He turned over his palms, half in disbelief he’d managed a partial transformation without losing himself to madness. When he was dry and given fresh clothes, he was escorted to Leonhard’s personal box. Another fight was happening down below; two chimeras were circling one another and tearing at each other’s throats. The uncanny growls and screams of the crowd didn’t seem to faze Leonhard, who opened his arms wide to greet Erich.
“Quite the performance. You could become one of my best acts,” he said.
“I have no intentions of becoming your act,” Erich said. “We had a deal.”
Leonhard raised a brow. “Pity. Yes, I suppose we did. Here’s the payment I promised.” He held out a gilt invitation to a party a few days away.
“And a chance to talk with her? That was the other part.”
“It will all be arranged.”
Leonhard tossed a brass token to Erich, which he caught in the air. It had Cyra’s star engraved on one side and the Hunters’ Guild symbol of crossed daggers on the other. Even though he’d just fought and nearly died, it felt too easy. As if he’d turn around and they’d lock him back in the cell again. He reached for his dagger, which he didn’t have.
“And my weapons, I came with?” Erich asked.
“They’ll be returned to you at the exit. Can’t have you turning on me, now, can we?” He winked as if he hadn’t just thrown Erich in a death pit. The men looming behind Leonhard’s shoulders were his bodyguards, and they’d be difficult to fight, depleted as Erich was. And while he was angry at the fact that he’d been locked up and nearly killed, he didn’t want revenge. He wanted to forget it’d happened.
“What about the mark on my shoulder?”
“That’s a bit of insurance, you see. The Avatheos’ orders; any humanoid who walks the city must be... maintained.”
And there was the catch he’d been looking for.
Erich bristled at this. “Then you’re not really letting me go.”
“I’m giving you my protection. Which is worth more than a single night’s entertainment. The Midnight Guard won’t let a wanted man walk into their midst without that. You should be thanking me, honestly.”
“And what’s the cost of this protection?”
“I think you know.” He smiled.
Erich could have argued or tried to fight it, but he knew a good arrangement when he saw one. He’d fought in the pit and won, and now he was free to enter the temple and speak to Liane. Once he got inside, he’d just need to get her out. The rest he’d figure out later…
10
Liane dressed in the early dawn light and prayed to Cyra that Erich would come back, after she failed to send a message or meet him. It was a foolish hope. But she figured prayers couldn’t hurt. Though Cyra never seemed to answer hers. Luzie was sleeping on her cot, snoring lightly, as Liane tiptoed across the room. If she were back at the Golden Palace, she’d have slipped out through a hidden passageway, but despite a thorough investigation of her room, she’d found no convenient escape routes.
Eyes on the doorknob, Liane held her breath as she reached for it. Luzie moaned slightly, and Liane froze as Luzie rolled over and pulled the blanket tighter. Then Liane turned the knob slowly, praying Ludwig was sleeping rather than guarding her door.
But Cyra was not on her side that morning. The door swung open, and Ludwig was waiting with crossed arms.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
“I won’t be gone long!”
“And where is it you’re going exactly?”
“Out…” She waved in the general direction of the door.
Ludwig raised a skeptical brow. “Liane, last time you went ‘out,’ you were mobbed. Do you think it’s safe for you to leave the temple?”
“It’s early. People won’t be out yet.”
“There’s already a line outside the temple of people waiting for a chance to get in and meet you.”
“There is?” She’d been locked in her room most of the time, and when they’d toured the temple, there’d hardly been a soul around. If there was a line outside, why weren’t they letting them inside?
He shook his head. “Is this about Erich? You said you were done with him.”
