tto\tyou.\u201d Asterin\t was\t already\t outside,\t guarding\t the\t door,\t but\t Manon\t said,\t \u201cI\t can\t look\t after myself.\u201d Her\t grandmother\t hissed.\t \u201cBaba\t Yellowlegs\t was\t seven\t hundred\t years\t old.\t She\t tore down\tthe\twalls\tof\tthe\tCrochan\tcapital\twith\ther\tbare\thands.\tAnd\tyet\tsomeone\tslipped\tinto her\twagon\tand\tmurdered\ther.\tEven\tif\tyou\tlive\tto\tbe\ta\tthousand,\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\tlucky\tto\tbe\thalf the\twitch\tshe\twas.\u201d\tManon\tkept\ther\tchin\thigh.\t\u201cWatch\tyour\tback.\tI\twill\tnot\tbe\tpleased\tif\tI have\tto\tfind\tmyself\tanother\their.\u201d Manon\tbowed\ther\thead.\t\u201cAs\tyou\twill\tit,\tGrandmother.\u201d","Chapter\t17 Celaena\t awoke,\t freezing\t and\t groaning\t from\t a\t relentless\t headache.\t That,\t she\t knew,\t was from\thitting\ther\thead\ton\tthe\ttemple\tstones.\tShe\thissed\tas\tshe\tsat\tup,\tand\tevery\tinch\tof\ther body,\t from\t her\t ears\t to\t her\t toes\t to\t her\t teeth,\t gave\t a\t collective\t burst\t of\t pain.\t It\t felt\t as\t if she\u2019d\tbeen\tpummeled\tby\ta\tthousand\tiron\tfists\tand\tleft\tto\trot\tin\tthe\tcold.\tThat\twas\tfrom\tthe uncontrolled\t shifting\t she\u2019d\t done\t yesterday.\t The\t gods\t knew\t how\t many\t times\t she\u2019d shuddered\tbetween\tone\tform\tand\tthe\tother.\tFrom\tthe\ttenderness\tof\ther\tmuscles,\tit\thad\tto have\tbeen\tdozens. But\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tlost\tcontrol\tof\tthe\tmagic,\tshe\treminded\therself\tas\tshe\trose,\tgripping\tthe chipped\tbedpost.\tShe\tpulled\tthe\tpale\trobe\ttighter\taround\ther\tas\tshe\tshuffled\tfor\tthe\tdresser and\tbasin.\tAfter\tthe\tbath,\tshe\u2019d\trealized\tshe\thad\tnothing\tto\tchange\tinto\tand\thad\tstolen\tone of\tthe\tmany\trobes,\tleaving\ther\treeking\tclothes\theaped\tby\tthe\tdoor.\tShe\u2019d\tbarely\tmade\tit\tto her\troom\tbefore\tshe\tcollapsed\ton\tthe\tbed,\tpulled\tthe\tscrap\tof\tblanket\tover\ther,\tand\tslept. And\t slept.\t And\t slept.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t feel\t like\t talking\t with\t anyone.\t And\t no\t one\t came\t for her,\tanyway. Celaena\tbraced\ther\thands\ton\tthe\tdresser\tand\tgrimaced\tat\ther\treflection.\tShe\tlooked\tlike shit,\tfelt\tlike\tshit.\tEven\tmore\tgrim\tand\tgaunt\tthan\tyesterday.\tShe\tpicked\tup\tthe\ttin\tof\tsalve Rowan\t had\t given\t her,\t but\t then\t decided\t he\t should\t see\t what\t he\u2019d\t done.\t And\t she\u2019d\t looked worse\u2014two\tyears\tago,\twhen\tArobynn\thad\tbeaten\ther\tto\ta\tbloody\tpulp\tfor\tdisobeying\this orders.\tThis\twas\tnothing\tcompared\tto\thow\tmangled\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tthen. She\topened\tthe\tdoor\tto\tfind\tthat\tsomeone\thad\tleft\tclothes\u2014the\tsame\tas\tyesterday,\tbut fresh.\t Her\t boots\t had\t been\t cleaned\t of\t mud\t and\t dust.\t Either\t Rowan\t had\t left\t them,\t or someone\telse\thad\tnoticed\ther\tfilthy\tclothing.\tGods\u2014she\u2019d\tsoiled\therself\tin\tfront\tof\thim. She\tdidn\u2019t\tlet\therself\twallow\tin\tthe\thumiliation\tas\tshe\tdressed\tand\twent\tto\tthe\tkitchens, the\thalls\tdark\tin\tthe\tmoments\tbefore\tdawn.\tAlready,\tLuca\twas\tprattling\tabout\tthe\tfighting knife\ta\tsentry\thad\tloaned\thim\tfor\this\ttraining,\tand\ton\tand\ton\tand\ton. Apparently\t she\t had\t underestimated\t how\t horrific\t her\t face\t was,\t because\t Luca\t stopped his\tchattering\tmidsentence\tto\tswear.\tWhirling,\tEmrys\ttook\tone\tlook\tat\ther\tand\tdropped\this earthenware\tbowl\tbefore\tthe\thearth.\t\u201cGreat\tMother\tand\tall\ther\tchildren.\u201d Celaena\t went\t to\t the\t heap\t of\t garlic\t cloves\t on\t the\t worktable\t and\t picked\t up\t a\t knife.\t \u201cIt looks\t worse\t than\t it\t feels.\u201d\t A\t lie.\t Her\t head\t was\t still\t pounding\t from\t the\t cut\t on\t her\t brow, and\ther\teye\twas\tdeeply\tbruised\tbeneath. \u201cI\u2019ve\tgot\tsome\tsalve\tin\tmy\troom\u2014\u201d\tLuca\tstarted\tfrom\twhere\the\twas\talready\twashing dishes,\tbut\tshe\tgave\thim\ta\tlong\tlook. She\tbegan\tpeeling\tthe\tcloves,\ther\tfingers\tinstantly\tsticky.\tThey\twere\tstill\tstaring,\tso\tshe flatly\tsaid,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tnone\tof\tyour\tbusiness.\u201d Emrys\t left\t his\t shattered\t bowl\t on\t the\t hearthstones\t and\t hobbled\t over,\t anger\t dancing\t in those\tbright,\tclever\teyes.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tmy\tbusiness\twhen\tyou\tcome\tinto\tmy\tkitchen.\u201d","\u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\tthrough\tworse,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. Luca\t said,\t \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t mean?\u201d\t He\t eyed\t her\t mangled\t hands,\t her\t black\t eye,\t and\t the ring\tof\tscars\taround\ther\tneck,\tcourtesy\tof\tBaba\tYellowlegs.\tShe\tsilently\tinvited\thim\tto\tdo the\tcalculations:\ta\tlife\tin\tAdarlan\twith\tFae\tblood,\ta\tlife\tin\tAdarlan\tas\ta\twoman\t\u2026\tHis\tface paled. After\t a\t long\t moment,\t Emrys\t said,\t \u201cLeave\t it\t alone,\t Luca,\u201d\t and\t stooped\t to\t pick\t up\t the fragments\tof\tthe\tbowl. Celaena\t went\t back\t to\t the\t garlic,\t Luca\t markedly\t quieter\t as\t he\t worked.\t Breakfast\t was made\t and\t sent\t upstairs\t in\t the\t same\t chaotic\t rush\t as\t yesterday,\t but\t a\t few\t more\t demi-Fae noticed\t her\t today.\t She\t either\t ignored\t them\t or\t stared\t them\t down,\t marking\t their\t faces. Many\thad\tpointed\tears,\tbut\tmost\tseemed\thuman.\tSome\twore\tcivilian\tclothing\u2014tunics\tand simple\tgowns\u2014while\tthe\tsentries\twore\tlight\tleather\tarmor\tand\theavy\tgray\tcloaks\twith\tan array\tof\tweapons\t(many\tthe\tworse\tfor\twear).