Gall, teeth gritted and hands in fists, tried to press forward, but Jann blocked his way with a shoulder, never leaving hisdefensive stance, and never taking his eyes off of me. “Let me handle this, Sire,” he muttered.
I shook my head. “That isn’t necessary—”
“If I don’t kill you, Grandfather will hurt Istral! I can’t let that happen!” Gall said, his voice a strange mingling of pleading and fury.
“No one is getting killed today—except—”
“Are you certain, Melek?” Jann’s voice was dark. He’d leveled the spear at me and stood between me and Gall, jaw tense. Hands gripping the spear. And body poised.
Was there a watcher I was unaware of? Or—
But I had no time to finish the question in my mind as Jann flowed forward, his spear flashing.
~ YILAN ~
I slipped away from yet another patrolling guard, who I’d dropped in the middle of a dark hallway. A phalanx of our allies darted past the moment I materialized, and motioned them forward. As they trotted up the thickly carpeted corridor, I kicked the twitching Neph on the ground, considering whether to pull him to the side, so he couldn’t be seen so easily from the intersections. But I smiled and walked on. He would be a sign to any of the Neph who stumbled on him in the dark, that the Fetch walked again, andtheywere the ones being hunted tonight.
Our legions circled the palace, seeping into corners and down halls behind me, Diadre, Jhonas, and a handful of other skilled shadow walkers who could be trusted to assess and infiltrate. Every file and troop were tucked together tightly, following usin lines. Waiting in the shadows that we walked until we called them forward. Assassins at the front, in case there were too many Neph for the Fetch to address alone.
Now, after speaking with Melek, we weren’tonlykilling. We tried to reach as many minds as we could to coordinate our allies, but also in an attempt to convince some of the Gall-loyalists to join us.
So far, there was little success, though Jhonas claimed to have picked up a handful of useful, strong stablehands, and we’d all had green-eyed servants and commonborn Neph surrender the moment they saw us coming.
A few even called for Melek to rise.
I wasn’t sure whether to embrace those men, or slit their throats. They were being ushered back to some of the stronger Neph allies for assessment. But I couldn’t give attention to those thoughts now. We approached the center of the palace, and while most of the highborn and stronger Neph were out on the hunt, those who’d remained in the palace would be in these wings. I’d already passed the royal chambers once, looking for Istral—instead finding Melek and killing the guards to distract Lucifer. Now, I’d sent Diadre on a loop to check in, and make certain they had Gall safe. Then I’d circle back—
‘They’re going to kill each other!’
Diadre’s voice rang in my head. I stopped dead in the center of that dark hallway.
‘What? Who? What are you—’
The corridor in front of me with its plush tapestries, thick carpet, and oiled wood disappeared. In its place I saw what Diadre saw—our mates, both armed, and in the royal suite,fighting.
What the actual—
I blinked.‘This can’t be… Diadre, Melek said Jann’s actions were part of the plan—’
‘Melek’s bleeding. He just cut Jann—and they’re bothtrying.Yilan, I’m terrified Jann has—’
I cursed, and shook her off that train of thought. Even if she wasright,she needed to be confident and clear on her course. The men obviously hadn’t sensed her watching, and I wanted it to stay that way.
‘Stay there. Wait for me. Make sure Gall doesn’t get involved.’
‘But—’
‘Stupid fucking alpha males, and their fuckingbullshit.They have to turneverythinginto a battle, Diadre—and leave us to pick up the pieces. I’ll be there in minutes. But I have to clear these halls for the fighters. Just… don’t move!’
39. Remember
SOUNDTRACK:Heavy is the Crownby Arcane, Mike Shinoda, and Emily Armstrong
~ JANN ~
I cursed when the blade drew along my upper arm, but the extra half-second Melek used to extend gave me space to bring my shortblade up from my hip, andalmosttake him in the ribs.
Gall gasped as Melek barely evaded my strike.
