Be careful, he thought in her direction, wishing for a Sune’s mind-speaking powers. Stay safe.
I love you.
Beware the man whose hands are full and whose heart is empty.
Hearth caste saying
MARA WATCHED EMIL go, her eyes following him until he was through the doorway and gone. She felt small and shattered and very, very alone.
But his scent still clung to the shirt she wore, the rope was loose and flexible around her wrists, and her dagger was a solid weight against the middle of her back. Emil was gone, but he hadn’t left her defenseless. He couldn’t save her, but he’d given her a way to save herself, and Revathi. He trusted her to do that.
If she could only figure out how.
Mara closed her eyes, flexing her wrists in their loosened bonds. If she could get free quickly enough, maybe she could grab Tamas, hold him at dagger point, and make them let Revathi go. . . .
Her tentative plan was shattered when Aari moved next to Revathi, her smile wide and gleaming in the lamplight. “I think we should hold these two separately,” she said to Tamas. “Hold them as hostages for each other’s good behavior.”
Try to escape or change to tiger form, and she dies, she added to Mara. I’ll rip her open with my own claws and sink my teeth into her soft flesh. Her tongue flicked out, licking her lips.
“I’m sure Revathi won’t be any trouble,” Tamas said. His voice was almost pleading as he reached out to touch her face. “I know this is hard to understand, love, but everything’s going to be all right. And you and I? We’re going to rule the Empire.”
Revathi jerked her face away. “Tamas, I swear,” she said, and her voice was velvet soft and cold, cold in a way Mara hadn’t known Revathi’s voice could be. Cold enough to burn. “If you harm those boys, there will be no place in the Empire that can hide you.”
Tamas stepped back.
“You’ll come around,” he said. Something hard and ugly flashed across his face, and for a moment, he looked very like his father. “When you have to choose between being Empress and the dungeons, you’ll change your mind.”
One by one the few torches the mercenaries had left started to sputter out. Tamas spoke to the handful of armed men who remained. “I want a constant watch on that roof, rotated every hour. You and you, come with me. I’ll show you where the uniforms are.”
“Tamas, I do think we should separate the girls just to be safe.” Aari kept her eyes on Mara as she spoke. “I’ll watch out for Revathi here, and we can put Mara in a storage room. There should be one around that we can bar from the outside.”
Tamas looked up from where he was speaking with one of the remaining mercenaries. “If you think that’s best,” he said. “Just keep them out of trouble and undamaged until it’s time to move.”
“With pleasure,” Aari purred. She jerked her head at Mara. “Lock her up,” she told the mercenaries. “Make sure the door is sturdy and there are no windows.”
And don’t you cause trouble, she warned Mara. I’ve still got your little friend.
Mara clenched her fists, helpless fury crawling under her skin as the guards hustled her into a small, unlighted storage room that smelled of mice and dust and a few spoiled vegetables. You’re insane, you know that, Aari? No wonder your Tribe didn’t want you around.
Aari put a hand on Revathi’s shoulder and smiled down at her. The girl didn’t smile back. Nice try, Mara. But I prefer to think of myself as practical. Sathvik and I have worked very hard to make this rebellion happen. He provided the money for the mercenaries, and I made sure Tamas did his part. We’ve been planning this for a long, long time. Her mind-voice was a low purr. You’d be better off joining us, you know. These humans are never going to understand you the way I do. They have no idea what you’re capable of.
Do you? Mara snapped.
Aari just laughed. The door slammed shut between them. There was a thud as a bar went across it.
Mara stood for a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. The storage room was cold, and she huddled deeper into the sheltering cashmere of Emil’s shirt.
I have to warn someone. It was risky, but if she was careful enough, maybe she could make it work.
Mara settled down onto the dusty floor. She curled her feet under her, relaxing her bound hands. A couple of deep, calming breaths, and she was feeling . . . well, not centered. But at least less shaky.