\tThe\twarriors\tlooked\ther\tway\tthe\tmost,\tmen and\twomen\tboth,\twariness\tand\tcuriosity\tmingling. She\t was\t busy\t wiping\t down\t a\t copper\t pot\t when\t someone\t let\t out\t a\t low,\t appreciative whistle\t in\t her\t direction.\t \u201cNow\t that\t is\t one\t of\t the\t most\t glorious\t black\t eyes\t I\u2019ve\t ever beheld.\u201d\t A\t tall\t old\t man\u2014handsome\t despite\t being\t around\t Emrys\u2019s\t age\u2014strode\t through the\tkitchen,\tempty\tplatter\tin\this\thands. \u201cYou\tleave\ther\tbe,\ttoo,\tMalakai,\u201d\tEmrys\tsaid\tfrom\tthe\thearth.\tHis\thusband\u2014mate.\tThe old\tman\tgave\ta\tdashing\tgrin\tand\tset\tdown\tthe\tplatter\ton\tthe\tcounter\tnear\tCelaena. \u201cRowan\t doesn\u2019t\t pull\t punches,\t does\t he?\u201d\t His\t gray\t hair\t was\t cropped\t short\t enough\t to reveal\t his\t pointed\t ears,\t but\t his\t face\t was\t ruggedly\t human.\t \u201cAnd\t it\t looks\t like\t you\t don\u2019t bother\t using\t a\t healing\t salve.\u201d\t She\t held\t his\t gaze\t but\t gave\t no\t reply.\t Malakai\u2019s\t grin\t faded. \u201cMy\tmate\tworks\ttoo\tmuch\tas\tit\tis.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tadd\tto\tthat\tburden,\tunderstand?\u201d Emrys\t growled\t his\t name,\t but\t Celaena\t shrugged.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t bother\t with\t any\t of you.\u201d Malakai\tcaught\tthe\tunspoken\twarning\tin\ther\twords\u2014so\tdon\u2019t\ttry\tto\tbother\twith\tme\u2014 and\tgave\ther\ta\tcurt\tnod.\tShe\theard,\tmore\tthan\tsaw,\thim\tstride\tto\tEmrys\tand\tkiss\thim,\tthen the\trumble\tof\tsome\tmurmured,\tstern\twords,\tand\tthen\this\tsteady\tfootsteps\tas\the\twalked\tout again. \u201cEven\t the\t demi-Fae\t warrior\t males\t push\t overprotective\t to\t a\t whole\t new\t level,\u201d\t Emrys said,\tthe\twords\tlaced\twith\tforced\tlightness. \u201cIt\u2019s\tin\tour\tblood,\u201d\tLuca\tsaid,\tlifting\this\tchin.\t\u201cIt\tis\tour\tduty,\thonor,\tand\tlife\u2019s\tmission to\tmake\tsure\tour\tfamilies\tare\tcared\tfor.\tEspecially\tour\tmates.\u201d \u201cAnd\tit\tmakes\tyou\ta\tthorn\tin\tour\tside,\u201d\tEmrys\tclucked.\t\u201cPossessive,\tterritorial\tbeasts.\u201d The\t old\t man\t strode\t to\t the\t sink,\t setting\t down\t the\t cool\t kettle\t for\t Celaena\t to\t wash.\t \u201cMy mate\tmeans\twell,\tlass.\tBut\tyou\u2019re\ta\tstranger\u2014and\tfrom\tAdarlan.\tAnd\tyou\u2019re\ttraining\twith \u2026\tsomeone\tnone\tof\tus\tquite\tunderstand.\u201d Celaena\tdumped\tthe\tkettle\tin\tthe\tsink.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tcare,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tAnd\tmeant\tit.","Training\twas\thorrible\tthat\tday.\tNot\tjust\tbecause\tRowan\tasked\tif\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tvomit\tor piss\therself\tagain,\tbut\talso\tbecause\tfor\thours\u2014hours\u2014he\tmade\ther\tsit\tamongst\tthe\ttemple ruins\ton\tthe\tridge,\tbattered\tby\tthe\tmisty\twind.\tHe\twanted\ther\tto\tshift\u2014that\twas\this\tonly command. She\t demanded\t to\t know\t why\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t teach\t her\t the\t magic\t without\t shifting,\t and\t he gave\ther\tthe\tsame\tanswer\tagain\tand\tagain:\tno\tshift,\tno\tmagic\tlessons.\tBut\tafter\tyesterday, nothing\tshort\tof\thim\ttaking\this\tlong\tdagger\tand\tcutting\ther\tears\tinto\tpoints\twould\tget\ther to\t change\t forms.\t She\t tried\t once\u2014when\t he\t stalked\t into\t the\t woods\t for\t some\t privacy.\t She tugged\tand\tyanked\tand\tpulled\tat\twhatever\tlay\tdeep\tinside\ther,\tbut\tgot\tnothing.\tNo\tflash\tof light\tor\tsearing\tpain. So\t they\t sat\t on\t the\t mountainside,\t Celaena\t frozen\t to\t the\t bone.\t At\t least\t she\t didn\u2019t\t lose control\tagain,\tno\tmatter\twhat\tinsults\the\tthrew\ther\tway,\teither\taloud\tor\tthrough\tone\tof\ttheir silent,\tvicious\tconversations.\tShe\tasked\thim\twhy\the\twasn\u2019t\tpursuing\tthe\tcreature\tthat\thad been\t in\t the\t barrow-wights\u2019\t field,\t and\t he\t merely\t said\t that\t he\t was\t looking\t into\t it,\t and\t the rest\twas\tnone\tof\ther\tconcern. Thunderclouds\tclustered\tduring\tthe\tlate\tafternoon.\tRowan\tforced\ther\tto\tsit\tthrough\tthe storm\tuntil\ther\tteeth\twere\tclattering\tin\ther\tskull\tand\ther\tblood\twas\tthick\twith\tice,\tand\tthen they\t finally\t made\t the\t trek\t to\t the\t fortress.\t He\t ditched\t her\t by\t the\t baths\t again,\t eyes glimmering\twith\tan\tunspoken\tpromise\tthat\ttomorrow\twould\tbe\tworse. When\tshe\tfinally\temerged,\tthere\twere\tdry\tclothes\tin\ther\troom,\tfolded\tand\tplaced\twith such\tcare\tthat\tshe\twas\tstarting\tto\twonder\twhether\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tsome\tinvisible\tservant shadowing\ther.\tThere\twas\tno\tway\tin\thell\tan\timmortal\tlike\tRowan\twould\thave\tbothered\tto do\tthat\tfor\ta\thuman. She\t debated\t staying\t in\t her\t rooms\t for\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t night,\t especially\t as\t rain\t lashed\t at her\t window,\t lightning\t illuminating\t the\t trees\t beyond.\t But\t her\t stomach\t gurgled.\t She\t was light-headed\tagain,\tand\tknew\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\teating\tlike\tan\tidiot.\tWith\ther\tblack\teye,\tthe\tbest thing\tto\tdo\twas\teat\u2014even\tif\tit\tmeant\tgoing\tto\tthe\tkitchens. She\twaited\tuntil\tshe\tthought\teveryone\thad\tgone\tupstairs.\tThere\twere\talways\tleftovers after\tbreakfast\u2014there\thad\tto\tbe\tsome\tat\tdinner.\tGods,\tshe\twas\tbone-tired.\tAnd\tached\teven worse\tthan\tshe\thad\tthis\tmorning. She\theard\tthe\tvoices\tlong\tbefore\tshe\tentered\tthe\tkitchen\tand\talmost\tturned\tback,\tbut\u2014 no\t one\t had\t spoken\t to\t her\t at\t breakfast\t save\t Malakai.