“For how long, and in exchange for what?” I lower the blade, pushing it against his stomach.
He chokes. “Years. I was captured, but they let me go. They promised me a place in Solvandyr when Umbraxis falls. I couldn’t afford to turn it down.”
Years. I stiffen. But I don’t have time to pull the information out of him now.
My hand slams over his mouth as I slide the blade in. His scream is muffled. The dagger vanishes, and my fingers dig into the wound as I lean over him, any subtlety swallowed by desperation. “Scream, and I’ll cut your throat. Tell me where Darian Veyr is.”
Sweat darkens the shadowscout’s shirt as his back arches, mouth opening with a silent cry before he sinks back down with a gasp.
“Traitorous bitch,” Beckett rasps on a stolen breath. “The dreamwalker is beyond saving. Your Commander will spike you on the Dunes for this—"
My voice hums in tune with the scream that echoes out as my hand twists again, ignoring the panicked sounds from behind me. I have seconds, if that. “I’ll take my chances. Where is he? What direction?”
He heaves as my fingers dig through flesh. “Northwest passage on entrance. Take the…. left path at the crossroads. I left them around an hour from there.”
Good enough. I step away from him and rip the curtain open, wiping my hand on my trousers.
Valcor and Elspeth are on their feet, and I hold up my bloodstained hands. “Your scout is a spy. He led Darian into a trap, and I’m going to get him.”
They gape at me. Elspeth has her hands lifted and ready. Valcor steps forward, his eyes like flint. “You expect us to just let you leave?”
“Yes.” I glance at the door, expecting Kaelen or Eres to burst through at any moment. “Consider it repayment of a debt owed. And I would secure your shadowscout. He’s been passing information for years.”
Mouth still open, Valcor shifts around me, still wary as I face Elspeth. “I’ll send someone to help when I reach the stable.”
Elspeth shifts, blocking Sera’s bed. “You’re going into the Veilspire?”
When I nod, she lowers her hands. “May Erevan’s blessing be on you, then.”
My heart stays in my throat as I race through Umbraxis. There’s no time for subtlety. When I reach the main doors, I slip into the courtyard and look to the stable. Eldritch isn’t there. Nobody is, and I help myself to an already saddled gelding,pulling myself up and easing his skittering hooves with a pat. “There, now. Not forever. I just need to borrow you.”
“Seems to be a lot of that going around.”
When I twist in the saddle, my hands already glowing, Eldritch holds up his hand. His other holds a pipe, and white vapour hangs in the air. “For Erevan’s sake, girl, don’tthrowanything at me. I don’t move fast enough to duck anymore.”
I fortify myself with a breath. “Darian—,”
“I know.” His eyes narrow. “I expected Darian, or Eres. Not you.”
I suck in my cheeks. “I…restrained them. In Kaelen’s bedroom.”
When his brows raise, I quietly try to nudge the horse forward. “I really need to go.”
“And how will you get through the gates?” He gets to his feet as I stare out, to where the gates stand, closed and barred.
Fuck.“Open them. Please.”
He surveys me from under overgrown brows. “And why would I do that?”
My heart thuds faster. “I don’t have time for this. I can get him back, Eldritch.Please.”
His eyes narrow into a squint. “And what if you don’t come back? Kaelen will kill me before the Lightbringers get close.”
“Better me than them.” I look at the gates again. “I have a better chance of getting to him than they do. But I’ve lost enough time.”
He swears beneath his breath. I follow as he stomps out of the stable and into the icy air, toward the gates. He twists and pulls in a complicated-looking sequence before he grips the handle on one half and drags it back with surprising strength. “If he asks me, I’m telling him you forced me to do this.”
I doubt Kaelen would believe this male could be forced into anything. “Thank you. And there’s a spy in the healing quarters. Valcor is watching him, but he might need help.”
