Page 100 of Scorched Earth

The gurgling fountain in the center of the foyer was the only sound to break the silence, and Killian’s eyes skipped over the walls, which were decorated with elaborate motifs depicting the Six, ablank space left to acknowledge the Seventh. Except there was no time to appreciate the work, for Xadrian kept walking.

Two women bearing spears stood to the sides of a large set of bronze doors, the first sign of any guards or soldiers Killian had seen since they’d entered the city. Killian had no doubt that the lack of defenses was nothing more than an illusion, and judging from Agrippa’s furrowed brow, he believed the same.

A dais sat at the far end of the room, on which sat an elaborately carved wooden bench. A small woman dressed in russet robes sat upon it, and her dark eyes glittered with interest as they approached. Xadrian’s soldiers shoved Killian and Agrippa to their knees, doing the same to Malahi, although with less force. Lydia and Baird were left standing in deference to their marks.

“Your Majesty.” Xadrian bowed low. “These individuals were captured within our borders. Because of their identities, we believed it prudent to bring them for your personal judgment, as for some, their crimes against Anukastre are beyond number.” He gestured to Malahi. “The Rowenes vermin queen of Mudamora, who is apparently not quite as dead as her people believe.” Then Agrippa. “Rufina’s general, who has apparently abandoned his post for the sake of golden Rowenes—”

“Mind your tongue, my son,” the queen cut him off.

Xadrian shrugged, then pointed to Killian. “Killian Calorian, the marked of Tremon responsible for the massacres along the border in the name of Ria Rowenes, who is said to be—”

“None of that is true,” Killian interrupted before Xadrian could go the direction he knew the boy was going. “I’m guilty of plenty, but not that.”

“You—”

“Xadrian, I know who he is. What of the others?”

“Lydia, marked healer of Hegeria,” Xadrian muttered. “And Baird of Eoten Isle, marked by Gespurn.”

The queen rose to her feet, a beam of sunlight from a window illuminating her face. Her skin was light brown, her hair black with only a touch of grey at the temples. For her to be Xadrian’s mother, she must have had him at a very young age; only the faintest creases marked the corners of her eyes. “I am Ceenah,” she said to them, progressing down the steps to move among them, sandaled feet making soft pats against the stone floor. “Interesting that the Six saw fit to deliver you all to me. They are not normally so reckless with their Marked Ones, so there must be some purpose to it.”

“So that you can execute them for their crimes,” Xadrian snapped.“Countless of our people are dead because of them, and I would have vengeance.”

Ceenah made a soft humming sound, and Killian couldn’t help but wonder how such a seemingly levelheaded woman was responsible for an impulsive brat like Xadrian. Her eyes fixed on Malahi, and she said, “I see you suffered greatly as Rufina’s prisoner, Your Grace. The majority of my people would see you suffer to the grave for the blood your family has on its hands. Given your own people believe you dead, I think you will not be missed.”

Agrippa’s eyes darkened, and before Killian could stop him, he moved.

Xadrian shouted a warning, but the ex-legionnaire was quick.

In a heartbeat, he had Ceenah’s arm twisted behind her back, his other hand gripping her by the chin. Killian took advantage of the distraction, pulling Malahi and Lydia away, Baird backing up to the opposite wall.

“This is how it’s going to go,” Agrippa said to Xadrian and his men, who all had their weapons out, eyes full of fury. “You’re going to back away from my companions. Then you’re going to get us the supplies we need to leave this gods-forsaken dust bowl, and we’re going to take Mother dearest with us. You do the smart thing and don’t follow us, and I’ll let her go. You test my patience, and I’ll snap her neck. Now back up.”

“I will gut you like a pig for this.” Xadrian held his ground. “There will be no forgiveness for this insult.”

“Gutting me won’t bring her back to life. Now back out that door and get us what we need.” Agrippa forced the queen’s chin higher, and Ceenah grimaced in pain, though she said, “Hold your ground.”

“Now is not the time for bravery, Your Grace.” Agrippa’s bicep flexed, pushing her head back to the point her neck would be on the verge of breaking. “Your threats make it clear that we have nothing to lose.”

“Don’t you?” Her tone was acidic, brown eyes narrow, and Killian tensed, every part of him screamingdangeras she added, “There are many ways to die.”

“I will gladly die for the sake of those who have the power to stop Rufina.”

“Then you won’t begrudge me this.” Ceenah closed her hand over his wrist.

She didn’t move, but Agrippa’s face abruptly drained of color and Killianknew.“Corrupted!”

Agrippa attempted to rip free of Ceenah’s grasp, but she held on even as his fist slammed into her cheek, then his foot into her knee. Malahi screamed, and Killian tried to go to Agrippa’s aid, but Xadrian was already between them, weapon raised. “Let your foolish friend meet his end. It is what he deserves for serving the Seventh.”

The ground abruptly shook and vines exploded into the room. Through the doors and windows and up from the floor. They wrapped around Ceenah, wrenching her away from Agrippa, who had aged fifty years in a matter of seconds. He fell backward, his head striking a step with a terrifyingcrack.

“Agrippa!” Malahi howled.

Xadrian lunged at her, but vines wrapped around his ankles and pinned him to the ground, then grew to form a wall blocking the rest of the Anuk soldiers.

Malahi’s face was twisted with fury and grief. “You will die for this, corrupted!”

Ceenah’s eyes were wide, but it wasn’t fear that shone in them. “You’re—”