\t Surely\t everyone\t would\t ignore\t her now,\ttoo. She\u2019d\testimated\ta\tgood\tnumber\tof\tpeople\tin\tthe\tkitchen,\tbut\twas\tstill\ta\tbit\tsurprised\tby how\tpacked\tit\twas.\tChairs\tand\tcushions\thad\tbeen\tdragged\tin,\tall\tfacing\tthe\thearth,\tbefore which\t Emrys\t and\t Malakai\t sat,\t chatting\t with\t those\t gathered.\t There\t was\t food\t on\t every surface,\t as\t if\t dinner\t had\t been\t held\t in\t here.\t Keeping\t to\t the\t shadows\t atop\t the\t stairs,\t she observed\tthem.\tThe\tdining\thall\twas\tspacious,\tif\ta\tbit\tcold\u2014why\tgather\taround\tthe\tkitchen hearth? She\t didn\u2019t\t particularly\t care\u2014not\t when\t she\t saw\t the\t food.\t She\t slipped\t in\t through\t the gathered\t crowd\t with\t practiced\t stealth\t and\t ease,\t filling\t up\t a\t plate\t with\t roast\t chicken, potatoes\t (gods,\t she\t was\t already\t sick\t of\t potatoes),\t and\t hot\t bread.\t Everyone\t was\t still","chatting;\tthose\twho\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tseats\twere\tstanding\tagainst\tthe\tcounters\tor\twalls,\tlaughing and\tsipping\tfrom\ttheir\tmugs\tof\tale. The\tupper\thalf\tof\tthe\tkitchen\tdoor\twas\topen\tto\tlet\tout\tthe\theat\tfrom\tall\tthe\tbodies,\tthe sound\tof\train\tfilling\tthe\troom\tlike\ta\tdrum.\tShe\tcaught\ta\tglimmer\tof\tmovement\toutside,\tbut when\tshe\tlooked,\tthere\twas\tnothing\tthere. Celaena\t was\t about\t to\t slip\t back\t up\t the\t stairs\t when\t Malakai\t clapped\t his\t hands\t and everyone\t stopped\t talking.\t Celaena\t paused\t again\t in\t the\t shadows\t of\t the\t stairwell.\t Smiles spread,\t and\t people\t settled\t in.\t Seated\t on\t the\t floor\t in\t front\t of\t Emrys\u2019s\t chair\t was\t Luca,\t a pretty\tyoung\twoman\tpressed\tinto\this\tside,\this\tarm\tcasually\tdraped\taround\ther\tshoulders\u2014 casually,\t but\t with\t enough\t of\t a\t grip\t to\t tell\t every\t other\t male\t in\t the\t room\t that\t she\t was\t his. Celaena\trolled\ther\teyes,\tnot\tat\tall\tsurprised. Still,\tshe\tcaught\tthe\tlook\tLuca\tgave\tthe\tgirl,\tthe\tmischief\tin\this\teyes\tthat\tsent\ta\tpang\tof jealousy\t right\t through\t her.\t She\u2019d\t looked\t at\t Chaol\t with\t that\t same\t expression.\t But\t their relationship\t had\t never\t been\t as\t unburdened,\t and\t even\t if\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t ended\t things,\t it\t never would\thave\tbeen\tlike\tthat.\tThe\tring\ton\ther\tfinger\tbecame\ta\tweight. Lightning\tflashed,\trevealing\tthe\tgrass\tand\tforest\tbeyond.\tSeconds\tlater,\tthunder\tshook the\tstones,\ttriggering\ta\tfew\tshrieks\tand\tlaughs. Emrys\t cleared\t his\t throat,\t and\t every\t eye\t snapped\t to\t his\t lined\t face.\t The\t ancient\t hearth illuminated\t his\t silver\t hair,\t casting\t shadows\t throughout\t the\t room.\t \u201cLong\t ago,\u201d\t Emrys began,\t his\t voice\t weaving\t between\t the\t drumming\t rain\t and\t grumbling\t thunder\t and crackling\t fire,\t \u201cwhen\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.\u201d Celaena\t swallowed.\t These\t were\t words\t that\t had\t been\t spoken\t in\t front\t of\t hearths\t for thousands\tof\tyears\u2014spoken\tin\tkitchens\tlike\tthis\tone.\tTradition. \u201cIt\twas\tthose\twicked\tfaeries,\u201d\tEmrys\twent\ton,\tthe\twords\tresonating\tin\tevery\tcrack\tand crevice,\t \u201cthat\t you\t always\t had\t to\t watch\t for\t on\t the\t ancient\t roads,\t or\t in\t the\t woods,\t or\t on nights\tlike\tthis,\twhen\tyou\tcan\thear\tthe\twind\tmoaning\tyour\tname.\u201d \u201cOh,\tnot\tthat\tone,\u201d\tLuca\tgroaned,\tbut\tit\twasn\u2019t\theartfelt.\tSome\tof\tthe\tothers\tlaughed\u2014 a\tbit\tnervously,\teven.\tSomeone\telse\tprotested,\t\u201cI\twon\u2019t\tsleep\tfor\ta\tweek.\u201d Celaena\t leaned\t against\t the\t stone\t wall,\t shoveling\t food\t down\t her\t throat\t as\t the\t old\t man wove\this\ttale.\tThe\thair\ton\ther\tneck\tstood\ton\tend\tfor\tthe\tduration\tof\tit,\tand\tshe\tcould\tsee every\thorrific\tmoment\tof\tthe\tstory\tas\tclearly\tas\tif\tshe\thad\tlived\tit. As\t Emrys\t finished\t his\t tale,\t thunder\t boomed,\t and\t even\t Celaena\t flinched,\t almost upsetting\ther\tempty\tplate.\tThere\twere\tsome\twary\tlaughs,\tsome\ttaunts\tand\tgentle\tpushes. Celaena\tfrowned.\tIf\tshe\u2019d\theard\tthis\tstory\u2014with\tthe\twretched\tcreatures\twho\tdelighted\tin skin-sewing\t and\t bone-crunching\t and\t lightning-crisping\u2014before\t traveling\t here\t with Rowan,\tshe\tnever\twould\thave\tfollowed\thim.\tNot\tin\ta\tmillion\tyears. Rowan\t hadn\u2019t\t lit\t a\t single\t fire\t on\t the\t journey\t here\u2014hadn\u2019t\t wanted\t to\t attract\t attention. From\tthese\tsorts\tof\tcreatures?\tHe\thadn\u2019t\tknown\twhat\tthat\tthing\twas\tthe\tday\tbefore\tin\tthe barrows.\t And\t if\t an\t immortal\t didn\u2019t\t know\t \u2026\t She\t used\t breathing\t exercises\t to\t calm\t her","pounding\theart.\tStill,\tshe\u2019d\tbe\tlucky\tif\tshe\tslept\ttonight. Though\t everyone\t else\t seemed\t to\t be\t waiting\t for\t the\t next\t story,\t Celaena\t stood.\t As\t she turned\t to\t leave,\t she\t looked\t again\t to\t that\t half-open\t kitchen\t door,\t just\t to\t make\t sure\t there was\t nothing\t lurking\t outside.\t But\t it\t was\t not\t some\t fell\t creature\t who\t waited\t in\t the\t rain.\t A large\twhite-tailed\thawk\twas\tperched\tin\tthe\tshadows. It\tsat\tabsolutely\tstill.\tBut\tthe\thawk\u2019s\teyes\u2014there\twas\tsomething\tstrange\tabout\tthem\t\u2026 She\u2019d\tseen\tthat\thawk\tbefore.\tIt\thad\twatched\ther\tfor\tdays\tas\tshe\u2019d\tlazed\ton\tthat\trooftop\tin Varese,\twatched\ther\tdrink\tand\tsteal\tand\tdoze\tand\tbrawl. At\tleast\tshe\tnow\tknew\twhat\tRowan\u2019s\tanimal\tform\twas.