“So much for being subtle,” Ren murmurs.
“We lost that advantage when we let the prisoners run ahead of us.” Jura sets her gaze with determination.
“Are you all ready?” I ask.
Distant shouts echo through the open door to Glavstone’s office. The prisoners are already creating the chaos I expected them to.
“As ready as we’ll ever be.” Twino is removing his plate armor. The rest quickly follow suit. No need for deception now, and they’ll be faster without it.
“Good, then—” I’m interrupted.
“In here!” A guard skids to a stop in the passage outside Glavstone’s office. I recognize him instantly, Sevan. One of Glavstone’s favorites. “They’re coming from in here!”
Sevan’s eyes widen as he beholds what must look like a group of freed prisoners, a pile of Stellis plate, and the second prince of Oricalis all standing together. Confusion gives way to fear. He knows what’s about to happen on some subconscious level.
Kaelis lets out a dramatic sigh. And then, almost casually, he says, “Now that you’ve seen us, you’ll have to die.”
Chapter 8
Before I can react, Kaelis steps forward. The Knight of Swords rises from his deck and hovers suspended in midair for a second—just long enough for me to realize what’s about to come.
The card explodes in a burst of light and shadow. A countless number of silvery arcs race away from Kaelis like shooting stars. Midflight, they elongate and twist, reshaping into swords of pure magic. The spectral weapons dance around the guard as if carefully choreographed, so precise that I wonder if Kaelis is commanding each one.
“Efficient” is the sole word that comes to mind as I witness Kaelis using the card that’s practically synonymous with him. It’s brutally, terrifyingly efficient.
In a heartbeat, it’s over. Sevan doesn’t even have time to scream before the breath is stolen from his lungs by a blade across his throat. I don’t think he even felt pain. One moment, he’s there, and the next, he’s bloody ribbons on the floor.
The swords fade away, and I turn to Kaelis. He has one hand in his pocket, weight shifted almost casually. There’s no warmth to hisexpression, but also…nothing sinister, either. His face might as well be forged of cold, carved marble.
Kaelis adjusts his coat and retrieves his deck, shuffling through the cards effortlessly. They fan across his chest from one hand to the next, half propelled by magic.
“If we are going to do this, then let’s get it over with,” Kaelis says. “But there can be noreputablesurvivors to say that I was working with prisoners.” I presume he doesn’t deem any former prisoners as reputable.
“Is the prince known as ‘void-born’ worried about his reputation?” Ren quips.
“At least I have one to speak of.” Kaelis doesn’t miss a beat.
Ren’s mouth drops open.
“Ouch.” The word is somewhere between a chuckle and a wince from Jura.
There’re the outlines of a rapport among them. They have stories to share about how this relationship came to be when we’re not here and Arina is safe.
“We need to move. We’ll go floor by floor for the main three levels, opening the cells just like we did below. The prisoners will help keep the guards busy. Then down to the docks,” I announce.
“Are you sure it’s wise to delay departing?” Gregor asks.
“I find myself in unlikely agreement with him.” Kaelis gives Gregor a nod.
“We can sit here arguing over it, or we can just do it. The latter of which gets it done with faster.” My tone makes it clear I’m doing this with or without them. Ill-advised? Absolutely. But I cannot take another breath while Halazar still stands. There is no future for Arina and me in its shadow. “Gregor and Twino, straight to the docks with you both—guard our boats and if something goes wrong, get Arina out of here.”
There’s not another word of protest. Gregor passes me, cradling my sister’s limp form to his broad chest. In the light of Glavstone’s office, I can see her more clearly—the crusted blood that puckers herashen skin, the deep and gnarled scars. I touch her gently, but her blank stare doesn’t even swing my way. She’s awake, yet completely lifeless.
My hands ball into fists. I shift slightly, focusing on Kaelis. He must sense it because his attention swivels and then narrows on me.
“The deck you inked for me, is it complete?” I ask.
He nods.
