“As per usual, you’ve steered the conversation into nonsense. We’re going outside the Wall tonight. Cancel whatever plans you have and meet me at the east exit. That’s an order.”
Finn rolled his eyes, then bowed deeply with an exaggerated flick of his wrist.
“As you wish, oh great High Inquisitor.”
Castien pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re going to drive me mad.”
“Considering we’re going beyond the Wall, I think you’re already there.” Castien shot Finn a glare that made the young man take a step back, though he still wore a grin. “I’ll leave you to your studies. See you this evening.”
He opened the door, but before he could slip out, Castien stopped him.
“Thank you. I know what I’m asking of you isn’t normal,” Castien said.
Finn grinned over his shoulder and replied, “It never is.” Then into the tunnels he went.
Castien sat back down at his desk with a sigh and dove into the words of his predecessor. He would need the wisdom if he wished to succeed–and stay alive.
A branch cracked. Castien unsheathed the sword at his waist and spun around. There was nothing but dried leaves and shadows.
“With how on edge you are, you might consider abandoning this reckless plan,” Finn said.
“I am not on edge,” Castien gritted out before sheathing his sword once more. He turned his gaze back to the dark path ahead. The only light was that of the stars above and the single candle Finn was carrying. They’d slipped through the passageway.
“The leaf you almost shredded begs to differ.”
“It is important to be ready to attack at any moment.” Castien shot him a dark look. “And my plans are never reckless.”
“Right, yes, because being on the other side of the Wall atnightis not asking for death at all,” Finn drolled.
Perhaps Castien had put them in a rather precarious situation, but it was with good cause. They needed evidence and they were out of leads. This is all they had left.
“If we die, it will be because you are incapable ofbeing quiet,” Castien hissed.
“I am perfectly capable, dear cousin–”
Another snap cut off Finn’s sentence. Castien pulled his sword and whirled around, swinging it in an arch at the attacker. The sword sliced through the chest of a tall, lithe man with silvery blond hair. The man’s mouth opened, rows and rows of pointed teeth glinting in the dim light as he let out an ear-splitting screech and charged toward Castien. A mimicta.
Castien’s Gift illuminated the weaknesses of the creature. He could wound it the way he would any other man, but to kill it, he would have to cut off its head. Castien swiped at the mimicta again, creating a bloody x on its chest. The sound of Finn unsheathing his sword rang in Castien’s ear.
“Come on, let’s play,” Finn said and beckoned the creature with the tip of his blade.
The creature howled and started toward him. Castien used the distraction to his advantage, flanking it. Finn and Castien circled the snarling creature while Castien determined the best course of action. The creature lunged for Finn, who jumped back to avoid the claws protruding from its not-quite-human hands, then sliced at its arm. The limb fell off, black blood pouring from the wound.
A shriek shot from the creature’s mouth. Before it could jump at Finn again, Castien closed the distance and stabbed through the creature’s back until his blade came out of its chest on the other side. The mimicta thrashed on the sword, clawing at the blade with bloodied hands.
“It’s not dying,” Finn said, his eyes wild in the wavering candlelight.
“We have to cut off its head,” Castien explained. Finn raised his sword. “Wait!” Finn stopped just short of the flailing body. “I want to see if it knows anything.”
“It’s a cryptura,” Finn sounded exasperated. “It’s not going to tell us anything. It probably doesn’t even speak our language.”
The creature snarled as if it were agreeing with Finn.
“Do you see what it looks like?” Castien asked. Finn raised the candle in his opposite hand. His eyes widened in recognition before he lifted his sword to the mimicta’s throat.
“Did you kill a man here recently?” Finn asked in a cold voice.
The creature continued to attempt to free itself from Castien’s blade. He pushed it deeper.
