Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(36)

“You made it,” Bethany says.

“Of course.”

“What can you tell us? How are Zade and Daniel?” I practically shout.

His mouth tightens. “They're alive.”

Part of me is instantly relieved, but the other part of me fears where this is going.

“Yet…” Serena says, voice trepid.

He shakes his head. “The most important thing is that they’re alive. Father isn't kind at all, but they're both strong, and I'm doing what I can without Father becoming suspicious.”

Bethany puts a hand on his arm. “We appreciate that.”

“Do you speak with them?” Serena says.

“Not often.”

“Next time you do, if you can, would you tell them we love them?” Her voice is so small, but my heart feels even smaller.

“There's a spell around them to keep track of everything they say.” At my gasp, he continues, “Don't worry, I warned them about it. I can write messages down to show to them, but only if no one else is around. I will try my best to get the message to Daniel and Zade. It would raise their spirits.”

Mine, though, feel lowered. There's a lot he's not telling us. At least Zade is alive. For now, that will have to be enough.

“What can you tell us about the Grand Chancellor's plans?” I ask.

“What do you know?”

We spend several minutes exchanging information on what we do know. On how the Grand Chancellor brought both Chancellor Ryan back and made Stephen a Chancellor. How he's using people as a power source. And on how he plans on using the tournament as a big display of power. All things we already knew.

“That's as much as I know,” Nathaniel says.

I can't help but feel blue at this. Don't know what I was expecting but something more. Anything.

“So there's nothing you can do,” Serena says, sounding more bitter than I've ever heard her before.

“Now, not as much as I'd like,” he responds. “But I want him out of power as much as you do. He's an evil, vile man. We'll keep in contact, and I'll gather as much information as I can.”

“Then we'll have to hope you stay safe while finding something useful for us,” Bethany says.

We exchange information on the next time to meet. And though we know a little more than we did before, I can't help but think of Zade locked in the Grand Chancellor's basement going through things so horrid, Nathaniel wouldn't even speak of them.





***





There's no telling if we can rescue Zade and the others or not. After everything we've tried, it feels hopeless. We didn't even come close, and all we gained for our trouble was almost getting caught. It's not just Zade and the others’ failed rescue that's the problem, but there's so many people here that now want change, yet nothing is happening.

As time goes on, things feel even more hopeless. We can't come up with any new plan to save Zade and Daniel. The longer they're imprisoned, the more I lose faith we'll ever save them. And what must they be going through? I don't want to even imagine.

What's more, our hidden group grows and grows every day. We can't stay hidden for long. There's one thing I notice, though.

Where are all the tarnished?

These people had to come from homes with servants, places where tarnished were needed. Not all of them had tarnished, I'm sure of it. Annabelle had a few herself. So where are they all now? Don't they need help as well? Or has the Grand Chancellor managed to capture them all? Most of them do have those tracking spells that are now mandatory for all of them. I have to talk to Katherine. To find out what's happening with them as well.

I send her a spelled note, hoping it reaches her. I miss her sorely and worry over her. How is she surviving without Zade to help hide her? If she would answer my notes and meet me in person, I'd be able to help at least a little. Though without having insight into exactly what Chancellor Ryan is having their tattoos spelled what color next, it's much more difficult to ascertain how to help. There has to be something I can do, though. If only she would contact me.

After all this time in the cave, there hasn't been much of a chance to talk. Cynthia, Serena, and I go out to pick berries. Or really, to talk without being overheard. The cave isn't the most private of places to talk. The morning is deceptively bright for the chill in the air. Still, I manage to talk about a lot until I finally overload on my frustration of this war.

“We're all doing as much as we can to influence them for good, to get them to see more in life, but I don't know. There’s no telling if our efforts will make a difference.” I voice my frustration to Serena and Cynthia.

“It's true,” Cynthia says. “It feels like fighting against a wall spell, except I don't know how to break through it.”

Serena says, “Things have to change. Warlocks have to change. Women have to change. The new system has to change. And they're already doing so. The Grand Chancellor needs to feel the consequences of what he's turned this society into. I will do whatever it takes to help bring these people down. Even if I have to use a spell to do it.”

My spirits lift with each word she says. I've never been more proud of the journey she's made more than at this moment. “I guess it's time to see if we can get those who've come to us to help do something about it.”