I agreed, but as I was escorted back to the tiny “guest” room, I knew my decision wouldn’t change. After all, I’ve had, since I left Kade in the north, almost twenty-six days to contemplate all the pros and cons. Like Tama said, I was a good person. I would do the right thing.
But it didn’t mean I would do it now. Once I reached the Citadel, the chances of helping Ulrick would disappear. The guards hadn’t manacled my wrists. My cloak remained wrapped around my shoulders. I clutched a glass spider in each fist, waiting for the perfect opportunity to surprise my guards and run away.
Unfortunately, people filled the hallways, rushing to finish their last tasks before going home. Shoved and locked back into the room, I rested on the bed. Later tonight, when the Councilor’s Hall was empty, I would see if my spiders knew how to pick a lock. If not, there were other ways to trick the guards into opening my door.
I fell asleep plotting my escape.
A metallic snap invaded my dreams. Faint torchlight surrounded the figure of a man in the doorway. I sat up and prepared to crush the spiders in my palms.
“Come on,” Devlen said with an urgent whisper.
I wilted. My spiders wouldn’t work on him.
“You are not safe here.” He hissed.
“Safer than with you,” I said.
He muttered an oath, grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. His hand slid to my wrist as his fingertips found the pressure points. I braced as the memory of incredible pain replayed in my mind. Not again.
“Hell.” Devlen released me. “Follow me or go on your own. Just do not stay here.” He turned, peeked out into the hallway and strode away.
5
NOT REMAINING LOCKED IN THE “GUEST” ROOM HAD BEEN MY plan all along. I’d been in the Councilor’s Hall before, but I doubted I could waltz out the front door without raising any alarms. Instead, I followed Devlen.
The guard stationed at my door lay in a heap on the floor. I touched his neck. A strong pulse throbbed. Thank fate.
Stepping over him, I hurried down the hallway as fast as I could without making too much noise. Devlen disappeared around a corner. Only one torch lit the corridor. Its weak light struggled against the darkness.
When I reached the turn, I almost ran into him. He placed a finger to his lips and gestured for me to wait. A glow at the end of the hall brightened, illuminating an intersection. Faint voices echoed on the smooth marble walls. Two people strode into sight. One held a blazing torch. They conversed in tight whispers, arguing at low volume.
I steeled myself as they turned down our hallway. Devlen grabbed my hand and pulled me back around the corner. We pressed against the wall. If they came our way, we would be seen. If they kept straight, we should be fine.
Their shadows arrived before they did, and snatches of the two men’s conversation reached me.
“…doesn’t matter. She’s the Councilor…”
“…acting…we can’t trust…”
We froze as they crossed the intersection, but the intensity of their argument claimed all their attention.
I relaxed until I realized Devlen hadn’t released my hand. Before I could pull away, he drew me forward. Our connection made ghosting through the Hall easier. Whenever Devlen paused to listen or to wait for a late-night worker to clear an area, he signaled me by squeezing my hand.
We exited the building through the kitchen door, which led us to an empty alley. Our footsteps ricocheted in the silence, and I fought the urge to tiptoe. Devlen strode without stopping. He slowed after we traveled a few blocks from the Councilor’s Hall, but kept my hand in his firm grip.
When I tried to yank it away, he said, “At this time of night, it would be better if we are seen holding hands, adding to the illusion we are lovers going for a moonlit stroll.”
I snorted. “Who would see us? And why would they care?”
“The Moon Clan soldiers are out in force tonight. A prisoner has escaped from jail earlier this evening.”
Janco. He probably had led the guards on a merry chase through the city just to pass the time. Or perhaps Devlen referred to himself? No. From what Tama said, no one believed me about the switched souls.
“When were you released?” I asked.
“Yesterday morning. In fact, you have spent more time in a Fulgor cell than I.”
“Wonderful,” I snapped.
We reached a main street. A few citizens hustled over the cobblestones. They kept their gazes down and shoulders hunched as if walking into a stiff wind. But the cooling air remained calm and the half moon’s sharp edge gleamed in the clear night sky.
Guards patrolled the streets. We passed a few who squinted at us. Each time, Devlen would smile at me, pretending to be in the midst of a pleasant conversation.
“Do not stare, Opal. Your attention should be focused on me. We are having a lovely chat.”
“Okay. Now you can tell me why I needed to leave the Councilor’s Hall.”
“My sister, Gre—”
“Gressa is not your sister.” The words growled from my throat.
He held up his free hand. “No sense arguing. This is important. The Councilor told Gressa you had no intention of using your leverage with the Council.”
“I promised I would think about it.”
“I am sure you would. But we all know you will comply with the Council’s decision.”
“I disobeyed their order,” I retorted. He had called me an accommodating doormat before. Although I had proven him wrong and freed myself and Kade, my current situation didn’t support my argument. I avoided contemplating my current predicament. It wouldn’t be good for my mental stability.