He was in the colors of the Eighth Line, but still, I frowned. “Yes?”
“Baron Tarrin would like to speak with you and your friends at your earliest convenience.” His voice was a deep rasp, which sounded like someone had kicked him in the throat too many times. He waited, his legs planted wide.
“By my earliest convenience, you mean now?”
The man nodded. “He also suggested that you might wish to gather anything of importance. Goddess knows things can go missing during revelry of this variety.”
My eyes snagged on Lierick’s, and he gave me a barely perceptible nod. “Please tell the Baron that I just have to return to my rooms and then I’ll be right there.”
The soldier nodded again, before disappearing into the shadowy darkness at our backs.
I looked at Hayle and Vox, trying to draw on their strength. This was it. The moment the world changed forever. “I need to find my brothers and Acacia,” I told Hayle softly.
“I’ll help you.”
Lierick brushed a hand over my arm. “Iker and I will go and gather the packs. We’ll be able to disappear into the crowd easier than you three.”
We’d all packed our belongings earlier, as had most other Boellium conscripts. Little did they all know that they’d be boarding two separate boats; the Lower Lines would disappear, and the Upper Lines would return to Boellium. We felt like they’d be reasonably safe there; Feodore Vylan wasn’t going to alienate his allies by murdering their conscripts.
I chewed my lower lip. “Be careful.”
Lierick reached down and ran a finger along my cheek. “Always.” Iker snorted, and Lierick rolled his eyes. “Well, for now, anyway.”
I watched them disappear into the crowd, before following the broad backs of Vox and Hayle through the undulating bodies, searching for Acacia and my brothers. Hayle had alreadyinformed Lucio of our plans earlier, when his father’s eagle had returned to Boellium. He’d assured Vox that his second would tell Shay what was happening, but I could tell the lack of control was getting to Vox. He had to trust that the message Hayle sent through a bird would make it to Lucio, that the message would be interpreted correctly, and that Lucio would pass it on to Shay.
I’d tried to appease him. I trusted Lucio completely, and what’s more, Lucio and Shay had respect for each other that was completely independent of their Lines. They were a team, even if it was covert and kind of toxic.
I found Acacia first, dancing with a man who looked like he was from the Seventh Line, given the deeply golden skin and bright blond hair. He was looking at my friend like he was entranced, and I got it. She looked beautiful as she danced, her eyes closed as her skirts spun, her bright hair glinting like the firelight.
Hayle whistled to be heard above the loud music, and Acacia’s eyes opened. A frown creased her brow, before she smiled wanly at her dance partner. Her fingers climbed up his chest, and he watched her go with a dopey puppy-dog look.
When she made it to us, all her lightness disappeared. “What’s happened?”
I swallowed hard, hating that I was lying to my friend. “Nothing. Yet, anyway. But we have to go.” I paused, trying to work out what I could tell her. “You won’t be going back to Boellium. Tomorrow, you’ll get on a boat with the other Lower Lines and be taken somewhere else.” I dropped my voice, even though I doubted anyone would be able to hear us over the pounding drumbeat. “We have… intel that the Baron of the First Line is going to try and eradicate all the Lower Lines at Boellium. Proxius is moving everyone willing to leave now. When the Upper Lines wake tomorrow, there’ll be no Eleventh or Twelfth Line conscripts. Next will be the Eighth and Seventh, but I don’tknow when. I don’t know where. Just know it’s for your own safety.” I hugged her tightly. “I’ll see you all soon.”
“You said the Lower Lines are in danger, but areyouin danger?” Acacia demanded, her hand holding tightly to my wrist, like she worried I was going to disappear in a puff of smoke.
I didn’t want to lie to her. “Yes.”
She pulled a necklace over her neck. “Take this. It’s an Ebretha Medallion. May her eyes watch over you and guide you to safety,” she said solemnly, and Vox grunted. Acacia gave him a sharp look, but I knew he wasn’t being disrespectful of her beliefs; it was more that we were basically under the Goddess’s microscope now. If she watched us any closer, we might spontaneously combust.
I stood still as Acacia placed the necklace over my head, then I hugged her again. “Go, enjoy the night. I think…”—again, I hated that I couldn’t tell her everything—“things are going to change, but I’m not sure if they can get better without getting worse first.”
A frown marred her face as she kissed my forehead. “Be safe, Avie.”
“I’ll see you soon,” I choked out and moved away, flanked by my guys. I had to get out of there because that felt like a goodbye, and I wasn’t ready for goodbyes.
Luckily, my brothers were easier to find. Kian was back in the shadows by himself, but I could tell he was watching Bach, who was dancing with abandon with a group of women. Bach was always pure joy. Back when I was a child, I’d resented him sometimes. He was so full of happiness, while my life had been so miserable.
However, as I watched Kian, I realized Bach could be happy, because Kian would hold back the darkness for him. For me. For us all. Bach’s happiness was a testament to Kian’s diligence.
I walked faster toward my brother, who looked startled as I threw myself into his arms. He wrapped me up in them easily, holding me tightly like I was five once more.
“Thank you for everything you did. Back then and now. For us all,” I mumbled against his chest.
Awareness lit his face, and he looked over at Bach, before turning back to me. He kissed the top of my head. “It wasn’t enough. I couldn’t protect you properly. He was easier, the charming fucker. Not even Father could hate him,” he grunted, and I choked out a laugh. He really was. I stepped away, and Kian looked down at me, concerned. “Everything okay?”
Clearing my throat, I nodded. “It’s just time for us to head out.” I squeezed his forearm. “But I’ll see you and Bach soon enough.”
