Kage and Malachi exchange a look. When Malachi turns to me, his expression is calculating. My stomach drops before he even speaks.
"We're going to remove as many amulets as we can."
I stare at him. "That can't be the whole plan."
"Draven said the amphitheater is usually warded, but we haven't felt any wards since we arrived. They're relying on the ivory." He leans forward. "There are only three of us. Our gifts are limited by the curse. Yours aren't, but I don't want you anywhere near Constantine."
I cross my arms. "So I'm supposed to do what? Stand back and watch you fight?"
"Of course not." His eyes hold mine. "You'll be taking amulets off people's necks."
I gape at him. "You want me to do that? I told you what the Sages made me do. Those amulets are the only things keeping some of those people alive!"
"Temporarily!" His voice rises, then drops. "The ones who are going to die will die the moment the Shroud breaks. Jordi confirmed that."
“Right, so let me just kill them faster,” I huff, shaking my head. “Great plan, Bain.”
His jaw clenches. He sets his hand on my bouncing knee. “That’s the second time you’ve called me that today.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Isn’t that what your friends call you?”
“I think we’re a little past being friends, don’t you?” He squeezes my knee.
Kage chuckles and presses his lips together when we turn in his direction. “For once, I’m not trying to eavesdrop. I’m just … right here.” He raises his hands and looks at me. “Just so you know, only his mother calls him Mal. I’m only telling you this so you know he’s not the type to mess around and leave you or anything.”
My head snaps to Mal, who has a bewildered expression on his face as he looks at Kage. He shakes his head and turns to me. For a long moment, we simply stare at each other, at a loss for words.
Then, he says, “I would do anything for you, but I can’t spare you from this. The people who are going to die without the amulet, aren’t truly alive. You have to know that. You said yourself you saw those laborers.”
I swallow. He's right. I know he is. But gods, it hurts.
I nod. "Fine."
His eyes soften. He squeezes my knee, then turns to Kage, all business again. "Is there a tunnel that leads to the amphitheater?"
We plan until there's nothing left to plan. I don't feel any better. All I can think about is Constantine. The Shroudmaidens. What Jordi believes lies beneath the amphitheater. And what all of it might mean for my memories.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The tunnel spits us out beneath the amphitheater. A narrow corridor reeking of blood and animal musk. I press my hand against the damp stone to steady myself. The roar of the crowd pulses through the wall like a second heartbeat.
It sounds like the ocean during a storm. Relentless. Hungry. Alive.
"This way." Kage's shadows snake ahead to scout.
We follow through arched passageways, past iron gates and holding cells I force myself not to look into. The amphitheater was built for spectacle. For blood sport. During the Moon Festival, death dresses up as entertainment.
I've only been here twice. Once for Arlo's first duel. Once for Casimir's. Both times left me drained. I blamed my empathy.
I was wrong.
It wasn't anguish from watching people I love get hurt. It's anguish — period. There's so much of it trapped within these walls, it's stifling.
Mal's hand finds the small of my back as we climb the stairs. It's light and brief. A small reminder that I'm not alone. I cling to that as we emerge into the lowest tier of seats and are met with the deafening noise.
The amphitheater stretches in tiered crescents of limestone and marble, rising story after story toward the open dome. Every seat is filled. The entire island must be here. Lunarian residents in green. Veritas in maroon. Visitors in purple, blue, and gold.
My eyes sweep the arena floor. Guards. Officials. A wooden platform at the center. My knees nearly buckle when I find them. Naima. Margot. Cas. Wrists bound in ivory that gleams under the torchlight. Cas's face is bloodied, but defiant. They all are.
