A bad feeling grows in the pit of my stomach when another guard walks into the hall and heads straight to Lyla. He whispersin her ear, and her expression turns somber. River stops hopping abruptly and dashes through the crowd toward Lyla, with me at his heels.
“They weren’t among the dead,” Lyla tells River, “only Trey.”
“Wait, what?” I wish the band would stop playing.
Lyla clears her throat as the guard who spoke with her slips away. “A group of guards was spotted going down the back of the mountain with Caden, Josh, and Trey. They didn’t come back, and when someone went to check, they found the guards and Trey dead. There are traces of two buggies, but it’s impossible to tell where they went.”
My head spins, and by the time I turn to look at River, he’s already sprinting out of the hall.
“We have to do something,” Otto says. “The king must be informed.”
“I am informed.”
I jolt at the sudden sound of his voice. He’s looking grim, surrounded by dozens of armed guards and Remy by his side. “I’m told there’s been an attack. Nasty business. Must be those damn Raiders. Everyone! The ball is over!Out!”
Dozens of confused guests hurry out of the hall. I only remember to breathe once Timothy holds my hand.
“Why did they take Caden and Josh?” Otto asks once the hall is almost empty.
“Well, which Raiders wouldn’t want to capture Defenders?” The king sounds as though it’s obvious.
“But how did they know?” I ask. “They weren’t in their uniforms. How did the Raiders know they were Defenders?”
“I’ve no idea, my boy, but rest assured I have already sent troops to search for them, though…” he sighs. “We aren’t likely to find them at this late hour, and buggies can cover long distances quickly.”
I want to tell him to shut his mouth, but I can’t help but picture those buggies speeding into the night. I turn my head at the sound of River approaching, his shirt dirty and torn. He’s out of breath, which I didn’t know was possible.
“They’re gone,” he says between huffs. “We have to do something!”
“You should all go back to your residences and calm down,” the king says. “Lyla knows how seriously we take such matters.”
Lyla steps forward. I can’t see her eyes, but the king can, and it’s making him tense. The guards look at each other nervously. “Why did Caden, Josh, and Trey go down the back of the mountain with a group of your personal guards?”
“Well, I can’t possibly know since I was here.”
“Something made them go down there. It was either by force or by trickery.”
“Lyla,” Remy says in a warning tone.
The king rubs his chin while holding his golden staff in his other hand. “Are you implying that those guards might have been working with the enemy? Hmm, a concerning notion.”
“Liar!”River takes a step forward, and the guards aim their weapons at him. “I can tell that you’re lying! Bring Josh back!”
I squeeze Timothy’s hand and tilt my hand to the side. He catches my meaning and lets go of my hand. I don’t need to look to know he’s quietly sneaking away.
“I understand that you’re upset,” the king says, “but remember that you are a guest in my palace and in my city.”
“Whatever they offered you, they’ll stab you in the back the moment they can,” I say. “Tell us where they’re taking them, and we’ll leave right now.”
For a second, I spot doubt in his eyes. Maybe he’s already suspecting that the Raiders might betray him, but he ends up saying, “I’ve had quite enough of this nonsense and disrespect. You are no longer welcome in my city. Send Dino my regards.”
“I’m not leaving until you tell me where Josh is!” River shouts.
The king shakes his head. “Semis can die from bullets just like the rest of us. Don’t make me give the order.”
I grab River’s hand firmly, my diplomacy training going down the drain. “This lying filth isn’t worth it. We’ll find them ourselves.”
“Filth?” The king chuckles. “That’s rich coming from Dino Lopez’s personal bitch.”
