"It's our only shot." I kneel beside her chair again, taking her hands. "Let me do this. Let me fight for us."
She looks at me for a long moment, conflicted. Then she turns to Corvask. "Bring the servant here. I want to hear everything they know about Thrain's household. Guard rotations, layout, where he keeps his private records."
Corvask bows and leaves.
Primsyn's hands tighten on mine. "If you get caught..."
"I won't."
"But if you do, they'll kill you. Publicly. As an example."
"Then I won't get caught." I lean forward, pressing my forehead to hers. "Trust me."
In the next two hours,I have a full layout of Thrain's estate, guard schedules, and the location of his private study where he keeps personal records. The servant, a middle-aged woman named Tessa, provides detailed information about his habits, his schedule, everything we need.
"He keeps trophies," she says, her hands trembling. "From the ones who didn't survive. Jewelry, locks of hair. Hidden in a locked drawer in his desk. He didn’t think anyone knew, but I saw. Before he sold me, I saw."
Physical evidence. Perfect.
"Thank you," Primsyn tells her. "You've been very brave coming to me."
After Tessa leaves, Primsyn turns to me. "You're really going to do this?"
"Yes."
"Tonight?"
"No time like the present. Every hour we wait is an hour closer to his deadline." I check the knives Corvask procured for me, testing their weight. "Besides, he won't expect anyone to move against him this quickly."
"I'm coming with you."
"Absolutely not." I look at her as if she's lost her mind. "You'll slow me down, and if we're both caught?—"
"I know his household better than you do. I've attended social functions there. I can get us in through the servants' entrance." She stands, moving to a wardrobe and pulling out dark clothing. "And before you argue, remember that this is my freedom on the line too. I'm not sitting here waiting while you risk everything."
I want to argue. Want to refuse. But I can see her determination, the steel beneath her usual composure.
"Fine. But you follow my lead. Do exactly what I say, when I say it. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
She changes quickly, trading her formal attire for simple dark trousers and a tunic. With her hair braided back and no jewelry, she looks like a different person. Younger. Less untouchable.
"Ready?" I ask.
She takes a deep breath. "Ready."
Corvask provides us with a carriage, one without house markings. He looks ill with worry but doesn't try to stop us.
"Be careful, Madam. Both of you."
The ride to Thrain's estate is tense and silent. I go over the plan again in my head, checking for flaws, for things we might have missed. Beside me, Primsyn sits rigid, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
"Hey." I cover her hands with one of mine. "We're going to be fine."
"You can't promise that."
"No. But I can promise I'll do everything in my power to keep us both safe."
