All were from Maz’s Yargoth clan. All looked grim and determined. Especially his three sisters, who wore murderous expressions under their war paint.
They wanted revenge for their brother.
I slipped my father’s ring from my pocket onto my finger. Nikella had brought it with her earlier. I wanted a part of him with me tonight.
I ran down the gangplank dressed in all black with no cloak, my twin swords strapped to my back and my two daggers sheathed in my belt. I also carried two pouches with Librius’s explosives. I’d refused any face paint. I wanted Weylin to know exactly who was here to kill him.
Everyone followed me quickly and quietly to the Den.
The bone-rattlers scurried forward and threw their grapple hooks over the large black doors. They climbed over. A shout went up.
Unease rippled through the waiting warriors. I unsheathed my swords. Gods, it felt good to hold them again.
A moment later, the gate was unbarred and shoved open.
We swept inside, weapons raised. A handful of Shadow-Wolves sprinted toward us with sunstone spears and knives. My heart pounded at the first clash, the first shriek of metal disintegrating.
But I’d prepared my warriors.
As I tangled with one of the Wolves, two of the archers climbed up the guard station and shot down at the Wolves. Three of them fell instantly, and the one I fought swung wildly, leaving himself open for my sword through his heart. He fell with a choking gasp.
The yard fell silent. Only the perpetual crash of the waterfall disturbed the quiet.
The skirmish had only taken moments. Five dead Wolves. No casualties on our side. I ripped the mask off the one I’d killed. A boy, hardly a few years older than Ruru.
My stomach clenched, and I glanced at Nikella, her face grim and her spear wet with blood.
“Bar the gate and set a watch!” I called out, my voice sounding too loud.
A few of the Dags with bombs scrambled to obey me, knowing their part was to wait for any Wolves fleeing back to their Den. They had to keep the way clear once I was done.
“That was too easy,” Nikella murmured. “It’s a tr?—”
“Don’t,” I hissed. Then louder, “Fan out. Search every cave in groups. Make sure there are no surprises. Take the sunstone weapons if you want.”
We moved forward steadily, carefully, and plunged into the caves. When I had infiltrated here before getting caught and thrown in a cell, I’d been careful to map out as many of the tunnels as I could in my mind. That way I could sketch them out for everyone later.
I’d never told Kiera that was why I was really here. That... and the secret passage.
Small groups broke off to investigate each branch of the tunnel. No shouts, no alarms.
Surely this wasn’t all.
Nikella took the prison tunnel toward the sea cave exit with Maz’s sisters and a few sailors. I hurried toward Renwell’s office door and tried it.
Locked.
I had something for that—but after I checked the last tunnel. It ended in a murky cave, lit by a single torch. The air was thick with the coppery smell of blood and oiled metal. Two tables with ropes took up most of the room. Dozens of weapons and shelves decorated the rough walls.
Korvin’s chamber. This must be where he tortured Maz.
Bile rose in my throat, and I gripped my swords harder. If that evil maniac was here...
I swept through the room quickly, finding no one. But two doors opened off the main room. The first room was empty. The second?—
“Garyth.” I choked on my shock and the putrid smell of rotting flesh and human waste.
A feeble moan answered me from the body tied to a wide table. I almost didn’t recognize him from the few times I’d spied on him at Melaena’s club from the secret balcony.
