Page 77 of Draekora

Niyx burst into laughter. “This I have to see.”

“In all seriousness, what are we actually doing here?” Alex asked.

Still highly amused, Niyx said, “I’m guessing he didn’t tell you much, after all.”

She crossed her arms and turned away, deciding it best not to respond.

He chuckled again but reached out to turn her back around to face him. “I’ll tell you, but only because I figure if Aven brought you, then he must be fine with you knowing. The most important thing you need to realise is that tonight must be kept a secret. No one who’s not here can know. That means Roka, Kyia and anyone else you spend time with.” He paused for a beat and reiterated, “Roka especially.”

Alex sent him a bland look. “I kind of gathered it was hush-hush when I was pulled from bed at an ungodly hour and brought to the shadiest tavern in the city.”

Niyx shrugged. “One can never be too careful. This group has only been meeting for a week; the foundation isn’t strong yet, despite Aven’s magnetic leadership.”

A week. TheGarsethwere only a week old. That meant Aven must have started recruiting almost straight after his altercation with the human trade delegation. He sure hadn’t wasted any time amassing his group of Rebels. There were already at least thirty young Meyarins in the room.

“As for Aven’s purpose here…” Niyx continued, reeling back her attention. He trailed off, though, when Aven himself stepped up beside them, his eyes alight with fervour.

Before the prince could say anything, another Meyarin entered their circle—someone Alex already knew. She automatically took a step away from the brutal thug, Skraegon, only to run into the solid wall of the tavern.

“I’m only saying you should consider it,” Skraegon said, continuing whatever conversation he’d been having with Aven, his focus wholly centred on the prince. “Just think about it— ifyouwere on the throne, you could do as you please without having to answer to anyone.”

Chilled by his words—and wanting to seal his lips shut— Alex imagined Skraegon to be a perfect candidate for theGarseth. And when his eyes finally drifted to her, she felt her stomach sink as they narrowed with recognition.

“You!” he bellowed, lunging towards her.

Trapped against the wall, Alex had no room to retreat. But she didn’t have to, since both Aven and Niyx reacted instantly, with Niyx leaping protectively in front of her and Aven grabbing Skraegon by the ruff of his collar and hauling him through the now silent crowd and out of the room.

“Well, that was dramatic,” Niyx said, turning back to Alex as those around them resumed their conversations. “There’s never a dull moment with you, Aeylia.”

Alex looked at him with wide eyes, startled by how quickly the scene had transpired.

“I’m sure there’s an entertaining reason for what just happened, but as long as you’re all right, I’d better go and make sure they’re not killing each other out there,” Niyx said, tilting his head in the direction Aven had dragged Skraegon.

There was genuine concern in his normally carefree eyes— concern forher—so Alex quickly reassured him, “I’m fine, really. Go make sure Aven’s okay.”

Looking at her carefully, Niyx nodded, and his untroubled features fell back into place. “Back soon, kitten.”

He jokingly reached out to stroke the top of Alex’s head as if she really were a cat and took off in the footsteps of Aven and Skraegon, leaving the room. She scowled after him, patting her mussed hair back down.

Alone again, she thought about what Skraegon had said. ‘Ifyouwere on the throne, you could do as you please…’

Burdened by dread and fatigue, Alex wondered if anyone would notice if she left. But before she could slip out, Aven re-entered the room, followed closely by Niyx and a skulking Skraegon.

The prince moved directly to the small stage area towards the front of the crowd, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

“My friends, thank you for coming tonight,” he said with a welcoming smile that somehow managed to feel personal despite the public space. “I apologise for the late hour, but as you all know, for the moment we must guard our secrecy. In due time our cause shall be considered just and we’ll no longer have to hide in the shadows.”

“Hear, hear!” cried a Meyarin towards the back of the room.

“I’ve spoken with many of you already tonight,” Aven went on, “and I’m pleased that we stand in one accord. We’re here because we agree that the mortal blight threatening our city should no longer be given power over us. The humans are thieves, stealing that which is ours and trading it for paltry and useless trinkets of no worth. I ask you—what need have we of human medicine?”

“None!” the crowd shouted, causing Alex to jump.

“What need have we of cloth and spices?”

“None!”

“What need have we of art, perfume and the foolish things of humans?”

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