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  “How will you kill him without getting yourself killed?” Kayren asked.

  “We can’t say anything in front of Henry,” I informed her.

  Alex drew his sword. “After everything I’ve heard about Swenn, I’ve reached my limit.” He pointed his weapon at Henry. “Leave or go far enough away that you cannot hear or I’ll kill you with or without Neeko’s permission.”

  Effie jumped up and aimed her wand. Terren stepped in front of them, wielding his longsword.

  Henry gave them one look then strode off until he was too far to hear anything.

  The group had a lot of questions for me. How did Swenn know Eizle was a pyforial mage? How much older is Swenn? Why didn’t Swenn report him earlier? I answered them as best I could, then finally it was time for me to ask something.

  “What will the rest of you do now?”

  “Let’s speak with King Quince,” Steffen suggested.

  “I was supposed to meet with him today,” Terren said. “But then I saw Neeko riding out of the castle. It’s going to take another visit just to set up a second meeting with the king, and he probably won’t show up because I was absent today, an insult in his eyes. That means three more visits to the castle before I can speak with him, maybe longer if Swenn has any say over who gets to see Quince.”

  I asked Kayren, “Is there somewhere south of here you can stay where Swenn won’t be able to find you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me the address and I’ll come for you when this is over to let you know you’re safe.”

  I didn’t write it down in case someone found it, so I took the time to memorize it as Terren’s party spoke with each other. They seemed involved when I was done, so I let them be.

  Kayren and I shared memories of Eizle. I told her about learning pyforial energy at the river. She told me how she looked forward to seeing him every day at the tavern. I told her that he loved her. She said she knew and loved him, too.

  “Neeko, you’re coming—” Effie began, but Terren interrupted her by holding out his hand. She nodded.

  Terren spoke for her. “Besides us, there are three people in danger because of Swenn. You, Kayren, and Shara. We’ll take all three of you to Ovira.”

  “Didn’t you hear what Swenn did?” I was incredulous. “I can’t leave without getting justice. You must not know what it feels like to be the one who stopped Eizle from killing him. This isn’t a choice for me.”

  Effie balled her fists. “I want to punch you. Can’t you just think about yourself for a moment!”

  “That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me since we’ve met.”

  She grumbled.

  “Even if you’re not coming with us, we need your help, Neeko,” Terren said. “Charlotte might be in danger in the castle. Tell her to meet us at the West Lake Inn. That’s where we’ll be staying. Tell no one else.”

  “I’ll speak with her as long as I can get back in the castle. There will be repercussions for me leaving. I just don’t know what they are yet.”

  “I understand that. I’ll risk coming for her if we don’t see her in one day.”

  “Does this mean you’ll be leaving Sumar soon?” I asked.

  “Most likely, and not just because of Swenn. There’s something else going on that will make it even more difficult for you to kill him. An army is coming north and they’re already in Rhalon. You’ll be sent to fight, meaning you won’t be in the castle much longer.”

  “The king told you this?”

  “He did. And Neeko, I don’t think I need to tell you that you’re not safe in your own army. There certainly will be those loyal to Swenn who’ll look for a chance to kill you.”

  “I know. Thank you for your help today,” I said.

  Terren shook my hand. “Maybe we’ll meet again.”

  “Maybe.”

  The rest of us said goodbye. I promised Kayren I would tell her when this was over, but she shook her head at me.

  “Just promise me you won’t get yourself killed because of this.”

  “I’ll promise I’ll try.”

  She wasn’t pleased.

  Henry saw me approaching and hopped on his horse.

  “If we hurry we might make it back for supper,” I said. I knew I should be hungry, but I was too worried about what Jaymes would do to me for leaving without his permission and missing training. For all I knew, guards could be waiting to take me to prison.

  My next thoughts were of Swenn finding out Kayren got away because of me. Putting me in prison was nothing compared to what he would try.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  There was so much to do and even more to fear, but all I could think about was making sure nothing had happened to Shara. But that would have to wait. First Charlotte, the psychic.

  I hurried through the great hall, hoping everyone would be too busy eating to notice me. I asked a kind-looking woman where I might find Charlotte. She didn’t know, though she led me to another woman who did. Charlotte turned out to be back at the great hall, of course, having dinner.

  I’d been given a quick description of the young woman. Eighteen, thin as a stick, light brown hair, and tired. Yes, tired, my informant confirmed, always looking tired.

  I found Charlotte right away. With a full plate of food before her, she appeared too busy to eat as she gave a lesson to three men and two women beside and across from her. I tapped her shoulder.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m Neeko. I need to speak with you on Terren’s behalf.”

  “On Terren’s behalf? I know you. Why on his behalf?” Her voice was rushed.

  “May we speak in private?”

  She looked deeply into my eyes, taking a long moment to decide on her answer.

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t let him distract you,” said one of the men.

  “I can tell it’s important,” she responded.

  “You can’t trust him,” one of the women called out as Charlotte got up.

  Charlotte spun and scowled. “Think about how silly it is to warn a psychic about trusting people.”

