Page 76 of Untamed

We’d been duped by Ignacio and possibly the Black Knight, though we thought ourselves vigilant. Who else could have stolen our galleon from the king’s dock with so many soldiers and guards nearby?

Zichri leaned toward me. “We mustn’t lose our hope in the Ancient One. Though all seems bleak, it’s His will that prevails.”

Monserrat dropped her face into her hands, and Lucas put an arm around her and patted her shoulder.

“What happened in the dining hall?” I turned to Cosme.

Cosme shook his head. “Prince Hugo turned on King Sebastian. The whole invitation was fake. They meant to take over the kingdom and use it as a port. Prince Hugo knew about Monserrat feeding us information. He’s also gifted.”

“How?” I asked, unsure if I meant how this could happen or how someone from Himzo could have received a gift.

“Spies infiltrated Aracibel.” Cosme stared at the floor.

“Are the maps real?” I looked at Monserrat.

Cosme shrugged. “We don’t know.”

My fingers dug through the pocket in my sleeve, feeling for the fasteners that secured the pocket.Please let the maps be here.

“They’re probably fake.” Cosme smoothed a hand over his face.

“Do we still have one? Can I see it?” Zichri’s tone grew more hopeful.

I pulled out a wet stack of papers, carefully separated them, and laid them on the middle table. The translucent parchment included one of Zichri’s letters, so I rolled it in my hands to hide it from the others.

Zichri got down on his knees and lifted a map in the air. “I’ve seen these before. They come from my papá’s collection of ancient maps.” He lifted one of the papers and tilted the page at an angle. “These are authentic. Hugo must have stolen them, and knowing him, he’s headed toward the island.”

Cosme cleared his throat. “I highly doubt it. I destroyed all the galleons in sight. Unless he plans on rowing across the sea, he’s not getting to the islands any time soon.”

“We’ve got to go there.” I perched on the edge of my seat, ready to leave in that instant. “We’ve got to get them.” My vision flashed through my mind: Laude captured and branded. I didn’t know if the relic showed me a possible future or something that would happen. Either way, I had to save her.

Cosme wouldn’t meet my eye.

“Whyzer Patro is behind this attack.” A dark note touched my voice. “Laude was certain. Mamá told her.” I kneeled before Cosme. “We need to follow the map now. Laude must be headed there.”

“How will we fight a whyzer? We have a tamer who is unskilled.” Cosme gave me a pointed look that held no accusation though his words stung. “We have two portal makers who are marked by the whyzer. They must be careful how near they get to him.”

I grabbed Cosme’s hand, not too ashamed to beg for Laude’s sake. “What about you? You tore apart those ships.”

“Yes, but according to Minerva, he has a man who can block gifts.” Cosme’s fingers curled into fists. “We should consult Papá and Mamá or even Uncle Uly.”

“But—” I tried to interject.

“But we should think on it with a clear mind.” Cosme pushed me off and stood. “We’ll make plans tomorrow.”

“But Laude and Jaime.” I searched Lucas’s blue gaze which furrowed with sympathy before he looked away. None of the others would make eye contact except Zichri, and his mouth shifted as if he meant to console me. I pressed further, willing to make myself a screaming fool if it would get them to move. “They’re going to kill them. I’ve seen it.”

Zichri tilted his head in confusion.

“What do you mean?” Cosme shifted in his seat.

I pulled on the chain around my neck, and the pocket watch slipped from my collar.

Zichri sucked in a breath. “How did you get that?”

Shaking my head, I didn’t know how to respond. It was a gift from a strange woman before myceremonia.

“I gave it to her.” Minerva’s voice cut through the room.

---