Page 59 of Hell's Secret Omega

The foreman grumbles and falls silent.

Cyrus hurries after Claudius, wiping blackened hands on his thighs. As soon as they’re out of earshot of the foreman he asks, “Does the Quartermaster come down here?”

“Not here,” Claudius hisses, not looking at him. “Go on ahead and wait for me at the head of tunnel one. The last crew just left, so it’ll be empty for a while. You shouldn’t be bothered.”

Cyrus ducks his head and makes his way back to tunnel one, heart hammering. A few moments later he’s dragged into an alcove, and he yelps.

Claudius looms, scowling. “What are you doing at the dig site? I thought you were dead. Unless you really have a death wish, you should stay away.”

“I was in hiding,” he says stiffly. “I need to know what’s going on.”

“You’re a slippery one,” Claudius mutters. “I would’ve sworn Leuther had you taken to the cages after what happened to Sabinus. There are too many heads on pikes these days.”

“How did they find out about Sabinus?”

“Caught him coming back from the stores. That’s what tipped them off.” Claudius grimaces.

“Who else is dead?” Cyrus presses.

Claudius shakes his head. “You wouldn’t know them. A dozen all told, traced through Sabinus. But we’re careful. Leuther didn’t dare keep digging—there are enough of us for a fine riot now. He doesn’t want that. He wants everyone working, building his tower for the coronation. You watch your step, though. Magnus comes down here whenever he pleases, and the General Himself, too. Something tells me they wouldn’t hesitate when it comes to you.”

“Of course not.” Twice a spy—they’d make an example of him like they did with Sabinus, except in front of the whole Court.

“Leuther’s been in a state, saying the King is out there in the wilds and he’s gonna flush him out. They’ll figure you know where he is.” Claudius’s gaze is far too shrewd for his liking.

“I don’t know anything,” Cyrus replies automatically.

Claudius snorts. “Keep your secrets then. Are you coming with us or not? I’d say you’ve earned your place…not so sure the others agree, though.”

“Yes, fine. But I need something from you,” he says, leaning in. “Promise you’ll do me a favor when the time comes.”

Footsteps sound, and Claudius gestures sharply. They wait for the noise to pass.

“A favor?”

“It’s not safe to say. Just promise. I helped your cause, didn’t I?”

“You blackmailed me,” Claudius says darkly, raising a brow. “You have a spot in the company and you’ll march with us—that isn’t enough?”

“I protected you.” Cyrus crosses his arms. “I could have done nothing and been safe—Leuther went after me because I was a convenient scapegoat, but if I hadn’t been there, he would have gone looking for a ring-leader.”

Claudius sighs, his brow pinching. “Fine. Alright. A favor.”

“Good,” Cyrus says, triumph surging.

Chapter 34

MEZOR

Mezor returnsto find the grotto empty and aniadpinned to his table.

They’ve taken Cyrus. Fury rips through him.

But the niad is pinned with one of Cyrus’s practice arrows, and taking stock, he finds Cyrus’s clothes missing. His anger is smothered by cold reality. He takes a deep breath. Cyrus left of his own volition. But why?

Checking over the grotto, the reason is soon clear: the niad’s sticky, gleaming trail leads across the grotto’s roof and up the stairs, back to the Court. His clever vergis followed the creature’s path to find its origin, though it’s likely he doesn’t know its nature.

But he’s not back yet…

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