  The woman grumbled.

  Charlotte brought me to her room. She spoke the moment she closed the door behind us. “Aren’t you worried I’m going to change your mind about staying in Sumar?”

  “No. You need to leave the castle and meet the rest of your party at West Lake Inn. If you don’t get there in a day, they’ll come looking for you, and that will be dangerous for everyone.”

  Charlotte didn’t seem surprised, only disappointed. “How soon do I need to leave?”

  “Right now.”

  She studied me for a breath. “I’ll get my belongings together.” Her first step was to lock the door. I wondered if anyone allegiant to Swenn had a key. “Don’t you believe in psyche?”

  “Psyche?”

  “It’s what psychics use.”

  “I believe in it.”

  “Then why aren’t you worried I’m going to persuade you to come with me?”

  I helped her stuff her clothes in bags as I answered her question. “My mind is so set on staying that I’m not worried about it being changed. Do you really think you could change it?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “What else can you do?”

  “I can feel how important it is to you that I leave.”

  “How?”

  “I can feel it in the same way you can. It weighs on me with the same force it weighs on you. It comes into my senses through the bastial energy your body produces.”

  “Does that mean you can hear thoughts?”

  “No psychic can do that. Thoughts are private. Feelings are not. In the same way that your body can show them through expressions and acts, they can be read through your bastial energy. I can tell you’re disturbed and afraid.”

  “I’m not afraid.”

  She actually stopped for a moment to give me a look. “It’s amusing how people conveniently forget I’m a psychic.”

  “I’m not scared for m
yself but for you and others.”

  “You have feelings for one of the others you just mentioned. Is it Shara?”

  I decided I didn’t like psychics.

  “She’ll come with us, you know. She’s enthusiastic about going to Ovira.”

  “You’ve spoken with her?”

  “Effie has, and I trust her.” Charlotte finished packing her last bag, threw it on the bed, then grabbed my hands. “Neeko, come with me. We can get Shara on the way out. I’ll disable anyone who tries to stop us.”

  An urge came over me to agree. It felt painful to resist, like denying myself a drink of water from a glass just in front of me.

  “Think of what it would mean to bring pyforial energy to an entire civilization. We’ll use it carefully, magnanimously. You’ll do more good in a year there than you could your whole life here. Everyone in this castle is against you. The rumors—hardly anyone believes they’re true, but they’re too scared to gainsay whoever is the creator. You’ll always be in danger here, but you’ll be safe with us.”

  I could feel my mind twisting to her will. She had such a grip on me, I felt like a puppet. I tried to focus on my reasons for staying, but they felt frivolous now. Why should I care about Swenn? Why should I care about the war?

  Then I remembered my aunt. She could be dead or at least without a home because of the enemy troops burning our cities. Not caring about Swenn—what a ridiculous thought. For him to live after everything he’d done…and not just live; he was the king’s master of coin. He had money, servants, power, everything he’d always wanted. Well, all I wanted was justice, and I would get it.

  Someone tried the door and, finding it locked, began kicking it. I looked for a way out. The window. We would have to make it work.

  The door burst open too quickly. We’d barely gone a step. Jaymes ran in, immediately drawing his sword.

  “Get away from her right now!”

  I threw up my hands and stepped back.

  “Where are you going?” he demanded of Charlotte.

  She glanced at me, looking as if she was considering telling him she was in danger here.

  Don’t do it, I thought as fiercely as I could.

  Jaymes blocked the doorway. “You may follow a different leader, but I serve King Quince, and he would’ve told me if he’d given you leave. You will wait here until I fetch him.”

  “You’ve seen what I can do.” Even with three bags on her person, she stood tall and formidable. “You cannot stop me.”

  “I can damn well try.” He tossed away his sword and crouched.

  Charlotte roughly grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into her eyes. I became vaguely aware of Jaymes shouting for her not to touch me.

  “Do not interfere, no matter what you see. No one will be killed.” She exuded power. Apprehension filled my entire body.

  She let go of my face as Jaymes yelled for guards. Charlotte sprinted forward, pushing out her palm. Jaymes was no match, collapsing instantly with a terrifying scream of absolute agony. Two guards jumped in her way before she was out of the room. They fell and screamed just like Jaymes.

  I stayed behind her but some distance back, watching as she ran from hallway to hallway until she made it to the great hall. Jaymes caught up before she got to the door and shouted for her to be stopped. A hundred people jumped from their seats. Those at the exit came inside to surround her.

  Charlotte dropped her bags and slowly moved toward the door as her head spun to each direction. Two ran at her from one side. She grunted and aimed her hand. They fell. Two more charged from the other side. She saw them, reached out, and they fell. A woman from behind her was next to fall, all of them screaming in pain.

  One drew his sword, then another. Soon half had weapons out. I was just about to shout for them not to kill her when I realized that the command coming from me, an untrustworthy outsider, would only exacerbate the situation. They’d assume we were colluding, giving them even more reason to attack her. Luckily Jaymes did it for me.

  “Put your swords away!”

