Page 21 of Of Nine So Bold

Ignatius was silent, but in a weird way. Like he knew what he needed to say but also knew it was going to hurt.

My heart started to pound harder. “What?”

“Where do you believe we are, young man?”

“I, um…”

Oh gods, oh gods.

I drew another breath, determinedly fighting my rising tide of panic. “I’m not sure. I was in Lumilia, but even if we’re not in the mines near that city, I know my friends will…”

I trailed off at his pitying expression. Why was he looking at me like that?

But Ignatius only sighed like I’d confirmed something. “If your friends go to look at any of theknownmines, they won’t find you. These are the mines of Eliantra. As far as the outside world is aware, they don’t exist.”

My mouth opened, but I couldn’t make a sound.

“Most everyone here was brought to this place over the years from other mines for one reason or another. This is where they take the prisoners they want to make disappear. The ones they don’t intend toeverset free, no matter what political changes might happen in Aneira. This entire mining complex is hidden, the ground laced with so much magic and spell-bound metal, not even a diamond witch of the Jeweled Coven would know it was here, much less anyone else. So no matter how strong or loyal they are, your friends will never find us.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, son, but this is where you are going to die.”

7

ROAN

Ihadn’t lied to Gwyneira when I said I would try to help Casimir, and “not lying”—for anyone keeping score—wasn’t exactly my strong suit.

I just couldn’t think of what to do to help him.

Or anyone.

The demon rolled beneath my skin, making the horses whinny with anxiety. The poor animals were miserable with me in the driver’s seat of the black carriage—and I didn’t blame them. I suspected they were wondering why this terrifying giant was here and Niko was not, and when they might get the nicer, kinder giant back again.

If only I had an answer for that.

I scanned the prairie, my eyes aching. I wasn’t the only one looking out of them, assessing our safety and seeking any clue to where the ones who’d taken Niko had gone. Even though the demon had relinquished control of my body when we left the forest, the damned creature hadn’t gone back to sleep in the slightest.

My head ached with the pressure of us both in it.

“You need to switch?” Clay asked.

I tensed, only to belatedly realize he wasn’t talking about my situation with the demon. “No, I’m fine.”

The horses suddenly tried to start trotting. Wincing, I pulled them back under control. We were pretending to be servants and guards protecting a minor noble on their way to the capital. It was imperative we seemed naturally comfortable around the beasts and not like a collection of giants who’d barely been within a hundred feet of the things in their lives.

Seconds ticked past. Atop his own horse, Clay didn’t attempt to ride onward.

His presence gnawed at me. When I shifted back as we set off after Niko, the others hadn’t spoken much, and although I appreciated what Gwyneira had said, I also knew why they maintained their silence.

Thiswasmy fault. Niko would be here if not for me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, keeping my voice low so the humans riding ahead of us wouldn’t hear. True, they seemed intent upon remaining near Valeria. Since none of them were soldiers, they often appeared less like any sort of military unit and more like baby chicks staying near their mother hen in the hope she’d tell them what to do.

That didn’t mean they weren’t dangerous.

Clay glanced over at me. “For what?”

“This. All of it.”

He gave me a confused look. “This isn’t your fault, man.”

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