\tWhat\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twas\twhy he\tbothered\tto\tlisten\tto\tthese\tstories. \u201cElentiya.\u201d\tEmrys\twas\textending\ta\thand\tfrom\twhere\the\tsat\tbefore\tthe\thearth.\t\u201cWould you\t perhaps\t share\t a\t story\t from\t your\t lands?\t We\u2019d\t love\t to\t hear\t a\t tale,\t if\t you\u2019d\t do\t us\t the honor.\u201d Celaena\t kept\t her\t eyes\t on\t the\t old\t man\t as\t everyone\t turned\t to\t where\t she\t stood\t in\t the shadows.\t Not\t one\t of\t them\t offered\t a\t word\t of\t encouragement,\t save\t for\t Luca,\t who\t said, \u201cTell\tus!\u201d But\t she\t had\t no\t right\t to\t tell\t those\t stories\t as\t if\t they\t were\t her\t own.\t And\t she\t could\t not remember\tthem\tcorrectly,\tnot\tas\tthey\thad\tbeen\ttold\tat\ther\tbedside. She\tclamped\tdown\ton\tthe\tthought\tas\thard\tas\tshe\tcould,\tshoving\tit\tback\tlong\tenough\tto calmly\t say,\t \u201cNo,\t thank\t you,\u201d\t and\t walk\t away.\t No\t one\t came\t after\t her.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t give\t a damn\twhat\tRowan\tmade\tof\tthe\twhole\tthing. The\twhispers\tdied\twith\teach\tstep,\tand\tit\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\tshe\u2019d\tshut\tthe\tdoor\tto\ther\tfreezing room\t and\t slid\t into\t bed\t that\t she\t loosed\t a\t sigh.\t The\t rain\t stopped,\t the\t clouds\t cleared\t on\t a brisk\twind,\tand\tthrough\tthe\twindow,\ta\tpatch\tof\tstars\tflickered\tabove\tthe\ttree\tline. She\t had\t no\t stories\t to\t tell.\t All\t the\t legends\t of\t Terrasen\t were\t lost\t to\t her,\t and\t only fragments\twere\tstrewn\tthrough\ther\tmemories\tlike\trubble. She\t pulled\t her\t scrap\t of\t blanket\t higher\t and\t draped\t an\t arm\t over\t her\t eyes,\t shutting\t out the\tever-watching\tstars.","Chapter\t18 Mercifully,\tDorian\twasn\u2019t\tforced\tto\tentertain\tAedion\tagain,\tand\tsaw\tlittle\tof\thim\toutside of\tstate\tdinners\tand\tmeetings,\twhere\tthe\tgeneral\tpretended\the\tdidn\u2019t\texist.\tHe\tsaw\tlittle\tof Chaol,\t too,\t which\t was\t a\t relief,\t given\t how\t awkward\t their\t conversations\t had\t been\t of\t late. But\the\u2019d\tbegun\tto\tspar\twith\tthe\tguards\tin\tthe\tmornings.\tIt\twas\tabout\tas\tfun\tas\tlying\ton\ta bed\tof\thot\tnails,\tbut\tat\tleast\tit\tgave\thim\tsomething\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\trestless,\tanxious\tenergy that\thounded\thim\tday\tand\tnight. Not\tto\tmention\tall\tthose\tcuts\tand\tscrapes\tand\tsprains\tgave\thim\tan\texcuse\tto\tgo\tto\tthe healers\u2019\t catacombs.\t Sorscha,\t it\t seemed,\t had\t caught\t on\t to\t his\t training\t schedule,\t and\t her door\twas\talways\topen\twhen\the\tarrived. He\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\table\tto\tstop\tthinking\tabout\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tsaid\tin\this\troom,\tor\twondering why\tsomeone\twho\thad\tlost\teverything\twould\tdedicate\ther\tlife\tto\thelping\tthe\tfamily\tof\tthe man\twho\thad\ttaken\tit\tall\taway.\tAnd\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tsaid\tBecause\tI\thad\tnowhere\telse\tto\tgo\t\u2026 for\t a\t second,\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t Sorscha\t but\t Celaena,\t broken\t with\t grief\t and\t loss\t and\t rage, coming\tto\this\troom\tbecause\tthere\twas\tno\tone\telse\tto\tturn\tto.\tHe\u2019d\tnever\tknown\twhat\tthat was\tlike,\tthat\tloss,\tbut\tSorscha\u2019s\tkindness\tto\thim\u2014which\the\u2019d\trepaid\tso\tfoully\tuntil\tnow \u2014hit\thim\tlike\ta\tstone\tto\tthe\thead. Dorian\t entered\t her\t workroom,\t and\t Sorscha\t looked\t up\t from\t the\t table\t and\t smiled, broadly\tand\tprettily\tand\t\u2026\twell,\twasn\u2019t\tthat\texactly\tthe\treason\the\tfound\texcuses\tto\tcome here\tevery\tday. He\theld\tup\this\twrist,\talready\tstiff\tand\tthrobbing.\t\u201cLanded\ton\tit\tbadly,\u201d\the\tsaid\tby\tway of\tgreeting.\tShe\tcame\taround\tthe\ttable,\tgiving\thim\tenough\ttime\tto\tadmire\tthe\tlong\tlines\tof her\tfigure\tin\ther\tsimple\tgown.\tShe\tmoved\tlike\twater,\the\tthought,\tand\toften\tcaught\thimself marveling\tat\tthe\tway\tshe\tused\ther\thands. \u201cThere\u2019s\tnot\tmuch\tI\tcan\tdo\tfor\tthat,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tafter\texamining\this\twrist.\t\u201cBut\tI\thave\ta tonic\tfor\tthe\tpain\u2014only\tto\tsubdue\tit,\tand\tI\tcan\tput\tyour\tarm\tin\ta\tsling\tif\u2014\u201d \u201cGods,\tno.\tNo\tsling.\tI\u2019ll\tnever\thear\tthe\tend\tof\tit\tfrom\tthe\tguards.\u201d Her\teyes\ttwinkled,\tjust\ta\tbit\u2014in\tthat\tway\tthey\tdid\twhen\tshe\twas\tamused\tand\ttried\thard not\tto\tbe. But\tif\tthere\twas\tno\tsling,\tthen\the\thad\tno\texcuse\tto\tbe\there,\tand\teven\tthough\the\thad\tan inane\t council\t meeting\t in\t an\t hour\t and\t still\t needed\t to\t bathe\t \u2026\t He\t stood.\t \u201cWhat\t are\t you working\ton?\u201d She\ttook\ta\tcareful\tstep\tback\tfrom\thim.\tShe\talways\tdid\tthat,\tto\tkeep\tthe\twall\tup.\t\u201cWell, I\t have\t a\t few\t tonics\t and\t salves\t to\t make\t for\t some\t of\t the\t servants\t and\t guards\t today\u2014to replenish\t their\t stocks.\u201d\t He\t knew\t he\t shouldn\u2019t,\t but\t he\t moved\t to\t peer\t over\t her\t narrow shoulder\tat\tthe\tworktable,\tat\tthe\tbowls\tand\tvials\tand\tbeakers.\tShe\tmade\ta\tsmall\tnoise\tin her\t throat,\t and\t he\t swallowed\t his\t smile\t as\t he\t leaned\t a\t bit\t closer.\t \u201cThis\t is\t normally\t a\t task for\tapprentices,\tbut\tthey\twere\tso\tbusy\ttoday\tthat\tI\toffered\tto\ttake\tsome\tof\ttheir\tworkload.\u201d","She\tusually\ttalked\tlike\tthis\twhen\tshe\twas\tnervous.