Chapter Twenty-Three
Analleia
We clung to the shadowslike death to a graveyard, our black-clad forms melting into the landscape of the starless night.If there had been less light, the guards’ eyes would have been more accustomed to the darkness and more likely to see our shapes moving across the lawn, but the torches for the ball provided plenty of shadows to hide in.
The outer wall of the palace was cool to the touch, a chilly reminder of what would wait for us down below if we did not succeed.Guards watched the outer courtyards, but the patrol was not as heavy due to so many guests milling about.The soldiers would be more concerned with keeping the peace within than from someone sneaking in over the outer wall.
Desmond led the way, already having maneuvered through the palace two nights ago.I questioned the silence of the fourth ball before remembering it was more of an inner-circle socialization event and not many activities would be happening throughout the evening.
Desmond worked his way around the outer edge of the palace, sneaking in through one of the servants’ corridors and immediately pulling me into the laundry room where we scrounged up a mismatched set of uniforms.Instead of changing, we pulled them over our clothes.We wouldn’t need them for long.I tied the maid’s apron behind my back and pulled down the sleeves of the overdress to hide the dark cloth underneath.
Most servants were upstairs fulfilling their duties at the ball, but any we did pass were either not interested in us or in too much of a hurry to pay us any attention.I kept track of our location, walking through the blueprints permanently seared into my mind.
Desmond turned, and we hurried down a set of stairs that circled around an outer tower.
We were getting close.
Very close.
Guards stood to attention up ahead, and I knew we were approaching the dungeon.Desmond moved his hand behind his back, signaling to me.I reached into my pocket and retrieved the Hrakka powder.
Another guard appeared from the opposite end of the corridor, and Desmond pivoted into a side room as if he had found what he’d been looking for.I followed behind, pressing into the darkness and watching the beam of light flickering in from the torches lining the hallway outside to make sure the soldier didn’t follow us.
“That better not be the patrol,” Desmond whispered in my ear.
“Patrols might run differently during the ball,” I said.
He tensed beside me as the soldier’s footsteps faded down the hall.
“She’s not deep,” he said.“Assuming she’s in the same spot.There are two guards posted outside the door.Two posted inside.Maybe more in their common area.We have to be fast.Three minutes tops.”
I nodded, opening the vial and pouring the Hrakka powder directly onto my palm.
Desmond eased back into the main corridor, and I counted my footsteps as I walked behind.Our movements had to line up and be exact.
Five.
Four.
Three.
The guards talked between themselves, not paying us servants any attention.
Now.
In one swift movement we spun toward the guards, lifting the powder and blowing it into their faces.I covered my mouth and nose with my other hand.Backed up.The soldiers coughed, then lowered to their knees as their eyes rolled back into their heads before they collapsed onto the floor.
Desmond retrieved the key ring from one of the guard’s belts and unlocked the dungeon door.I collected more of the Hrakka powder from the bag and followed him through, using it on the two sentries guarding the inner door.They fell like the first two.Desmond marched to the next door, flinging it open and charging into the block of cells.I stayed near the front, watching for any signs of trouble, the seconds ticking by in my head like an approaching explosion.I undid my apron as I waited, peeling the servant’s dress from my back to reveal my dark clothes underneath.I pulled a pouch from one of my pockets, yanking out the fabric stuffed inside to reveal a long, shiny wrap skirt I secured around my waist.I needed to make an appearance at the ball tonight, and I needed to do it as soon as they escaped.
Desmond emerged, an arm wrapped around Nadiyah.She grimaced as if in pain.Her disheveled hair frizzed around her face, and her skin was smeared with dirt and what I hoped wasn’t blood.
