Wraith(74)

It was obvious on the ground floor that we’d never get out of the main door. Goblins were streaming in, passing buckets of water to each other. It wouldn’t be long before they had the fire under control. Hissing, I dragged Gabriel into the nearest room and slammed the door shut behind us.

I released his body into a chair and he slumped forward, as if the effort of sitting was too much for him. I massaged my shoulder and neck to get rid of their stiffness then I twirled round, looking desperately for something that could help us escape. Any sort of disguise would be useful but there was nothing here. All I could see were old bits of rope and random jumble.

I couldn’t waste time searching. As soon as the fire was extinguished, Ghrashbreg would send someone to Gabriel’s rooms to check that we’d taken the poison and were dead. When he realised we’d escaped, he’d sound the alarm. We had to get far away from the castle towards Sally Slate’s neighbourhood to retrieve the puzzle box while we still had the chance. I tried not to think of the odds that we’d get within a mile of it. I had to stay optimistic.

Heading for the closed window on the western side – and therefore round the corner from the main entrance where the rest of the goblins were – I undid the latch and swung it open. The fresh air was like nectar. I gulped it in and then spun back round for Gabriel. The window was only a couple of metres off the ground but I had to get him through it somehow.

I grabbed him under his armpits and pulled him up. He fell against me and we staggered back, sending a pile of crockery smashing to the floor. Gabriel opened his eyes and blinked at me, a smile crossing his face. ‘Beautiful Saiya.’

This was hardly the time for compliments and I had the sinking sensation that he was delirious. ‘We need to get out of here,’ I told him. ‘I’m going to have to push you out of the window.’

His brow furrowed. ‘Huh?’

I didn’t bother explaining again but dragged him to the window and tried to push him up towards it. I got him halfway up before my body gave way and he fell down again. Gritting my teeth, I tried again. I manoeuvred myself underneath him, using my knees to shove him upwards and my back to hold his body in place. Inch by screaming inch, I raised his heavy body, sliding him up the wall towards the window. He was a dead weight and it seemed like an impossible task.

I gathered every remaining ounce of strength and gave one almighty shove. With a faint groan, Gabriel fell out of the window and landed outside. I exhaled and wiped my forehead and eyes with my sleeve. One step at a time, Saiya, I told myself, trying not to think of the enormity of what lay ahead.

Scampering after Gabriel, I landed on my feet next to his prone body. I crouched down next to him. ‘Gabriel?’ I hissed urgently. ‘Are you alright?’

There was no answer. This time he didn’t even groan but he was still breathing, which eased my worry slightly. He was completely out for the count, however. I lifted up his eyelids, noting his dilated pupils, and quickly re-checked his mouth. The discolouration and the swelling seemed to be subsiding. I swallowed. Well, we were out of the building and maybe his condition was improving. Things could be worse.

Standing up, I left him where he was to check the area. We needed a clear route out. Given how hard it had been to shove him out of the window, there was no way that I could do the same thing at the castle walls. They were far higher and there was a steep drop to contend with on the other side. The only way I could get him out was through the front gate – but even with the fire, there was no way the gate would be unattended.

Skirting round the edge of buildings and avoiding the front of the King’s Old Building where the goblins were congregating, I hunkered down in a shadowy corner and hastily detached my shadow. I nipped up and over the rooftops so I could get a better vantage point.

There will still three goblins at the front, fidgeting anxiously and repeatedly glancing away from the entrance towards the castle. Great plumes of smoke rose into the night sky and I could see the glow of flames. Good, I thought grimly. I’d done a better job with the fire than I’d realised. With any luck, it had spread to other rooms.

I might not have been a genuine assassin like other wraiths but I knew that I could kill if I had to. Bringing down three goblins before they raised the alarm about another wraith intruder was beyond my death-inducing instincts but I had to try. How else would I get Gabriel out?

I was just about dart over the last roof so I could get as close to the goblins as possible when something caught my eye. Storming up the hill towards the gate was a familiar-looking figure. I squinted, then finally realised who it was: Isabella Markbury, with her girly entourage in tow.

‘What’s going on?’ she demanded. ‘Are those Gneiss bastards attacking the castle now?’

The middle guard stepped forward. He obviously recognised her and inclined his head respectfully. When he spoke, however, there was a hint of a sneer in his voice. She might be rich, and the Filits might be keen to keep her and her family on side, but she was still a human at the end of the day.

‘Ms Markbury. You should go home.’

There was a nervous titter from the twins behind her. Isabella put her hands on her hips. ‘I will not go home. I heard that Gabriel de Florinville is still here. In fact, I heard that he has found his Fior Ghal. I want to see this supposed soul mate.’

Ah, now her visit made sense. She didn’t care about the fire blazing deep within the castle walls; she was the scorned woman and she wanted to know who she’d been tossed aside for. Where did she get her information from? I was impressed – the rich girl had skills.