\tWhich,\tDorian\thad\tnoticed\twith\tsome satisfaction,\twas\twhen\the\tcame\tnear.\tAnd\tnot\tin\ta\tbad\tway\u2014if\the\u2019d\tsensed\tthat\tshe\twas truly\t uncomfortable,\t he\u2019d\t have\t kept\t his\t distance.\t This\t was\t more\t \u2026\t flustered.\t He\t liked flustered. \u201cBut,\u201d\t she\t went\t on,\t trying\t to\t sidestep\t away,\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t make\t your\t tonic\t right\t now,\t Your Highness.\u201d He\t gave\t her\t the\t space\t she\t needed\t as\t she\t hurried\t about\t the\t table\t with\t graceful efficiency,\tmeasuring\tpowders\tand\tcrushing\tdried\tleaves,\tso\tsteady\tand\tself-assured\t\u2026\tHe realized\the\u2019d\tbeen\tstaring\twhen\tshe\tspoke\tagain.\t\u201cYour\t\u2026\tfriend.\tThe\tKing\u2019s\tChampion. Is\tshe\twell?\u201d Her\t mission\t to\t Wendlyn\t was\t fairly\t secret,\t but\t he\t could\t get\t around\t that.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t off\t on my\tfather\u2019s\terrand\tfor\tthe\tnext\tfew\tmonths.\tI\tcertainly\thope\tshe\u2019s\twell,\tthough\tI\thave\tno doubt\tshe\tcan\tcare\tfor\therself.\u201d \u201cAnd\ther\thound\u2014she\u2019s\twell?\u201d \u201cFleetfoot?\t Oh,\t she\u2019s\t fine.\t Her\t leg\u2019s\t healed\t beautifully.\u201d\t The\t hound\t now\t slept\t in\t his bed,\tof\tcourse,\tand\tbullied\thim\tfor\tscraps\tand\ttreats\tto\tno\tend,\tbut\t\u2026\tit\twas\tnice\tto\thave some\tpiece\tof\this\tfriend\twhile\tshe\twas\tgone.\t\u201cThanks\tto\tyou.\u201d A\tnod,\tand\tsilence\tfell\tas\tshe\tmeasured\tand\tthen\tpoured\tsome\tgreen-looking\tliquid.\tHe sincerely\thoped\the\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tdrink\tthat. \u201cThey\t said\t \u2026\u201d\t Sorscha\t kept\t her\t spectacular\t eyes\t down.\t \u201cThey\t said\t there\t was\t some wild\t animal\t roaming\t the\t halls\t a\t few\t months\t ago\u2014that\u2019s\t what\t killed\t all\t those\t people before\tYulemas.\tI\tnever\theard\twhether\tthey\tcaught\tit,\tbut\tthen\t\u2026\tyour\tfriend\u2019s\tdog\tlooked like\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tattacked.\u201d Dorian\t willed\t himself\t to\t keep\t still.\t She\u2019d\t truly\t put\t some\t things\t together,\t then.\t And hadn\u2019t\ttold\tanyone.\t\u201cAsk\tit,\tSorscha.\u201d Her\t throat\t bobbed,\t and\t her\t hands\t shook\t a\t little\u2014enough\t that\t he\t wanted\t to\t reach\t out and\tcover\tthem.\tBut\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tmove,\tnot\tuntil\tshe\tspoke.\t\u201cWhat\twas\tit?\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. \u201cDo\t you\t want\t the\t answer\t that\t will\t keep\t you\t asleep\t at\t night,\t or\t the\t one\t that\t might ensure\t you\t never\t sleep\t again?\u201d\t She\t lifted\t her\t gaze\t to\t him,\t and\t he\t knew\t she\t wanted\t the truth.\t So\t he\t loosed\t a\t breath\t and\t said,\t \u201cIt\t was\t two\t different\t \u2026\t creatures.\t My\t father\u2019s Champion\t dealt\t with\t the\t first.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t even\t tell\t the\t captain\t and\t me\t until\t we\t faced\t the second.\u201d\t He\t could\t still\t hear\t that\t creature\u2019s\t roar\t in\t the\t tunnel,\t still\t see\t it\t squaring\t off against\tChaol.\tStill\thad\tnightmares\tabout\tit.\t\u201cThe\trest\tis\ta\tbit\tof\ta\tmystery.\u201d\tIt\twasn\u2019t\ta\tlie. There\twas\tstill\tso\tmuch\the\tdidn\u2019t\tknow.\tAnd\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tlearn. \u201cWould\tHis\tMajesty\tpunish\tyou\tfor\tit?\u201d\tA\tquiet,\tdangerous\tquestion. \u201cYes.\u201d\t His\t blood\t chilled\t at\t the\t thought.\t Because\t if\t he\t knew,\t if\t his\t father\t learned Celaena\thad\tsomehow\topened\ta\tportal\t\u2026\tDorian\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tthe\tice\tspreading\tthrough him. Sorscha\trubbed\ther\tarms\tand\tglanced\tat\tthe\tfire.\tIt\twas\tstill\tburning\thigh,\tbut\t\u2026\tShit. He\t had\t to\t go.\t Now.\t Sorscha\t said,\t \u201cHe\u2019d\t kill\t her,\t wouldn\u2019t\t he?\t That\u2019s\t why\t you\t said","nothing.\u201d Dorian\t slowly\t started\t backing\t out,\t fighting\t against\t the\t panicked,\t wild\t thing\t inside\t of him.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tthe\trising\tice,\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tknow\twhere\tit\twas\tcoming\tfrom,\tbut\the kept\tseeing\tthat\tcreature\tin\tthe\ttunnels,\tkept\thearing\tFleetfoot\u2019s\tpained\tbark,\tseeing\tChaol choose\tto\tsacrifice\thimself\tso\tthey\tcould\tget\taway\u2014 Sorscha\tstroked\tthe\tlength\tof\ther\tdark\tbraid.\t\u201cAnd\u2014and\the\u2019d\tprobably\tkill\tthe\tcaptain, too.\u201d His\tmagic\terupted. After\t Sorscha\t had\t been\t forced\t to\t wait\t in\t the\t cramped\t office\t for\t twenty\t minutes,\t Amithy finally\tparaded\tin,\ther\ttight\tbun\tmaking\ther\tharsh\tface\teven\tmore\tsevere.\t\u201cSorscha,\u201d\tshe said,\t sitting\t down\t at\t her\t desk\t and\t frowning.\t \u201cWhat\t am\t I\t to\t do\t with\t you?\t What\t example does\tthis\tset\tfor\tthe\tapprentices?\u201d Sorscha\t kept\t her\t head\t down.\t She\t knew\t she\u2019d\t been\t kept\t waiting\t in\t order\t to\t make\t her fret\tover\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tdone:\taccidentally\tknocking\tover\ther\tentire\tworktable\tand\tdestroying not\tonly\tcountless\thours\tand\tdays\tof\twork,\tbut\talso\ta\tgood\tnumber\tof\texpensive\ttools\tand containers.\t\u201cI\tslipped\u2014I\tspilled\tsome\toil\tand\tforgot\tto\twipe\tit\tup.\u201d Amithy\tclicked\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cCleanliness,\tSorscha,\tis\tone\tof\tour\tmost\timportant\tassets. If\t you\t cannot\t keep\t your\t own\t workroom\t clean,\t how\t can\t you\t be\t trusted\t to\t care\t for\t our patients?