Page 223 of Of Masks and Fury

The darkness pressed in from all sides.

I’d never felt more helpless in my life.

Isi stirred against me as pale light filtered through thin cracks between the wall panels. Dawn of the next day.

“Trew?” Her voice came out barely a whisper.

Relief crashed through me so hard I nearly crushed her against my chest.

“It’s alright, Minx.” I eased back enough to see her face in the dim light. Her eyes were unfocused, confused, but seeing her awake felt like breathing again after drowning. “How are you feeling?”

“My head…” She tried to sit up.

I supported her weight, one hand cradling the back of her skull beside her wound. “Easy. You were hit. You’ve been unconscious a long time.”

Her gaze sharpened as she took in our surroundings. Even disoriented, her mind worked through the problem. “Where are we?”

“Inside a magic-dampening shed. I can’t reach Gavelle, and I can’t use my power.” I touched her face, needing the contact. “How much do you remember?”

“The village. Buying food. Not much else.” She frowned, wincing at the pain the expression caused. “Other than someone hitting me from behind.”

“The innkeeper recognized your blue eyes. They’re holding us for the reward your father has offered.”

Understanding dawned in her expression, followed by frustration. “How long was I out? How much time do we have?”

Of course those were her biggest concerns. Not her injury or our imprisonment, but the mission.

“Tomorrow is the Day of Mercy.”

She closed her eyes, and I saw her doing the same calculations I’d been running all night. Too little time. Our team was scatteredand no doubt searching for us, but they would have no idea where to find us.

“This is my fault,” she said. “I should’ve realized someone might recognize me even with your disguise.”

“I should’ve realized and crafted a better disguise. I thought the one I made would be enough.” I turned her face toward mine, making her meet my eyes. “I shouldn’t have suggested we come here.”

“We both made the choice.”

“Then we both bear it.” I pressed my forehead to hers, careful of her injury.

“Let me try my veil-sight. See if there’s a weakness in whatever’s dampening our magic.”

Her eyes went distant, that particular focus I’d seen when she examined wards. After a long moment, she shook her head. “I can’t see it enough to unravel it. It’s worked into the metal, powered by whatever I sense beneath the floor. It’s elegant, actually. They designed it to contain magic users without killing them.” Her jaw clenched. “But I can’t break it from inside. Not with this headache.”

“It’s all right.” I pulled her back against my chest, tucking her head beneath my chin. “Rest. Save your strength.”

“We don’t have time to rest.”

“We don’t have a choice.”

Her long sigh rang out. “I hate to ask, but I have to…”

Ah. I helped her over to the corner and turned around, though we’d find no privacy inside this tiny metal trap.

After she’d settled beside me again, footsteps approached outside. I tensed, positioning myself between Isi and the door. But whoever it was only shoved more food through the hatch before walking away.

“They’re not taking chances,” I said, checking the meager provisions. Bread, cheese, water. Enough to keep us alive but not comfortable. I handed her a piece of bread and the larger slice of cheese.

Isi picked at the food, and I could tell each movement pained her. “The others will come for us.”