“Don’t be afraid,” Mielle said. “My friend is the man known as The Deliverer. He’s taking you to safety.” The children whispered to one another, eyes wide. Mielle turned to the boy who’d taken the blankets. “What’s your name?”
“Kyal Orban.”
Master Orban’s son! “How is your father involved in all this?”
The boy frowned. “My father died in the Five Woes,” he said.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Then who was the man who had claimed to be Master Orban? And the woman who had posed as his wife? And the mystery woman in the cabin?
Grayson appeared, grabbed a boy, and vanished, this time making the children exclaim.
“How long have you been here, Kyal?” Mielle asked.
“It’s different for all of us,” he said. “Some have been here a few days. Some have been here weeks. I’ve been here longer than anyone, but I lost count how many—”
A woman’s scream drew Mielle’s attention to the house. Green light flashed in the shed’s open doorway, followed by a blast of noise and heat. Wood splintered. The children screamed.
“Stay calm,” Mielle said, despite her own fear. “Lady Pia?”
The woman was already outside. Mielle strode toward the door and peeked out. The cabin was on fire.
Kyal grabbed Mielle’s arm. “You mustn’t go outside. She’s a mantic witch, and she’ll punish any who leave.”
A mantic? Someone was walking through the thick, white smoke. “Lady Pia?” Mielle called, suddenly terrified. “Is that you?”
A woman stepped out of the smoky haze, but it wasn’t Pia. She was dressed as a peasant but held a regal posture. Mielle recognized her from a lifetime ago. She’d been part of Sâr Janek’s retinue, but Mielle didn’t recall her name. Gray eyes gave away her power.
Movement behind the woman turned out to be Lady Pia, rushing back. “Bero is dead. Master Orban too.” She slowed to a stop, eyes locked on the mantic. “Mattenelle?”
Lady Mattenelle, that was it. She and Lady Pia had been Sâr Janek’s concubines.
“What happened to your face?” Mattenelle asked.
“Sir Kamran,” Pia said.
“That ingrate,” Mattenelle said. “I’m not sorry he’s dead. Why are you here?”
Pia gestured to Mielle. “I am High Shield to the queen.”
Mattenelle looked from Pia to Mielle and back, a smile curling her lips. “Pia, that is wonderful! I’m so pleased for . . .” Her expression faltered. “I’m sorry, but I need her. The boy too. We’ve waited so long. I’m sorry.” She thrust her hands at Pia and yelled, “Yashen!”
Lady Pia collapsed.
“No!” Mielle ran to kneel at Pia’s side, shook her arm.
“Your Highness?” Grayson stepped out of the shed.
“Hide!” Mielle yelled at the same moment Mattenelle yelled, “tsar!”
Grayson froze mid-step.
“Grayson!” Mielle pushed to her feet, saw Kyal and some of the other children huddled in the shed’s doorway, watching the scene. Mattenelle moved her hand toward Mielle.
“Don’t do this, lady,” Mielle said, heart thudding.
Trevn’s concern pressed against Mielle as the woman raised her hand and yelled, “Hahsaw! Ba qol da rahyon.”
Mielle stiffened and her mind went blank.
About the Author
Jill Williamson writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. Jill grew up in Alaska, staying up and reading by the summer daylight that wouldn’t go away. This led to a love of books and writing, and her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won several awards and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. She also has written several books on the craft of writing fiction and teaches writing in person and online at www.StoryworldFirst.com and at www.GoTeenWriters.com, which was named as one of Writer’s Digest’s “101 Best Websites for Writers.” She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children. To learn more about her novels, visit her online at www.jillwilliamson.com.
THE KINSMAN CHRONICLES
Darkness Reigns
The Heir War
The End of All Things
Kingdom at Sea
Maelstrom
Voices of Blood
The Reluctant King
A Deliverer Comes
Warriors of the Veil
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