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People flooded into the fortress, most giving us a wide berth when they noticed Korym.

"Well, at least your penchant for the dramatic hasn't changed," he said, eyeing me as if looking for something. "I just don't understand what Frexin sees in you. What makes her think you will succeed where we have failed?"

Fear and disgust warred within me at the reminder that I'd be working for him for the next few days or weeks … or longer.

Could I handle it? What would happen if I couldn't?

"I don't know what she's thinking," I admitted. "But I'll do what I can."

Korym let out a disbelieving grunt. "I guess we will see soon enough. I'll be watching you, though, Miss Maderoth. And I will not be lenient like theLieutenant.Every mistakewillbe immediately reported to Lady Frexin."

Every mistake?I felt the weight of this impossible task crushing me, and my heart sped up.What if I failed Frexin? I'd never been good at following orders …

Those lifeless eyes flashed through my mind again, and I clenched my fists.

Don't think. Don't feel. Just obey.

I would dowhateverit took to keep the Harlsteds and the others alive.

Another screech sounded outside, followed by a boom, sending vibrations through the ground.

"Hurry." Korym scowled. "We'll be safer the deeper we go."

I stumbled along behind him as he led the way through a dark courtyard surrounded by a dozen buildings with those same reinforced metal walls.

They must have been built over top the original stone dwellings.

Korym gestured to one of the busier buildings, with soldiers rushing in and out. "These are the Special Forces Barracks," he said. "My team, which includes you — for now — lives there and will be keeping an eye out to make sure you stay put."

I opened my mouth to respond, but he'd already marched through the entrance. Heavily armored guards stood on either side of tall metal doors, their eyes following me as I walked through.

My stomach sank.

The red-stone lobby held none of the beautiful furniture or decorations I'd come to expect during my previous stay in Dragon's Peak — just a few utilitarian tables and chairs.

I followed Korym down a dimly lit hallway, past many closed wooden doors. Few people were about, but the ones we passed were all dressed in dark uniforms, and each paused to salute him — eyeing me warily.

Finally, we reached the end of the hall. A single iron door loomed to my left, a normal door to my right.

"We're here," he said, motioning to the iron door.

The door was ominous, but anything was better than the cells on the prison ship…

With a nod, I stepped forward and pulled open the door.

"Sleep," he whispered as I walked inside. "We wouldn't want Frexin's favorite pet failing on her very first day, now would we? Though, perhaps she would finally let me kill you …"

I inhaled sharply as the metal door swung closed, followed by the click of the lock.

Forsaken hells! How was I going to survive working under that man for the foreseeable future … let alone COOPERATING with him?!

The room was dark except for a single barred window that illuminated a slim bed.

I slumped onto the mattress and dropped my head to my hands — hands covered in dried blood — because ofmymistake.

How had everything gone so wrong?

Chapter 21