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Fae prisons were no ordinary human penitentiaries. They were able to contain the most magical and ruthless beings to ever exist. The jail had to be powerful and secure enough to keep the most cold-blooded beasts locked up for good, cutting off their magic and abilities.

Humans had no chance there.

A shiver ran down my spine, thinking of being locked underground for eternity. It went against everything in me. Pirates needed to be free, to feel the air and taste the sea. I couldn’t imagine a worse fate than getting put in there.

“The church is now another secret access in and out. A way to move people through without anyone seeing.”

“And these tunnels connect to the palace?” Putting my hands on my hips, my attention returned to the bright beacon on the hill.

“As far as my contacts stated. Yes. There is a connection.” Dzsinn nodded. “But I don’t know how or where. That is up to you to figure out. But my end of the deal has been fulfilled.” A heavy connotation hung in the air.

I dipped my head in acknowledgment. “Yes. And a deal is a deal.”

Something told me he would be a great person to have on my side. Getting him products from the West to sell would only profit us both, especially the more this place slid into this land of savages.

“Then I look forward to our business relationship, pirate. I think it will be very prosperous. If you survive.”

His two men grabbed the empty trunk, putting it back in the rowboat. Dzsinn stepped into it, taking a seat.

“I think we’ll be fine.” I smirked.

“Don’t underestimate him. I’ve heard he is cutthroat and ruthless when he needs to be. He slaughtered all twenty of Orbán’s personal guards single-handedly like a samurai warrior before he gutted and beheaded the fae lord.” Dzsinn wrapped his coat around him as his men started rowing the boat. “I’m just saying, be careful of Lord Killian.”

Everything in my body went still, a pitch ringing in my ears.

“What?” I uttered slowly. “What did you call him?”

“Lord Killian,” Dzsinn said, his boat gliding away into the night.

Like a samurai warrior.

No. It’s just a coincidence. There was no way.

Except I didn’t believe in coincidences.

Chapter 15

Katrina

Killian.

“No.” The word barely made it off my tongue, so low it felt like a breath. The tightening of my ribs strangled the air from my lungs.

It wasn’t possible. It was just a name.

My gaze went up to the flag flying high on the palace. Nothing in it gave me an answer, except somewhere in my gut, I just knew. As if my tie to my old friend was still there, still a thread that linked me to him.

“Killian?” I whispered, a hand covering my mouth.

“We don’t know it’s him.” Croygen turned to me, his head wagging like he was trying to deny it. “Many people have that name.”

“It’s him,” I croaked, my gaze on the palace, emotion clotting my throat.

“You don’t know that.” He stepped in front of me, blocking my view. “I mean, come on, what the fuck would Killian be doing here? And alord?” He scoffed. “It’s just a coincidence, Kat. Just a name.”

“And thisLord Killianjust happens to fight like a samurai warrior?” My voice pitched. We both were there. We knew how well Killian could fight and how seriously he took Master Yukimura’s teachings. Pushing Croygen away, I stomped over to one of the many row boats tied up at the dock, my brain analyzing if it would be faster than going to the bridge to cross over.

“What are you doing?” Croygen bellowed as I climbed in, set on my mission. “Where are you going?”