Page 45 of Lady of Ashes

“They are called Legacy in other worlds,” Alaric continued, as though she hadn’t spoken at all, bringing another piece of meat to her mouth. “Have you come across that term in the research you have obviously been doing?”

She shook her head while she chewed, and he stared at her expectantly, knowing he wouldn’t continue until she answered him.

“That is a pity,” he said with mock sympathy. “It would really tell you so much more about yourself. We can go over that history another day, but circling back to your original question, the Avonleyans have something hidden on their continent that we were sent to retrieve a long time ago. They are what drew us to this world in the ?rst place. So really, our presence here is their fault in the end.”

“Sent by who?” Scarlett asked, shifting on the ?oor again, stretching her legs out before her.

Alaric noted the movement, reaching out to bring a bite of vegetables to her mouth. “You can ask them that question when we enter Avonleya, my Wraith.”

“If your plans depend on me getting you into Avonleya, then you are going to be sorely disappointed,” she replied. “Even if I had the slightest desire to help you, I cannot do so chained to a fucking wall.”

“A temporary setback,” he agreed, bringing her another bite. “One that shall be recti?ed soon.”

“Doubtful.”

A small smile curled on his lips. “We shall see, Death’s Maiden.”

He fed her the rest of her meal in silence. She had just ?nished the glass of water when there was a sharp knock on the door and Tarek came in. He held one of those metal syringes in his hand, and Alaric pushed to his feet.

“Perfect timing,” he said, striding to Tarek and taking the syringe from him.

“Redding was just reported to be entering the Syndicate as well, my Lord,” Tarek replied, moving to settle into his usual place on the sofa.

“Excellent,” Alaric answered, coming back to Scarlett’s side. “When he gets here, I will be ready for your decision.” He gripped her chin, bringing the tonic to her mouth. She jerked as she felt the mouse move behind her back. She’d forgotten about the rodent in her conversation with Alaric, so focused on the information he was allowing her to hear.

Alaric sighed. “Must we do this every time?” he asked, taking her movement as resistance. He tipped her head back, forcing the tonic into her mouth and down her throat.

She didn’t fight, though. Because Cassius was almost here. She was going to see him for the first time in months, and she was chained to a wall. She would not be able to go to him. He would not be able to come to her. His fate was hanging in the balance. His fate was in her hands. And while it shouldn’t be much of a choice— his life was worth Callan having to suffer through a marriage for political purposes— she knew there was more to it. Sheknewthat a marriage to Veda, a Maraan Lady if she was truly Mikale’s sister, was more than that. Was Cassius’s life worth potentially putting an entire kingdom in jeopardy? An entire country of innocent people?

Time seemed to speed up as the seconds ticked by, and far too soon, the door opened again. Lord Tyndell strode in with Cassius following behind, and the color drained from his face when his brown eyes landed on Scarlett.

“Seastar,” he breathed, lurching for her, but Alaric’s voice rang out in order.

“Not so fast, Cassius.” The Assassin Lord was leaning against his desk, his cloak on and hood up. “Death’s Maiden has something she needs to say before you can go to her.”

All eyes came to rest on her, and she began shaking her head, forcing back the tears burning at the back of her eyes. “Please, don’t,” she whispered, her eyes locked on Cassius. “Please, Alaric.”

She knew it would do nothing. She knew her pleas were falling on deaf ears.

“Are you ready to receive a Mark, then, my Wraith?” Alaric asked.

She shook her head again, knowing she couldn’t do that, not even to save Cassius from this.

“Then you know what choice lies before you. Choose. Cassius or Callan’s whereabouts,” he demanded.

“Callan is back,” Cassius interrupted. “Callan has returned. He will be arriving at the castle later this evening.”

The entire room went still, and Scarlett’s eyes widened. Sorin wouldn’t have sent Callan back without some sort of plan to keep him safe. But did he come with him? Did Cyrus? Did Eliza and Rayner?

“If that is the choice you are facing, Seastar, then it has been made for you. Callan has returned. This is not your burden to bear,” Cassius continued, his eyes ?xed on hers.

Alaric pushed off his desk, striding for him. “Stop speaking, Cassius. You are not here to counsel or console her. Where is Callan?”

“All I have heard is that he is set to arrive at the castle this evening. The king has been noti?ed, and Princess Eva is very excited,” Cassius explained, trying to peer around him to see Scarlett again. She craned her neck, trying to do the same.

“How have you heard this news and I have not?” Lord Tyndell demanded. The gentler tone he used with Scarlett was gone, replaced by the Commander of a kingdom’s armies. “How am I unaware that the Crown Prince has returned? Why were additional men not sent to meet him?”

“I do not know, my Lord. I do not know how his guards communicated with the crown.”

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