"I know." She shook her head. "I tried to tell him that, but he won't listen to me. No one listens to me. They think I'm weak because I'm just a thief, not a Serpent like them."
"Y-You're…that Ilanna…girl…aren't you?"
Ilanna nodded, hiding a wince. She'd hoped not to be recognized on sight.
"They say…you're some big deal in…the Night Guild. Like you're going to single-handedly…stop us from taking over." The thug eyed her up and down. "Don't look like much…to me." His breath came in wheezing gasps.
"I'm a thief, not a killer. I don't care about Rhynd or the others. I just want to get my man back." She gave him a shy smile. "Will you help me?"
The thug laughed. "Not a Keeper-damned chance, girl! Rhynd would…skin me alive if he knew I…sold him out."
"There has to be something we can do…oh!" She frowned. "I don't know your name."
The man studied her, but she kept her expression one of concern and trepidation. She had to play the role of a woman looking for her man.
After a moment, he grunted, "Osser."
"Osser." Ilanna tried the name and gave him a smile. "Will you help me, Osser? Just tell me where I can find my man, please!"
Osser sneered. "I'll say nothing to you, girl. The Bloody Hand doesn't squeal!"
She glanced over her shoulder. "Please. Verum's going to come back any minute, and he's going to keep hitting you. The other one's angry because someone hurt his woman, and you're the only thing he has to let out his anger on. I don't think I'll be able to stop them again." Her eyes filled with tears. "Please, just tell me anything so he doesn’t keep hitting you. I hate all the blood…" She turned away, as if sick.
"Pah!" Osser spat another mouthful of blood. "You think this is bad, girl? I'd rather that milksop keeps hitting me. If Rhynd gets his hands on me, I'm a dead man."
Ilanna hid a smile. The truth comes out. Osser was afraid of Rhynd, for good reason. Rhynd had beaten a dozen men to death with his fists. He wouldn't hesitate to rip Osser apart if he suspected betrayal. But that gave her the perfect way in. She could use that as leverage against Osser.
"What if I gave you gold? Enough so you'd never have to worry about Rhynd again." Excitement filled her voice. "Yes! You could leave Praamis and Voramis for good. Everyone thinks you died in the raid—let them keep thinking that. You could be free from Rhynd forever."
Just as she'd expected, a light shone in Osser's eyes. She could see his mind working.
"You know I'm Ilanna, so that means you know what I've stolen. Millions of imperials in gold and jewels." She dug into her pocket and drew out a gemstone. "Like this."
Osser's eyes widened at the sight of the blue sapphire. Ilanna had retrieved it from one of her many stashes around the city, intending to offer it for information as a last resort. It would serve her needs now perfectly.
"And you'd just hand it all over to me?" Osser sneered, never taking his eyes off the gemstone. "Not bloody likely."
"What's money without someone to share it with?" Ilanna gave him her most forlorn expression. "Without Errik…" She trailed off and turned away, sniffling loudly and wiping at her eyes for effect.
"What about your friends?" A hint of hopefulness echoed in Osser's voice. "What's to stop them from putting a dagger in my ribs the moment I give them the information you want?"
Ilanna turned to him. "Look." She drew her dagger with the clumsy motion of someone unused to edged weapons. "I can cut you free, and you can escape before they return." She pointed down the tunnel behind him. "A few hundred paces that way, you'll find a way out of the sewers." No such exit existed, but the thug didn't need to know that.
Osser's mouth twitched. He was a heartbeat away from telling her what she wanted to know.
"I think my friends want to kill Rhynd," she said in a fearful whisper. "They're angry at him. If you tell me where to find him, you won't have to worry about him ever again. You can take the gold and run, disappear forever. Your masters in Voramis probably think you're dead. You can start a new life away from here."
Osser remained silent for a long minute. Ilanna let her lower lip tremble, and she cast nervous glances over her shoulder, playing up her fear of Verum returning.
"Millions of imperials, you say?" Osser spoke in a quiet voice.
Ilanna nodded. "Mostly gold, but a lot in jewels, too." She showed him the sapphire again.
After a moment, Osser nodded. "I'll tell you what I know. But cut me down first." He, too, cast a glance at the tunnel behind her. "Before your friend comes back."