  Charlotte rushed toward the door, reaching out and causing five in her way to collapse in agony. It looked like she was going to make it until someone jumped on her from behind. They all piled on. She disappeared beneath them.

  “Get the king,” Jaymes told the guards nearby. As they ran off, he grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and pulled me with such force that it tore. Using his other hand to grab more of the fabric, he hurled me into a nearby room and shut the door behind us.

  “What did you say to her!” he commanded.

  No words came to mind but the truth, which I couldn’t tell him.

  “I know you pulled her away from the great hall for something important. Soon after, she’s running out of the castle. I’m only going to ask one more time. What did you say to her!”

  “I told her she was in danger here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she is, sir.”

  “Does this have to do with you leaving the castle today?”

  What did he know about that? “Yes.”

  “You’re going to tell me where you were and everything you did there.”

  I said nothing.

  “If you want to stay a part of this army and out of prison, you’ll do as I say.”

  “Sir, I don’t think you want to know.”

  He pushed his face into mine and screamed, “If I ask, then I want to know! King Quince has made you my responsibility, and two hells if I’m going to let you wander out of this castle without me knowing where you’re going or what you’re doing! Say you understand!”

  “I understand, sir!” I screamed back. “I didn’t want to leave. I especially didn’t want to miss training, and I never will again.”

  He kept his face uncomfortably close. “Tell me what you were doing. Shara said one thing, but I want to hear it from you.”

  “Someone was going to be killed. I prevented it from happening.”

  “Who?”

  I quickly weighed my options. No, he couldn’t know. “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you.”

  I wouldn’t have guessed he could get louder, but he did. “Do you realize that it’s up to me whether you stay in this army!”

  “I do now, but for the good of the kingdom I still cannot say.”

  He looked as if he was about to hit me, his hot breath against my face.

  Somehow, I knew not to lean away from him. “I’m sorry, sir,” I said. “There’s no reason for me to leave anymore, though. I’ll stay here and follow every order. I want to fight, sir. The whole reason I’m staying is so I can fight, which is what I had to do today—fight to save someone.”

  This relaxed him enough for him to lean back. “I just hope you’re half as honorable as you pretend to be. I don’t have time anymore to train you today, so you’re going to spend the rest of the night practicing in the courtyard. You’ll stay out there until it’s too dark to see. After breakfast tomorrow, you’re going to show me that you can lift yourself. Do you understand?”

  I was relieved, for I already knew how to lift myself. Maybe I could find a way to eat instead. Missing lunch and supper was too much for me.

  “I understand.”

  “Don’t speak to anyone about leaving the castle. King Quince doesn’t know, and he doesn’t need to know. If he asks about your training, tell him you’ve had two sessions with me and you’ve never had a better mentor.”

  I smiled.

  “Is something funny?”

  My mouth straightened. “No, sir.”

  “If King Quince confronts you about leaving the castle, tell him you made an egregious error. What town did you go to?”

  “Norret.”

  “You went to Norret to visit a woman you were concerned you’d never see again.”

  He wasn’t far from the truth. “Yes, sir.”

  “The king will speak with you tonight. He knows to look for you in the courtyard. If you’re not there then you’d better be dead.” />
  My stomach growled and Jaymes narrowed his eyes. He held his gaze on me for a moment and then said, “You have two minutes to eat.”

  I ran to the door.

  “Neeko!” he yelled. I stopped. “If you leave again without my permission, that’s it for you.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I hustled to the great hall but lost my appetite when I saw Charlotte barely conscious, a gash along her forehead and blood dripping down her face. Thirty men and women surrounded her as two carried her out of the massive room.

  I forced myself to eat, guilt making the food hard to swallow.

  “What did I say?” Jaymes screamed, startling me into falling out of my chair. “What did I say?”

  “Hoo minuth,” I tried to answer through a full mouth. I jumped up and grabbed the bread off my plate as Jaymes stormed over to me. He smacked the plate from the table.

  “And it has been two minutes! Get out there right now!”

  I tried to shove the bread into my mouth, for he looked like he was going to knock it out of my hands. It didn’t quite fit. He kicked my rear as I tried to put it in my pocket and I lost my grip. I risked bending down to pick it up, but he only kicked me in the ass again. I stumbled forward, barely getting my hands up so I didn’t fall on my face.

  “I said right now!”

  I reached for the bread, now behind me, hearing laughter but not caring. His boot struck the bread before my hand got there. It skittered along the ground in the same direction I needed to go. I ran after it as Jaymes continued to scream, picked it up, then sprinted all the way to the northern courtyard.

  Catching my breath as I chewed, I felt the cold air against my chest and realized how extensively my shirt had been ripped.

  After two hours of training, I couldn’t stand the hanging fabric of my shirt any longer. Sweaty and steaming under the light of the moon, I removed it. A yellow, unnatural light came from behind me. I turned and made out four silhouettes before I was forced to block the light with my hand. My heart jumped. Was it Gram?

  “Come here, Neeko.”

  It was the king. I should’ve been relieved, but I only felt more nervous.