\t For\t His\t Highness,\t who\t was\t there\t to\t witness\t your\t latest\t bout\t of unprofessionalism?\tI\u2019ve\ttaken\tthe\tliberty\tof\tapologizing\tin\tperson,\tand\toffered\tto\toversee his\t future\t care,\t but\t \u2026\u201d\t Amithy\u2019s\t eyes\t narrowed.\t \u201cHe\t said\t he\t would\t pay\t for\t the\t repair costs\u2014and\twould\tstill\tlike\tyou\tto\tserve\thim.\u201d Sorscha\u2019s\tface\twarmed.\tIt\thad\thappened\tso\tquickly. As\t the\t blast\t of\t ice\t and\t wind\t and\t something\t else\t surged\t toward\t her,\t Sorscha\u2019s\t scream had\t been\t cut\t off\t by\t the\t door\t slamming\t shut.\t That\t had\t probably\t saved\t their\t lives,\t but\t all she\tcould\tthink\tof\twas\tgetting\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\tSo\tshe\u2019d\tcrouched\tbeneath\ther\ttable,\thands over\ther\thead,\tand\tprayed. She\t might\t have\t dismissed\t it\t as\t a\t draft,\t might\t have\t felt\t foolish,\t if\t the\t prince\u2019s\t eyes hadn\u2019t\t seemed\t to\t glow\t in\t that\t moment\t before\t the\t wind\t and\t cold,\t had\t the\t glasses\t on\t the table\tnot\tall\tshattered,\thad\tice\tnot\tcoated\tthe\tfloor,\thad\the\tnot\tjust\tstayed\tthere,\tuntouched. It\t wasn\u2019t\t possible.\t The\t prince\t \u2026\t There\t was\t a\t choking,\t awful\t sound,\t and\t then\t Dorian was\ton\this\tknees,\tpeering\tunder\tthe\tworktable.\t\u201cSorscha.\tSorscha.\u201d She\u2019d\tgaped\tat\thim,\tunable\tto\tfind\tthe\twords. Amithy\t drummed\t her\t long,\t bony\t fingers\t on\t the\t wooden\t desk.\t \u201cForgive\t me\t for\t being indelicate,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tbut\tSorscha\tknew\tthe\twoman\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tone\tbit\tabout\tmanners.\t\u201cBut I\u2019ll\talso\tremind\tyou\tthat\tinteracting\twith\tour\tpatients\toutside\tof\tour\tduties\tis\tprohibited.\u201d There\t could\t be\t no\t other\t reason\t for\t Prince\t Dorian\t to\t prefer\t Sorscha\u2019s\t services\t over Amithy\u2019s,\tof\tcourse.\tSorscha\tkept\ther\teyes\ton\ther\tclenched\thands\tin\ther\tlap,\tstill\tflecked with\tcuts\tfrom\tsome\tof\tthe\tsmall\tshards\tof\tglass.\t\u201cYou\tneedn\u2019t\tworry\tabout\tthat,\tAmithy.\u201d","\u201cGood.\tI\u2019d\thate\tto\tsee\tyour\tposition\tcompromised.\tHis\tHighness\thas\ta\treputation\twith women.\u201d\tA\tlittle,\tsmug\tsmile.\t\u201cAnd\tthere\tare\tmany\tbeautiful\tladies\tat\tthis\tcourt.\u201d\tAnd\tyou are\tnot\tone\tof\tthem. Sorscha\tnodded\tand\ttook\tthe\tinsult,\tas\tshe\talways\tdid\tand\thad\talways\tdone.\tThat\twas how\tshe\tsurvived,\thow\tshe\thad\tremained\tinvisible\tall\tthese\tyears. It\t was\t what\t she\u2019d\t promised\t the\t prince\t in\t the\t minutes\t after\t his\t explosion,\t when\t her shaking\tceased\tand\tshe\u2019d\tseen\thim.\tNot\tthe\tmagic\tbut\tthe\tpanic\tin\this\teyes,\tthe\tfear\tand pain.\tHe\twasn\u2019t\tan\tenemy\tusing\tforbidden\tpowers,\tbut\u2014a\tyoung\tman\tin\tneed\tof\thelp.\tHer help. She\tcould\tnot\tturn\taway\tfrom\tit,\tfrom\thim,\tcould\tnot\ttell\tanyone\twhat\tshe\u2019d\twitnessed. It\twas\twhat\tshe\twould\thave\tdone\tfor\tanyone\telse. In\t the\t cool,\t calm\t voice\t that\t she\t reserved\t for\t her\t most\t grievously\t injured\t patients,\t she had\tsaid\tto\tthe\tprince,\t\u201cI\tam\tnot\tgoing\tto\ttell\tanyone.\tBut\tright\tnow,\tyou\tare\tgoing\tto\thelp me\tknock\tthis\ttable\tover,\tand\tthen\tyou\tare\tgoing\tto\thelp\tme\tclean\tthis\tup.\u201d He\u2019d\t just\t stared\t at\t her.\t She\t stood,\t noting\t the\t hair-thin\t slices\t on\t her\t hands\t that\t had already\t starting\t stinging.\t \u201cI\t am\t not\t going\t to\t tell\t anyone,\u201d\t she\t said\t again,\t grabbing\t one corner\tof\tthe\ttable.\tWordlessly,\the\twent\tto\tthe\tother\tend\tand\thelped\ther\tease\tthe\ttable\tonto its\tside,\tthe\tremaining\tglass\tand\tceramic\tjars\ttumbling\tto\tthe\tground.\tFor\tall\tthe\tworld,\tit looked\tlike\tan\taccident,\tand\tSorscha\twent\tto\tthe\tcorner\tto\tgrab\tthe\tbroom. \u201cWhen\tI\topen\tthis\tdoor,\u201d\tshe\thad\tsaid\tto\thim,\tstill\tquiet\tand\tcalm\tand\tnot\tquite\therself, \u201cwe\twill\tpretend.\tBut\tafter\ttoday,\tafter\tthis\t\u2026\u201d\tDorian\tstood\trigid,\tas\tif\the\twere\twaiting for\tthe\tblow\tto\tfall.\t\u201cAfter\tthis,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cif\tyou\tare\tall\tright\twith\tit,\twe\twill\ttry\tto\tfind ways\tto\tkeep\tthis\tfrom\thappening.\tPerhaps\tthere\u2019s\tsome\ttonic\tto\tsuppress\tit.\u201d His\tface\twas\tstill\tpale.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\the\tbreathed,\tand\tshe\tknew\the\tmeant\tit.\tShe\twent\tto the\tdoor\tand\tgave\thim\ta\tgrim\tsmile. \u201cI\twill\tstart\tresearching\ttonight.\tIf\tI\tfind\tanything,\tI\u2019ll\tlet\tyou\tknow.\tAnd\tperhaps\u2014not now,\tbut\tlater\t\u2026\tif\tYour\tHighness\thas\tthe\tinclination,\tyou\tcould\ttell\tme\ta\tbit\tabout\thow this\t is\t possible.\t It\t might\t help\t me\t somehow.\u201d\t She\t didn\u2019t\t give\t him\t time\t to\t say\t yes,\t but instead\topened\tthe\tdoor,\twalked\tback\tto\tthe\tmess,\tand\tsaid\ta\tlittle\tlouder\tthan\tusual,\t\u201cI\tam truly\tsorry,\tYour\tHighness\t\u2026\tthere\twas\tsomething\ton\tthe\tfloor,\tand\tI\tslipped,\tand\u2014\u201d From\t there,\t it\t had\t been\t easy.\t The\t snooping\t healers\t had\t arrived\t to\t see\t what\t the commotion\t was\t about,\t and\t one\t of\t them\t had\t scuttled\t off\t to\t Amithy.\t The\t prince\t had\t left, and\tSorscha\thad\tbeen\tordered\tto\twait\there. Amithy\tbraced\ther\tforearms\ton\tthe\tdesk.\t\u201cHis\tHighness\twas\textraordinarily\tgenerous, Sorscha.\tLet\tit\tbe\ta\tlesson\tfor\tyou.