The metal burns as I twist my head, searching for Selene. Her eyes are blank as she’s pushed along behind me, a guard gripping each arm and that burning metal pushed into her mouth. Our eyes meet, and then both of us are shoved back into the cart, the still silent crowd vanishing behind the canvas.
I can’t even touch her. Not with my hands burning beneath metal restraints.
She slumps against me as the cart rolls forward. I try to breathe. My cheek presses to her head, the only comfort I can offer and yet it’s no comfort at all.
Merrick.
My tears fall freely, and I make no attempt to stem the flow. Not when they have no end.
The compound is silent, just as Selene had said. The only noise comes from the guards directing the cart as they shout up beyond the canvas.
There is a single dragging noise, as the gates creak open.
And another, as they close behind us. Sealing us away from the temple, the town, and in withthem.
When rough hands drag us both down from the cart, I sweep my eyes over our surroundings. Searching for any possibility, anything that might help us, helpher, even as my own maegis remains dull and lifeless.
The scent of metal is heavy in the air. Iron, rust, and salt. So thick that I can almost taste it.
This is no place for the living.
Craning my head, I look behind us to the guard tower, the only sign of any true life at all in the vast expanse around us. There are no creatures to be seen, no guards aside from those staring down at us from their watching positions.
My eyes move on. To the dozens—maybe more—of huge tents that stand in perfect rows, leading away from us. Too many to count, and each tall enough to fit the height of two men, linen stretched over wooden frames. They could easily hold a hundred men to a tent.
Gods.
The enormity of what he has done—of what my brother has hidden from me all this time while I was distracted by the Never—presses down on me, making it hard to breathe.
Thousandshave been conscripted over our years here. Separated from their families, hauled off to this hell behind the wall and—
My heart turns over. Perhaps it’s not all. Only a few, maybe, some twisted experiment undoubtedly led by the Metallurgist.
It cannot be all of them.
The Boreasan crest flies from the flagpole attached to the tent they lead us toward; a six-pointed ochre sun containing a central a six-star constellation against deep navy cloth. Caelum’s symbol.
But there are no gods here as they drag us into the tent, guards holding the flaps open.
I start to struggle again at the sight of the wooden tables. Two of them, each the length of a bench, close to each other and stained with something dark. Twisting, my bound hands reach for Selene. But they push us down against the cool wood, leather straps pinning us in place as they secure our ankles, our wrists. Even our necks, the strap almost too tight to breathe.
The chains are removed, leaving those strange cuffs in place around our wrists, the gags still in our mouths. I fight to turn my head, and our eyes meet.
Endless darkness fills her eyes, as deep as the void beyond the border.
I’m sorry.
I brought her here. I should have turnedVolatusaround. Should have taken her out sooner, but I was too caught up in her and the possibility of fixing the Never. I should have gotten them all out when I could.
Should have, would have, could have.
Her tears fall silently, soaking the bench beneath her.
Petyr strolls in a few minutes later. Matthias follows, and my eyes close at the cuff that wraps around his neck, his wrists, his wheat-colored skin already reddened. The Metallurgist follows them both, creeping into a corner.
And then a creature. It walks with jerking movements, a whirring sound as it strides past us, taking up a position betweenthe benches at our heads. Blades hover too fucking close to Selene’s neck.
I can still see the four in her cheek. But the other side is shiny, as if patches of metal have been placed over her skin. She wears the familiar resting uniform of the Boresean military, a dark blue tunic and trousers that are crumpled and ragged at the ends. As if it has been worn many times before.
