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A rumble of machinery whirled under her feet. She froze and stood tall, facing the gardens, glancing sidelong at another body heading in her direction across the courtyard. She caught sight of a red pauldron on one shoulder, signaling the higher rank.

Novak. Kyer’s spy.

Kyer didn’t give up much on him, and Lily suspected it was because he didn’t know the answers himself. All he told her was he had a shapeshifting shard from the Vulpes and was very strict on his escence use, only using it when he changed. They’d worked together for some time in matters pertaining to Gridian’s group of the Swarm. For this job, the day after the true captain for Caiven’s troops went home a few weeks ago, Novak returned in his place.

Since she arrived three days prior, she was treated like any other recruit and sent off to work. Novak had never given anything away, until now.

Lily stayed motionless until he passed.

“Come.”

Novak ignored the grand set of stairs to the rotunda, opting to lead her through a door to what looked like a servant’s wing. They traversed long, narrow hallways in silence to a simple, confined set of stairs and up to the second floor.

“Memorize the route. This will be your only way up.”

Lily didn’t respond but logged the trip in her mind.

At the top of the stairs was a small loft that fed into a hallway to the right. Ahead, a curved walkway overlooked a great room. A crystal chandelier hung above a shiny white floor. Below, a piano sat atop a small dais in the middle of the room. Several potted plants lined the pallid cream walls. One wall was made up entirely of windows that let in little light from the overcast sky. It was empty, eerily so, and their footsteps echoed like drums as they sped across the walkway.

“They’re just up here. One guard will be patrolling this area. You’ll have to sneak by while he’s crossing to the other side behind the wall.” Novak glanced over his shoulder, lowering his voice. “Caiven will be out until the event tomorrow night. You will be the only one stationed on this level for the rest of the day.”

An Ashin woman named Gwyneth was being held here against her will. Rescuing her was Kyer’s special request. Loading up coins, drugs, or weapons in a bag and hauling it away was one thing; sneaking out an entire person was another.

Lily had no clue how she was going to do it.

Novak led her down a widening corridor. Obscured light filtered in from the skylight above. Another guard stood outside of a large curved, open doorway covered with a sheer white curtain. A strong floral perfume surrounded the opening.

“You will stand outside of their chamber and escort them to their bath and back. Someone will come to relieve you before they go to dinner.”

“That’s all I need to do?” she asked.

“Yes.” He turned to the other guard. “You are relieved.”

“Yes, sir.”

Novak turned, and the other guard stalled for a moment before following. Lily took his place next to the doorway, watching the hall, listening to the chatter and giggling inside as the revelation settled.

Lily bit her tongue to keep from audibly complaining.

She waited and waited in the hall, hoping to at least pick up on the conversations going on inside, but was unable to hear anything distinct. Caiven kept more women than just the Ashin here. Lily didn’t know anything about who they were—if they were bought or paid—all she knew was when the Swarm discovered Caiven’s network and raided his estate, the only one who wouldn’t leave alive was the one with the Wraith shaded soul.

She rocked on her feet, noting the brightening of the sunlight and the dancing dust in the rays. Finally, she heard shuffling behind her and the clarification of several melodic voices.

“I know, I know,” one chided. “I’ll stay wise enough not to use your favorite soap.”

Stepping out in front of her was a woman who gave her pause. She was draped in barely more than swatches of dark yellow fabric over her breasts; the covering connected to one long piece flowing between her legs and one covering her backside, held in place over her hips with a black cord. Long silver hair flowed down her back like a waterfall of frost over her porcelain skin.

She whirled around with poise, her hair bouncing over her shoulder, and Lily pressed her lips tight.

A dark, royal purple soul billowed behind her eyes above a yellowing bruise on her cheek.

“Gwyn,” she urged, flicking glances to Lily and the curtain. “Let’s go!”

Another woman groaned while pushing the curtain aside. “Yes, Telle. I’m right behind you.”

She was shorter than the other, but her silver hair was far longer, reaching all the way down to her lower back, covering her body more than the pink fabric could.

She glanced at Lily, a smile growing on her painted lips, and her mauve eyes flashed. “Who’s this?”