“Guards.”
Stiffening, I push forward again, but this time toward Sir Gowon—and stare him straight in the face. “Before they take me, I have a message for you.”
He snorts and peers around.
“From Eogan.”
His brow goes up and I bend close enough that I can smell the old powder scent of Sir Gowon’s suit even as three swords aim at my neck in an instant. I lift both hands from my cloak and raise them in a nonthreatening stance. Sir Gowon stares at me with a look of intolerance.
“Eogan said to tell you Elegy 96 was his favorite,” I whisper. “He also said to tell you he’s been taken over by Draewulf, and because of his block, they are sharing the same physical body.”
I’ve never seen a grown man grow so still that even his breathing ceases. To the point I’m hoping I may have caused a jolt to hit his brain and he’s just died standing there staring at me.
Ten heartpulses go by before the old man blinks, and I swear I can see the words trying to jumble into some form of making sense behind those repulsed, suspicious eyes that are asking if I’m mentally unhinged.
“He was taken over at the Keep,” I murmur. “You are aware Draewulf appeared there?”
The next moment he’s waving the guards to move in on me.
My voice rises. “Did you not just hear me say he’s dying? If you won’t believe me, then take me to him. I demand to speak to Eogan.”
“That’s not your choice to request.”
“I’m not requesting.”
“Do not mistake his protection of you as anything more, no matter what rumors have circulated regarding your status with him.” His tone is beyond biting as he tips his head and my guards grab my arms.
A Bron soldier stoops to take my knives, but Gowon stops him. “Let her keep them. Just because the king’s given orders doesn’t mean some won’t try to off her. No doubt she’ll need them before her stay here is over.”
The big guard scoffs too harsh. Too loud. “I’m surprised the assassins haven’t picked her off already.”
The old man nods and, turning to leave, tosses out at my men, “On that note, I’d strongly advise against her taking off or attempting to wander alone while you’re with us. There’s a black-market price on your girl’s head that’s worth more than all of Faelen.”
He exits the room and the door snaps shut behind him. The big man grabs my arm as I try to see past him to Kel as everything within me aches for him. “This way.”
Except before any of us can move, the door creaks open again and a voice hisses, “Excuse me, gentlemen. Perhapsss I can be of assistance in getting her there.”
CHAPTER 18
GOOD EVENING.” MYLES SALUTES THE LONE SOLDIER in front of us. “I’ve asked the captain here to attend me on the eleventh-hour roundsss.”
The man frowns and lifts the hilt of his sword from its sheath as I shoot a nervous glance at Myles, only to watch the air around him fluctuate again. Abruptly his dark-haired, pasty-skinned self has transformed into a Bron general. I shake my head. Blink. And look down as my own black cloak and female form are replaced by captain’s clothes and a boy’s physique.
The soldier releases his sword and straightens. Despite the perplexity crossing his features, he snaps his heels together. “Of course, sir. My apologies for not recognizing you.”
Myles nods and keeps his grip on my elbow as he steers me past the man and through the metal door to a spiraling case of stairs that descend.
As soon as the door shuts behind us, I peek down at myself again, focusing in until I see the edge of my cloak beneath the visual blur. And try not to allow the panic to seep up my throat.
“You’d be wise to quit ogling yourself and watch the stepsss.” Myles releases my arm to lead the way. “I didn’t pull you from a host of guards merely to watch you break your neck.”
“You keep turning me into a fourteen-year-old boy with sweaty hands.”
“Not nearly as fetching, I’ll admit. But less likely to invite questionsss.”
“What about that boy back there—the one Sir Gowon had punished? Do you think he’ll be okay?” Even thinking about it makes my heart hurt.
“Eventually. I suggest you concern yourself with minding your own business from now on.”
I shiver. What kind of society trains its children to kill and then punishes them when they don’t? Even for as broken as the laws are in Faelen and for as poorly as slaves are treated, they don’t teach violence. They don’t require it. “What about the delegates? Are they safe or—?”
“I doubt Draewulf’s foolish enough to do anything toward the delegatesss while the Bron Assembly is in turmoil over whether to trust him. At least not yet. Now would you please keep that despicable conscience of yours reined in while I try to remember the way?”