Page 86 of Secrets of Graves and Gold

Not that I was aware of. It could have been a subtle effect. It wouldn’t be anything all that showy for a couple of little toes. And once I got my gift and could force him to accept a “No,” we barely interacted regardless.

As horrifying as the circumstances that prompted her choice of gift were, I’m glad she had some defense.

With extra power from the sacrificial accomplices, who knows what Borys might be capable of? We don’t know what kind of magic we need to watch out for from him.

Of course, it couldn’t be clearer that we need to watch out for that asshole in every possible way regardless.

“We’ll stop him too,” I say quietly. “We stopped Wendos and Torstem, and we’ll keep getting in their way until their whole horrible conspiracy falls apart.”

Julita gives a huff. It shouldn’t all be on you. If King Konram could get his head on straight and his army doing their job… I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d run for cover, you know.

I grimace. “I’m not sure I’d really be safe anywhere I go. At least here I’m working toward getting a pardon. Is there anything else about?—”

I cut off my whispered question at the scrape of footsteps beneath us.

Two cloaked figures have just stepped into view farther down the street. They murmur something to each other and push inside a nearby building.

After a moment, lantern light flickers in one of the windows.

Finally, I can take action.

I clamber down the side of the building I was perched on, using every stealthy trick I know, and peer across the street at the doorway the two arrivals vanished through. I’ll have to step into plain view to reach the shop.

Unless I use the magic trick I’ve already performed once with Rheave.

My heart no longer thumps quite so uneasily as I concentrate on the purpose I want my magic to fulfill. I’ve managed several spells like this—and at least one so much larger—and everything is still okay.

It could always have been okay, right from the start, if I’d known how to handle the demands of my broken soul properly.

I compel my power to wrap around me, fading my body from sight, while projecting the image of it on the rooftop I just left to balance out the effect. Then I slip across the street and tuck myself close to the glowing window.

Muffled voices filter through the glass. “…place isn’t worth the bother now anyway. We’ll set them right when it’s time.”

“It shouldn’t be long now. I’m taking the last bunch along the Coliz-ward road to join the march tomorrow.”

It’s a man and a woman, neither of them familiar. They drop into a lower tone that fades into a warble.

I dare to press my ear right against the glass, concentrating as hard as I can without losing my grip on my magic.

The words come back into focus. “…sure they can actually pull this off?”

“Great God willing. I’ve seen how well the magic works when the blessed ones contribute.”

The “blessed ones”? What does she mean by that?

The man must already know, because he doesn’t question the phrase. “I guess once we’re past the front lines, it’ll be smooth traveling most of the rest of the way. No one will be looking for us there.”

The woman lets out a raspy chuckle. “Exactly. We’re going to slip right past the king’s forces and hit him where he’s hiding before he has any clue we’re coming.”

My pulse lurches at her claim—and my control wavers ever so slightly. Enough that just for an instant, I lose my sense of where I’m aiming the consequences of my magic.

Some sort of image must appear in a less discreet spot, because a yelp of surprise sounds from a second floor farther down the street. The conspirators I’m spying on whirl around with a thump of their feet.

Shit. Ducking low, I dash past their building and on into the maze of alleys around this part of town.

As soon as I’ve left the open street behind, I yank all my magic back inside me. Sweat has broken out on the back of my neck.

Was that a cough right behind me? I dive around a corner and freeze there, listening.

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