There were now several Khrynsani black mages standing to the right of the altar who hadn’t been there before I’d been manacled to the rock. Judging from the ornateness of their robes, these must have been Sarad Nukpana’s heavy hitters. I caught a scent of spices and smoke. I took a big sniff. It was coming from the black mages. Imala was right; you could smell them.

Carnades Silvanus was with them, standing less than ten feet away. I let out a little relieved burst of air. For the first and last time, I was actually glad to see him. Sarad Nukpana had promised him Mychael, but with Mychael still free, there’d been the possibility that Carnades wouldn’t be on the dais. I needed him to be here.

The elf mage was far enough from the altar that the goblins in the temple wouldn’t mistake him for a sacrifice, but close enough so that he’d be able to enjoy the killings. Mychael’s not having been captured had to be a big disappointment to him; he’d only get to watch, not participate.

Carnades went with a solemn expression, but considering how many goblins were in the audience, and especially the large number of old-blood aristocrats in the front rows, Carnades had to have been shaking in his borrowed Khrynsani robes. The elf mage never got into a fight unless he knew he could win either fairly or by cheating. I could tell he was having serious doubts now about what he’d gotten himself into. If there was anything old-blood goblins hated worse than an old-blood elf, it was an old-blood elf traitor.

No one was about to confuse Carnades with a Khrynsani, unless one had taken a dip recently in a vat of bleach. Wearing black robes and standing next to those goblin mages, Carnades virtually glowed with his white-blond hair and skin so pale he was damned near translucent. The only thing keeping one or more of those goblin nobles from plugging Carnades with a crossbow pistol was Sarad Nukpana’s protection.

Protection I was about to remove.

I caught his eye. Carnades’s facial expression didn’t change, but his pale eyes glittered in utter triumph. No doubt he’d heard me scream and seen me fall to my knees. It was all he could do not to come over to me and do some gloating of his own. I would like nothing more. He’d ask Sarad Nukpana for a few minutes with me before the sacrifices began. I knew he would, and Nukpana would grant it, if only to make me suffer more. Carnades couldn’t bear not being able to whisper sadistic nothings in my ear before Nukpana and the Saghred got hold of me.

My right hand was locked against the Saghred, but my left was still free, at least for now. I wasn’t as nimble with my left hand, but with literally everything at stake, I’d make do. Part of my concern had been being able to get close to the Saghred. I looked at the rock and blew out a shaky breath. Well, I couldn’t get any closer than I was right now.

Whether I died tonight, managed by some miracle to escape, or began a never-ending torture session, I’d at least go to my death or go insane secure in the knowledge that I’d done everything I could to prevent Carnades’s genocide of the elven people. If this worked, I might still die, but I’d take the Saghred with me. If it didn’t work, I’d get to feel Carnades die and hear his soul screaming from inside the Saghred. Though, while initially enjoyable, it could become tedious after a while. But if Carnades Silvanus’s soul was dragged through me tonight, I fully planned to laugh the entire time. It’d probably be crazy-lady maniacal laughter, but to end Carnades’s miserable life would make it all worthwhile.

Suddenly Sarad Nukpana paused in his speech, looked directly at Carnades, and graciously gestured toward me. I just stood there stupefied. I couldn’t believe this. Nukpana was giving Carnades his royal blessing and personal permission to come over to me to gloat right now—or he had something else up his embroidered sleeve.

Either way, Lady Luck had just tossed me a bone, and I wasn’t about to turn my nose up at it.

“I have never beheld such a vision of loveliness,” Carnades purred just above a whisper once he was next to me. “I’m sure His Majesty would agree with me. You on your knees before him and the Saghred… Jealousy nearly overcame me.”

“Don’t stand next to me; I’m not going to protect you,” I purred right back, keeping my voice for Carnades’s ears only and barely moving my lips. “Every goblin in this place would love to see you chained to that altar. You’re not just an elf; you’re a traitor.”

“It’s merely a word.”

“Everyone hates a traitor. It doesn’t matter that you’re betraying your own people for goblins. If spit would fly that far—and if Sarad Nukpana wouldn’t strike them dead for trying it—you’d be taking a shower right now. You’re up here because Nukpana wants you to know that the only thing keeping you from being torn limb from limb is his royal goodwill.”

