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What in the fuck?

Penellaphe went still as my narrowed-eye gaze swung back to the Duke. What happened last night had nothing to do with the gods, let alone the Tulises, who he was clearly speaking of.

“What can anyone expect when there are those who wish to see us dead?” the Duke asked, lifting his hands. “When we are the gods given form and the only thing that stands between you and the Dark One and the curse his people have cast upon this land.”

It took everything in me not to laugh. The Ascended wouldn’t stand between the people and a mouse.

The Duke continued jabbering on with his nonsense, riling up the crowd and filling them with anxiety and anger just like a damn Soul Eater would. This was how you controlled the masses. Give them something to fear, to blame for all your losses, and to hate. It never ceased to amaze me how effective it was, and yet—

Kieran caught my attention, jerking his chin toward the front of the crowd. Checking out the faces below, I stopped on a familiar blond-haired and broad-shouldered male making his way forward.

Lev Barron.

Shit.

What was he up to? For the last half an hour or so, he’d been steadily creeping closer to the front of the mass of people. He wasn’t the only one. Three more flanked him, those I didn’t recognize. Contrary to what the Duke would say, I didn’t know every single Descenter.

Penellaphe suddenly stepped back.

Vikter caught her by the shoulder. “Are you all right?”

I focused on her. She was still, but she was trembling. I didn’t think anyone else noticed. Who could blame her given what the Duke was shouting at the top of his godsdamn lungs?

“But if we continue as we have, the gods may not bless us again. The Craven will breach the Rise and then there will be nothing but sorrow,” Duke Teerman said. “And, if you’re lucky, they’ll go for your throat, and it will be a quick death. Most of you will not be so fortunate. They’ll tear into your flesh and tissue, feasting on your blood while you scream for the gods you’ve lost faith in.”

Good fucking gods… “This is perhaps the least calming speech ever given after an attack,” I muttered.

Penellaphe jerked slightly, but the trembling appeared to have ceased a few moments later. Tension brewed in my gut as I stared at the straight line of her back. Based on what I had seen last night and what I knew before then, she wasn’t someone who scared easily.

But she knew exactly what it felt like to have what the Duke spoke of done to her. That was pain and fear she knew firsthand.

Yet she still went out and helped those infected, knowing they could turn at any second.

My reluctant respect for her grew.

Penellaphe tipped her head to Vikter. “Do you see him?” she whispered. “The blond male near the guards. He’s large-shouldered. Tall. Wearing a brown cloak. Clearly angry.”

Surprise swept through me as she described Lev. How in the whole wide realm had she caught sight of him?

“Yes.” Vikter inched closer to her.

“There are others like him,” she said.

“I see them,” Vikter confirmed. “Be alert, Hawke. There—”

“May be trouble?” I interrupted, finding Lev once more in the crowd. Yes, he was clearly angry. It was written all over the hard set of his features, and others appeared just like him. Silent. Fury etched on their faces. “I’ve been tracking the blond for twenty minutes. He’s slowly working his way to the front. Three more have also inched closer.”

“Are we safe?” Tawny asked quietly.

“Always,” I murmured. They were. Lev? I had a feeling he wouldn’t be.

Penellaphe nodded when Tawny looked at her, her hand lowering to the right side of her gown. The corners of my lips kicked up. She had that dagger on her, didn’t she?

Cheers rang out suddenly, and I guessed the Teermans had finally said something inspiring.

“And we will honor their faith in the people of Solis by not shielding those you suspect of supporting the Dark One, who seek nothing but destruction and death,” the Duchess said. “You will be rewarded greatly in this life and in the one beyond. That, we can promise you.”

The crowd was joyous in their response, even shouting how they would honor the gods during the Rite.

If the gods were actually awake, they’d probably strike the Duchess down right where she stood.

The Duchess pushed back from the ledge, standing by the Duke’s side. “What better way to show the gods our gratitude than to celebrate the Rite?”

“Lies!” Lev shouted from the crowd. “Liars.”

Dammit, what was he thinking?

“You do nothing to protect us while you hide in your castles, behind your guards! You do nothing but steal children in the name of false gods!” Lev yelled. “Where are the third and fourth sons and daughters? Where are they really?”