"Thank you!" Ilanna let the desperation echo in her voice. She shuffled around behind Osser and sawed clumsily at his bindings. More than once, she allowed her knife to nick Osser's wrists, and she took far longer than she should have.
"Hurry!"
A minute later, the knife severed the last thread of rope and Osser dropped to the ground with a groan.
Ilanna stepped back, holding the knife before her like a shield. She played the role of terrified woman to perfection. "So where do I find Rhynd?"
Osser shook his head. "Jewel first." She tossed it to him. "Now tell me where to find the rest."
"No. I cut you down. Tell me where to find Rhynd, then I'll take you to the gold."
Osser studied her up and down, and disdain flickered behind his eyes. She could almost hear his thoughts: he believed he could take her on, knife or no.
"You'll find him in the Warehouse District, off Fishmonger's Row. Big, brown warehouse with a white door. Faded sign of an old brewery or somesuch." Rubbing his wrists, Osser climbed to his feet. "Now the gold and jewels."
"How many men does he have with him?" Ilanna didn't lower the knife.
Osser rolled his eyes. "Don't know, don't care." He took a threatening step toward her. "Now give me the gold, girl, or—"
Ilanna moved too fast for him to react. The knife slipped up under his chin, pierced the roof of his mouth, and drove into his brain. A few drops of blood gushed from the wound, but he collapsed to the stone floor without a sound. Crouching, she plucked the gemstone from his hand and stuffed it back into her pocket.
She stared down at the corpse with disgust. Men underestimated her because she was a woman, perceiving her as weak. One more man had learned the truth the hard way. At least his misogyny had given her what she wanted.
She had no doubt Rhynd would underestimate her as well. He'd continually done so since their attempted takeover of the Night Guild. Had he truly perceived her as a threat, he would have sent every member of the Night Guild and Bloody Hand after her. No doubt he'd realized his mistake when she brought the Arbitors and Praamian Guard crashing down on him. If he believed for a single moment she wasn't the greatest threat to his existence in Praamis, he wouldn't live long to regret his mistake.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Verum looked up as she strode into the chamber where he, Leo, and Sonna waited. "Get him talking?"
Ilanna nodded. "He gave up Rhynd's location."
The Serpent raised an eyebrow. "How'd you manage that?"
"Did you promise him he could kill the rest of the Night Guild?" Leo growled.
Ignoring the insult, Ilanna drew out the sapphire. "I simply appealed to the one thing that rules all men. Greed."
Verum whistled. "Rock like that, no wonder he gave it up." He stood and drew his dagger. "I'll take care of him."
"No need. He's been handled."
Leo rolled his eyes. "Leaving you the only one who knows Rhynd's location."
"So you can't kill me…yet." She gave him a too-sweet smile. "You'll have to keep me alive long enough to lead you to Master Serpent." The anger in the Serpent's eyes told her she'd read his mind. She didn't blame him for his hatred—she'd felt the same about the person who betrayed the Night Guild.
Keeper take it! She kicked herself inwardly. She'd forgotten to ask Osser for the traitor's identity. She doubted he'd have told her, but he might have dropped a hint. Too late for regrets.
"W
e can always torture the information out of you." Disdain twisted Leo's face. "You don't look half as tough as the Bloody Hand bastard."
Ilanna tensed. "You're welcome to try. Last one who laid his hands on me—"
"Leo…enough!" Sonna's voice had grown weaker in the last minutes. Judging by the pallor of her cheeks and the flush of her forehead, she would be in the Long Keeper's arms before midnight. "Be at peace. She did…what she thought…was right." Sonna's piercing stare held surprising strength. "And she…is trying to…make it right…isn't she?"
Ilanna nodded. "Starting with Master Serpent. With Errik." She met Leo's gaze. "For that, I'll need your help." She turned to Verum. "Both of you."
Verum shrugged. "If it keeps you alive long enough to stand trial before the Guild Council, I'm in." His tone held only a shred of anger. Clearly, the idea of her doing "as needs must" had taken root in his mind.
"Not a Watcher-damned chance!" Leo shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere with her." He dropped his gaze to Sonna. "And I'm not leaving you, Sonna."
