Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(19)

I fall into a chair, packs tumbling to the ground. A stunned sort of stupor comes over me.

There's a murmur from several warlocks, but I can't tell what they're saying, if it's good or bad. How much worse could it possibly get? How will Zade survive this change? The Grand Chancellor doesn't say a word against the murmurs, just continues on with his mad plan.

“From this moment, the council is banned. Chancellor Ryan will remain along with the new Chancellor Stephen.”

Curse those scum.

“Those of you who have served me faithfully will, of course, be rewarded and will be given positions elsewhere as new laws go into effect. We will need your skills and loyalty to help with any…disturbances resulting from the changes so things can settle as soon as possible. Furthermore, anyone on this council who has broken these new laws at any previous moment will be arrested, imprisoned, and tortured until the next tournament when they will be put to death in front of not just our own citizens, but those of other countries.”

Zade! I jump up, knocking my chair to the floor.

There are several loud crashes followed by the Grand Chancellor, his voice almost gleeful. “Ah-ah Envadi. You've been so kind as to try and free our women, it's only fair you let us now show you our hospitality.” There's another loud crash. “You too, Daniel. We can't be soft on our own countryman, now can we?”

Icy torrents blare through me. Zade's already captured. Daniel's already captured. What do I do? Nothing prepared me for this. No amount of preparing to get caught working a spell, nothing. I flex my hand, dashing for the door.

My efforts will not be in vain. I can't save Zade and Daniel on my own, but there may be a chance to save others. And come back for them once I have a specific plan.





Chapter Thirteen





I sprint from my room, thinking about Serena. She has to be told immediately. Please don't let the Grand Chancellor be prepared to take her out before I have time to warn her. They have to have enough time. Her guards had better be there and remember what to do in a time such as this. I draft the message and spell it to go to her house as quickly as I can while on the run. It darts down the hall and out of sight. I plead silently with it that it doesn't get interrupted. It's more imperative now than ever before.

It's hard not knowing for sure what the Grand Chancellor would do. Would he count on being able to stop Zade from spreading the word? Or would he be more prepared than that?

My legs ache as I burst up the stairs. Stupid time to have them so sore from yesterday, being curled up cleaning. If it saves Annabelle and Tawny, though, it will be worth even more pain than this burn. Just beyond horrid. If only I can get to them in time.

Is there going to be an “in time?” Or would the Grand Chancellor already have had plans in place to take her out from the change he just made? The thought urges me on faster, but as quietly as I can go.

I slow as I come to the last hall. I peek around the corner and dart back. There are two warlocks standing outside Annabelle's room.

Double foiled.

Can I take these two down myself? And what if there are more inside? They could hear if I'm not careful. It's what I get for spending too much time spelling my nails. Do I try it or not? Maybe it's too late. If I get captured with them, who will know to bring help? There's nothing I can do for them now. Not without endangering myself. I take a step toward the stairs, but immediately pull back and blast a sleep spell, channeling all of my energy and focusing on it just the way Cynthia would.

They fall to the ground, out cold. Today is not the day to be a wuss. At least, so far. There could be more problems along the way. Besides, I can't bring help. I am the help.

I tiptoe down the hall as quickly as I can. The guards are perfectly still on the ground other than their breathing. Good. I'm not Cynthia though, so who knows how long they'll be out.

It's time to face whatever's in there. After several deep breaths, I open the door and stride in, closing it behind me like I'm supposed to be there. Not that guards would believe a woman was sent to do anything important, but if I at least pretend, maybe I could be another prisoner?

As I take in the room, there's good news and bad. No guard inside. Unfortunately, Jack is. He's sitting next to Annabelle and Tawny as they all hold teacups, giving me a funny look.

Is he there for the Grand Chancellor, or does he have some other purpose? There's no time to find out. I raise my hands toward him.

“Waverly!” Annabelle shouts. “What are you doing?”

Too late. Jack is on his guard now, his tea splashed all over the floor. His hands are up, ready to cast a spell against me.

“Annabelle,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “We need to go. Now.”

“What is going on here?” she asks. “Both of you stop threatening the other this instant.”

I don't take my eyes from Jack, and there's not time to answer Annabelle. “Are you here because of the Grand Chancellor?”

“What are you going on about?” The confusion on his face looks real, but he could be a very good actor.

“The Grand Chancellor?” Annabelle asks.

“We don't have time for this,” I say. “Zade and Daniel have been arrested and sentenced to death. The council has been disbanded. There were guards outside your door, and I don't know how long we have until more come.”