Annoyance flared in Cas’s chest. “I didn’t ask your permission.”
August opened his mouth. Shut it. He took a deep breath, like he was trying to remain calm. “We can easily stamp out the Ruined if we do it together. With your army and Olso technology, they won’t stand a chance. I know that you have feelings for Emelina, but you need to think of your people first.”
“I am thinking of my people. They include the Ruined, and I won’t kill my own people. Not to mention, the Ruined are incredibly powerful allies. You know that. You tried to secure that alliance yourself.”
“Em betrayed me,” August said through gritted teeth.
She’d betrayed him for Cas. He felt smug again.
“She’ll betray you, too,” August said with a hint of desperation.
“Are we done, then?” Cas asked.
August stared at him with growing disbelief. He’d actually expected Cas to take the deal, it seemed. Like he would sell out all the Ruined in exchange for Em.
“You’ll regret this,” August barked. “Warriors are pouring into your country every day to join my army. I will kill the Ruined and take your kingdom.” He said it with barely contained rage, his eyes shooting daggers at Cas.
Cas was probably supposed to feel fear. That seemed to be what August was going for. But the man shaking with anger in front of him just didn’t seem all that scary. In fact, he reminded Cas of his father, all blind hatred and no ability to think strategically.
Cas considered saying something flippant, or mean, to let August know just how much he didn’t fear him. But he almost felt sad for the man.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Cas said quietly, and stepped back. “I hope you find peace, August, even if it isn’t with me.” Then he turned and walked away.
THIRTY-ONE
AREN FOLLOWED BETHANIA down the winding dirt road that led to the prison, Galo beside him. It was the middle of the night, and Aren could barely make out her features in the dark.
“Just head that way,” Bethania said, pointing straight ahead, though he couldn’t see the prison yet in the darkness. The dirt road was flanked by thick, tall trees on either side, and he couldn’t see anything at the end of the road.
But Aren would have known where the prison was, even if she hadn’t indicated. He could sense the large group of humans, tucked away from the rest of the population of Olso. He was surprised he could tell the difference, since there were homes full of people only a few streets over, but he felt like his power to sense humans was sharpening, the longer he was around them.
“Thank you,” Aren said to Bethania. “For all your help.”
“I’m not sure I helped much, but you’re welcome.” She adjusted the bag on her shoulder. “I’ll wait at the meeting spot. If you’re not there by dawn, I’m leaving. You understand that you can’t come to my house with Iria? They’ll be all over me after she escapes.”
“I understand,” Aren said. “We’ll be at that meeting spot in less than an hour.” He said it with a certainty he wasn’t sure he felt. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he kept grabbing Galo’s wrist to steady his power.
Bethania turned and quickly walked away. Aren watched her back as she disappeared into the darkness.
“Ready?” Galo asked.
Aren let out a slow breath. “I guess.”
“That doesn’t instill much confidence.”
He glanced at Galo and quickly turned away. He was terrified he wouldn’t be able to protect Galo once they got inside. The strength of his terror was surprising—he hadn’t realized he cared that much.
“You’re sure you don’t want to stay here? I’ve been with you all day, so my power may hold up until I can get to Iria.”
“Just come on,” Galo said, a hint of amusement in his voice. Apparently he didn’t share Aren’s fears.
Aren strode ahead of Galo as they walked. The prison came into view a few minutes later. The structure was as Bethania described—a large square building with a tower in the center, surrounded by a courtyard, and three smaller buildings scattered on the grounds. There was an iron fence surrounding the entire property, with tips that would be rather painful if he landed on them.
Bethania had said a lookout was stationed in the center tower, but usually only when the prisoners were outside. Aren couldn’t see it clearly enough to confirm that it was empty.
They jogged to the fence. Galo leaned down, letting Aren use his back to hoist himself up. Aren grasped the iron bars and carefully swung one leg, then the other, over the fence, and jumped to the ground. The hard fall reverberated through his legs, and he took a moment to steady himself.
He raised his eyebrows at Galo, asking if he was ready, and Galo nodded. Aren used his Ruined magic to lift Galo off the ground, over the fence, and set him down gently on the other side.
They took off running to the north door. A guard stood in front of it, hands stuffed in his pockets, his back to them.
“Wall breach!” a voice shouted from somewhere above Aren. That tower must have been occupied after all.
The guard at the door whirled around. He gasped and reached for the club at his waist.
Aren threw the guard back against the wall, pinning him there with one stare. He grabbed Galo’s wrist as they ran closer, though he wasn’t even sure he needed to. His power hummed inside of him peacefully, like it wasn’t bothered by Aren’s sudden use of it.
“Get the keys,” Aren said, releasing Galo. “I’ve got him.”
The guard’s eyes widened, his body shaking as it remained pinned to the wall.
Galo grabbed the keychain off the guard’s belt. There were five or six keys on the chain, all different shapes and sizes.
“Which one?” Aren asked the guard as Galo hurriedly tried a key.
The guard just stared at him wide-eyed, even though he was perfectly capable of talking.
Aren dared a glance over his shoulder. There were no footsteps, but he feared most of the guards were inside. It would be much easier for the guards to face them inside the prison, and they knew it.
“Found it,” Galo said as the door swung open. A long, dark hallway stretched out in front of them.
Aren grabbed Galo’s arm, pulling him back so he could go in first. He glanced at the guard and tossed him clear across the courtyard, a yelp sounding in the distance as he hit the ground. Aren stepped into the hallway.
“Keep your eyes open,” he said quietly to Galo.
They hurried down the pitch-black hallway. Above him, Aren could hear the sound of running footsteps. The guards were coming for them.
Light poured out of a door to his left, and he glanced in. A deserted dining room. To his right was a closet, half open and full of food trays.
Aren slowed as they reached the end of the hallway and found a door. He pressed his ear to it, trying to hear if there was anyone on the other side. It was quiet.
He pushed on the door. It didn’t move. He pushed harder. Nothing. Galo pressed his shoulder to it.
A loud pop sounded from behind Aren. He whirled around. Guards stood at the end of the hallway, throwing something that looked like rocks.
Pop-pop-pop. Light exploded from the rocks. Smoke engulfed the area around Aren and Galo, clouding Aren’s vision.
Panic crept into his chest. If he couldn’t see, he couldn’t fight the guards.
He faced the door again and shoved it. It moved slightly, like it was being held by someone or something on the other side.
“Galo, on the count of three!” He counted down and slammed his body against the door as hard as he could. Galo grunted as he pushed.
The door suddenly gave way, and Aren tumbled through, hitting the ground hard on his back. The tip of a sword appeared in front of his face.
He tilted his head back to see the owner of the sword poised at his throat. A woman scowled down at him. He felt cool metal against his skin.