\tYou\u2019re\tlucky\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tinjure\tyourself\tfurther.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tmake\tan\toffering\tto\tSilba\ttoday,\u201d\tSorscha\tlied,\tquiet\tand\tsmall,\tand\tleft. Chaol\tpressed\thimself\tinto\tthe\tdarkened\talcove\tof\ta\tbuilding,\tholding\this\tbreath\tas\tAedion approached\t the\t cloaked\t figure\t in\t the\t alley.\t Of\t all\t the\t places\t he\u2019d\t expected\t Aedion\t to\t go when\the\tslipped\tout\tof\this\tparty\tat\tthe\ttavern,\tthe\tslums\twere\tnot\tone\tof\tthem.","Aedion\thad\tmade\ta\tspectacular\tshow\tof\tplaying\tthe\tgenerous,\twild\thost:\tbuying\tdrinks, saluting\t his\t guests,\t ensuring\t everyone\t saw\t him\t doing\t something.\t And\t just\t when\t no\t one was\t looking,\t Aedion\t had\t walked\t right\t out\t the\t front,\t as\t if\t he\t were\t too\t lazy\t to\t go\t to\t the privy\tin\tthe\tback.\tA\tstaggering\tdrunk,\tarrogant\tand\tcareless\tand\thaughty. Chaol\thad\talmost\tbought\tit.\tAlmost.\tThen\tAedion\thad\tgotten\ta\tblock\taway,\tthrown\this hood\tover\this\thead,\tand\tprowled\tinto\tthe\tnight,\tstone-cold\tsober. He\u2019d\ttrailed\tfrom\tthe\tshadows\tas\tAedion\tleft\tthe\twealthier\tdistrict\tand\tstrolled\tinto\tthe slums,\ttaking\talleys\tand\tcrooked\tstreets.\tHe\tcould\thave\tpassed\tfor\ta\twealthy\tman\tseeking another\t sort\t of\t woman.\t Until\t he\u2019d\t stopped\t outside\t this\t building\t and\t that\t cloaked\t figure with\tthe\ttwin\tblades\tapproached\thim. Chaol\tcouldn\u2019t\thear\tthe\twords\tbetween\tAedion\tand\tthe\tstranger,\tbut\the\tcould\tread\tthe tension\t in\t their\t bodies\t well\t enough.\t After\t a\t moment,\t Aedion\t followed\t the\t newcomer, though\tnot\tbefore\the\tthoroughly\tscanned\tthe\talley,\tthe\trooftops,\tthe\tshadows. Chaol\t kept\t his\t distance.\t If\t he\t caught\t Aedion\t buying\t illicit\t substances,\t that\t might\t be enough\tto\tget\thim\tto\tcalm\tdown\u2014to\tkeep\tthe\tparties\tat\ta\tminimum\tand\tcontrol\tthe\tBane when\tit\tarrived. Chaol\ttracked\tthem,\tmindful\tof\tthe\teyes\the\tpassed,\tevery\tdrunk\tand\torphan\tand\tbeggar. On\t a\t forgotten\t street\t by\t the\t Avery\u2019s\t docks,\t Aedion\t and\t the\t cloaked\t figure\t slipped\t into\t a crumbling\tbuilding.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tjust\tany\tbuilding,\tnot\twith\tsentries\tposted\ton\tthe\tcorner,\tby the\t door,\t on\t the\t rooftop,\t even\t milling\t about\t the\t street,\t trying\t to\t blend\t in.\t They\t weren\u2019t royal\tguards,\tor\tsoldiers. It\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t place\t to\t purchase\t opiates\t or\t flesh,\t either.\t He\u2019d\t been\t memorizing\t the information\tCelaena\thad\tgathered\tabout\tthe\trebels,\tand\thad\tstalked\tthem\tas\toften\tas\the\u2019d trailed\tAedion,\tmostly\tto\tno\tavail.\tCelaena\thad\tclaimed\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tlooking\tfor\ta\tway\tto defeat\t the\t king\u2019s\t power.\t Larger\t implications\t aside,\t if\t he\t could\t find\t out\t not\t only\t how\t the king\thad\tstifled\tmagic\tbut\talso\thow\tto\tliberate\tit\tbefore\the\twas\tdragged\tback\tto\tAnielle, then\t Dorian\u2019s\t secret\t might\t be\t less\t explosive.\t It\t might\t help\t him,\t somehow.\t And\t Chaol would\talways\thelp\thim,\this\tfriend,\this\tprince. He\t couldn\u2019t\t stop\t a\t shiver\t down\t his\t spine\t as\t he\t touched\t the\t Eye\t of\t Elena\t and\t realized the\t derelict\t building,\t with\t this\t pattern\t of\t guards,\t positively\t reeked\t of\t the\t rebels\u2019\t habits. Perhaps\tit\twasn\u2019t\tmere\tcoincidence\tthat\thad\tled\thim\there. He\twas\tso\tfocused\ton\this\tthundering\theart\tthat\tChaol\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ta\tchance\tto\tturn\tas\ta dagger\tpricked\this\tside.","Chapter\t19 Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t put\t up\t a\t fight,\t though\t he\t knew\t he\t was\t as\t likely\t to\t receive\t death\t as\t he\t was answers.\t He\t recognized\t the\t sentries\t by\t their\t worn\t weapons\t and\t their\t fluid,\t precise movements.\tHe\u2019d\tnever\tforget\tthose\tdetails,\tnot\tafter\the\u2019d\tspent\ta\tday\tbeing\theld\tprisoner in\t a\t warehouse\t by\t them\u2014and\t witnessed\t Celaena\t cut\t through\t them\t as\t though\t they\t were stalks\t of\t wheat.\t They\u2019d\t never\t known\t that\t it\t had\t been\t their\t lost\t queen\t who\t came\t to slaughter\tthem. The\t sentries\t forced\t him\t to\t his\t knees\t in\t an\t empty\t room\t that\t smelled\t of\t old\t hay.\t Chaol found\t Aedion\t and\t a\t familiar-looking\t old\t man\t staring\t down\t at\t him.\t The\t one\t who\t had begged\tCelaena\tto\tstop\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe\twarehouse.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tremarkable\tabout the\t old\t man;\t his\t worn\t clothes\t were\t ordinary,\t his\t body\t lean\t but\t not\t yet\t withered.\t Beside him\tstood\ta\tyoung\tman\tChaol\tknew\tby\this\tsoft,\tvicious\tlaugh:\tthe\tguard\twho\thad\ttaunted him\twhen\the\u2019d\tbeen\theld\tprisoner.\tShoulder-length\tdark\thair\thung\tloose\taround\ta\tface\tthat was\t more\t cruel\t than\t handsome,\t especially\t with\t the\t wicked\t scar\t slashing\t through\t his eyebrow\tand\tdown\this\tcheek.\tHe\tdismissed\tthe\tsentries\twith\ta\tjerk\tof\this\tchin. \u201cWell,\t well,\u201d\t Aedion\t said,\t circling\t Chaol.\t His\t sword\t was\t out,\t gleaming\t in\t the\t dim light.\t\u201cCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard,\their\tof\tAnielle,\tand\tspy?\tOr\thas\tyour\tlover\tbeen\tgiving\tyou some\ttricks\tof\tthe\ttrade?