Carefully, slowly, Mara spread out her mental awareness. Not trying to connect, not yet, just searching. The house and the city outside it scrolled away from her, like a dark map. She felt the dim gray lights of humans’ thoughts around her, and the sparkle of Aari’s mind like a gleaming fleck of copper. Mara tread carefully around it, trying not to brush against Aari’s awareness.
She didn’t sense Esmer anywhere, which was worrisome. The cat might have gone with the mercenaries, or she might be on her way to warn someone herself.
Either way, Mara had to try and reach Garen. The chill of the floor reached through the seat of her cotton trousers, making her shiver. She forced herself to breathe, refocus, then directed her thoughts toward the palace, toward a light that burned there, just beyond the edge of her reach.
Garen?
She was still too far away. Mara forced her curled fists to relax. If she could just push a little harder . . .
Garen, can you hear me?
The bar scraped against the outside of the door, loud and harsh. Mara jerked her head up just as Aari yanked the door open.
The tiger-Sune was holding a lamp in one hand and Revathi in the other. The shadows made her face look sharp and hollow, and her eyes were utterly without pity.
“I heard that,” she said. “Try to send for help again and I will kill her. I don’t care what Tamas wants. And I won’t warn you again.”
“Don’t listen to her, Mara,” Revathi said. Her voice was shaking. “You have to warn Garen. You have to warn the palace. It doesn’t matter what happens to me.”
Aari twisted her arm, and Revathi cried out.
“I hate it when you vermin get all sacrificial,” Aari said. She looked at Mara. “I’ll kill her, you know I will. And I’ll make it hurt. I’ll make it last. And you’ll hear every scream she makes.”
Mara? Garen’s uncertain voice was soft as a breath in her mind. She’d made it.
Too late.
Mara, is that you?
Aari tensed, her fingers digging into Revathi’s shoulder.
Mara pulled back her mental reach. Garen’s voice vanished from her mind, leaving only silence. Mara’s eyes stung, tears trickling cold down her cheeks. She met Revathi’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t . . . I’m sorry.”
Aari smiled. “That’s better. Now just stay here, like a good little kitten, and I’ll let you see how this ends.” She pulled Revathi back and shut the door behind her.
Mara drew her legs up and buried her face in her knees.
AS SOON AS they were inside the crypt, Stefan turned to Karoti, his face a mask of betrayal.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me who we were working for?”
Karoti’s voice was unusually gentle. “Rajo and I decided that it was better for everyone if we kept the identity of our employer a secret from the crew until it was time. This isn’t the first time we’ve done that, and it won’t be the last.”
“But he—he—”
Emil watched as Karoti stepped forward, placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “This is just a job, Stefan. Jobs come and go. What matters is our loyalty to each other. What matters is that we have each other’s backs. This isn’t just a mercenary band,” he said, shaking Stefan lightly. “It’s a family. We need you, Stefan. Are you with us?”
Stefan swallowed. Then, after a long moment, he nodded. “All right,” he said. “I’m with you.”
“Good.” Karoti released his shoulder. “Now go get your orders.”
With a glance at Emil
, Stefan hurried off. Karoti turned to Emil.
“And you?” he said. “Are you with us?”
Emil pressed his lips together. “And if I’m not?”
“I tie you up and shut you in a crypt,” Karoti said. “And you pray that someone remembers you’re there and comes to let you out before you starve to death.”
He couldn’t keep anyone safe if he was locked up.
“I’m with Stefan,” Emil said. “Not you.”
Karoti nodded. “Go.”
Emil went.
He’d just retrieved his pack and was jogging down the corridor, when he heard the meow. There was a flash of gray-and-black fur and Esmer leaped into his arms.
“Esmer!” Emil held her close. He could feel her heart pounding under her fur, the thin bones of her ribs.
“How did you . . . what are you doing here?” he asked. Esmer purred and rubbed her nose against his fingers.
“Emil!” Karoti called down the corridor. “Are you ready?”
Mercenaries ran past them with weapons, leaders barking orders. Emil stepped out of the way and opened his pack. Esmer jumped in without hesitation. It was a tight fit, but hopefully she’d be all right.
“I’ve got everything,” Emil called back.
