Page 99 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

In his heart, he knew Vita was the prisoner in the Curia’s basement. His suspicions were confirmed when he rushed to Ad Noctua and her room at the inn, and she was still nowhere to be found.

Though he had wanted to go straight back to the Curia, to fight for her even if it meant certain death, he knew he didn’t stand a chance if his brothers turned on him. Not to mention the strange man who’d been probing his mind. There was something off about him, some unseen power Verian had little hope of fighting against.

His only option was the High Consul’s palace.

Before he could slam his fists against the knotted wood once more, the door creaked open, and a face appeared.

“Can we help you?” It was the servant he’d seen the first time he had visited.

“I need to speak with the High Consul immediately. It’s about Vita.” When the man just stared at him, Verian continued. “She’s in trouble.”

After a pause, the servant opened the door fully, and he hurried inside. The man scrutinized him, clearly offended by his disheveledappearance, but gestured for him to follow. Winding corridors led them to another door, the servant rapping the wood three times before a huff of a voice sounded from inside.

“Come in.”

He opened the door, holding his arm out to Verian, who took the cue and entered alone.

The High Consul sat at an enormous desk, a motif of roses painted on the luscious wood with sparkling gold. Bookshelves lined each wall from floor to ceiling, and the room glowed with candlelight.

“What areyoudoing here?” he asked, a smirk on his lips.

“It’s about Vita,” Verian said quickly, barely letting the man finish his words.

The High Consul cocked a brow, then turned his attention back to the book splayed open on his desk. “What about her?”

“I… I believe she’s in danger. I don’t have proof, but it all adds up. Praetor Amulius has her.”

The High Consul froze for just a moment, before standing and approaching Verian faster than humanly possible. Worry etched his face no matter how much he tried to keep it neutral, red eyes wide and glimmering.

“How do you know this?”

Verian recounted his day guarding the Curia, the rumors of a prisoner with magic, the strange man he’d met in the basement while delivering the tray. Then, he went back farther, to his meeting with the Praetor, the talk of poison in the city, his words a jumbled mess.

As he spoke, the High Consul nodded along. He could only hope the man believed him, otherwise Verian would have to go in alone. If there was a chance Vita was down there in the clutches of Praetor Amulius, he had to try to save her.

When he finished, the High Consul’s jaw was clenched. The man took one last glance around his office before taking Verian’s arm and pulling him out the door.

“We will go to the Curia at once,” he said, not making eye contact as he led them through the halls.

“What about the mage woman? Your friend? We could use all the help we can get, especially if the man I encountered has magic.”

The High Consul shook his head. “Aurora and Petran are out of the city on business.”

Verian swallowed a swell of emotion, willing himself to remain calm.

Magic or not, they would save Vita. Or die trying.

CHAPTER 43

Vita

VITA PULLED HER CLOAK tight around her shoulders, shivering from the chill in the damp cell. She’d been alone for many hours, perhaps even a day; it was difficult to tell between the lack of light and the restless naps she tried to take on the hard stone floor.

Her stomach was grumbling when Spurius had returned with a tray in his hands. He’d left it just outside her cell, and then exited without a word.

A stale piece of bread and a small cup of water, meager, but better than nothing. Still, her stomach clenched with a combination of hunger and dread, her mouth dry from dehydration.

Whatever was going to happen to her, she wished she could just get it over with. Exhaustion seeped into her bones, her entire being,and she was ready for it to be done. If it came to it, she would try to fight, but she had little hope against a mage like Spurius.

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