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"I was hoping it was something a bit less impossible. I'm not sure how well you know Kaiya." I grinned. "But when she sets her mind on something, there is no changing it — especially if she feels responsible."

Tye looked back at his food then nodded, face growing more solemn with every second. "Sounds right. That woman is as unmoving as a mountain."

He looked back at me, brows knit with concern. "If she's planning some sort of stunt, you'd better stop her. Things are about to get very dangerous, and —" he looked around, then leaned in. "Just don't let her do anything stupid."

My chest tightened.

Fuck!I had been saying something similar all along. But of course no one listened to me.

I needed to get back and tell them to call it off!

Oh gods —Gram and Mirrim.

If we stayed, I'd be next, and how was I going to help once I joined them in their comatose state?

"I'll try to talk to her," I said, words rushed. "But I need your help."

His eyes narrowed, but he nodded for me to continue.

"I need you to tell me about the prisoners that Kaiya bonds." His expression tightened, but I ignored it. "Do you know what happens to them after Kaiya force-bonds them to that thing?"

His gaze darkened, and he opened his mouth to respond when a tall man with a blue cap and two gold bars atop his shoulder cleared his throat, bowing to Tye. "Sir, you're needed on the bridge."

Tye stared at me for a moment, then closed his mouth and turned to him and nodded.

Damn. I'd been distracted by the talk of Kaiya and had missed my chance!

Desperation twisted inside me as I watched them speak. If he'd been just a few seconds later …

Tye dipped his head to me. "How about this? You get her to agree and I'll help you."

I gritted my teeth. It was hopeless. She'd never do it!

He held out a pair of flat cakes. "Andgive these to her for me."

I took them, trying to control my frustration. "You know it won't work."

"Figure it out," he growled. "And if not" — he looked at the man waiting for him, then back to me, jaw ticking — "just be careful. She needs to not draw any attention for a few days."

Frustration and disappointment twisted inside my chest as he stood up and strode away with the other man.

Fuck! There was no way I could get her to give in.

I'd missed my chance to learn where the others were kept.

Gritting my teeth, I looked down at my mop and let out a low hiss as I pushed it back and forth.

That terrible feeling was back in my chest. Things werenotwhat we thought.

And Kaiya and the others were in terrible danger … just as I'd thought all along.

I gripped the mop harder. I'd already told them the escape plan was a bad idea! How was I supposed to get them to listen now?

And Kaiya … she had to go with Tye to be safeandso he would help with the villagers.

How thefuckwas I supposed to make that happen?

Chapter 14