“Good.” Karoti made his way over. His eyes were narrow and sharp. “If either you or Stefan do anything to screw this up, I will find you. Betray us, and I will take a pound of flesh for every man we lose. Understood?”
“Understood,” Emil said. “Where is Stefan?”
The sounds of a sudden argument spilled down the crowded corridor, and Karoti gave a grim smile. “Getting his orders, it sounds like.”
Stefan pushed his way through the flow of mercenaries. “Did you know about this?” he demanded, scowling at Emil. “Did you talk Rajo into keeping me out of the fight?”
“Stefan!” Karoti’s voice cut across the crowded corridor, and Stefan fell silent.
“Emil had nothing to do with this.” The small man’s voice was flat. “You have your orders.”
“But why?” Stefan said.
“We don’t owe you an explanation,” Karoti said. “We don’t owe you anything. You either follow orders or you don’t. But decide now and stop acting like a spoiled child.”
Stefan flinched. Then he drew a deep breath and let it out.
“Understood,” he said. “I’ll do my part.”
“Good boy,” Karoti said. He reached into the sack he was holding and pulled out two gray servants’ tunics and two pieces of parchment. “Pushing up the timetable creates . . . complications,” he said. “The old cover of bridge repair isn’t going to work at night. So we’re improvising. Put these on. They won’t match your trousers, but hopefully the soldiers won’t notice in the dark.”
Emil slid the tunic on. It barely fit his long torso, but if he kept his arms down, it looked all right. Karoti kept talking, his words coming fast. He gave Emil the parchments. “These are backup work permits identifying you as belonging to a noble house. If they ask, tell them you’re picking up medicines for a sick noble.”
He pushed a lantern into Stefan’s hands. “Now go. The two of you need to be in position before Firstlight.”
Much to Emil’s surprise, the servant’s tunics and work permit actually worked. The soldiers waved them into the Jade Circle without a problem. Emil darted down a side street, stopped, and opened his pack.
“What are you doing—is that Esmer?” Stefan held up his lantern as the cat leaped out. “What is she doing here?”
Esmer shook herself and flashed into human form. She looked tired, Emil thought, lines digging into her face like claw scratches. “Where else would I be?” she said, patting her hair back into place.
“In the palace, for one thing,” Emil said, trying not to sound snappish. “You could warn Garen.”
“Emil!” Stefan sounded horrified. Esmer ignored him.
“I tried,” she said, throwing up her hands. “As soon as I was underground and out of Aari’s reach, I tried to get through to him. But I couldn’t reach all the way to the palace. And I’m not leaving you two,” she said as Emil opened his mouth. Her voice was low and fierce, and she stepped forward, poking Emil in the chest with her finger. “Every time we get separated, you vanish or get arrested or something. I don’t care if the Empire burns, I am not leaving you again.”
Stefan picked up the pack. “I don’t care what either of you do,” he said. “I have orders, and I’m going.” He stalked off, the lantern swinging as he walked.
Emil stared down at Esmer. “Mara . . . ,” he started.
“I know.” The retreating light reflected off the gold flecks in Esmer’s eyes. “I know. But she’s in just as much danger either way. The minute she and Revathi stop being useful, Aari and Tamas will kill them. You did what you could, Emil. You have to let her do the rest.”
Emil’s breathing was loud and ragged in his own ears, but he made himself nod. Esmer was right. He hated it and he hated her and he hated this whole thrice-damned city, but she was right.
“Stefan,” he called, stepping away from Esmer. “Stefan, wait for us.”
MARA DIDN’T KNOW how long she was in the dark, sour-smelling storeroom before the door opened again. But when she was pulled out, hands rough on her arms, the sky above the courtyard was the color of ash.
In the weak morning light, the figures gathered around were pale versions of themselves. Revathi looked exhausted, her shoulders slumped and dark hair tangled around her face. Tamas had changed into a silver-and-cream tunic, his sword at his side. He was probably going for regal, but he just looked faded and unhappy.
Aari, though, Aari was practically glowing. Energy seemed to radiate off her, and she bounced softly on the balls of her feet. When she saw Mara, she gave her a wide grin.
