“I’m surprised he didn’t dump you on Korvin’s table.”
“He still wouldn’t have his answers.” But my stomach twisted at the thought. I’d seen the remnants of Korvin’s handiwork—barely enough to fill a bucket. I hated to think of the ones we didn’t find.
Maz frowned. “Then why leave you be? What was his plan?”
“He found something else to threaten me with.” The skin on my shoulder twitched involuntarily.
Maz rolled his shoulder as if his scar was twinging as well. Understanding filled his gaze. “I see. Then if we hadn’t come to get you tonight?—”
“I would be boarding a different boat about now.”
“Gods damn it, Aiden, if we hadn’t gotten to you in time, if those Wolves had gotten us...”
“I know,” I said quietly.
He heaved a sigh. “You know I’d do anything for you, Aiden. But I told my mother and my sisters I would come home to them. Thatwewould make it back. Which means no more crazy plans. We have to get through this alive, together. That was the deal.”
“I know,” I repeated, my voice harder. The ridges of guilt, of failure, were impossible to soften. He was here to honor an oath he made when I’d brokenhimout of a prison.
But I also had promises to keep. And I’d failed too many times already. I couldn’t let anything—or anyone—steal my victory. I’d tried to impress that warning on Kiera, even though it was a silly game we played. Then she’d stolen from me with a sparkle in her eyes. That gleam of the triumph I fought so hard for.
You didn’t learn your lesson, little thief. But you will.
“What would you say to one final crazy plan?” I asked Maz. “Something far more enticing than traipsing through the Den’s backwater?”
“I’d say I’m not surprised, but very intrigued. As long as it doesn’t involve me sacrificing my only other axe,” he added morosely.
I grinned. “No. But you could certainly afford to buy another one if we pull this off...”
Chapter 7
Kiera
I’d never been sowet and miserable in my life.
The moment Aiden shut the door between us, I wanted to sink to a puddle on the floor and sleep for several days. Preferably in dry clothes, but I would take a dry blanket at this point. Something to simply cocoon myself in and forget the last few hours. Especially the worsening ache in my ribs.
Every time I drew breath, pain crackled through my torso. Vomiting what little food I had left in my stomach had nearly made me black out. Hopefully, Mynastra didn’t take offense to my putrid offering.
Ruru pattered around the dark room, turning up the oil lamp hanging from the ceiling and rummaging through a crate in the corner. A couple of hammocks were strung from the wooden posts that supported the ceiling. A wise forethought as the dirt floor pooled with water here and there, sinking beneath my boots. A wash basin stood in the corner. Two shelves high on the stone wall held a few tins.
“Whose place is this?” I asked, my voice a croak. My throat was ablaze with thirst, and my tongue felt furry.
“Aiden’s, I guess,” Ruru answered, still digging through the crate. “We just use it when we need to catch a wink or hold ourcargo. Ah, here they are.” He proudly held up a brown, long-sleeved shirt and a pair of darker brown pants. “I figure some of my clothes would fit you best. Anything from Maz or Aiden would fall right off.” He grinned, and I grimaced my way into a smile.
“What cargo do you ship?” I asked, wringing out my soggy hair.
I glanced up when Ruru remained quiet. A frown creased his young face. “I’m not supposed to say.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy.
I shrug. “Then you shouldn’t. And I can’t take your clothes, Ruru. You’re soaked through. I’ll take a blanket, if you have it. Or something to dry myself with.”
He shook his head, his unkempt brown hair falling into his eyes. “I really don’t need these. I’m used to being out in all kinds of weather. Anyway, I have more clothes at the Old Quarter apartment.”
Aiden had two hideouts? If he had two, he could have more. To store more “cargo”? I prayed Ruru wouldn’t tell Aiden I’d asked about it.
Ruru’s eyes narrowed at me. “They’re clean, if that’s what you’re worried about. Sophie uses soap and everything.” He gave the shirt a sniff as if to make sure he was right. “Yep. She calls it lavender. That’s a flower.”
