Dawn Study (Soulfinders #3)(20)

“We’re not like the Ixians. We value life. As long as we’re ready, the Commander won’t invade.”

I sagged against the wall. He’d been fully brainwashed. Nothing I could say would change his mind. “When is Bruns coming to kill me and the baby?”

Cahil stilled. “I haven’t told him you’re here.”

Oh? I waited.

“The Commander’s new assassin is in town. She and Valek were spotted having quite the battle on the rooftops and, I’m not sorry to say, your husband wasn’t doing very well.”

I kept my expression neutral despite the pain squeezing my heart into pulp.

“Our intel says that after she kills Valek, she’ll be coming after you next.”

Not a surprise, but still it felt like a kick to my stomach. “You’re going to let an Ixian do your dirty work?”

“Yes. You see, despite your current efforts to undermine Bruns, Sitians like you. If Bruns or I were to execute you, it wouldn’t be well received. But if the Commander is responsible for your death, the people will be upset and continue to support our efforts.”

Ah, hell. A smart move, although I was surprised Bruns agreed. Or had he? “Bruns doesn’t know what you plan to do.”

“Bruns had his chance to kill you, and he screwed it up because he wanted you as a showpiece.”

“What if Valek kills Onora?”

“Then I let one of the assassins in town score fifty golds. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve work to do.” He headed for the door.

“Cahil.”

He paused without looking at me.

“If Onora comes for me, can you free me from these chains and return my switchblade?”

“You won’t beat her.”

“I’d rather die fighting than chained to this wall.”

He met my gaze. “All right.”

*

Waiting was never fun. However, when I considered what I was waiting for... I forced my thoughts away, but of course they just circled right back around. If Valek won the fight with Onora, I might emerge from this situation alive. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t. Unless Fisk’s people moved in before Onora could. My emotions flipped from optimistic hope to fatalistic numbness and back again.

In order to remain sane, I focused on how I could protect the baby. I concentrated on what I could do. Me, and not any what-if scenarios about being rescued. But after looking at every possibility, I conceded that my chance of survival was close to zero.

Time limped along, and one of Cahil’s agents came by to feed me a handful of grapes. The voices in the other room eventually died, and the lanterns were turned down. They must be stopping for the night.

The thought of a night spent chained to the wall produced mixed feelings. The longer I remained alive, the greater the hope of rescue. Besides, stiff muscles and discomfort were a mere inconvenience if it meant Valek lived.

Another agent strode into the office. He extinguished the lanterns and muttered a hasty good-night before bolting. There were a number of words to describe this night, and good wasn’t one of them. Nope, not even close. I managed to doze briefly, at least until a burning pain in my shoulders woke me.

Cahil returned in the morning, or what I assumed was the morning, as he appeared awake and clean-shaven. He stood staring at me while one of his men lit the lanterns.

Unable to endure the silence any longer, I asked, “What’s the verdict?”

“The Mosquito is dead.”

“That’s good news.”

“I’d thought you’d like that.”

“What’s the bad news?” I braced for his answer.

“Onora was spotted in the Citadel late last night.”

My legs trembled with the effort to hold my weight. The chains prevented me from sinking to the floor. Valek would never have allowed her to walk away from a fight. The fact that she lived meant...

“We were unable to locate Valek’s body.”

“Why would you care about that?” I asked, leaning back on the wall as the rest of my world melted.

“Confirmation. We think she’s hidden the body to keep everyone guessing long enough to avoid any retaliation from Fisk and his people.”

The body. No longer being referred to by name. I concentrated on Cahil’s comment to keep from screaming. My focus narrowed to one thing—keeping the baby safe. “Why would she worry about Fisk’s guild? If she can...beat Valek, no one else can touch her.”

“Fisk has the numbers, plus Stormdancers.”

“Stormdancers?” This kept getting worse. If Bruns suspected the Stormdancers, then they needed to disappear. Fast.

“Don’t act stupid, Yelena. A huge thunderstorm roared over the Krystal garrison at the precise moment you needed a distraction to escape. You couldn’t have done it without their help.”

“We would have figured something out.” Eventually. Maybe. Probably not. Bruns had us pinned.

“You know, I was about to disagree, but I’m sure you would have, which is exactly why keeping you alive is a bad strategy.”

“Trying to rationalize your decision so you don’t feel guilty, Cahil?”

“I won’t feel guilty. I’m protecting over a million people. If only you understood that we’re doing the right thing—” he gestured vaguely “—none of this has to happen.”