Allied (Ruined #3)(58)

Bethania shook her head and took a seat next to him on the couch. “Let’s talk about these plans. I think your best bet is to go in on the east side, because there’s no prisoner exit near there. No one has ever tried to break into the prison before.”

“So we’d hop the fence on the east side, and go in . . . ?” Aren asked.

She pulled a sketch forward and pointed. “North. Here. There’s a door that’s usually used for bringing in kitchen deliveries. I can’t tell you exactly where you’ll end up, but let’s assume near the dining hall and kitchen. If you go at night, it will be empty.”

She grabbed another sketch. “This is a general outline of the prisoner cells, as much as I can guess. One of the articles says there’s a long hallway that leads from the dining room to the cells, so I’ve drawn that here.” She ran her finger along the hallway. “She’s probably in solitary, which is separate cells to the west. If you head this way, you should find them. The door leading to them will be guarded, and there will probably be guards inside as well. If she’s not there, then you’ll need to go search for her in the general population. You’re going to want to hope that doesn’t happen.”

“But chances are she’s in solitary?” Galo asked.

“Yes. She’s unsafe with the general population, given her reputation. But there’s a chance they’ll put her in with everyone else at some point, if only to torment her. Luckily you’re probably here early enough to have avoided that.”

“So we should go tonight,” Aren said.

“Yes. I’m not going to be able to get any more information than this for you. Not anything that would be particularly helpful, anyway. And they may know a Ruined crossed into Olso, if any of the warriors you attacked at the border survived. It’s best you go now, before they have a chance to beef up security or move her.”

“Is there a spot Galo can wait where he won’t be seen?” Aren asked.

Galo looked up with a start. “What? You don’t think you’re going in there alone.”

“It’s incredibly dangerous, and just being with you both has made me plenty strong. If you—”

“You can’t do it alone, Aren. Besides, if you don’t make it out, what do you think happens to me? They’re not going to send me back to Lera.”

“It’s true. They’ll put him in prison,” Bethania said. “Maybe have him killed if they decide he’s not useful.”

“Don’t sugarcoat it,” Galo said dryly, to hide the burst of panic he’d just felt. King August knew who Galo was, and it hadn’t occurred to him that they might use him against Cas, or torture him for information about Lera. Galo knew more about Lera’s military, royal family, and castle than maybe anyone else in Lera.

Aren was staring at him like he’d noticed Galo’s sudden panic. “Why did you come here?” he asked, his bafflement coming through in his voice.

“Because you asked for help. Why did you come here?”

“For Iria, of course. But you don’t even like me. Or Iria.”

Bethania looked from Galo to Aren, confusion etched across her face.

“I like you,” Galo said. “I don’t really know Iria.”

“You don’t know Iria?” Bethania asked.

“Not really.”

Bethania exchanged a baffled expression with Aren.

“You needed help,” Galo said. “And there’s no one left to help you, because my king killed them all. And I sat there and said nothing while it happened. So I figured this is the least I could do now.” Saying it aloud helped to lessen his fear. He wouldn’t make a different choice, even if he could go back and change it.

Aren blinked. “Oh.”

“So I’m going in the prison with you. You’ll protect me.”

“You say that with such confidence,” Aren said.

“You’re not confident.”

Aren blew out a breath, closing his eyes for a moment. “Have faith, Aren,” he said quietly.

“Does he usually talk to himself like that?” Bethania whispered. Galo just chuckled.

“We’re going together, then,” Aren said with a smile. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”





TWENTY-NINE


EM ROUNDED THE corner and slowed as she spotted two guards stationed outside of Cas’s office. She wondered if they were always there, or if this was a new development because the Ruined were there.

One of the guards immediately bowed and opened the door when he spotted her. Cas had asked for her to attend a quick, informal meeting, so he must have given them instructions to let her in. She smiled at them and stepped inside.

Cas looked up from his desk, his eyes lighting up when he spotted her. He stood and edged around the corner of his desk, extending a hand to her. She took it, tilting her head up to kiss him quickly.

“I heard you had some trouble at the stables this morning,” he said, his brow furrowed.

“We did, but it worked out. Mateo took me to meet some of the guards.”

He looked at her in surprise. “He did?”

“We’re all on edge. He thought it would help if we talked to each other. He introduced me to all the guards on duty at the Weakling shed.” She smiled at him.