Sarad Nukpana was stepping carefully now. He was explaining to his subjects why an elf was wearing the sacred robes of a Khrynsani. Nukpana told his people exactly what Carnades had done: revealed to him the Conclave’s evacuation routes, as well as all of the elven defenses and their locations. As a result of Carnades’s strategic and magnanimous generosity, the elves would be the first to be attacked when the Saghred reached full power and the Gate was activated.

“Hated traitor,” I said in a singsong voice out of the corner of my mouth.

“And as his reward,” Sarad Nukpana was saying. “Magus Silvanus will be the representative of our new government in the elven capital until such time as I can appoint a regency there.”

Carnades kept the smile on his face, but sucked in his breath through his clenched teeth.

I bit my bottom lip against a smile. You know, it was downright enjoyable when Sarad Nukpana did his sadistic bit with someone I hated. “He didn’t mention anything about you being king, did he? You think that’s just an oversight?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that two Khrynsani black mages were closely watching Carnades. They had been standing on either side of the elf mage before Nukpana gestured him over to me.

“Those two are sticking close enough to you to qualify as a second skin. They must be a recent acquisition. I don’t believe they were with you when you confiscated the Scythe of Nen from me, were they? You can’t risk hiding it anywhere in the temple, so you’ve got it on you.”

Carnades’s left eyelid twitched once.

“I’ll take that as a yes. You shared the evacuation routes and elven defenses with Nukpana, but you didn’t share your shiny, new dagger. Best friends should share everything.”

Carnades’s upper lip was beading with nervous sweat. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, you bet your baby blues I would. Give me that dagger, put it in my hand, or I’ll share you with Nukpana.”

“You’re bluffing. If you tell him I have the dagger, he’ll take it and you will still have nothing.”

“Wrong. I’ll be taking you down with me. Either way I win.”

“What’s to stop me from giving it to you and then telling Sarad that you have it?”

“I’ll say you gave it to me to destroy the Saghred, traitor. You wanted to be king of the elves. Nukpana just screwed you over in front of everyone, so you’re trying to use me to take your revenge.”

Carnades turned smug. “He’ll never believe you.”

“Think not? I’m naked under this gown; I’m not even wearing shoes. Nukpana’s mom personally oversaw my undressing and dressing to make sure I didn’t pick up any sharp trinkets. You’re the one who searched me when we were caught, and I know the guards with you recall you finding and pocketing a certain silver dagger.”

“Filthy bitch.”

“I’ll have you know I just had a bath.” I put my free hand at my side and beside Carnades’s robes. “I either get to destroy the Saghred, or I will destroy you. I win either way.” I gave his robe a sharp tug. “I know you’ve got it where you can get to it. Put that dagger in my hand now, and both of us might just make it out of here alive.”

Carnades’s breath came in a hiss, but two seconds later, he slipped the Scythe of Nen into my waiting hand.

Yes.

I closed my hand around the small scabbard, my fingers quickly working to free the blade. Suddenly, the temple went completely silent.

Sarad Nukpana had stopped talking and was looking at us.

Carnades’s voice rang out. “Raine Benares has the Scythe of Nen!”

Asshole.

An unseen hand snatched the dagger free of the scabbard, slicing my fingers as it was pulled away from me.

The Scythe of Nen now glittered in Sarad Nukpana’s upraised hand.

My hand was bleeding, and the Saghred blazed red.

Oh, crap.

Chapter 21

I dropped the scabbard and pressed my bleeding fingers as hard as I could against my thigh, desperate to get the bleeding stopped. That blazing red glow told me the rock was getting impatient. It must not like long speeches.

Sarad Nukpana tucked the Scythe in his sash and leisurely walked toward us, his own personal spotlight keeping perfect pace with him. This was a game to him, entertainment for his guests, and Carnades and I were the game pieces the goblin was playing with at the moment.

“Raine, do not concern yourself with the Saghred’s intentions,” Nukpana said. “It assured me it would not take you until such time as I give it leave to do so.” His black eyes glittered as he shifted his attention to Carnades. “The Saghred’s loyalty is unquestioned.”

Ouch.

“From her injured hand, it is quite obvious that Mistress Benares was in possession of the Scythe—however briefly,” Nukpana continued smoothly. “But that begs the question of how she came by it. She has been closely watched.”

“Told you so,” I muttered to Carnades.

“She’s a thief who picked my pocket and stole it before I could present it to you,” the elf mage replied.

I had to hand it to him; Carnades was doing a fine impersonation of righteous indignation.