Sonna gave him a weak smile. "Foolish, foolish man." She coughed and spat a gob of bloody phlegm. "You don't…have the time…to waste on me." The Serpent's eyes met Ilanna's. "Isn't…that right?"
Ilanna nodded. "The trial of the Night Guild begins at dawn. The Duke believes he has all the evidence needed to convict most, if not all. We have to get there and stop him."
"And how would you know that?" Leo narrowed his eyes. "Oh, that's right, you're in league with the bloody Chief Justiciar!" His hand dropped to his dagger.
Ilanna bared her teeth in a snarl. "I know because he held me captive in the Black Spire. He planned to hold me captive until the world forgot about me."
"So how are you here?" The intensity of Leo's fury matched hers. "You may have gotten into the Black Spire once, but no way you got out."
"Yet here I am." Ilanna held out her arms. "Now can you quit wasting time so we can go save Errik and the others?"
Leo shook his head. "I'm not leaving Sonna."
"Of course…you are," Sonna rasped. "You…need to go with her."
Leo set his jaw. "Not yet." He swallowed. "You shouldn't be alone."
"Everyone…dies alone." Sonna smiled up at him. "You need…to think about…the living." She coughed again. "Master Serpent…needs your help."
A tear slid down Leo's rough, bearded face, but he dashed it away. "I'm not leaving you, Sonna." His voice came out harsh. "You're not getting rid of me that easily. Not after everything…" He bent and whispered in her ear.
A smile played at Sonna's lips, and moisture filled her eyes.
Ilanna jerked her head, and Verum nodded. In silence, they strode a respectful distance down the tunnel. "Let them have a final moment of peace."
Anger flared within her as she waited. She hadn't had a chance to say farewell to Kodyn or Ria. Or Denber, Prynn, the twins, or even Master Hawk. If she didn't find them soon, Errik, Darreth, and Allon would be gone as well. Jarl would face death at the end of a hangman's rope or drown in the Field of Mercy. She refused to let that happen. She had Rhynd's location. Even if she had to hunt him down herself, she would—
Leo appeared around the corner, eyes red-rimmed but his face hard as steel. "What now?" The fury remained in his eyes and the tightness of his voice, but it was no longer directed at her. He would expend his rage on Rhynd and the Bloody Hand.
"Osser gave me the location where we find Rhynd. But I can't get too close without being spotted." She drew out the parchment she'd picked up in the Aerie. "They know what I look like. If they see me, they'll run."
"So we'll do the scouting, eh?" Verum rubbed his stubbled chin. "Always thought I could do a Hound's job better than them."
Laughter bubbled from Ilanna's throat. She didn't try to suppress it. After everything that had happened in the last few days, the humor came as a welcome change.
"Scout the location, then what?" Leo didn't smile. "Rhynd's bound to have more than a few men watching his back."
"Nothing a pair of Serpents can't handle, I trust."
Verum's expression grew thoughtful. "Let's have a look at the place first, then we'll figure out what comes next."
Ilanna nodded. "So be it. But if we're to save the rest of the Night Guild, we have to move quickly."
She turned to go, but Leo stepped in front of her. "Be warned, Hawk: try to run, and I'll hunt you to the ends of Einan."
Ilanna met his gaze without hesitation. She had no intention of running.
He stabbed a finger at her. "When this is over, you will stand before the Guild Council and answer for your actions."
"Are you done?" Ilanna arched an eyebrow coolly. "Can we get on with saving Errik and the others now?" Without waiting, she turned and strode down the tunnel. After a moment, the sound of the Serpents’ boots echoed behind her.
They walked in a tense silence. Leo radiated tangible anger. Given a chance, Ilanna knew he'd put a knife in her back. Thankfully, they had a mutual enemy. She could use that fury, channel it into finding and dealing with the Bloody Hand. Before the night was out, Rhynd would be dead. Or she would. Either way, it ended tonight.
* * *
Ilanna crouched in the shadow of an overhanging rooftop, studying the brown warehouse below. Two burly men stood before the white door, beneath the faded sign of the "Silver Tongue Brewery". The wariness in their eyes and the tension in their stance screamed of high alert. They could only be the Bloody Hand.
I'm coming for you, Rhynd.
