Page 78 of Fear the Flames
Cayden.
The Inner Kingdom is the most populated area, meaning that the assassin is hiding in plain sight. They’re not worried that we’ll find their secret hideout because they’ve assumed an authentic identity. I press my lips together and filter through all the new theories formulating in my mind.
“The castle is much bigger, but it’s not the best place to hide in,” Finnian’s voice filters from behind me.
“No, too many people are watching you in a castle,” Nessa agrees.
Realization slams into me like a freezing gust of wind.Sometimes royals and people buried in riches go there for a night to forget who they are and seek something new,Eagor’s words clank through my head.
The brothel.
If two people are in the same place, doing something they don’t want others to find out about, nobody wants to be the first rat. People don’t go to brothels to observe others; they go there to hide and immerse themselves in their own desires. Nobody would question an unfamiliar face in a brothel because they’re there forsomething new.
I must catch up to Cayden and Ryder.
This ends tonight.
I grab my stomach and suck in a sharp breath. Two sets of concerned eyes flash over to me. “Oh no, is it your monthly?” Nessa asks.
I nod my head and force a pained face to cross my features, “Would you mind if we said goodbye now? I’d really like to lay down. Finnian, it’s just as bad as it was before we left Aestilian.” He understands what I’m saying immediately—it’s a distraction.
“Oh, darling. I’ll walk you back to your room and stay with you the rest of the night. You don’t mind, right, Nessa?”
“Of course not,” Nessa says, embracing Finnian. “We’ll be leaving soon anyway.”
Any guilt I feel for lying is minuscule in comparison to the anticipation buzzing through me. My mind is urging me to turn away and start sprinting down the hall. It’ll take me so long to find Cayden and Ryder after they slip into town. Technically, I could go without them. I’ve done plenty of missions by myself and with Finnian. But I don’t want to deal with Cayden’s attitude if I take a risk like this before the heist, and I also promised him communication. I can’t expect him to hold up his end if I don’t hold up mine. Being emotionally mature is really annoying sometimes.
Nessa embraces me in a hug, and I do my best to pretend I’m relaxing into it, but nothing about me is relaxed right now. She releases me after a few seconds that feel closer to an hour. “Take care of yourself,” she says.
“I always do,” I smile. “Give Esmeralla, Moriko, and Nyrinn my love.”
“I’ll give Nyrinn your letter as soon as I get back.” Nyrinn wrote me a letter to catch me up on her life, and I wrote one in return. I’m glad to hear she’s doing well.
“Come on, darling.” Finnian places a hand on my back, “Let’s get you to bed.” We walk to the door, even though my limbs itch to sprint. I take off as soon as Finnian and I enter the hall. He doesn’t call after me, doesn’t question me; he just runs right next to me.
“I know where the last assassin is!” We make it to the staircase and practically throw ourselves down the steps.
“What? How? Where?” Finnian fires at me.
“Brothel,” I force the word out. “Just trust me.”
He keeps silent, pushing forward. We surge toward the exit that leads to the stables; Cayden and Ryder will take horses in case they have to get somewhere fast. The pair of us rush out of the castle and into the crisp night air but are met with two sets of horse hooves clattering down the path, already out of sight.
“Fucking gods,” I bite out while shoving my hands through my hair.
“We’ll figure it out,” Finnian soothes, stepping in front of me. “What did the letter say?”
“They think the assassin is in the Inner Kingdom, and they’re going to look around.”
“How did you get a brothel from that?” His orange brows rise in confusion.
“I didn’t. I figured it out from something Eagor said to me at the ball. They’re hiding in plain sight, in a place where nobody would question their presence. I’m an idiot for not placing it together sooner.” My hand smacks into my forehead.
Finnian tugs my hand away and places his hands on my shoulders. “Don’t say that. It’s not too late to figure it out. We just have to find where Cayden and Ryder rode off to, and then we’ll take it from there.” The Inner Kingdom is packed; there’s a chance we might not find them. “Why do we need them? You and I have done plenty of missions before.” Considering the plan I have in mind, his question would normally flood me with embarrassment, but I’m too anxious to give a damn.
“I need Cayden to be a distraction with me.”
“A distraction?” he inquires.
