Page 109 of Lady of the Drowned Empire

“Demand all you want. Not up to me.”

“Imperator’s orders?” I snarled.

“Obviously.”

“Real fucking loyal to Bamaria!” I started pacing, like I’d done the last time I’d been in this cell, trying to stay calm. I had to keep my wits about me, find a way out of here, find out what was happening, and find a way to help. I couldn’t stay here. I couldn’t. I’d lose my mind. I’d lose everything.

But an hour passed, and then another. It was growing late. My sisters could be dead by now, tortured, their souls eaten. Their bodies already transforming into akadim.

I squeezed my eyes shut, banishing the images of their bodies growing and lengthening, of red lines appearing all over their skin, their teeth elongating into fangs, the cries for help they would have made before it all happened, their horror hearing each other suffer, knowing they couldn’t do anything because their only weapon—magic—didn’t work. I brushed tears from my eyes and went to the bars, slamming my palms into them.

A door opened down the hall, and light burst into my cell as someone entered with a torch.

Arkturion Aemon. The Ready.

“Take a break, soturion,” he ordered Markan. “I’ll be here.”

Markan nodded and headed down the hall as Aemon set the torch into a holder behind him. He met me at the bars, and he was the Ready—furious, lethal.

“What’s going on?” I asked at once. “Why are you here? Why aren’t you searching for them?”

“I am,” he said, bowing his head in respect. “I have my best soturi out there looking for them. I’m having Aditi prepared in the stables and flying out to join the search.” He held up his Empire-issued vadati. As arkturion, he was legally allowed to carry one, unlike me and Rhyan. “Ka Kormac is looking for them.”

“No, they’re not!” I snapped.

“Maybe not well, but they are looking.”

“They let them in!” I cried.

“We don’t know that yet,” he said, his voice solemn. “Listen, I am trying to get you out before I leave as well, to find a way to keep them from taking you out of the country. But I need you to stay calm. I cannot free you. It’s not safe. And the Imperator will have my head. But is there something else I could do to give you peace of mind? Could I bring you something of comfort?”

“Why?” I sneered. “I’m not your responsibility anymore—I’m the Imperator’s.”

“That’s not finalized,” he said. “It’s not my place to get between the business of arkasvim. But you’re still a student here—still a Bamarian citizen, and where I can step in, I will. Name something I can do for you. Is there a meal you want? A special blanket? Say the words, it’s yours. Whatever you want.”

I want Rhyan.

I put my hand on my waist. Beneath my tunic was the golden chain holding his vadati. I stifled a gasp. It hadn’t occurred to me before that Ka Kormac was too fucking stupid to leave me untouched. They always underestimated women. My dagger was still at my hip. Not that it would do me any good in here. But still… I had a way out. I could call Rhyan, but only if I had privacy. No one could know I had the stone or that he was visiting. They especially couldn’t know how he’d get to me.

“I want an hour to myself,” I said. “No guards. You know Godsdamned well I can’t escape. Please.”

“Done,” he said. “I’ll give you two.”

“Thank you, Aemon.” Voice shaking, I stared at my feet. “They’re dead, aren’t they? Or worse.” My vision blurred.

“No,” he said. “All reports suggest this is not a normal situation.”

I looked up at him, my hope hanging on by a thread.

“Are you sure?”

“Chin up, soturion. I normally wouldn’t call this a plus, but akadim behavior is changing. Rapidly. Not good for the Empire, but it offers hope for Morgana and Meera. We’ve never seen this before. So, let’s expect results unlike any we’ve seen before.” He nodded. “Two hours. Look at me. I’m going to get them back. Next time I see you, I plan to do so with your sisters present. That’s a promise.” He spoke with such intensity, I almost believed him. But we both knew it was an empty oath.

Aemon turned and headed down the hall. I waited for the sound of his footsteps to fade into faint echoes beyond the hall door then listened for the sound of anyone else approaching.

I climbed back onto the bed and tugged the covers over my head, trying not to breathe. Then I pulled out the stone and held it to my lips.

“Rhyan?”