Onora stared at Bruns’s corpse. An angry flush painted her cheeks. “He was going to kill you.”

“Yes, he was.” My throat throbbed, and the top of my tunic was wet with blood. My muscles trembled with shock.

Onora met my gaze. “Not on my watch.”

29

VALEK

Valek’s strength returned in bits and pieces. He’d have a good day, only to relapse the next. They moved his bed into a windowless room with one door. Medic Mommy cared for him, and she informed him he’d been her patient for ten days. The attack on the Citadel would happen in two days’ time, and the Commander would invade in twelve days—unless Valek stopped him.

The next time Medic Mommy checked on him, he asked, “Why bother?”

“Excuse me?” She tucked a short strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’m going to die. Why bother to nurse me back to health?”

“Orders.” Meeting his gaze, she asked, “Would you rather be tossed into a cell to fend for yourself?”

“Actually, yes.” He grinned. “Better chance to escape.”

She snorted. “Which is why I also have orders not to release you.”

Pity. He tried another tactic. “At least you know the orders are coming from the Commander and not Owen Moon.”

“It’s better, that’s for sure. No one is going to mourn that bastard.”

“I’d hoped the Commander would be more grateful.”

“You know his stance on magicians.”

“But I’m no longer one.” He considered. “Do you know if that’s what happened to Yelena’s magic?”

“I don’t know.” Medic Mommy glanced at the infirmary’s door with a worried frown. “Did Yelena come with you to Ixia?”

“No. She’s in Sitia.”

The woman visibly relaxed. Valek remembered they were close friends. Time to capitalize on that sentiment. “She’s not any safer there. Once the Commander takes over Sitia, she’ll be executed, as well.”

“He wouldn’t do that.” But the words lacked conviction.

“He has to. She’s trouble.” He gave her a wry grin. “Always has been. In order for the Commander to rule the Sitian clans without resistance, he needs to assassinate the Sitian Council, the Master Magicians, Yelena and a few other influential people.”

“He’d wait until the babe’s born,” she said, as if trying to reassure herself.

“He can’t risk the baby growing up and plotting revenge for the death of his or her parents. Plus, we both had magic at one point—the baby might turn out to be a powerful magician.”

Medic Mommy’s face creased in concern. She was all about saving lives. He played his final card. “Before I left, we picked names for the baby. Vincent for a boy and Liana for a girl. What do you think?”

“They’re...” She swallowed. “Nice names. I...better get back to work.” The medic bolted.

Valek hoped he’d planted a seed. At this point, he had no other options. But the next couple times she checked on him, she avoided all conversation, keeping focused on her duties.

Before she left the next day, he asked if she’d let him stand up. “Just for a few minutes? Otherwise, you’re going to have to carry me to the noose. I give my word not to do anything.”

But she shook her head and dashed from the room. When the door opened, he counted four guards outside. The Commander wasn’t taking any chances. Valek tensed and relaxed his muscles. Straining against his bonds also helped to keep his body limber. It passed the time. Once he’d flexed each muscle, he started over again. He feared the only chance he’d have to escape was the trip to the noose.

Time dripped by, leaving Valek with nothing to do but think. He didn’t like where his thoughts led. The only scenario in which his friends and family didn’t perish was if Sitia won. A possibility, if they weren’t reeling from the attacks by the resistance. No. Valek doubted Sitia had the skills to beat the Commander’s army.

Two, maybe three days later, a muffled sound woke Valek. The door swung open. He blinked in the lantern light as a couple dark figures entered. Only their eyes showed, but Valek recognized Adrik’s broad build.

“Vacation’s over,” Adrik said. He unlocked the cuffs and helped Valek stand.

The world tilted, and he leaned on the bed for a moment.

“Here,” Pasha said, thrusting a uniform into his hands.

Getting dressed required some help. But once he could stand on his own, he asked, “Weapons?”

Adrik handed him two knives. Not his, but Valek would rectify that as soon as he was able.

“Time to go.” Pasha peered out the door. The four guards lay in a heap in the hallway.

They hurried through the silent and empty corridors. Adrik and Pasha moved as if they’d planned the route in advance. Soon they were outside.

“The gate?” Valek asked. The effort to keep up the pace had winded him.

“Taken care of,” Adrik said.

Sure enough, there were a few prone forms on the ground. A handful of Valek’s agents waited in the shadows. Most of them had been in the dungeon with him.

“About time, Boss,” Qamra said. “Come on. We have reservations for dinner in Sitia, and I don’t want to be late.”

He scanned his loyal corps. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. Now, come on.” Adrik headed for the gate.