Mara looked away.
The handful of mercenaries had changed and now wore the blue uniforms of Imperial Guards. One of them wrapped a dark cloak around Mara, hiding her bound hands. Aari still stood near Revathi, her presence a silent warning.
Tamas was pacing, his steps echoing off the courtyard walls. “Anything yet?” he called up. A soldier’s head appeared over the edge of the opening in the roof.
“Nothing yet,” he called back.
“How long does it take to start a riot?” Tamas said, still pacing.
“Patience,” Aari said. “It’s going to take a bit for the soldiers in the Outer City to realize they need help.”
“The timing is so tricky,” Tamas said, rubbing his arms. “If we don’t get past the Lotus Wall before the bridge blows, they’ll be on the alert. But if we go too soon, we’ll be fighting the Imperial Guard ourselves. I don’t like this.”
“It’ll work out,” Aari said. “Thought I am worried about the Jade warriors. If they get to the palace before the Emperor steps down . . .”
“We’ll just have to be fast,” Tamas said. “Fast and persuasive.”
Revathi’s head came up. “What about the Jade warriors?”
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with,” Tamas told her, a smile stretching across his face. “Just a little . . . modification I made.”
Mara looked at Aari.
Oh, you’ll love this, Aari sent, answering her unspoken question. Tamas hasn’t told the mercenaries that the Emperor can call out the Jade warriors. They have no idea they’re walking into a trap. Her laugh in Mara’s head was rich and bitter, like blood. It’ll be a massacre.
Mara felt stunned and sick. All those men . . . and Emil and Stefan were with them. Why would he do that? They’re on his side!
Aari laughed in her head again. Tamas isn’t on any side but his own. He doesn’t want to pay the mercenaries any more than he has already. When the Emperor steps down, Tamas will command the Jade warriors. They are sworn to the throne. He’ll use them to wipe out the remaining mercenaries and bring the rest of the army into line.
Bile stung the back of Mara’s throat, and she swallowed it down
. She didn’t want to give Aari or Tamas any excuse to leave her behind. Or kill her.
“I see the signal!” The soldier came running down the roof stairs. He was carrying a long, thin metal tube. “The rioting has spilled into the Bamboo Circle.”
“Excellent,” Tamas said. “They’ll have to call for help now. Time to go.”
He turned to Revathi. “Make yourself presentable, love. Don’t want the guards getting suspicious, now do we?”
Revathi’s mouth tightened, but she replaited her hair into a loose braid and straightened her asar. Tamas put a cloak over her shoulders. The edge of his dagger rested across her neck, covered by her hair.
Mara felt a sharp blade press against her upper back. “Either of you make any trouble, and you both die,” Aari said. She dug the dagger into Mara’s still healing wound, and Mara gasped.
Revathi stepped out of Tamas’s grip. “Don’t do that again,” she said, her voice taking on that new cold, tone. “If you want my help, leave my friend alone.”
“Friend?” Aari said. “Don’t you mean servant?”
“No,” Revathi said, her chin up and her eyes steady. “I don’t.” She smiled briefly at Mara. Mara felt the corners of her mouth lift in response.
The sharp pressure on Mara’s back lessened. Not quite the meek little mouse she appears, is she? Aari sent. How delightfully interesting. Does she know you’re Sune?
Yes, Mara sent back. Does Tamas?
Oh, no. Aari laughed inside her head. He’d kill you immediately if he knew who you are. Her amused tone turned serious. I’m not ready for you to die yet.
Mara narrowed her eyes. Aari almost sounded . . . lonely. I can’t help you do this, Aari. And even if you do succeed, I won’t join you.
Aari looked away. We’ll see.
Revathi yawned and rubbed her eyes. “I can’t go into the palace like this,” she complained, her voice suddenly sweet and overdramatic. “I’m sure I look a fright.” Her eyes met Mara’s briefly. Another tiny spark of hope bloomed in Mara’s chest. Maybe, just maybe, they could fix this. Together.
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