Cas glanced at his father’s tense face. They hadn’t spoken since the meeting with the warriors last week, but he got the feeling the serious expression the king was wearing didn’t have much to do with Cas.
They walked so quickly they were practically jogging. They passed the front gate, where horses waited, and Cas jumped onto one. He followed his father to the east, away from Royal City, the horses at a trot.
They rode for only a few minutes before the glow of several torches lit up the night sky. The king slowed, then stopped and dismounted his horse. Cas and the guards did the same.
His father motioned for him to come closer, and Cas fell into step beside him as they headed in the direction of the torches. A large group of guards surrounded something Cas couldn’t see yet. Four men dressed in black-and-gray hunter uniforms stood with the guards.
“We’ve caught one of them,” the king said. “One of the Ruined trying sneak into Olso.”
Cas took in a sharp breath and turned his attention back to the circle of guards, hoping to catch a glimpse. He’d never seen a Ruined before.
“We’re bringing him to the castle for questioning, but not while he’s at full strength. It’s not safe. I want you to see what they’re capable of.”
“How will you weaken him?” Cas asked.
“A Ruined can only use so much power before it starts to wane. The more power you bring out, the weaker they get.”
Cas suddenly wished he’d brought his sword. It had been stupid to run out of his room without grabbing his sword first. His father had one at his hip.
The circle of guards parted as they approached, revealing a young man in the middle. He sat in the dirt, his hands tied behind his back. He was dressed in all black, with spots of dust on his pants and shirt. He had a small cut under one eye, but he was otherwise unharmed. His arms were covered in an intricate web of marks, and Cas squinted to see them better. He’d always assumed the Ruined marks were ugly. But this Ruined’s were a shade lighter than his olive skin, a series of thin lines that wrapped around his flesh like a complicated series of vines. They were more art than ugly.
“He hasn’t spoken, Your Majesty,” one of the guards said to the king.
The Ruined straightened, and he looked from the king to the prince. He stayed focused on Cas, his eyebrows furrowing.
The Ruined was staring at him like he was considering the best way to murder him. Now Cas really wished he had a sword.
“He will,” the king said. “But that’s not my concern at the moment.” He frowned at Cas. “Plant your feet. Watch the trees.”
Anticipation and fear fluttered in Cas’s chest. He nodded solemnly. The Ruined was still staring at him. He pretended not to notice. Galo stepped next to him, sword drawn.
“Up,” a guard said to the Ruined, kicking him in the side. The Ruined glared at him, slowly getting to his feet. He was young. Maybe the same age as Cas.
The guard delivered a punch straight into the Ruined’s stomach, and the gasp echoed through the trees. The wind blew Cas’s hair into his eyes, and he pushed it away as the guard punched the man across the face.
“What is he doing?” Cas asked his father quietly.
“Making him angry.”
The Ruined stumbled backward, hitting the ground with a thump. Another guard hauled him to his feet, shoving him back to the center of the circle.
Another gust of wind blew across Cas’s face, this one stronger than the last. A hunter stepped forward, pulling a dagger off his belt. He held his hand up to the guard, indicating that he should stop.
“You have to work harder with this one. He has pretty good control.” The hunter grabbed the Ruined by the arm, cutting off his ropes with a quick slice of the knife. He pulled one hand behind the Ruined’s back.
The hunter sliced off one of the Ruined’s fingers.
A scream tore through the night, and Cas’s entire body went cold. Blood dripped from the Ruined’s hand, his face twisted in pain.
The ground started to shake.
Cas stumbled, throwing his arms out to steady himself. A long crack ripped through the dirt right in between his legs, and he quickly jumped to one side. A guard had his arm, keeping him steady as the ground rumbled.
“Heads up!” someone yelled, and Cas spun around to see the tree just next to the Ruined tilting dangerously to the left. A few hunters scrambled out of the way as the roots ripped out of the dirt. The trunk slammed to the ground, narrowly missing a guard. Two more trees quickly followed.
The Ruined tried to make a run for it, but a guard grabbed him from behind. Another one punched him across the face. Dirt lifted off the ground as if caught in an invisible wind. The Ruined glared as he tossed it in the faces of a few guards.
Cas whirled around, shaking off the guard who still had his arm. His father stood in front of him. Behind him, Cas heard a loud smack, then a grunt from the Ruined. The ground rumbled again, though not nearly as powerfully as the first time.