Page 113 of Drawn in Blood
Ember folded the parchment and stuffed it in her pocket. “We will make it work,” she replied, “and if something goes wrong, then we pivot. But we will get those kids out.” She sucked in a breath as her eye’s met Fen’s. “We will get Maeve out.”
“And what’s to stop him from just snatching them back afterward?” Killian asked. “What if this just becomes a game of cat and mouse?”
“We need to tell Eira and Otto,” Ember replied, as she fidgeted with the pendant around her neck, “and maybe even Captain Balor. This isn’t something we can keep to ourselves anymore. It’s too big.”
“They’re not going to believe us,” Fen replied, shaking his head.
“Then, wemakethem believe us,” Ember snapped. “I feel like the bruises around Maeve’s wrists and neck will be enough proof.”
Fen paled, sinking back against the railing as the life seemed to drain from his eyes.
“After we free them,” Ember continued, “they won’t be as protected as they are now. It might not be forever, but it’ll buy us some time.”
Killian studied her as she bit the inside of her cheek, averting her eyes as much as possible.
“There’s something you aren’t saying,” he prodded. “Spill, Starshine.”
Ember swallowed dryly. “He’s looking for a Wildling,” she replied, keeping her eyes glued to the balcony floor. “He’s been looking for me. He’s sick and something about my blood—about Wildling blood—is important to him. It’s why he’s been kidnapping kids.”
“So, then, it’s simple.” Fen nodded. “We free the children, and we don’t let you anywhere near him.”
Ember sighed as she blew a stray hair from in front of her eyes. “I don’t think it will be that simple unfortunately. I don’t think he’ll ever simply leave me alone. He needs me for a lot more than healing it seems.”
And Ember told them everything, even the parts that ripped her apart to say out loud. The realization of what her mother did, and what she planned to do still, hit her like a freight train, and she found herself struggling to breathe. She looked over toward Theo asleep in his bed and thought about Maeve alone in that cell. They needed her, were depending on her.
So, she would breathe, if not for herself, then for them.
The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
“I knew there was something off about her,” Killian replied, as he shook his head. “I would love to say I’m surprised, but I know all too well what parents are capable of.”
“I’m so sorry, Ember,” Fen whispered, and she could tell he meant to with every fiber of his being.
“So, we will be back for the ball,” Killian said. “We will make our appearance, sneak away to the dungeons, release the children?—"
“And the woman,” Ember interrupted.
“Right, and the—" Killian paused, brow furrowed. “The woman?”
Ember nodded. “There’s someone else locked up down there, and from what I can tell, she’s been there much longer than any of the kids. She needs help too.”
“Who is she?” Fen asked, suddenly intrigued.
“A Wildling,” Ember breathed. “She’s weak. He’s drained her magical core to strengthen the wards and give him enough strength to get around, but she isn’t strong enough for both. Hecan’t heal himself completely and keep the wards up, so he’s been looking for me—waiting for me.”
“What if she’s been planted by Helvig or Collum?” Fen asked. “What if it’s a trap?”
“I don’t know how I know, but I do,” Ember replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I just need you to trust me.” Both the boys stared at her for so long Ember wasn’t certain they were still breathing. They finally nodded, and she took a breath.
“And if it doesn’t work?” Fen asked, barely above a whisper. “What do we do if it doesn’t work?”
“I always have a back-up plan.” Ember smiled.
“Right then,” Killian continued, as he rubbed his forehead, “we will break out the childrenandthe strange woman, then Echo them all home?”
Ember nodded, shrugging her shoulders. “More or less, yes.”
“Do we have a plan B?” Killian smirked. “You know, for when this plan inevitably goes to shit?”
