Page 70 of Secrets of the Six

A prison mine. I have never heard of a mine in the mountains surrounding Orlencia, but it is worth checking out if possible.

"Do you know where this prison might be located?" I ask her, knowing the answer before she speaks.

She presses her lips together and shakes her head, disappointment smeared across her face. "No."

I rap the table in front of my cousin. "Cas, see what you can find out about this mine."

"Right." He readily agrees.

"Hey!" I point at him, making sure he's paying attention. "Don't go alone."

He huffs and rolls his eyes. "Understood."

"Good." Hoping Cas won't be stubborn and risk the mountains by himself, I move on to the next order of business. "What's the word from the Night District?"

Carmen and Shaw exchange a quick glance before Shaw removes his arm from around Carmen's shoulders.

"It's been typical bar chatter. People are excited for the Soberano's jubilee more so for the day off work than anything else," Shaw starts, but his better half quickly chimes in with, "There's rumor a high-profile execution is to take place toward the end of the celebration."

My heart jumps to my throat. In all my planning for the Soberano's jubilee, I've not been privy to news of a public execution. In fact, there hasn't been a public execution since our people were slaughtered fifteen years ago, so whoever is docked for the executioner's blade isn't on my radar. "Whose execution?"

Carmen shrugs. "No one knows for sure."

"And it's just a rumor," Shaw includes and is met by a menacing glare from Carmen.

"Where did the rumor start?" I ask, knowing there are some drunks who like to say whatever comes to mind without any truth to back it up.

"Arturo Alvarez," she says.

Shit. Now there's need to worry. "Arturo Alvarez is one of Severo's aides," I eye Carmen, my mind spinning. "How sure are you of this intel?"

"Heard it from his own mouth last night." She says without a tremor of hesitation.

"And he didn't mention anything else? Only there was going to be an execution at the end of the festival?"

"When I pressed, he admitted he wasn't supposed to say anything at all and begged me to keep my mouth shut. Paid me extra for my silence, too." Carmen tosses her hair over her shoulder. "Arturo claims he doesn't know who is being executed. Only Don Severo and the Soberano know who it is, and they plan to keep it that way."

"Shit," I mumble, rubbing my fingers across my forehead.

There's always a possibility I've slipped up somewhere along the line in my charade and they've discovered my true identity – or at least, figured out I'm not who I am portraying myself to be. If I'm taken in for questioning, they'll attempt to torture every piece of information about Cas and our people out of me. Goosebumps riddle my flesh as fear slides its bony finger up my back. I'm willing to die for my people. I'm willing to die for Cas.

Cas.

Suddenly, I worry they know about his existence and if they do, then they might try to arrest him. He is as high-profile as one would be, and his death would not only solidify the Soberano's conquering of the Venturans, but would firmly establish his reign and ironfisted rule over the people for his lifetime. If Cassias dies, our hope dies with him.

Doña Otero then crosses my mind, as if to remind me that Cassias is safer than she is. No one truly knows if Cas escaped the Soberano's coup. Rumors circulate of his existence, but there's no evidence that would lead anyone to the lost prince. Ana Otero though, is a known enemy of the Soberano and a supporter of the Venturans. She's grown older and her list of allies have either grown old alongside her or passed on before her. I know she is still a force to be reckoned with, but the Soberano might feel differently. He might see this as his opportunity to finally be rid of her and make an example of those who sympathize with those he deems unholy.

If I don't get ahold of my thoughts, I'll spiral. I feel a hand twist around my wrist, jarring me from the recesses of my mind and back to the present.

"Eyes on me," Ines whispers across from me, my hand in hers.

I inhale a deep breath, diving so deeply into those green eyes of hers, I find myself lost to all other thoughts and emotions. I curl my fingers around her wrist, a silent display of my gratitude. She saw me drowning and she pulled me back to the surface.

"How are things progressing with Rogelio Murrieta?" Cassias picks up the conversation, giving me a moment to collect myself.

Ines releases her hold on me and shrugs. "Good."

"Good?" Cas furrows his brows, confused. "That's not much to go on."