Trick’s face hardens. “Yeah. That damn closet. The inside of that heavy wooden door probably still carries the grooves from my fingernails from where I was clawing to get out.”
“I’m so sorry.” I put a hand on his arm, but he shakes his head and moves away.
“Elianna’s binding. It’s a horrible sensation, like being trapped again. I’ve been testing the limits ever since she bound me.”
“I’ll tell her she has to remove the binding,” I say.“Tonight.”
“We can’t escape if she doesn’t,” he says grimly.
That’s when I realize he may have listened to me, but he didn’t hear a word I said.
“Trick—” I begin, but shouts from behind me interrupt, and I whirl to see Bern galloping toward us.
“Prepare for attack!”
Anyperson designated “Graymind” by the Inquisitors of Khyrrus or Pyrrh is subject to protective custody. Such custody is to be carried out in a manner designated by local authorities. This is for the physical and mental protection of the designees, who do not possess the intelligence or self-control to fend for themselves.
—Khyrran Law Respecting Personhood, Section 1581, Clause B(5)
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“Is it the Zhagarn?” I check the sheath at my waist for my dagger, and Trick races to his saddlebags for his sword.
“No,” Bern says, face grim. “Khyrran bounty hunters. Soli, you and Elianna should hide in the wagon.”
“There’s no bounty on us,” I protest, but then I stop. It’s not exactly true. Khyrran law says bounty hunters have the right to take Grayminds and sorcerers into servitudefor our own good.
Because, like Pyrrh, this is a country that tries to sugarcoat oppression beneath the guise of compassion.
Where imprisonment is falsely presented asprotective custody.
Where the custody might never, ever end.
Elianna, who raced over to us with Chitai, shakes her head. “I’ll be goddess damned if I hide like a frightened child.”
“No, you’ll prudently remain in the wagon like a sorcerer who lost much of her magic,” Chitai says, her face hard. “I won’t lose you, and if they see your Guild tattoos or Soli’s brand, they’ll kill to get to you both. You’re worth real money.”
“They’d be legally allowed to take me here in Khyrrus,” I say bitterly. “All right. I’m going to the wagon. Elianna, please at least keep me company.”
Chitai’s voice lashes out. “Trick, hide that sword and go stir the stewpot. Bern, sit down and pretend to whittle something.”
When they do so, she pulls out a brush and starts currying her horse.Her entire body language changes from fierce warrior to carefree woman out for an adventure. “Now, Elianna.”
“Fine. I’m going!” Elianna starts to follow me but gives Chitai a hard glance with flashing golden eyes.
I scramble into the back of the wagon and pull Elianna up behind me. We crouch down beneath the canvas cover.
I realize I’m holding the hilt of my dagger so tightly it’s hurting my hand. I relax my grip while peering out to watch for Kaelen’s return.
“I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you alone,” Elianna whispers, her body nearly pressed to my back. “The key and the amulet together clearly have power. Perhaps … perhaps it’s time for me to take custody of them? I would hate for you to get hurt from bearing them.”
I’m shocked enough to momentarily forget the danger riding toward us. “Are you kidding? You picked me—”
“Thekingpicked you, based on the Sister Superior’s advice—”
“The king picked me, and thegoddesspicked me, and I’m not about to release this burden to anybody else,” I finish hotly, only realizing as the words come out of my mouth that they’re true. Before, I would have been eager to release this burden.
But now? I refuse to do so.
