I wrapped my arms around my shivering body.
He could let Korvin torture Maz for hours. I had no weapons. I would be hard-pressed to fight both him and Korvin. Even if I managed it, we must be in the Den. Dozens of Shadow-Wolves awaited us outside these rooms.
“You care for this Maz, don’t you?” Renwell stalked closer to me. “As much as you do for your beloved Aiden?” He spat the name as if he hated even saying it.
I froze.
He swiped the blood from his cheek with a mirthless laugh. “I questioned Asher’s servants. They told me about the enormous, golden-haired man they hadn’t seen before, acting as a servant.” He brought his nose within an inch of mine, breathing heavily on my face. “They also told me of a golden dancer kissing a guard they’d never seen before near the vault. A guard who sounded a lot like my prisoner.”
Gods, he knew.
I opened my mouth to deny it, but nothing came out.
“Was it a simple seduction, Kiera?” Renwell whispered, his eyes burning into mine. “Like what you did to that idiot, Asher? Or was it something more?”
I swallowed, unnerved at the feverish rage in his eyes. “I did what I had to. What do you want from me?”
“I want the gods-damned truth. And it seems the only way I’m going to get it is by taking someone you care about and using him to make you talk.” He backed away from me, pacing in front of the door. “Which was my original plan for Lord Garyth untilyouhelped his family escape.”
His words kindled my own anger. “You were going to use an innocent woman and alittle girlto force Garyth to talk?”
“I told you everyone has a monster locked away inside of them—whether that’s a murderer, a coward...” He sneered at me. “Atraitor. All I ever have to do is find the right key.” He smiled a little to himself. “Except for Korvin. His monster never had a cage.”
Neither does yours, it seems.
“They’re gone, Renwell,” I said harshly. “I don’t know where.”
“Just as well. Garyth doesn’t need to know that. For all that mumbling coward knows, we have them in a room next to his.”
He was still alive then. But for how long?
Save my father if you can, Isabel’s voice echoed in my mind.
I wish I could. But I can’t even save myself. Or Maz.
“You got what you wanted,” I whispered. “Now let me and Maz go.”
Renwell laughed again, the sharp sound bouncing off the rock walls. “I haven’t gotten what I wanted. Not by half. But I will.”
I threw my arms wide. “What else do you want? The gold?”
“I don’t care about the gods-damned gold. I want to know how your lover plans to kill your father.” A slow, wicked smile curved through Renwell’s dark beard. “Surely you know that one by now.”
I inhaled sharply. He couldn’t possibly know what had transpired between me and Aiden last night. But what else could I tell him? How muchshouldI tell him?
I felt like I was falling down the cliff road, crashing against rocks, unable to slow myself down. How many others would fall with me?
“He doesn’t tell me everything,” I admitted hoarsely. “All I know is I’m to set fire to three buildings in the Old Quarter as a distraction for your dogs. In seven days’ time.”
Renwell’s eyes gleamed. “Finally, something useful. You’re the bait. He’s the blade.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “And how does my sweet little sister fit into this plan? Did she mention me?”
“No,” I spat.But Aiden said you shot her with an arrow before shooting his mother.“I didn’t even know youhada sister.”
“I didn’t either. That is, I didn’t know she was still alive,” he added, his voice distant. “Dear little Nik. The survivor.”
My chest tightened. Did he know what had happened to her? Where those scars came from?
“I’ve told you everything I know,” I said. “Now let me and Maz go.”
