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Anne rubs her temples. “It’s not that easy.”

“Isn’t it?” I look up at her. “One of our own got kidnapped by the Raiders, who then proceeded to threaten us so we’d accept their tax—their stealing—and somehow I’m the villain here for rescuing him and bringing back a plan to fight back?”

Anne looks away from me. “Dornao spoke highly of them. He thinks we could reach an actual alliance that would be beneficial to us all.”

“Of course Dornao would say that.” I run my hands through my hair. “He fits right in with them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they promised him a special reward for helping them. Did he also tell you how he raped Reno?”

“No, but Clea did. It’s her word against Dornao and his men, though. But if you’re saying the same thing… Yes, that could be enough. Not everyone agrees with Dornao. I’ll tell the council that I saw you and talked about your plan. They won’t be happy that I let you go, but when I tell them what you know, they might understand. I’ll do everything I can to convince them.” Anne rubs my shoulder. “You must be starving. Let me fetch you something before you go.”

“I need to go back to him as soon as I can.” I shake my head.

Anne gives me a knowing look, and I feel my cheeks heat.

“At least take this, then.” She stands up and fills a bag with bread, fruits, cheese, and a water skin. “Here. Go back to Reno, and make sure no one sees you. I’ll send for you when it’s safe to return.”

I take her hand in both of mine. “Thank you, Anne. Really, thank you. I knew I could count on you. We’ll be in one of those small caves about forty-five minutes east, the one near the forest at the meeting of the rivers, near the big oak. Oh, and be careful, please. I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”

She opens the door and looks both ways. “It’s okay, no one’s around. Go,” she whispers.

I go outside and head toward the loose plate, keeping to the shadows. Barely have I taken ten steps when someone jumps on me from behind a wall, making me topple to the ground. A heavy boot catches me in the ribs, and I double over, wheezing in pain.

“You thought you could just waltz back here, traitor?” Dornao’s cold voice cuts through the cramps. “I’m not letting you ruin what we could have with the Raiders. Where's your little slut? You're both going back to Cirail.”

“You can’t do that!” I shake my head.

“Yes, I can. I’m in charge of our village’s protection, and right now, showing the Raiders our good faith and willingness to negotiate is what will keep us safe. Now, let me ask you again. Where’s your bitch?”

He kicks my stomach, harder this time. I can feel all the breath leaving my lungs. I keep my mouth shut.

Another kick. His boot catches me in the face, right over my left eye. I can feel it swelling shut already.

“Answer the question, or I’m going to make you regret it. You think you’re irreplaceable? We have other doctors here. We don’t need you.”

I glare at him, jaw clenched tight. He’s right, of course he is. People here like me, but I’m not that important. Not enough to make them overlook my treason if that’s how they decide to frame it. Nothing I can say will convince him to stop, and I refuse to betray Reno.

“I know where he’s hiding,” another voice sounds as a guard trots up behind us. Dornao looks at him questioningly.

“I stayed to listen at the window after Greg went to warn you,” the guard explains. “He talked about a cave.”

No! No, this can’t be happening. I messed up. I messed up so badly, and now we’re both doomed. I thought I was keeping Reno safe, but I just put him in more danger and myself with him. I don’t even dare imagine what the Raiders will do to us.

Chapter 4

Reno Thiers

Footsteps echo outside. My heart does a somersault. Could I have been wrong? Could Nasir actually be back with his friend Anne? I look up, hope filling my chest, but it's not Nasir that appears at the cave’s entrance. It’s Dornao and his men. Before I have time to react, Dornao’s pointing his gun at me. His men jump to action, ripping off Nasir's coat from my shoulders and tying my arms behind my back.

I should be scared but I’m just… Defeated. Nasir betrayed me. He didn’t just abandon me, he sold me to them, and now I’m in the exact same position as before he saved me. Pretended to save me. I guess he even wanted his stupid coat back in the end. Great. Just fucking peachy. I should have fled as soon as Nasir left. I’m such an idiot. I can’t believe how naive I’ve been.

“You thought you could escape, little bitch?” Dornao spits at me. “You belong to Cirail now, and you’re going back to him.”

“So you’re doing the Raiders’ bidding now?” I scoff. “That’s a new one.”

“Shut up, whore.” Dornao kicks me in the ribs. “Of course you wouldn’t understand the first thing about politics and alliances. You’re way too dumb for that. We all know you only care about your own ass anyway.”

I gulp down air but feel no oxygen coming into my lungs. It’s too much. It’s nothing compared to what the Raiders put me through, but it’s still entirely too much. It’s like the ghosts of every torture I’ve been through wake up with that kick, and all of a sudden, death doesn’t seem so scary anymore. Not if it’s quick. At least I’d be at peace then, in the great nothingness. Nothing would hurt anymore. No one to torture me, reject me, or betray me. No pain, no humiliation, just an endless nothingness. It’s the best I can hope for at this point.

“Do you think they’ll take him back in?” one of Dornao’s men, a tall guard with a dark buzz cut and mean blue eyes, asks. “If I was them, I’d want to teach him a lesson. Make him beg to let him be their toy again first.”