Without spending another moment contemplating what I should do, I rushed to the closet and put on my uniform, leaving before I had the chance to think twice. I would tell Samian about the letter when he returned, and that would have to be enough.
Salem trotted beside me as I ran through the dark passage until I reached the door at the end. Stopping, I braced myself, breathing deeply to calm my heart before I met with whoever waited for me on the other side. This was a bad idea—I knew that as soon as I decided to come here—but I also needed to make sure I wouldn’t put anyone else in danger.
Releasing a slow breath, Salem hid himself in my shadow while I cautiously opened the door, squinting at the bright watery light. I stepped into the meadow, frowning, my gaze roaming across the field. There wasn’t a single soul in sight.
I pushed farther into the tall grass, weaving through wildflowers and overgrown knolls, unease tightening in my stomach as I searched for whoever had written the letter. Either I came to the wrong place, or I had been played. Shaking my head, I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. I couldn’t think of that now. Swallowing, I scanned the field around me, hoping to find some sort of hint that I wasn’t alone.
“Part of me was afraid that you wouldn’t show,” a low and blasé voice said behind me.
My blood froze in my veins, panic crawling down my back. I closed my eyes and slowly released my breath, forcing my wild heartbeat to slow. Calling my magic to me, I let my dagger slowly form. Once the blade fully appeared, I steadily turned, facing the male behind me.
My mouth fell open, and I took a step back when I recognized the pale, brown-eyed male. “You’re Hale, Ambrose’s servant,” I said, my throat feeling tight.
“I am,” Hale smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked tired, his pale skin more ashen than the last time I had seen him. “And you’re Samian and Kieran’s mate.”
Lifting my chin, my grip around the hilt of the dagger tightened. “How do you know that?”
Hale released a bored breath, taking a step closer. I moved my blade in front of me, shaking my head. Hale’s lips thinned, but he kept his face blank. “Has Samian not told you that the walls have ears?”
“He has, but I don’t see what that has to do with you,” I breathed.
“I, dear, am the ears that he is so worried about. Well, my brother and I.” Hale’s lips curved into an unnerving smile as his body gradually disappeared. I sucked in a breath, my heart jumping in my chest, telling me to run. “I can mask myself with any surrounding,” his voice whispered in my ear.
Jerking away from him, my chest quickly rose and fell as I assessed the field beside me. “Do that again, and I won’t hesitate to attack. You wanted to talk, so talk. What do you want from me, and how do you know that Samian and Kieran are my mates?”
Hale reappeared on the other side of me, his body so close to mine that I could feel the warmth from his skin. Stepping back, I pushed my dagger toward him, my eyes narrowing.
Hale stared down at the blade, unfazed by my magic. Flicking his eyes to mine, his face softened. “I’m not here to harm you. Lower your blade, and I will tell you everything you want to know.”
I lifted my blade higher, waiting to feel Salem stirring in my shadow, but nothing came. Salem remained silent, though I could feel him watching Hale, waiting for him to make one wrong move. Swearing, I slowly lowered my dagger to my side.
Hale smiled, giving me a slight bow before continuing. “I overheard you during your first talk with Cassia. You know, the time she told you that your fate was to die for your mates.”
Rolling my eyes, I huffed. “Why do you think I’m part of the rebellion?”
“I know Kieran is the leader of the rebellion. I also know that his closest friend is Samian, and that has never changed, evenafterAmbrose took control of the palace. And with you beingbothof their mates? I’m smart enough to put two and two together, Ms. Hart.”
My nose crinkled. “Just Sybil, please. What do you want from me?”
Hale’s throat bobbed, his eyes growing troubled. “I want you to get my brother out. I suspect the rebellion is preparing for the execution in two days. I want you to help him escape with the prisoners.”
“Why? I thought you were on Ambrose’s side? Why now?”
Hale shifted nervously, wincing slightly. “We serve the crown,” he murmured, looking away from me and breaking a flower from its stem. “The servants of the palace don’t get to pick and choose whom they follow. If we could, most would have left already, but we have families to care for. We don’t have the option of leaving. Almost everyone in my family is dead. It’s just my brother and me now, and I refuse to lose him, too. Ambrose is becoming mad, and he is only growing worse. He used to keep up appearances with the servants, but now he attacks anyone who shows even a hint of distrust toward him. It’s not safe for my brother to stay. He wasn’t made for this.”
“What about you? Why not have both of you escape?”
“It’s too late for me. I have already done too many unspeakable things because of Ambrose. But my brother deserves more. I only care about his safety.”
“Sybil,” Samian called out through our bond, his voice filled with panic. “Where are you?”
Nodding, my eyes drifted to the yellow flower Hale held so carefully in his hand. My heart squeezed at how attentive he was with the delicate petals, and I couldn't stop myself from wanting to help him, too.
“Kieran hasn’t told me much because of my bargain with Ambrose, but I’ll talk to him and see what we can do to help your brother—and you.” Hale’s hardened eyes snapped to mine. “Ambrose forced me to do unspeakable things, too, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to escape with your brother. I can’t guarantee anything, but I can promise that I will push to help you both.”
The sound of a door slamming open rang out behind Hale, making me flinch. A soft smile rose on Hale’s lips, and he closed the distance between us, gently putting the flower behind my ear. “Have Aster tell Ambrose that she needs more of the blood flower. He won’t say no to that request—can’t, actually.”
“Why? What does the?—”
