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“Underground?” I say, confused.

“Yes. In the tunnels under the palace. Nearly all are known to palace security, of course, and are guarded heavily. But there are some which are completely isolated. No scanner can map them. Escape routes, perhaps, but my theory is that when the palace was constructed, the Emperor liked to have a way to leave the palace without being watched. Too much security can constrain a man.”

Bruton stands up from the bar, pacing the room. He runs a hand through his thick mop of black hair, and drinks deep. “You’re telling me there’s a network of tunnels under the palace. That only you know about.”

“I did not say a network. The tunnel I’m thinking of is a straight line out. The most suitable goes from the catacombs to one of the Elite estates. I happened on it when I read an old book that I’m sure no one living has touched in the library. There was speculation that the Emperor Sulivan had a lover in the Elites, and made calls to him in his manor, late at night.”

Bruton snorts. “The Emperor couldn’t resist penetrating his secret tunnel, is that the claim? I bet that book was written by someone with a grudge against him, besmirching his good name.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. Only Bruton could be making off-color jokes right now.

“Interesting you say that. Actually, the scholar who wrote it?—”

I raise my hand, cutting Cal off before he can go into a long speech of the origins of some obscure text. “Will it work?”

Cal nods. “I can have a Reaver waiting in the estate and program the AI to take Fay and Dr. Alzar anywhere you like to. It will be loaded with the correct credentials. As long as it makes it out of atmosphere before the alert is sounded, they’ll get out. Where shall I program it to?”

“I’ll handle that. You just get the Reaver there.”

“Consider it done. I have a favor to ask you, Doman.”

“Shoot.”

“May I get Adriana’s feedback on what happened to her in the Rift?”

“You don’t need to ask my permission to talk to her. If she wants to talk about it, she will. Just be careful, Cal. That experience… it’s not an easy one. If she tells you to stop asking questions, respect it.”

The glass shatters in Bruton’s hand. He looks down, surprised, at the blood. The look in his eyes makes both Cal and I ignore it.

My younger brother spent a century in the Rift, tortured by darkness he never thought he’d get out of. It haunts him, still to this day.

“Thank you,” says Cal, and I grab another glass, pouring it and sliding it across the bar. Bruton catches it before it falls and gives me a nod of thanks.

The tension is filling me—but it’s no longer the uncertainty that was plaguing me.

We have a plan. Now all it needs is to be executed.

I glance downwards and twist the black ring on my finger, hating it, and steel myself.

When I cut down Obsidian, then she will give herself to me. This I know, in the deepest part of my soul.

37

ADRIANA

Evelyn is deep in focus as Cal enters the lab. She’s in a deep, telepathic conversation with Bruton, and she barely notices the Aurelian entering. He’s looking at me like a lab rat.

I give him the best smile I can manage. “Hey. Let me guess. You want to ask me some questions.”

He nods. “About your experience in the Rift. If it becomes uncomfortable for you, let me know, and I will stop my questions immediately.”

He’s such a bizarre Aurelian, with none of Doman or Bruton’s easy charm. I’m used to seeing the alien species in combat robes and togas, with a blade at their belt, and his hoodie and slacks makes him look abnormally human. If it wasn’t for the deep marble of his porcelain skin or the brilliance in his too-bright green eyes, you’d take him for a too-handsome man.

He’s gorgeous, like he was made by the Gods to create something too beautiful to even be touched, as if being in the physical world threatens him. I’ve got the distinct feeling that he’s never known the touch of a woman, though thousandswould sign up in his harem based on a picture, even if he wasn’t one of the princes of the Empire.

“Of course. Go right ahead. You saved our asses out there. I heard it was you who designed the warning system that gave us notice of Obsidian’s attack.”

“That was Evelyn’s work. But I was essential to it.” He’s not bragging, simply stating a fact. “My most pertinent question first. Did you see the beings in the Rift?”