Page 77 of Kingdom of Today
Medics raced into the room, working on patching up the survivors. While one worked on Winslet, another rolled Miller off me and checked my vitals. Mine, not his. I didn’t speak or move. I couldn’t. My trembling limbs were as heavy as boulders. He was dead; Miller was dead, and five others with him. Winslet might die too.
Tick tock.
Chapter Nineteen
I shall not die but thrive and share the wisdom of Soal.
—The Book of Soal1.19.118.17
Silence pressed down on me as the survivors stumbled from the chamber, leaving behind walls soaked in blood, gore, and death. Cold air wrapped around me, biting into my bare skin. Dazed and numb, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. Whether the shadows I’d glimpsed remained in the others or not, I didn’t know. Now, I didn’t care. All I could think about was scrubbing every inch of my body with scalding water, then curling up in bed, safe in Cyrus’s arms.
Two guards stood at attention. One stepped forward to announce, “I’ll escort you to your rooms.”
He led us away. Everyone but me.
The second guard barred my path. “You have a meeting, Lady Roosa.”
Because of course I did. “With whom?” I asked, voice raw. I wrapped my arms around my middle.
Silent, he marched in the opposite direction. Though unsteady, I followed with a single goal in mind. Maintain my bearings a little while longer. A feat I wasn’t sure I could manage.
He escorted me to a frowning Mr. Vyle, who waited in front of a closed door. “Today’s performance leaves much to be desired, Lady Roosa.”
“I’ll accept a failing grade with pride, Mr. Vyle,” I replied, my tone flat.
He made no further comment as we traversed the hallway. To my surprise, he removed his jacket and settled the material over my shoulders. His warmth and scent replaced the metallic-tinged cold, but I didn’t like it. I didn’t remove the jacket either. I’d done enough fighting for the day.
Miller and five others were dead. Winslet might die too. I’d glimpsed some of the torment and torture Mykal and Victors had endured in captivity. The reminder knotted every muscle I possessed.
“Did the group pass your test?” I demanded. “Did we kill the right soldiers?”
“That is to be determined.”
Whatever. I would learn the truth through Cyrus or Domino. “Tell me why, at least.” An all-encompassing demand meant to cover everything I’d just witnessed and endured.
He didn’t pretend not to understand. “There are many reasons. Let’s start with the footage of your friend and the former leader of the Tome Society. It was important that you see them. There are indications you’ll be with Cyrus long term. Therefore, you must comprehend what occurs to those who betray us.”
Us. Meaning CURED. “Last I’d heard, Mykal and the Soalian escaped.” Wasn’t like no one suspected Cyrus shared behind-the-scenes details with me. “You showed me old feed.”
“That doesn’t make it any less haunting.” A chiding note colored his voice. “She’s infected with Madness. Recapturing her would be a mercy for everyone who loves her.”
When a meta turned a corner, heading our way, it moved from the path, deferring to Mr. Vyle. A shock I would have explored further any other day. Here, now, I had only the strength to think,Later.
We rounded corners and climbed a flight of stairs, and I picked up our conversation where we’d left off. “Cyrus is the one who captured John Victors. In fact, he’s the only royal to ever do so. Crown him king and let him do it again.” He could dismantle CURED before Astan’s horns ever sounded. No “human hosts a god” necessary.
The executioner performed a double take, as if staggered by my words. “Your loyalty to Cyrus is unmistakable, and commendable, but he doesn’t need to be king to succeed in such an endeavor.”
I wondered ... Did Mr. Vyle wish to be king himself? I hadn’t forgotten what I’d seen when I’d spirit-walked with Domino. Vyle, prostrate, begging Astan for power.
“You asked about my reasons for pitting trainees against each other,” he said. “If you are chosen for this ... special assignment, you’ll be expected to do objectionable things without argument. At times, you’ll need to invade Soalian strongholds, and when you do, you’ll discover that people you trusted are your enemies. What will you do then?” Asked with a leading edge.
“I’ll always do what I believe is right,” I vowed.
He misunderstood and nodded, as if pleased. “Best to remember a moment of misery is a small price to pay for a lifetime of privilege.”
“And what misery do you suffer, Mr. Vyle?” The question left me before I could run it through a filter.
He stopped, forcing me to do the same. Peering at me, almost agonized, he admitted, “The kind you cannot even comprehend, Lady Roosa. I’m not ashamed to admit you are a mystery to me. I know Soal courted—or courts—you, but as I said, your loyalty to Cyrus is unmistakable. And his to you. I have witnessed your resourcefulness firsthand. You are a novice, yet you are skilled enough to shed a trained tail, help a high prince defeat an army of feeders, and beguile multiple men at once. In the beginning, I underestimated you. But no longer. I’m confident you can be a major asset to us. Or a terrible enemy. If that’s the case, I will wreck you without hesitation, Lady Roosa. Be assured of that.”
