Page 76 of Between Smoke and Shadow

“A few options,” I say, releasing a tight breath. “It’ll depend on the plan though. How many people, whether we’re carrying anything, or if we try to save Caleah.”

“Caleah is dead,” Vale says. His voice is matter-of-fact, but it doesn’t stop the sting of his words. I flinch away from him, as if trying to dodge the truth.

I guess I don’t need to ask Harrick after all.

“Oh,” I say finally. My stomach roils, and I have to resist curling over myself. “I didn’t know.”

There’s a long pause.

“It is what it is,” Vale says. His voice wavers slightly, the only indication that he cares. He clears his throat, as if forcing theemotion from it. “We’ll want to find an exit near the bunker. We’re going to take as much magic with us as we can.”

“That won’t be much if I’m the only one carrying it.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Vale says. “Who knows, maybe some of the others will be able to carry it too.”

I debate telling him to give up on that hope now, but for some reason, I can’t. I’m too afraid to admit the truth, even to Vale.

“Even if they can’t,” he says, as if sensing my concern. “We’ll figure something out. I’m having Alven look into it.”

“All right,” I say. After a short pause, I ask, “Why is Alven helping us anyway?”

It’s something I’ve been meaning to ask. He said he was only offering limited help, but when it was clear I couldn’t navigate the City alone, he immediately volunteered. He might notwantto risk his neck, but he certainly proved he’s willing to.

“He’s an elite, right? What’s he doing working against the Architect?”

“We aren’t the only ones who suffer from the crown,” Vale says. His voice is heavy, almost resigned. “That family takes fromeveryone, not just the servants, Rune. Savoa will never know peace with descendants destroying everything they touch. And once we can figure out how to use the magic ourselves, we won’tneedthem here at all. We can kill them, every last one, and finally build the world we deserve.”

I swallow, but I don’t say anything. A vicious cold flares through my body as I imagine someone hurting Harrick. After everything he’s done for me, I know I could never hurt him. It’s more now, though. I can’t let anyone else hurt him either.

“The crown we live to serve—they want to destroy us. But wewilldestroy them first,” Vale says. He squeezes my fingers. “Together.”

If he notices I don’t join in on the final word, he doesn’t say anything. He asks a few more questions about the maps, and Igive him the pages I ripped from the book. The whole time, my heart pounds and my mind whirls at a nauseating speed.

Can Vale feel the hesitation and guilt building within me? I’ve always wanted to escape this Tower—and I still do—but if it means Harrick eventually has to die, I’m not sure Ican.

TWENTY-SIX

HARRICK

My second duel with Malek is tonight, and I’ve spent the past several working my ass off to prevent another embarrassing loss. I’ve gone back and forth over whether I evenwantto win against my brother. On the one hand, it will be far easier to be with Rune if I’m not king. On the other, I can’t be with Rune if Malek helps the Architect abandon Savoa, leaving us both to rot. The more I think about it, the more it’s clear this is a lose-lose situation. Still, I haven’t been able to let either option go.

I stand in the center of the shadowed training room. The magic in my bones vibrates, anxious to be released. I grab a weapon off the wall. It’s Rune’s sword, the one that sent her crashing into my life. It feels right to practice with it, even though I won’t be able to use it later.

I twist the neck of the sword in my palm. It had knocked Rune clear off her feet when she used it, but I’d shown her how to keep her balance. I smile at the memory. Despite everything I’ve noticed about Rune—all the details that hint she’s up to something I wouldn’t like—I’m surrounded by warmth when I think of her. I’m so pathetically smitten I don’twantto figure out what she’s doing. I like being with her, even if it’s all a lie.

I wonder what that says about me.

A tiny click sounds, and my stomach jolts. It’s too early for any of the trainers to be awake, let alone here. My heart leaps, hopeful that maybeshe’shere. I spin on my heel, dropping my sword, a wild grin spreading. By the time I realize it’s not Rune, it’s too late. Tora has already seen me, seen how hopeful and excited I was.

“Sorry, it’s only me,” she says. She’s wearing a red gown, fancy enough for this afternoon’s fight, but her clothes and hair are still a mess, like she’s just woken. Her eyes narrow at me, quietly assessing.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone,” I say. It’s not technically a lie.

“Right,” she says with a scoff. She leans against the door frame, looking almost bored. It’s forced, like she wants to act calm but isn’t. She’s probably waiting for just the right minute to scold me. She clears her throat, “For the record, I waited to make sure she wasn’t here.”

“I wasn’t expecting anyone,” I repeat, words harsh. “What areyoudoing here anyway? It’s early. I’m trying to train.”

“It’s Rune, isn’t it?” Tora asks. “The woman you love?”

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