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Tye nodded, and Korym and Holden shuffled nervously behind me, moving to stand at my side.

"I don't know anything about any intel," Holden said, voice shaking. "I think she's tricked you, Lady Frexin. You need to —"

"Do NOT tell me what I need to do," she snapped. "All I've heard from you two are complaints about Kaiya and excuses as to why you can't capture that fucking monster.Meanwhile,we've made more progress since she arrived than the rest of you have in months. All while she's been collared and working with little support."

"But we would have gotten the info without her," Korym replied, struggling to restrain his frustration.

Frexin just shrugged. "Perhaps. But I heard your Agents went too far with Westin, and he went into the trade injured. Youknowhow finicky Lady Valtru is. Who's to say she would have even gone through with the deal? And with Kaiya's way, I get both."

Her blue lips curled into a smile as Korym's cheeks reddened and Holden clenched his hands into tight fists.

"You two look displeased," shesaid, tilting her head. "But Agent Maderoth has obviously been kissed by fate. Who are we to deny the Gods' favor?"

Their eyes went wide, bodies rigid.

"In fact," Frexin continued, "I plan to give her freedom and let her do the work as she will. And this time she'll do it withyoursupport. Do you understand?"

Gods be damned.I felt sick at the restrained fury raging on their faces.

I was fucked. Completely fucked. They'd already hated me before — but now? I'd need to watch my back at all times!

Frexin just smiled at me, expression full of gracious elegance. I could see through it though, this wasexactlywhat she wanted.

"Now," she said, "let's start by removing that collar."

I sat up straighter, touching the metal around my neck.

It — would be gone?My eyes burned at the thought of being free of the monstrosity.

But why was she doing this? She had the intel, and she didn't believe in some fate gremlyn-shit — no matter what she'd said! That was just an excuse, and everyone knew it.

So what else does she want?

Frexin gestured towards Tye, and he stepped forward.

"As Agent Fordyth did such awonderfuljob communicating all of your activities yesterday, I shall make the position permanent, Miss Maderoth. Agent Fordyth, you are now her permanent shadow. Please take the roomnext to hers and keep an eye on her every move. I want you near her at all times, to strengthen her, to listen with that keen hearing you have, and to track her with that convenient little bond. I know you'll be a good girl, Kaiya, dear — but a little extra motivation and oversight can't hurt, can it?"

I looked at Tye, dread flooding through me as he stared straight ahead, his only response a slight tick in his jaw.

"If I may ask …" Korym said, dipping his head in a partial bow. "Will Westin and the others be used as bait, my lady?"

Frexin's smile widened, and my stomach sank.

This. This was the other shoe I'd been waiting to drop. I could feel it.

Frexin had said she wasn't going to punish me — but I knew better. She'd just find a sneakier way to hurt me for what I'd done.

"You would enjoy that, wouldn't you, Mage Korym?" she asked. "But no. I believe it would be best to giveKaiyathe choice of who amongst the prisoners to offer to the beast instead."

Bile rose in the back of my throat.

"Wait —" I said, stepping forward. "The prisoners aren't even corrupted! With all the Agents you send out across the Isle, surely you already have people who are sick and about to turn! Why not use one of those?"

"No." Her lips twitched into a satisfied smile, and she shook her head, blue curls bouncing beneaththat tiny hat. "Prisoners or locals only. You have seven days to find me half a dozen corrupted."

Of course. Of fucking COURSE she wanted me to find them! And not even just one …

My mind slipped back to the boy in the cage, calling out to his mother.