“Someone did.”
Ace’s chest rumbled. A low growl vibrating the area around us. “I don’t think your brother is acting alone. In fact, I doubt he’s leading this operation.”
I pressed my lips together. If Paul planned to keep me safe, but someone else’s orders superseded his, that meant Paul’s accomplice was the boss, or at least higher up in the organization. Exactly how big was this group?
“He still betrayed you,” I whispered.
“Did he?”
“He scheduled your execution. That’s not exactly screaming best friend energy.”
“He doesn’t see me as a friend,” Ace said. “Not anymore, at least.”
I snorted. Those two were thick as thieves growing up.
“I always thought he forgave me too easily when I returned. Even if he could get over me abandoning him, he knew I hurt you and he loves you so very much,” Ace said. “But he didn’t forgive me at all and apparently, not only does he hold a grudge better than you, he’s also better at hiding it.”
That made sense and once again anger rolled over my skin. Was my twin a sociopath? A psychopath? A mastermind behind murders and theft?
How had he kept all this from me?
“I’m beginning to suspect my brother is a better actor than either of us realized,” I said.
“That is the understatement of the year.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to excel at something,” I said.
“You used magic to free us,” he said. “You have impeccable aim, and I would go as far as to say fantastic taste in men.”
I snorted. “Men?”
“Okay, man. I don’t want to lump myself in the same category as Onion.”
I laughed quietly. Slowly, I raised both my arms over my head and stretched. Ace drifted his hand down, tracing the outline of my ribs with his fingertips.
My skin pebbled and my heartbeat picked up, anticipating his next move.
“Our clothes should be dry now. We need to head out and get back to Perga,” I said.
“Probably not the safest destination,” Ace grumbled.
“Nala is there. Besides, once we get word out about…” I swallowed. Part of me still couldn’t believe it. Part of me wanted to cover for Paul. “Once we tell everyone Paul can’t be trusted, he won’t show his face in Perga. He can’t hide in plain sight anymore.”
Ace frowned and looked ready to argue. Instead, he gave me a terse nod. He tapped my lips with his finger. “I don’t like it, but we should move. I don’t like the idea of there being more of those worms down here.”
We got ready in record time.
18
The frozen dirt and dead pine needles crunched under my boots as I crouched low. Ace stood beside me using the nearby trees and tall brush as cover.
“See anything?” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I still don’t like this.”
In the end, we decided against running down the streets of Perga to announce Paul’s betrayal. We didn’t know who Paul was working with and he could have a number of accomplices in town.
After bathing and foraging for some food, we made it to Perga, skirted the main road and avoided the glorious smells of the bakery. I could really use a gooey cinnamon bun right now, but we had more important things to deal with. Sley’s cabin looked empty, and we hadn’t crossed anyone on our way here.
