Page 57 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

My spoon froze mid-dip, but I kept looking ahead.

“Veruka is her name. She’s there right now and sent me word.”

He reached into his pocket, pulling a small piece of parchment out with words scribbled on it. “They are moving us to Flagerun. From what I hear, it’s a prison and one of her favorites. A sweeping fortress that burrows into the planet.”

“Okay.”

“She also said there is something you need to see.”

This time, I did turn to him. “You told her about me? Why?”

“Look ahead,” he hissed, taking a spoonful of food. “I had to. She won’t say anything, I swear. We want what you want. We want the fall of Nismera, and you are going to help us get it.”

I snorted. “Am I?”

“Yes, because Nismera has a weapon there.”

“A weapon?”

Orym nodded. “Veruka says it is something she’s very protective of and won’t leave. She says that whatever weapon Nismera is holding at that prison, you will need it for what’s coming. Let me help you get it, and you can help me bring my sister home.”

I shook my head, my lips pressing into a thin line. “I do not like to be backed into a corner.”

His spoon stopped above his bowl. “I need your help. We all do, and besides, it’s mutually beneficial. Help me free my sister, and we get this mysterious weapon at the prison.”

Placing my bowl aside, I turned to him. “This is not how you build any sort of alliance.”

He went to speak as a shriek rent the air. Everyone in camp turned to look at the massive steel cage behind us as it rocked back and forth violently. A golden brown-tipped feather, larger than my hand, flew out of the small window, and my jaw clenched.

“What do you think is in that crate?” Orym asked.

“That pattern and shriek. It’s a toruk. I would know that call anywhere,” I said. The guards rushed forward, some with those spears, and I knew what I had to do.

“No way.” Orym choked on his food. “That explains its desperation to be free, but they realize toruks cannot be tamed, right?”

My fists clenched. “It doesn’t need to be tamed. Once it reaches Nismera, she will force it into submission like she does all who follow her.”

“Poor thing.”

A plan formed in my head, and I turned toward Orym. “Do you have any more of that parchment paper?”

Orym nodded, and I looked away as the guards approached. I forced myself not to hear the shrieks of the toruk once more as my plan solidified. The crate rocked and then stopped, the guards commenting about returning to their posts as the beast settled.

I knew what I had to do, and it would be the perfect way to get a message to her.

NIGHT FELL, AND THE WIND SLOWED TO A QUIET BREEZE. SNORING ripped through the air from an ogre picked up and added to the cargo only a day ago. Orym groaned and tugged at his blanket as he shifted in his sleep. Once he settled and his breathing evened, I snuck out.

Guards laughed, sharing a small water pouch as they leaned against a wagon. I crouched and took one last look before running for the tree line. Once I was out of sight, I walked in the opposite direction. I checked where I stepped, skipping over any brush that may crunch too loud or half-dead sticks that may snap.

Solid dirt is preferable but cover your tracks. Rocks are better, but be quiet, nonetheless. My father’s words echoed from my memory.

The trees ahead were illuminated as I approached the steel wagon. They had moved it far from camp, hating how often the beast screamed for freedom.

I paused in the shadows, studying the wagon surrounded by brush. They would have patrols checking out here, so I waited patiently. I crouched low as the guard emerged from the darkness, circling the wagon. He was more thorough than I expected. He made one more sweep around the wagon, peering into the night before his footsteps retreated, letting me know he was headed back to camp.

I waited another few minutes before running to the front of the cage. Several locks, thicker than my palm, secured the thick door. My hand dusted over one lock, but I sensed no magic. I glanced behind the wagon, checking for the guards before I yanked at the metal. It crumbled, and I cursed at how loud it was. Another peek around the corner assured me no one heard. I hurriedly broke the remaining locks and jumped inside, closing the door behind me.

The darkness was unrelenting, but I could feel the pulse of power and scent the wildness of this creature. A pair of eyes glowed from the back of the cage, the slitted pupils wide in the absence of light. The toruk glared at me balefully, and I knew the darkness was no hindrance to this creature. I raised my hand and pressed a single finger to my lips, warning it to be quiet.

---