CHAPTER 40
Arie
WE HIKED THE DIRTroad that twisted up the side of the rocky mountain toward Hodafez. The Mere girl admired the castle where it loomed ahead of us, a glaring white in the sun.
But when we slipped through the city gate, I guided her away from it, down narrow dirt streets that led parallel to the castle, keeping my distance. There was no telling where Amir may have posted guards, or how many. A few villagers noticed us pass, but most were too busy heading to Summer’s Eve celebrations, or at home sleeping through the heat of the day.
We rounded the outskirts of the city, sticking close to the wall as long as possible. I held up a hand when we reached a dead end.
On our right, the wall curved with the line of the cliffs and the sea beyond and now blocked our path, with dwellings built up against it. Retracing our steps, we finally began to move deeper into the city, toward the castle.
“This is so thrilling,” the Mere girl said. I’d forgotten her name already. I’d told her only my first name and that my father was inside the castle, nothing more.
“If thrilling to you means risking our lives, then sure,” I replied, keeping my attention on the castle wall ahead and the guards posted there. They were my father’s soldiers, marching along the wall as usual from one post to the next. It was possible they were still loyal to me. Far more likely they were touched by Amir’s Gift. Better not take any chances.
The main castle entrance yawned open and inviting below them, but it was too visible, with a guardhouse beside it. A smaller gate for the stables was also open, and much closer to us; this was the gate I hoped to use. I halted in the shadows, pulling the girl back.
“Listen, Zarena Marena... whatever your name is...”
“Call me Rena.” She laughed.
“Mmhmm, whatever you say,” I agreed, still watching the guards. “When I say go, we’re going to run for the stables, got it?” Eyes trained on the guards as they walked, I waited for them to reach the far end of their track. This would be their blind spot, but it would only last a few seconds. “Now!”
I ran across the courtyard, ducking into the back of the stables. As my eyes adjusted, I peered around to make sure I was alone. Nearby, I heard the clank of metal on metal, and a couple horses nickered, but I didn’t have time to greet them.
I turned to find the Mere girl—Rena—staggering across the space with arms flying wildly as if she’d never run in her life.
I supposed she hadn’t.
She lurched inside and I held a finger to my lips, listening. When no one called out, I waved for her to follow me through the quiet stables. A hum of thoughts came from the far side of the room, not audible enough to make out, but enough to avoid running into their owner.
We crept to the far end of the stables, where the stalls had been converted to store grains, saddles, bridles, and other equipment. Entering quietly, I shut the stable door behind me, peering over the top of it to make sure no one had seen us before I crept to the back wall.
I lifted my hand to a brick, but paused to meet Rena’s gaze. “You must never speak of this to anyone, do you understand?”
She made a fist and hit her chest. “On my honor or you can feed me to the sharks.”
I blinked and opened my mouth, but had no words. Instead, I faced the wall and pressed on the brick. It was smoother than the rest and if you looked closely, the mixture surrounding this brick was lighter in color—a soft clay instead of mortar, with a spring behind it. As I let go it sprung back into place while the wall began to shift and open beside it.
“Wow,” Rena gasped, green eyes wide. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Neither has anyone else here,” I muttered as I stepped into the dark tunnel, waving for her to follow. “And I’d like to keep it that way, if you don’t mind.”
I pressed another piece of the door and it slowly swung itself back into place until it latched shut, locking us inside the pitch-black tunnel.
I felt along the wall for the lantern that hung there, wishing I’d thought to pick it up while I could see.
