Page 122 of Till Death

“None that she would know about.” He eyed me carefully, and I wondered how far he’d possibly let me get without following. Based on the grip he hadn’t loosened, I’d bet my death it wasn’t far at all.

“Dead end, I guess,” I said, lifting an easy shoulder. “Maybe Thea found something.”

His careful gaze lingered for only a second before walking the rest of the way down the hall. The gentle flick of Boo’s tail upon the worn couch cushion was a stark contrast to the restlessness that seemed to permeate the room. Paesha, with her intense glare, paced back and forth. Her usually composed demeanor, anxious. Elowen was nowhere to be seen, having likely vanished into the kitchen. Several other members of the clandestine Syndicate lingered around, their hushed conversations creating an undertone of tension in the air.

“Anything?” Orin asked Paesha.

“This is not happening. It can’t be,” she answered, with a shake of her head.

“Take a break,” he ordered, pulling a chair out for her. “You’re only going to exhaust yourself.”

Paesha relented, though the worry never left her beautiful face. As she sank into the seat, I inched closer to her, making eye contact until she felt my stare. While Thea kept Orin’s attention, I glanced toward the hall and back to the Huntress several times before she took the hint and stood once more.

“I need a drink,” she said, grabbing my arm and hauling me toward the hallway. “Help me find enough glasses.”

Out of view of the others, I wasted no time. “I think I know where she might be, but I’m going to have to go alone. Orin isn’t going to let me, so you need to keep him distracted while I get out of here.”

“You’re lucky I trust you, Maiden.”

“Can you keep him distracted or not?”

“Well, yeah. For about five seconds, before he’s going to ask me to find you using my magic.”

“But you’re so, so tired,” I reminded her. “You need a break.”

She glared. “I can buy you five minutes.”

I was halfway down the hall, headed toward the bedroom when I whispered, “Better make it six.”

She never saw me snag the mirror from the wall. Still, I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer to the old gods before I set it on the floor, waited for another rippling in the silver surface, and jumped, effectively falling sideways into Ro’s eerie hall of mirrors.

Chapter 46

Only the musty scent of topsoil greeted me at the base of the stairs. I wound through the plants, letting myself into the parlor. I stumbled forward, so relieved to see Quill sitting on one of Ro’s couches, I’d hardly noticed the woman herself, standing on the far side of the room, humming a tune as she adjusted the long sleeves of her gown to showcase her golden-brown skin.

Ro’s chin fell to her chest as she looked at me through the top of her hazel eyes. “Took you long enough.”

“Gods, Ro. Everyone’s in a panic; the king’s guards are hunting me. Orin’s attached to my side, and everyone’s grieving. I got here as soon as I could sneak away.” I slumped onto the couch next to Quill. “How in the world did you get here, kid?”

“I rescued her, right under all of your noses.”

Quill tangled her fingers through her wild curls, never taking her eyes off Ro. She looked like Paesha in that moment. Beautiful and fierce. A warrior.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said quietly.

“Wanna tell me what happened?” Sitting on the couch, I pulled her little fingers from her hair and held tightly.

She took a steady breath. “Orin was dancing, and the lights went out. Someone pulled me off my swing and covered my mouth.”

I shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her, though I cut an angry glare to Ro. “I’m so sorry, Quilly.”

Ro raised her palms, taking a step backward. “Careful, Maiden. That part wasn’t me.”

“It was the guy dressed like the other guys that took me last time. You know, the one with that mark on his face?”

I had no idea who she was talking about. “One of the new king’s men?”