Page 185

Tonight?! My stomach twisted. I needed to get back to Tye! That wouldn't give me nearly enough time to get to him and then back again …

"Kaiya?" Frexin snapped. "I asked you a question. When can we expect the last two volunteers?"

I swallowed and turned back to face her. "They'll uh — they'll be here soon."

"Excellent. Will you be accompanying me to watch the capture? You may sit with me in my safe room."

"Safe room, my lady?" I asked, confused.

She waved a hand. "It doesn't matter. Just a damn box for me to hide in when I must. If you come, you will see it. Are you coming, though? I assume you'll want to, being that you've done so much to make it happen." She looked thoughtful. "But I'd understand if you want to be with your people and help them pack instead."

I looked back at those volunteers in that cage. With the way Frexin was treating them, did they have any hope of surviving that monster?

Shecertainly wasn't going to protect them.

Fuck! I gritted my teeth. Tye needed me, but he was safe in that cave for now, and those people would soon be in very real danger. Danger I'd convinced them to risk!

No, I had to go to the ambush site and make it as safe for them as Frexin would let me.

Tye wouldn't want me to put myself in danger, but hewouldunderstand I needed to do this.

I'm coming, Tye. Just hold on until the morning …

"Kaiya?" Frexin's gloved hand touched my cheek, andI recoiled, snapping out of my thoughts, barely suppressing a shudder of revulsion. "I swear —" She shook her head. "Are you sure everything is okay?"

No, of course it wasn't! It was a fucking mess. Something I would have confided in her at one time. But not now …

Don't think.

Don't feel.

Just obey.

"I — I'm sorry." I forced the words through gritted teeth, meeting her gaze. "We should direct the guards at the gate to escort the last two volunteers to the clearing when they arrive later today. I'd like to go there now to help prepare the ambush."

Frexin's expression brightened. "Fantastic! I love it when you're motivated. It will be a comfort knowing you're there, dear. And if all goes as planned, your people will be free by morning. Aren't you just thrilled?"

She looked at me expectantly, but I couldn't bring myself to even fake a smile. It was all coming together, but my mind screamed that it was all falling apart.

"Come now, Kaiya," she sighed. "Not even a smile? Your friends will be free tomorrow. Aren't you pleased?"

"Yes, of course," I muttered.

"You know what? I think you should go, right now, and tell your villager friends the good news. Perhaps that will help brighten your mood before the big event. Can't have the Savior distracted now can we?"

"What? No, I —"

"No arguing," she said, making a shooing motion with her hand. "Now, run along. We will set out once you've done what I asked, and not a moment before."

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to nod.

It was fine …

Gods. I hoped it was going to be fine.

Chapter 56

Kaiya