The Broken Ones (The Malediction Trilogy 0.6)(59)
“Why?”
Because he’d told me Pénélope was not to be told of our plans. And I was afraid that admitting I’d divulged everything would be the last straw in Tristan’s mind, the final betrayal that would see my eviction from all plots or plans whether I lived or died. “It’s better if they don’t know.” Better for me. “Either way, tomorrow Tristan will take control, and I’ll…”
“You’ll…?”
Her voice was soft and full of sympathy. But I was tired of this conversation. “I’ll have all the time in the world to spend with you.”
She smiled. “How will we fill it?”
Standing up, I lifted her with me. “I have a few ideas.” Then I started in the direction of our bedroom, determined not to give my cousin, the revolution, or anything other than my wife another thought until I had to.
* * *
The self-appointed leaders of the half-bloods milled anxiously in the basement of the tavern, most too nervous to do more than pace.
I was no less anxious.
We had false meetings set up all around the Dregs, our human supporters spreading rumors and lies in order to throw spies off our trail, but everyone in the poorest quarter of Trollus knew something was happening. That a revelation was about to occur. A shift in power.
Ana?s and the twins were lingering near the alternate locations, hidden, but making sure the weight of their magic was felt in order to be effective decoys.
I wasn’t sure it would be enough.
Illusion blocked the tunnel Ana?s had carved between this building and the next, but it did nothing to temper the weight of power anyone with an ounce of troll blood in their veins could sense. Tristan was doing what he could to contain his magic, but he was nervous, so it was very nearly a lost cause.
Tips alone knew of the tunnel, and with a rare lack of self-awareness, he stood staring at the illusion of stone, jaw flexing and unflexing. “What is this, Marc?” he asked. “Who have you brought to our doorstep?”
“Soon enough,” I said. “Is everyone here?”
He jerked his head up and down in an affirmative, and then muttered at someone to lock the door to the cellar while I made my way to the podium at the front. Would this be the last time I stood here with all eyes on me? I wondered as I stepped onto the block of stone, head and shoulders above the small crowd.
“Thank you all for coming,” I said, once they’d settled. “I know that you do so at great risk to yourselves.”
They all gave grim nods, from the miners permanently streaked with dirt to the ladies’ maids concealed with grey cloaks.
“Countless times over the centuries, the half-blood class has attempted to rise up against their forced indenture. Those attempts have always failed, often with brutal consequences. They were doomed to fail not only because they lacked the power required to overthrow the monarchy and its practices, but also because no one in the upper classes saw the need for change.” I paused to let my words settle in. “This time will be different. This time we won’t lose.”
They stepped closer, fervor beginning to glow in their eyes.
“It is time for us to rise up against those who believe that blood and magic and power give them the right to rain tyranny down upon Trollus. Who believe it gives them the right to subjugate. To maim–” I nodded at Tips “–or to murder–” I gestured toward the other miners. “It is far past time that those trolls were held accountable for their actions. It is past time they were held accountable to us!”
The half-bloods shouted their agreement, pumping their fists into the air until I held up a hand to settle them. “Long, rumors have swirled that I am not the true leader of this movement – that I represent an individual who, out of necessity, needed to remain anonymous to avoid jeopardizing our cause. An individual with the power to overthrow King Thibault and instate a new regime in Trollus. I’m here today to tell you that this is no rumor – it is the truth.”
The room grew silent, and I held my breath, savoring this last moment. Behind me, I felt Tristan’s presence, along with another troll with power. Ana?s? There was too much magic in the air, pressing closer, and my skin prickled, but there was no stopping now. “I’ll keep you in suspense no longer.”
Then I stepped off the podium and turned, expecting to see a cloaked Tristan, but instead finding myself face to face with my father. He smiled, patted me on the shoulder, then said under his breath, “Go, Marc. Take Tristan and get away from this place.”
I blinked.
“The Duke is coming. Go now, or all is lost.” Then he stepped up onto the podium, his magic forcibly shoving me through the illusion even as he addressed the crowd. “Good evening.”
I stumbled, hands catching me before I fell.
“Your father came in,” Tristan hissed. “I didn’t know what to say or do, then he told me the Duke was coming and that we need to go.”
“I can’t.” I jerked out of his grip. “If the Duke finds him here, he’ll be convicted of treason. Your father will have no choice but to execute him.”
And I could feel it. Powerful trolls converging on us from all sides, the Duke and all of his followers moving to catch the sympathizer leader in the act. “We need to get him out of there.”