I blinked. “You’re helping me?”
“I’m giving you information you’d figure out on your own eventually.” Lira turned a page. “What you do with that information is your choice. Though if anyone asks, I was here the entire time and you’re very good at sneaking.”
“I am very good at sneaking.”
“I believe you.” She glanced up, expression serious now. “But Isara? Whatever you find out there—in the city, talking to people who don’t know you and don’t owe you anything? It might not be what you want to hear.”
“I know.”
“And you’re going anyway.”
“I am.”
Lira nodded slowly. “Then be smart. Stay hooded. Keep your head down. And for gods’ sake, don’t manifest any fire. This city’s seen enough excitement for one day.”
“I’ll try not to spontaneously combust anyone.”
“That’s all I ask.”
I pushed myself to my feet, joints protesting. My body felt like it had been wrung out and hung to dry, but adrenaline was a hell of a drug. “Thank you. For this. For watching them.”
“They’re good children. Easy to protect.” Lira’s expression softened. “Go. Before I remember I’m supposed to be responsible.”
I went.
13
The eastern postern gate was exactly where Lira had said it would be, a narrow door set into the castle’s outer wall, almost invisible unless you knew to look for it. The guard stationed there was young, bored, and appeared to be losing a battle with consciousness.
I waited in the shadows until his head drooped forward, then slipped past him like smoke.
The night air hit me cold and sharp, tasting of stone and starlight and freedom I hadn’t realised I’d been craving. I pulled my cloak tighter and oriented myself toward the distant glow of the city.
Two miles. I could do two miles.
I’d done so much worse.
The path down from the castle was winding, carved into the hillside in switchbacks that probably looked picturesque in daylight. Now they just looked treacherous, all loose stone and uncertain footing in the dark. But the moon was nearly full, and my eyes adjusted quickly.
Another gift from the Veil, maybe. Another change I hadn’t asked for.
I made it halfway down before I heard the rush of wings overhead.
I froze, pressing myself against the rocky outcropping, heart hammering. Patrol. Had to be. Lincatheron’s ‘increased aerial surveillance’ making itself known at the worst possible time.
But the wings passed overhead without slowing, and I caught a glimpse of someone smaller than Lincatheron, their flight path steady and routine. Just a regular patrol. Not looking for me specifically.
Not yet, anyway.
I waited until the sound faded completely before continuing, moving faster now. Every minute I wasted was a minute closer to someone checking on me and finding me gone.
The city rose up gradually—first scattered houses, then clusters of buildings, then proper streets paved with stones that gleamed faintly in the moonlight. Even at this hour, there were people. Not many, but enough. Figures moving through the darkness with purpose, slipping in and out of buildings that glowed with warm light.
Taverns. Had to be. Because some things were universal across realms, people would always need somewhere to drink and forget.
I picked one at random. Small, tucked into a corner where two streets met, with a weathered sign hanging above the door that depicted what was either a dragon or someone’s drunken attempt at a horse. Light spilled from the windows, and through them I could see bodies moving, hear the low rumble of conversation and laughter.
Normal. It looked so beautifully, impossibly normal.
