“Who is she?” I asked quietly.
Lark wiped a hand over her face. “One of my architects. Salome.” She stretched a shaking arm out and closed the lids of the female’s eyes. “A friend.”
I took in the sight of Salome’s still body and the large gash in the center of her chest. It looked like a knife wound. Her slight frame and dark hair seemed more and more familiar the longer Istared, and then it hit me—she’d been in attendance at the challenger’s feast, and she’d been the one to come tell Lark about Callista’s death.
“I’m so sorry, Lark,” I said.
“I tried to stop him,” a brusque voice said from a few steps in front of us. I tensed as the air seemed to bend and fracture, and suddenly, Horace stepped into our line of sight, still in his Royal Guard uniform.
“Horace?” Leo exclaimed.
“Fates, is anyonenotdown here?” I asked.
Lark sucked in a breath. “You tried to stopwho?”
“Vincent.”
Lark cursed and stormed to her feet.
“I’m sorry, but—who is Vincent?” I asked. “And where did you come from, Horace?” So many questions circled in my mind, I wasn’t sure what to focus on. How was any of this happening? I felt like any time I managed to get my head above water, another surprise dragged me back under.
“Vincent is the other architect. He, Salome, and I have worked closely on the Decemvirate for the last five years,” Lark said, her tone icy as slivers of shadows began to twist around her body. “You’re sure it was him?”
Horace nodded gravely. “Woke up in darkness. Had no idea what was going on and wandered around with an invisibility illusion until I heard fighting. Came across the two of them”—he gestured to the body—“arguing, and when I tried to stop them, he stabbed her, blinded me with his Lightbender magic, and ran.”
“Why would he do this?” Lark hissed, and I could see her fury give way to heartache. I couldn’t imagine working in such close quarters with someone for five years, only to learn they’d committed the most violent act of betrayal.
“I think he’s been in Gayl’s pocket the entire time,” Horace said. “Heard him say something about needing to do what he’d instructed.”
“That bastard,” Lark spat, her shadows licking at the ground.
“I’m sorry, Lark,” Leo echoed my earlier sentiments, gripping her by the shoulder. “We’ll find him and make him pay, if that’s what you want. BothVincentandGayl.”
She nodded tightly, her jaw flexing as she fixed her features into their normal composure. With a sniff, she straightened her shoulders, looking at me and gesturing down to Salome’s body. “You should see if she has anything useful.”
I bent low and rummaged carefully through Salome’s personal belongings, finding a small metal tin in the pocket of her thick skirt. When I opened it, the scent of dried flowers hit me. An Alchemist. I’d have to take inventory of what was in here later, but it had to be better than relying on blood magic.
“I found her herbs,” I said, tucking it into the lining of my tights. “No other weapons.”
In silence, Lark led us through the tunnels, her steps taking on new vigor as she marched. Despite my aggravation toward her and the part she played in these trials, my heart hurt for her. For the calm detachment she felt the need to carry, for this role she’d been proudly given and now wore as a battle scar. Her entire purpose over the last half decade was now stripped away and left her just as confused, just as scared as the rest of us.
Leo and I fell behind. His hand brushed against the tears and rips in my long sleeves. “What happened?” he asked quietly, fingering the cuts on my skin, trailing upward to the small lacerations on my neck and cheeks.
“I woke up locked in a wooden box. I had to blast my way out.”
He snorted. “Of course you did.”
“The box sort of…exploded,” I said sheepishly. “Cut up my neck and arms. I’m okay, though. It doesn’t hurt too bad. I was going for an unlocking spell, but…well, I didn’t bring my charms with me to the ball.”
I glanced up at him and found him searching my hands. He spotted the gash on my thumb. As we walked, he took my hand in his and lifted it to his lips, softly kissing the wound. That simple action opened up the well of guilt inside of me.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “I know you don’t like it when I use blood magic?—”
“You did what you had to do, Rose.”
“—but I didn’t know what else to do. And again, when Alaric attacked me—” I paused, registering his words. “Wait, you’re not upset?”
A growl vibrated from deep in Leo’s chest, his eyes sharpening as he stopped mid-walk. “Alaric didwhat? Where is he?”
