Page 53 of Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

Fyia brought her fists down on the back of a couch and shrieked. Being caged in here was making it worse. They needed todosomething. They had to find whoever was responsible, and stop them from causing more destruction. They had to help the wounded, deal with the dead, give aid to those who needed it … and yet, the smart move was to wait.

She closed her eyes and took two long breaths, forcing calm into her veins, banishing the fury that longed to burst free. 'We need to get word out that I've fled the city, and make sure the Emperor's airships hear that news. Otherwise, as soon as this is over, the city's going to be hit again.'

'Where's the pilot?' asked Starfall. 'What's he called again? He should know how to find the Emperor's forces.'

'Opie,' said Edu. 'He's with the airship in a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. He's doing maintenance …'

Starfall's face scrunched in disbelief.

'Guards supervise his every move,' said Edu, with a scowl of his own.

'I'll get him,' said the Spider. 'I'll go through the tunnels.'

'Adigos would be quicker,' said Fyia.

'You're not young anymore,' said Starfall, with a wicked smile. 'That's what she's really saying.'

The Spider ignored Starfall. 'Adigos will get lost in three ticks’ flat. I'm the only one who knows the way, and am perfectly capable of making the journey, despite mygreatage.'

Fyia held her breath, then exhaled loudly. 'Okay,' she said. 'Let's just hope it's not already too late.'

The bombs stopped, and they waited. And waited. Staying put was sensible, but Fyia longed to be out there, helping. To dosomething. 'Rouel will be fine,' Fyia said to Edu, who paced by the door.

Edu scowled. 'Of course he will. Like all your guards, he's an accomplished soldier, and well trained. Don't worry about him.'

Wasn't that why Edu was worried? She could sense the emotion rolling off him in waves, but she couldn't comfort him … didn't know how. Her parents had subscribed to the tough love school of raising children, which mostly involved ignoring them, or telling them to do better, their best never quite good enough. The closest thing she'd had to love was from a puppy, and her brother …

Finally, as the sun was dipping behind the spires and towers of the city, Fyia heard a clatter from below. She flew towards the stairs, but Adigos grabbed her around the waist, and Edu stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

'I'll check it out,' said Edu.

But before he'd reached the first step, Starfall called up from the kitchen, 'Sensis and Essa just arrived, and they brought a … guest.'

Fyia rushed to the kitchen, along with Adigos and Edu. 'Thank the Gods,' said Fyia, relieved to see Sensis and Essa in one piece. 'Did my wolves make it out?'

'They ran,' said Sensis. 'They helped bring down our friend here, and then pursued his accomplices.'

Fyia nodded. Her wolves could take care of themselves.

'Who is he?' said Fyia. She looked down at the big man kneeling before her, his dark hair speckled with grey. Blood splattered his face and clothes, and his nose was bent at an odd angle. His hands were tied behind his back, Sensis' hand on his shoulder, a not-so-gentle reminder he was at their mercy.

'We caught him helping plant a bomb in the council building,' said Sensis. 'There were three of them. The others escaped.'

'Has he told you anything?' said Fyia.

'Please,' said the man. 'They made me do it. They said they'd hurt my family if I didn't help them.'

'Who?' said Fyia.

'I don't know, Your Majesty. One had stars tattooed below her eye. They talked about support for their cause … but … that was all I heard.'

'When did they approach you?' said Fyia.

'A span ago—five days. They threatened my son. Please, Your Majesty, he's only four.'

'What did they ask of you?'

'I was to help them get into the council building. I've worked there for years as a caretaker. I was to show them a way in through the tunnels. I didn’t know they intended to bomb the city …'

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