“Follow my lead. No matter what they do?—”
“I smell you, little beasts,” Taryn shouted. “Down. Now!”
My stomach clenched.
Step by step, we descended. I kept my head high, clutching the railing like it could save me, and scanned the room—Henrik, Taryn, the captain, another guard, andhim.
My foot missed the last step. I caught myself on the banister, but ice flooded my veins as I finally sawhis face clearly. His expression was calm, as if he hadn’t witnessed me fleeing the Arathi manor.
One word from him—that’s her, the thief—and I’d be dead before sunrise. But he just stood there, silent and still, watching me with an intensity that made my chest tighten until breathing was impossible.
Was this his game? Let prey think they’d escaped, then appear like a nightmare to show them they’d never been free at all? Rheya’s fingers sank into my arm, keeping me from bolting up the stairs.
Lord Henrik smiled. “It’s all right, girls. They want to ask some questions.”
Swallowing hard, I beamed at the captain. “How may I help you, sir?”
“We’re investigating unusual activity in the merchant quarter. Heard anything about that?”
“No, sir.”
Taryn glowered at me. “You’re at the market every other day.”
“I only go for supplies.”
Taryn faced the captain. “What exactly is this about?”
He shifted, grimacing. “It’s a simple inquiry.”
“Don’t insult me,” she snarled. “You don’t send two Runecloaks and the executioner to acleric’sdoor for a simple inquiry. What. Happened.”
The captain glanced at Henrik, who shrugged. “There was a theft at Arathi Manor.”
Taryn’s eyes glittered dangerously. “And you immediately come here?”
“No, my lady. We’re questioning everyone in the quarter. The servants especially, as they might have heard gossip.”
“Of course.” Taryn whirled on us, her lip curling. “What do you know about this?”
“Nothing,” I blurted.
“Lies.” She grabbed her husband’s arm. “Make them tell the truth.”
Blood drained from my face. The fae whispered about this in terrified voices, that clerics could yank confessions from people’s minds like teeth—but they were supposed to be just stories.
The captain cleared his throat. “If you could verify their innocence, my lord, it would be swifter. Otherwise, I’ll need to bring them in.”
Henrik frowned. “The Unburdening is sacred. It’s meant for the faithful who seek absolution, not humans. Entering a human’s consciousness is like pouring wine into a dirty cup.”
“Oh, spare me the pious hand-wringing,” Taryn snapped. “The captain doesn’t have all night, and neither do we. Unless you’d prefer they drag our girls to the dungeons for questioning? Think how that would look.”
Henrik’s jaw tightened. “Human minds warp under magic. It could damage her.”
Taryn sneered. “Since when do you care about their welfare?”
Henrik closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, they were resigned.
“Fine.” He stepped toward me, his movements sharp with irritation. “The gods will not look kindly on this perversion.”
