Page 30 of The Lost Reliquary

Silence follows. The women stare at the floor, defeat dragging their shoulders down as they await their fate. One, with limp hair the color of muddy water, trembles slightly. But none react or resist. They are trying to be small, invisible.

I swallow, my mouth dry. “Who are they?”

Caius shrugs. “Does it matter? Heretics, murderers, thieves… all beyond penance, all marked for the Goddess’s justice in the end.”

I cross my arms. “This is ridiculous.”

“This is the solution to the problemyoucreated.”

“We had every right to do what we did.” Nolan speaks with bitter incredulity. “Butyouhave no right to put us through this cruel exercise, simply becauseyoufeel slighted.”

I almost smirk at the expression that passes over Caius’s face, but something tells me that would only serve to annoy him further.

Caius stands, fingers pressing into the table so hard they turn white. “I am an Arbiter.”

“Ahem,” I say. “AssistantArbiter.” Why annoy when I can infuriate?

It works. Caius’s cheeks flush, his eyes narrowing on me. “Choose.”

“No. She won’t,” Nolan says. “Neither will I.”

“What he said,” I add. “We’re not playing this sick little game.”

“Then you aren’t going anywhere.” Caius turns calm. Too calm. “I’ll take no pleasure in putting my blood brethren in chains, but if that’s what’s necessary, I will. You will remain here, under our power, until we can contact the Cathedral and have them sort this out with the Goddess directly.”

“Then you are a fool.” Nolan shoves away from the table and makes a move toward the door, but four of the Thorn Guard place themselves in front of it. He stops. “You can’t do this. Our orders come directly from the Goddess.”

“Your orders come from a letter,” says Caius. “Which we will simply confirm out of an abundance of caution. And, if they prove legitimate, Arbiter Gottschalk and I will make the proper apologies and reparations as needed.”

I swear silently. And then out loud. Caius and Gottschalk’s resolve leaves no room for argument. I shouldn’t be surprised both chose dogmatic adherence to an act of devotion over common sense; that’s what we’re trained to do. But making us choose a replacement for Magda… The women mean nothing to him; their deaths, nothing but a treat to be fed to the devoted masses. The absurdity of it starts something screaming within me.

Forgotten, the Princess gurgles a little, as useful a contribution as any.

“Lys.” Nolan says my name quietly, moving closer. “We don’t need to be pulled into this. No matter what Caius believes, his power in Belspire isn’t absolute.”

“No,” I say. “It’s not.” But the longer we are stuck here, the more likely we will lose any chance to find the reliquary. We can’t delay, no matter how outrageous the Arbiters’ demand is. And I’m not foolish enough to think that one of those women won’t end up dead meat anyway.

Caius frowns. “We won’t wait for—”

“Her.” I point, ignoring the churning remains of the meal in my stomach.

Caius’s gaze traces my gesture, and he smiles with the sort of satisfaction that makes me want to punch the smugness from him until he begs me to stop. “Very well.”

“Lys—” There’s worry in Nolan’s voice now. “You don’t have to—”

“It’s done.” I drop my arm. “Can we go now?”

Another long minute passes in which Caius savors his triumph. Still seated, Gottschalk is indifferent, or maybe simply content the deed is done.

Then Caius nods. “Very well. But I hope you will reconsider leaving before the festival begins. You clearly need to be reminded of the purifying power of our Goddess’s judgement.”

“Oh yeah? Take a wild guess where you can shove your purification.” I turn on my heel and charge the guards standing before the door. Wisely, they move aside, and I shove the doors open so hard they slam against the wall.

I drank too much wine. Ate too much rich food. I feel both thickening my blood, which is filling my head to overflowing. The castle blurs as a chill runs over my skin, scraping its way down my spine.

“Lys!”

Nolan’s voice, but far away. Beneath the rushing in my ears. I ignore it. Barely paying attention to where I am going, I reach a set of stairs. Stumble. Catch myself.