They’d told her last night, after one of the worst days of her life, that he’d gone on a rescue mission with Sariah. She’d felt their bond quiet but had assumed he’d fallen asleep.
“We’ll find Rainer,” Ruth said, nodding to her dad. Marcus pushed away from his kitchen table and started for the door.
As if summoned, Rainer burst through the door, nearly hitting Marcus in the face. “Paul took Amos. They’re going to execute him.”
The room erupted in chaos. “Stop,” Clover shouted, waiting for the room to quiet down. “Rainer, what did it feel like when your bond broke?” The question turned her stomach.
Rainer’s face paled. “It’s the worst pain imaginable.”
Clover fell into the nearest chair, relieved. “Then he’s alive, but the bond is quiet, like he’s sleeping or something.”
“It would make sense,” Rainer mused. “The only way to hold a royal in captivity is to render them unconscious.”
Rainer gave everyone a rundown of what Sariah said to the dragon.
Clover thought for a moment. “If she’s already alerting the capital Hydra, then we need to send word to the Hydras in the closest oases as well. North and East. They have the largest numbers, and we’ll need backup. We don’t know what kind of rebel battalion Paul has amassed.”
As they went over more details, Clover tried not to think about what would happen if they arrived too late.
30
A sharp pain stabbed Amos’ arm, like something pinching the flesh from his body. He jerked his arm away, or tried to, but it wouldn’t move. Another stab of pain, only this time on his stomach.
He tried to back away, but no part of his body budged. Something boxed him in. The cotton in his brain cleared, and a foul smell hit him hard. Amos gagged.
Jennifer.
The East Oasis.
Sariah.
Jennifer sneezing.
The cloth over his mouth.
His eyes flew open, seeing only blue skies and a blinding sun. Another stab, but this time at his leg. “Fuck,” he rasped, wincing at the raw scratch of his throat. The vulture pecking at his body jumped at the sound. How long had he been out?
It took Amos longer than it should have to realize they’d locked him in a cage that fit his body like a personalized sarcophagus.
His pants were still on, but his upper body and face were sunburnt. Not that he could see them, but it felt that way. Amostried to swallow. He’d kill for a glass of water right now. He closed his eyes and connected with Roland.
“Tell me someone is on their way.”
“Amos?”Roland’s desperation and relief hit him hard.“Where are you?”
“I woke up outside in a cage.”He tried to move his arms again.“It fits my body like a fucking glove.”
“Are you hurt?”
“Dehydrated and sunburnt.”He tried to turn his head.“I can’t see my surroundings other than the sky.”
“Everyone is on their way. We’re a day out, maybe less.”
“I’ll let you know when I find out more.”
A sense of relief followed by an inferno of rage blasted down the mate bond. Amos rasped out a laugh. Rainer must have updated Clover on Amos’ predicament.
Some time passed, and Amos tried not to think about the thirst or the blistering sun.
