Page 42

Chapter 42

Beatriz

Zichri held my hand tight as I clung to his shoulder. We slipped through the cell when they let Jaime out and tiptoed through the dungeon passage. When guards rushed by, we pressed against the rough walls. I poured confidence through our connection into Zichri while giving away the fears that sprung from our hearts. The guards showed no indication of being able to see us. We only had one move. Find Minerva.

“How could they have gotten out?” The bald guard shouted at three others.

“No one left the cell through the gate, and there are no holes.”

“What were their giftings?”

They continued to argue as we tiptoed our way to a bend in the passage. Zichri peeked into the slit of a metal door to see who was inside. We’d already checked several other cells and hadn’t found Minerva yet.

Stomping echoed and squeaky metal rang across the space. The guards rechecked the rooms all the way at the other end.

Pitching my voice low, I pulled Zichri to my level. “She’s gone.”

He nodded. “Or she was moved somewhere else.”

We had to flee while the guards were searching the cells and making enough noise to conveniently cover our footfalls. I repositioned myself behind Zichri, still pouring my energy into his skin. We couldn’t risk being separated and had no idea the limits of Zichri’s ability or my energy store.

As we made it to the main floor, sunlight poured over our heads and through our bodies. I still couldn’t see Zichri, and he couldn’t see me either. Whatever had happened, his ability to remain invisible and extend invisibility to those he touched, still worked in the brightest of lights.

He led me through another passage. A grunting caught our attention, and we stopped in front of a plain wooden door. He opened it. Inside a small servant’s quarters, Prince Hugo lay on a narrow bed with mouth agape and his dark gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Zichri rushed to his side, disconnecting from my hold. I closed the door behind us.

“Hugo, Hugo?” Zichri pitched his voice low. “What’s wrong?” He got to his brother’s side with concern pressed into the arches of his eyebrows.

His brother’s empty stare shifted slowly toward Zichri. A hint of recognition seemed to shiver along his cheek. “Don’t know.”

“We’ve got to get you out of here.” Zichri positioned his brother in his arms and lifted with a guttural sound escaping his throat. “This won’t do. Can you walk?” He tried to get Hugo propped up on his feet, but Hugo’s muscular body wilted.

This man had been strong and vigorous the last time I’d seen him. He had a cocky grin and a whole team of soldiers with him. He would have killed Zichri in an instant if he’d had the chance, and yet Zichri wished to help his brother. The invisible cord buzzed with desperation from Hugo.

“Stop,” Hugo said in the faintest of whispers. “Leave me.”

“Brother, I forgive you. You can repay me by trying.” Zichri repositioned Hugo, but his brother still smacked to the ground.

Tears welled in Zichri’s eyes as he bent and cradled Hugo’s head and torso. “Do you remember when we were kids and you taught me to use a slingshot?”

A shaky breath escaped Hugo’s mouth. “Yes. You hit Agustín.”

Zichri’s tears flowed. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t think he ever forgave me for that.”

Hugo chuckled, but it turned into gasping.

I pressed against the wall, unsure what to do. If this happened to Cosme, I would be beside myself. Suddenly, Cosme’s overbearing nature didn’t seem so terrible. He’d always aimed to protect me, whether I liked it or not.

“Zi-chri.” Hugo inhaled. “I’m. Sorry.”

Zichri’s bottom lip trembled with volatile emotion churning deep inside like a lightning storm lived somewhere beneath his skin.

“It. Was. Me.” Hugo’s stare remained fixed on Zichri.

Another invisible connection formed through the door. I bent to Zichri’s side and pushed energy through my palms. The bald guard whipped open the door. His gaze searched the bed and the floor. He leaned his head to check behind the door. I dared not move or breathe.

The bald man swore. He slammed the door shut and stomped down the hallway. My connection to him was severed with the growing distance between us. We had to depart soon.

I curled my fingers around Zichri’s shoulders and shook him lightly.

Zichri didn’t move from his spot beside the bed. “What was you?”

“Pa-pa.” Hugo’s eyes fixed on the ceiling, but his chest continued to move up and down.

His father was sick because of Prince Hugo. The thought made my heart break for Zichri, his oldest brother, his younger sister, and for his mother.

Hugo continued. “I. Ordered. Agustín’s death.”

“Has it been done yet?” Zichri clutched Hugo’s doublet with a curled lip that bespoke rage and desperation. The anger burned from his pores as much as his anguish.

His dying brother gasped several times, and I couldn’t be sure he’d respond. “You. Might. Have. Time.” Choking noises leaked from his throat. He exhaled loudly one last time.

The bald guard burst through the door again, catching me off guard, and yanked Zichri to his feet. “I knew I heard something.”