\u201d \u201cWhen\tyou\tthrow\tparties\tand\tconvince\tmy\tmen\tto\tleave\ttheir\tposts,\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tat those\t parties\t because\t you\u2019re\t sneaking\t through\t the\t streets,\t it\u2019s\t my\t duty\t to\t know\t why, Aedion.\u201d The\tscarred\tyoung\tman\twith\tthe\ttwin\tswords\tstepped\tcloser,\tcircling\twith\tAedion\tnow. Two\tpredators,\tsizing\tup\ttheir\tprey.\tThey\u2019d\tprobably\tfight\tover\this\tcarcass. \u201cToo\tbad\tyour\tChampion\tisn\u2019t\there\tto\tsave\tyou\tthis\ttime,\u201d\tthe\tscarred\tone\tsaid\tquietly. \u201cToo\tbad\tyou\tweren\u2019t\tthere\tto\tsave\tArcher\tFinn,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid. A\tflare\tof\tnostrils,\ta\tflash\tof\tfury\tin\tcunning\tbrown\teyes,\tbut\tthe\tyoung\tman\tfell\tsilent as\tthe\told\tman\theld\tout\ta\thand.\t\u201cDid\tthe\tking\tsend\tyou?\u201d \u201cI\tcame\tbecause\tof\thim.\u201d\tChaol\tjerked\this\tchin\tat\tAedion.\t\u201cBut\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tlooking\tfor you\ttwo\u2014and\tyour\tlittle\tgroup\u2014as\twell.\tBoth\tof\tyou\tare\tin\tdanger.\tWhatever\tyou\tthink Aedion\twants,\twhatever\the\toffers\tyou,\tthe\tking\tkeeps\thim\ton\ta\ttight\tleash.\u201d\tPerhaps\tthat bit\tof\thonesty\twould\tbuy\thim\twhat\the\tneeded:\ttrust\tand\tinformation. But\tAedion\tbarked\tout\ta\tlaugh.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d\tHis\tcompanions\tturned\tto\thim,\tbrows\traised. Chaol\tglanced\tat\tthe\tring\ton\tthe\tgeneral\u2019s\tfinger.\tHe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tmistaken.\tIt\twas\tidentical to\tthe\tones\tthe\tking,\tPerrington,\tand\tothers\thad\tworn. Aedion\tcaught\tChaol\u2019s\tlook\tand\tstopped\this\tcircling. For\ta\tmoment,\tthe\tgeneral\tstared\tat\thim,\ta\tglimmer\tof\tsurprise\tand\tamusement\tdarting across\t his\t tan\t face.\t Then\t Aedion\t purred,\t \u201cYou\u2019ve\t turned\t out\t to\t be\t a\t far\t more\t interesting","man\tthan\tI\tthought,\tCaptain.\u201d \u201cExplain,\tAedion,\u201d\tthe\told\tman\tsaid\tsoftly,\tbut\tnot\tweakly. Aedion\t smiled\t broadly\t as\t he\t yanked\t the\t black\t ring\t off\t his\t finger.\t \u201cThe\t day\t the\t king presented\tme\twith\tthe\tSword\tof\tOrynth,\the\talso\toffered\tme\ta\tring.\tThanks\tto\tmy\theritage, my\tsenses\tare\t\u2026\tsharper.\tI\tthought\tthe\tring\tsmelled\tstrange\u2014and\tknew\tonly\ta\tfool\twould accept\tthat\tkind\tof\tgift\tfrom\thim.\tSo\tI\thad\ta\treplica\tmade.\tThe\treal\tone\tI\tchucked\tinto\tthe sea.\t But\t I\t always\t wondered\t what\t it\t did,\u201d\t he\t mused,\t tossing\t the\t ring\t with\t one\t hand\t and catching\tit.\t\u201cIt\tseems\tthe\tcaptain\tknows.\tAnd\tdisapproves.\u201d The\t man\t with\t the\t twin\t swords\t ceased\t his\t circling,\t and\t the\t grin\t he\t gave\t Chaol\t was nothing\t short\t of\t feral.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t right,\t Aedion,\u201d\t he\t said\t without\t taking\t his\t eyes\t off\t Chaol. \u201cHe\tis\tmore\tinteresting\tthan\the\tseems.\u201d Aedion\tpocketed\tthe\tring\tas\tif\tit\twere\u2014as\tif\tit\twere\tindeed\ta\tfake.\tAnd\tChaol\trealized that\the\u2019d\trevealed\tfar\tmore\tthan\the\u2019d\tever\tintended. Aedion\tbegan\tcircling\tagain,\tthe\tscarred\tyoung\tman\techoing\tthe\tgraceful\tmovements. \u201cA\t magical\t leash\u2014when\t there\t is\t no\t magic\t left,\u201d\t the\t general\t mused.\t \u201cAnd\t yet\t you\t still followed\tme,\tbelieving\tI\twas\tunder\tthe\tking\u2019s\tspell.\tThinking\tyou\tcould\tuse\tme\tto\twin\tthe rebels\u2019\tfavor?\tFascinating.\u201d Chaol\tkept\this\tmouth\tshut.\tHe\u2019d\talready\tsaid\tenough\tto\tdamn\thimself. Aedion\t went\t on,\t \u201cThese\t two\t said\t your\t assassin\t friend\t was\t a\t rebel\t sympathizer.\t That she\t handed\t over\t information\t to\t Archer\t Finn\t without\t thinking\t twice\u2014that\t she\t allowed rebels\tto\tsneak\tout\tof\tthe\tcity\twhen\tshe\twas\tcommanded\tto\tput\tthem\tdown.\tWas\tshe\tthe one\twho\ttold\tyou\tabout\tthe\tking\u2019s\trings,\tor\tdid\tyou\tdiscover\tthat\ttidbit\tall\ton\tyour\town? What,\texactly,\tis\tgoing\ton\tin\tthat\tglass\tpalace\twhen\tthe\tking\tisn\u2019t\tlooking?\u201d Chaol\t clamped\t down\t on\t his\t retort.\t When\t it\t became\t clear\t he\t wouldn\u2019t\t speak,\t Aedion shook\this\thead. \u201cYou\tknow\thow\tthis\thas\tto\tend,\u201d\tAedion\tsaid,\tand\tthere\twasn\u2019t\tanything\tmocking\tin\tit. Just\t cold\t calculation.\t The\t true\t face\t of\t the\t Northern\t Wolf.\t \u201cThe\t way\t I\t see\t it,\t you\t signed your\town\tdeath\twarrant\twhen\tyou\tdecided\tto\ttrail\tme,\tand\tnow\tthat\tyou\tknow\tso\tmuch\t\u2026 You\thave\ttwo\toptions,\tCaptain:\twe\tcan\ttorture\tit\tout\tof\tyou\tand\tthen\twe\u2019ll\tkill\tyou,\tor\tyou can\ttell\tus\twhat\tyou\tknow\tand\twe\u2019ll\tmake\tit\tquick\tfor\tyou.\tAs\tpainless\tas\tpossible,\ton\tmy honor.\u201d They\tstopped\tcircling. Chaol\thad\tfaced\tdeath\ta\tfew\ttimes\tin\tthe\tpast\tmonths.\tHad\tfaced\tand\tseen\tand\tdealt\tit. But\t this\t death,\t where\t Celaena\t and\t Dorian\t and\t his\t mother\t would\t never\t know\t what happened\tto\thim\t\u2026\tIt\tdisgusted\thim,\tsomehow.\tEnraged\thim. Aedion\tstepped\tcloser\tto\twhere\tChaol\tknelt. He\tcould\ttake\tout\tthe\tscarred\tone,\tthen\thope\the\tcould\tstand\tagainst\tAedion\u2014or\tat\tleast flee.\tHe\twould\tfight,\tbecause\tthat\twas\tthe\tonly\tway\the\tcould\tembrace\tthis\tsort\tof\tdeath. Aedion\u2019s\t sword\t was\t at\t the\t ready\u2014the\t sword\t that\t belonged\t to\t Celaena\t by\t blood\t and right.\t Chaol\t had\t assumed\t he\t was\t a\t two-faced\t butcher.\t Aedion\t was\t a\t traitor.\t But\t not\t to"]
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
