She made it to a narrow window and climbed inside. Voices and faint wailing cries echoed off the walls. It was difficult to tell from which direction. The narrow windows created a constant stream of wind that passed air through the tower, carrying ventilation and sound with it. Which may work in her favor.
Dyna stole along the walls, keeping alert. Guards patrolled below, along with large creatures. Their brown hides twitched, the growls rumbling in the keep. Bloodhounds, Zev had called them. If they caught her scent, no magic would be able to hide her.
She continued, searching for the warden’s quarters. It was her best guess on where to begin searching for the other half of the key. Leoake said it would be here, but he didn’t say where. If it was with King Altham, her plan would prove more difficult.
Voices neared, and she ducked into an alcove.
“To leave your elevated sanctuary, you must surely be desperate to be rid of him if you are willing to align yourself with elves.”
“Desperation is an overstatement. Think more of it as …eager.”
Dyna’s pulse jumped at the sound of Lord Gadriel’s voice. She carefully peered past the edge of the wall and spotted the pureblooded Celestial striding down the hall with a male elf in elegant red robes and a gold crown sitting on his head.
King Altham, she had to assume.
But what was Gadriel doing here?
“He wields Seraph flame, you say,” Altham mused as they went into a room, and Dyna’s chest caught with a gasp. “I’m intrigued. A rare phenomenon I would be glad to study, but as such, I am aware of the might behind such power. If your army cannot obstruct him, why should I place mine in his line of fire?”
Gadriel followed him in. Dyna slipped into the room behind him, keeping her steps soundless. Her training served her well. She slinked behind a sofa for a better view of the room.
“Your soldiers are skilled in magic,” Gadriel said as he took a seat across from Altham at his desk. “Paired with the divine weapons I provide, your force stands to defeat him. Strike his weaknesses, and victory is guaranteed.”
Dyna’s heart pounded.Weaknesses?But she was supposed to be the only one.
“When the time comes to confront the threat beyond your walls, you can expect our support.”
Altham canted his head. “Nazar would wage war against Greenwood?”
“If it means my people will flourish beneath a new king, my sire pledges you will have the might of Hilos and the Four Realms on your side. We will ensure you win your war.”
Chills scattered down Dyna’s arms.
They were planning to depose Cassiel, even if that went against the law of never spilling Celestial blood for the gain of others. And Dyna had the sinking feeling of who Gadriel’s sire was.
She should have known killing Cassiel was only part of his plan.
Raziel intended to sit on the throne, too.
A slow smile sharpened on Altham’s face as he leaned back in his chair. In his fingers, he turned a bronze piece of metal. It flickered in Dyna’s eyes as it caught the light.
The other half of the key.
Her heart pounded in anticipation, and she forced herself to stay still.
“If all goes according to plan today, it may not come to that,” Altham said. Trumpets sounded outside, and his grin grew. “You are not invited to today’s occasion, but I suppose I have no control over what others choose to do, do I?”
That was a strange way to put it.
Gadriel’s wings whooshed as he rose to his feet. “We await your signal.”
With a slight bow of his head, the Lord of Nazar strode for the open terrace and took off into the sky.
What did that mean? Did they bring Celestials here? Altham had given his oath that the trade would go peacefully, but it was clear he found a way around it.
Gritting her teeth, she prayed the others would be ready. She kept her eyes on the key piece, and her body tensed as she waited for the right moment to snatch it.
King Altham looked up. “I know you’re there.”