She drummed her fingers against her forearm. Verum and Leo had been gone for close to an hour now, since just after the Lady's Bells had tolled out midnight. She had too few hours to deal with Rhynd and get to the palace to stop the Duke from executing the Night Guild. If the Serpents didn't hurry, she'd be too late.
As if on cue, two shadows detached from the corners of the warehouse. Verum and Leo glided toward the Voramians, silent as wraiths. They struck in coordination, clamping their hands over the thugs' mouths and driving slim daggers between their ribs. The Voramians died without a sound. The Serpents dragged the bodies into the shadows.
A few minutes later, a quiet whistle echoed from the alley beneath Ilanna. She slithered down the rope and dropped to the stone street beside Verum.
"Four guards, all handled." He drew a finger across his throat. "Leo's doing one last sweep around the perimeter. Two ways in: front and back door."
Ilanna shook her head. "Three." She pointed upwards. "Rooftop hatch."
Verum inclined his head. "Thoughts?"
"One in the front, one in the back. I'll slip in from up high. Any idea how many are inside?"
Verum scratched his chin. "Rhynd had at least three big fellows who never left his side. He probably took a few more, just in case. No way to know until we get inside."
Ilanna winced. Jarl had told her Rhynd fled the tunnels with a handful of his best. The Serpents had eliminated at least four enemies, but she could be walking into the arms of dozens more. She had little doubt Rhynd would be on the lookout for her. Thanks to that image of her circulated amongst his men, the Bloody Hand would recognize her on sight.
The Duke's words echoed in her mind. You are the artist of your own destruction, he'd said. Why did that stick with her? What was it that refused to leave her alone?
Suddenly, everything made sense. Dozens of pieces clicked into place in her mind. She drew out the parchment and studied it in the weak light spilling from a nearby street lamp.
It's not possible! She wanted to refute the idea but couldn't. How could I have been so blind? The answer literally stared her in the face.
"What's wrong?" Verum asked. "You just went dead silent."
Ilanna answered in a voice of quiet, cold fury. "I know who the traitor is."
Chapter Thirty-Six
A chill wind swept over the Praamian rooftops, but the anger burning in Ilanna's gut could ward off a blizzard. A torrent of emotions churned within Ilanna: hatred at the person who h
ad betrayed not just her, but the Night Guild; disdain and self-loathing at her inability to see the truth; fury that the traitor's actions had put her in such a dangerous position--had put them all in this position.
By aiding the Bloody Hand, the traitor had forced her to seek the Duke's help. Dozens of Journeymen and apprentices from every House had died. If Duke Phonnis had his way, the rest would follow suit. And there wasn't a Keeper-damned thing she could do until she dealt with Rhynd and however many Voramians waited below.
But she swallowed her feelings, compressed them into a burning ball of fire in her gut. She couldn't act yet, not until Errik, Jarl, and the rest were free.
She took a deep breath; it did little to still the angry tremble in her hand. Gripping her dagger tighter, she slipped across the flat warehouse roof. She placed each foot with caution. One misstep and the creaking of the wooden beams would alert the thugs within the building. Her mission to rescue Errik, Darreth, and the others would end in death. Hers, certainly; her crew would likely follow close behind.
Reaching the small, wooden hatch set into the roof, she sheathed her dagger and drew out the pair of worn lockpicks she'd found in House Hawk. The first tension wrench snapped when she twisted it in the lock. The second and third wrench followed suit. Cursing, Ilanna drew out the last one. She let out her breath in a silent whistle as the lock clicked open.
She pressed her ear to the hatch. Silence. She listened for anything to indicate life within: creaking floorboards, footsteps, heavy breathing, or the snores of sleeping men. Only the eerie moaning of the cold wind met her ears.
The hinges of the hatch squeaked as she pulled it open. She moved as slowly as she dared, opening it just far enough for her to slip her head through. The faint sliver of light leaking through the open hatch revealed a room empty of everything save a thick layer of dust.
Ilanna squirmed her body through the hatch, let herself hang at arm's length, and dropped the short distance to the floor. She winced as her soft-soled boots whumped on the wooden boards. The hatch thunked closed above her. She darted toward the door and pressed herself against the wall.
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