The inn’s front door wasn’t far—had they fled from their room’s window? Hurrying back to the inn, I reached for the doorknob only for it to fly open.
Seraphim stalked out, eyes whipping to my face with an unspoken question.
Nodding, I wrapped my scarf around my face and followed their shadows deeper into the city.
Neither of us trusted Seth. But perhaps tailing him would yield the answers we sought.
3
Seth
Home was a fond memory for most people. A place they yearned to return. For me, it was anything but.
The years had poisoned me against the home I’d once loved. Now I felt nothing but hatred when I gazed upon Duath Nun. Hatred, and a desire to simply forget this place and everything that had happened here.
Everything would have been easier had I never met Aethra. Why couldn’t Seraphim have recruited someone else? Even if that other girl had been beautiful, she wouldn’t have had Aethra’s charm, or wit, or . . .
Or deep dimples when she smiled, and a laugh that made the world brighter.
Rubbing my eyes, I tried to scrub her memory from my mind.
Guilt clawed at my heart. I’d protected her.
Ihad.
Phaedrus was a kindly caretaker compared to the depravities my father would inflict upon Aethra.
“You okay?” Percy asked.
Dropping my hands, I flashed him a smile. “I’m just remembering how pathetic you looked when we were arrested. Are you sure you want to come with me?”
Percy rolled his eyes. “You got arrested, too.Burgundy Rose.”
“I got captured on purpose,” I corrected, leaning against a pillar. Few soldiers patrolled these streets, but dozens would guard the Oracle’s tower.
“Are you sure this is worth the risk?” Percy shifted from foot to foot.
“A noble of her status will have valuable information. Or, her escort will.” I spoke a half-truth to conceal my lie. “Would you rather forge ahead in the dark?”
“We have Seraphim—”
“Who hasn’t been here in years,” I interjected.
Clicking my tongue, I ordered Whisper to scout ahead, and he ran down the street, nose to the ground.
“Looks clear,” Percy whispered, pulling up his hood. “But I don’t see why we couldn’t tell the others.”
“Call it a habit. I’m used to doing this sort of thing alone.”
“Right. I think you know Seraphim would have said no,” Percy murmured.
“Probably,” I agreed. Darting out from behind cover, I stuck to the shadows, locking eyes on our destination.
A tower of pure white stone loomed over the city. Counting the stories between ground level and the Oracle’s suite, I reconsidered my plan. It wouldn’t be an easy climb, least of all while trying to keep hidden.
Aethra’s image appeared in my mind: her honey-brown eyes and tangled curls. The sad countenance she wore whenever she thought no one was looking. I’d tried so hard to wipe it away, but could only manage to flip her frown to a faint smile.
Shaking my head, I swatted her memory away, but something she’d once said stayed with me.
