IT WASN’T until we reached a set of stairs that led to the main floor of the castle that I began to see noticeable changes to Castle Lockes. It’d only been a year since I’d seen it last, but I didn’t think Darks were as worried about home décor as they were about making everyone miserable with their existence.
But the paintings of kings past and dignitaries and heads of state that had lined the walls had been removed (probably destroyed) and replaced with red-and-white banners that had a large black M right in the middle.
“He’s not very subtle, is he?” Justin said, sounding pained.
“Villains usually aren’t,” I replied.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked Justin, dropping a hand on his shoulder and squeezing.
Justin shook him off. “I will be once we get to my father. Keep moving.”
Ryan glanced back at me, but I could only shrug.
We made our way up the stairs to the main floor. Off to the left was another set of stairs that led to our old living quarters, and I shuddered to think what had happened to them and who was staying in the home Ryan and I had made for ourselves.
“Hey.”
I startled, looking over at Ryan to find him watching me with a knowing expression. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, Sam. I promise. But we gotta keep moving, okay? Before—”
“Gentlemen,” a voice said.
We whirled around.
Caleb Marlowe.
He didn’t look any worse for wear since I’d seen him last. He was dressed similarly to us, in black robes that scraped along the stone floors, the hem speckled with dust. He looked severe but not suspicious. “Where are you going?”
I was struggling to keep my magic under control because he was right there, and I’d already let him walk away once. I didn’t know if I could do it again.
As if he knew I was struggling, Justin stepped in front of me, blocking Caleb. Out of sight, Ryan grabbed my hand, squeezing tightly. I calmed slightly, the bubbling rage lowering to a slow simmer. “New recruits, sir,” Justin said, tilting his head deferentially, and I hated the sight of him treating Caleb with any sign of respect, no matter how false. “Just showing them the ropes.”
Caleb hummed a little at that. “At this time of night?”
“They were late arrivals.”
“On that caravan from earlier?”
“Yes.”
Caleb took a step toward us. “Interesting. I thought it was just supplies being delivered. I don’t like it when things are late.”
“My apologies, sir,” Justin said evenly. “It won’t happen again. Which is why I am trying to bring these slackers up to speed so they don’t waste anyone else’s time.”
“Good. If there are any further… problems, I’d like for you to report to me. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
Caleb nodded and made as if he was going to leave. But then he paused and turned back to Justin. “One more thing. I don’t know if I even recognize you.”
“I was in Meridian City until last week,” Justin said hastily. “But I was assigned to Castle Lockes by Craven the Bold.”
Caleb made a face at that. “Craven. He still draws breath? How… unfortunate. But I suppose he gets results, however unorthodox the method. Well, I’ll leave you to it, then. Remember, anyone steps out of line, you come to me.”
Justin bowed slightly. “Of course, sir.”
“Good. Off with you, then. I have matters to attend to.”
He turned and walked away, robes swirling behind him.
Justin breathed a sigh of relief as he turned back toward us. He eyed me warily. “All right?”
I nodded but didn’t speak.
“We’ll get him, Sam,” Ryan said quietly. “Not today, but soon. I promise.”
He was right about that.
We’d get them all.
THE NEXT room over held the Great Doors to the throne room of Castle Lockes.
I sighed at the sight of them.
The stood as they always had, tall and proud and imposing. I’d walked through them countless times and knew on the other side sat the thrones of the King and Prince, now turned into a twisted mockery of what they’d once been since Myrin had risen to power.
Someone cleared their throat behind me.
I turned and found Justin and Ryan watching me, looking concerned.
I shook my head. “I’m fine,” I said. “Just—it doesn’t matter.”
“It’s the same, you know,” Justin said, looking up at the Great Doors. “For me.”
“Me too,” Ryan said. “Whatever it was, it’s the same.”
I believed them. “We should keep moving.”
Ryan looked like he was going to protest, but changed his mind after Justin nodded and turned toward the Great Doors. He put his hands upon them and started to push.
“What are you doing?” I asked, confused. “We need to go to the dungeons.”
He glanced back at me. “We are. We know how many are guarding my father, but we don’t know how many are at the entrance to the dungeons. We’re going a different way.”
I blinked. “What other way is there?”
He grinned. “There’s a secret entrance.”
“What? Okay, not even touching upon how convenient that is, but how in the hell didn’t I know about it?”
He shrugged, hands still upon the Great Doors. “Only a few of us do. Me. My father. Ryan.” He paused. Then, “Your mother.”
I gaped at him. “My mother? How in the hell did she—” And then I remembered what was on the other side of the throne room. “Her garden. Are you telling me that there is a passage through the garden to the dungeons and my mother knew about it?”
“She was its caretaker,” Ryan said quietly. “The King entrusted the secret to her.”
“I don’t understand. I know every inch of this castle. Where would it—” I sighed. “Her secret garden. That’s where it is, isn’t it? That’s why she—godsdammit. I didn’t see that one coming. Well played. I’m a little pissed that you all knew about it and I didn’t, but still. Good job on that one.”
“Are you done?” Justin asked.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes. Please, go ahead. Lead me toward the secret that was kept from me because you guys suck balls or whatever. I mean, I would accept an apology, but we can worry about that later. Stop wasting time.”
Justin sighed but pushed open the Great Doors.
THE THRONES sat as they always had, the King’s bigger than the Prince’s. Myrin hadn’t removed them. He probably enjoyed the irony of one such as him sitting in a place meant for one who ruled with a kind and gentle hand.
But everything else was different.
The banners were here too, much larger and hanging from the ceiling. It was almost shocking to see them, looking brutal and cruel in what was meant to be a place of peace.
Myrin had made this place his own, and I hated everything about it.
Justin’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t hesitate as he marched through the throne room, thick shoulders squared, head held high. He glanced once at the thrones but didn’t stop, heading for the doors on the opposite wall.
Ryan followed him just as quickly.
I paused when we passed the thrones. I sent up a silent prayer to the gods, however useless it would be.
But that was all I could do for now.
We were through the doors and out into the garden before we could be noticed.
The sky above was littered with stars.
David’s Dragon twinkled brightly, and I did my best not to scowl up at it.
My mother’s flowers were mostly dead and rotting, the grounds unkempt. She would be fuming at the sight of them. I promised myself it’d be one of the first things we’d correct. I’d be out here with her from sunup to sundown if that’s what it took. We moved through the garden, pushing through leafy limbs that stretched out around us, thorns prickling, the perfume of the dead flowers sickly-sweet and cloying. Ryan knew the way to the secret part of the garden, but I’d never seen Justin there, so I was a little surprised to find him leading the way confidently. Granted, I hadn’t known about the secret entrance either, so perhaps Justin had been there more than I’d thought.