Will sucked in a long breath, but it did nothing to lessen the weight that seemed to permanently press in on his chest.
“Have you heard about the most recent attack in Sitya?” Will asked.
The Persi nodded. “The news had reached Dunmeaden just before I came after you.”
“Speaking of, howdidyou find us?” Aidon asked.
“I figured you’d been making your way south following Kakos’s retreat, and the fastest way to catch up was by sea. So I stole a skiff and sailed to Cullway. Persuaded a dockworker there who valued his life over his loyalty to forget he’d seen us. Azul picked up your trail three days ago.”
Azul didn’t seem particularly bothered to be dripping wet and in hiding. He merely bumped his head against Liam’s hand at the sound of his name and let out an irritated huff at the lack of scratching from his bonded.
Aidon leaned against the far wall, his arms folding across his chest as he pursed his lips in contemplation. Will wondered if he was mulling over the same thing:
If Azul had found them this easily, it would only be a matter of time until Hyacinth tracked them down, too. Especially if she managed to have a Dyminara command their bonded after them.
Gods, he hoped Akeeta had not been caught. Or Tyr.
“The gamblers we spoke to tonight mentioned the attack happened nearly two weeks ago,” Aidon finally said slowly. “They think…” he shot Will a conciliatory look. “Well, they think Aya is responsible.”
A muscle in Liam’s jaw tightened. “Yes. I heard the same.”
“If shewassomehow forced to attack the city,” Aidon continued, “it’s unlikely she’s still there now.”
“If she ever was,” Will muttered. “There’s no telling if it was truly her.”
Liam’s brow furrowed. “Do you think it’s another Diaforaté masquerading as Aya?”
He had no idea. The Diaforaté he’d battled in Milsaio had lost herself to her power. He wasn’t sure the limits one could reach without their power devouring them, and by the way the men had spoken of it,thissort of display—spears of lightning shot into the sky—had only been seen once before: in Dunmeaden, during the Sanctification.
“It would be the perfect way to spur further pandemonium,” Aidon mused. “Kidnap the saint, then make her out to be a villain. Have her own people turn against her.”
Another contemplative silence stretched between the three of them, but Will was too focused on the way Liam’s jaw stayed clenched, his grief sharpening into something that Will could no longer ignore as it battered against his worn shield.
“What is it, Liam?” he pressed.
“There can’t seriously be more,” Aidon moaned. But even in the low light of the fire, Will could see the pain in Liam’s eyes as he rolled his shoulders back. He hesitated for a moment before he said,
“Callias Veliri is dead.”
Liam’s revelation settled heavily in the middle of the cave, the crackling from the fire muffled beneath the weight of it. From the corner of his eye, Will saw Aidon frown, his gaze darting between him and Liam.
“Who?”
Will swallowed against the lump that had risen in his throat. “Aya’s father,” he forced out.
She had already been through enough. Godsdammit, she had already been throughenough. And now…
He pinched the space between his eyes, his jaw locking as he bit back the wave of anger and despair that crested within him.
“He woke up about two weeks ago,” Liam explained quietly. “Suja was there when it happened. He was supposed to stay for further healing, but the next week, he was gone.”
“Why would he leave the infirmary?” Aidon wondered.
“He wouldn’t,” Will replied darkly.
Liam nodded once, his hand reaching for Azul’s fur once more. “There were guards sanctioned by Hyacinth that were stationed outside his door. They were found unconscious.”
It took Will another breath to clock how the Persi was uncharacteristically in motion.
