They were arguing in the front room. It had been going on for a while now. Quilla had been amused at first. Listening to Dyle struggle to justify his actions had a cathartic quality to it. However, it was getting annoying now. She wanted to storm out there and tell them to shut up, but that would just make things worse. They were arguing about her, after all.

“I’m telling you, she told them,” Vellon said.

Quilla fingered the dagger in her hands. She had no doubt if the argument went against Dyle, they would be coming for her. Vellon would probably be in front. There was no way she could fight them off, but maybe she could take Vellon out before she died.

“And how do you think she did that?” Dyle said.

“Maybe she slipped a note to one of the guards at the gate when we went through,” Vellon said.

Dyle laughed. “One, she was being watched the whole time, wasn’t she, Sam?”

“That’s right,” Sam said. “I had her in view the whole time. No way she passed on any notes.”

“Two,” Dyle continued, “the guards were all paid off.”

“No guarantee of anything,” Vellon said. “Or how about the stables? She was left alone with only Friaz’s daughter for a while. Maybe she passed on a message then.”

“To who? Or are you suggesting she told one of the horses?”

“She was really protective of that big guy’s horse.”

Dyle laughed again. “Oh yes, you definitely got it there, Vellon. I’m sure she told the horse everything and then the horse told Rudiger.”

Quilla smiled to herself. Dyle had no idea just how correct that was.

“Yeah, like I’m suggesting that,” Vellon said.

“Then what are you suggesting?”

“Enough.” That sounded like Lamaën. He hadn’t contributed to the argument yet, so Quilla hadn’t even been sure he was with them. “There is another possible explanation. She wouldn’t have to tell the horse, but she could have left a note in the horse’s stall.”

Vellon’s laugh came next. “She certainly had lots of opportunity for that. You should have let me include the horse in the sacrifice.”

“And that would have stopped Rudiger finding the note?” Dyle said. “No, his horse going missing would have been noticed too fast.”

“And this wasn’t?”

“Watch yourself, Vellon. You’re walking a thin line these days.”

“I always watch myself. So, you admit a note left in the stable is a possibility?”

“Quilla would never do that.”

Quilla stifled a laugh. Oh Dyle. Even after she’d threatened to kill him, he still believed she wouldn’t turn on him—as if she’d ever been with him to begin with.

“I suspect she would,” Lamaën said.

“Ha!” Vellon yelled.

“However, Vellon…” Lamaën dwelt on the name. “It was my decision to bring Ms Steranovist with us. Her eventual role requires she know what powers we are dealing with. Her betrayal—assuming it happened—is unfortunate, but not something to worry about.”

“Not something to worry about?” Vellon said. “They’ve arrested Friaz. They’ll be coming for the rest of us if we don’t get out of here fast.”

“You expect Friaz to break?” Lamaën said.

“You don’t?” Vellon said.

“Under the best of circumstances,” Dyle said, “Barnol would crumple under the slightest pressure. We just killed his daughter and admitted we were intending to kill him. We’ve given him every reason to betray us.”

“It is of little matter,” Lamaën said. “Let’s not forget we have a dragon on our side.”

“A dragon that needs to eat for several days before it can help us,” Vellon said. “They’ll kill us before then if they get their hands on us.”

“The bond between the dragon and Lidda is still stabilising,” Dyle said. “Our biggest concern is that they kill Lidda before that happens.”

“They’ll be mired in bureaucracy first,” Lamaën said. “If they kill her before all that is dealt with, they risk a civil war. The bond will be stable long before then.”

“Dyle!”

That voice sounded like either Heb or Silv.

“What is it?”

“Prince Thilin and Princess Gabriella are leading a contingent of soldiers in this direction. Hard to say if they’re coming directly for us yet, but—”

“We need to move,” Dyle said. “Thank you, Heb. Begin evacuation. We’ll regroup at the tertiary hideout, not the secondary. Barnol knows the secondary, but not the tertiary. Move! Sam, get Quilla.”

Quilla took a deep breath and stood up. This was it. With a little luck, she would soon be away from here—away from Dyle and all his horrid Darker friends.

She wrapped the dagger in the folds of her skirts where they joined her blouse. As long as she was careful about how she moved, it should be secure there. Then she grabbed her bag from where it lay by the door. She had never bothered to unpack her things. She’d always expected to have to leave this place on a moment’s notice.

She opened the door and headed out before Sam reached her.

Dyle smiled. “Good, you were listening.”

She scowled at him.

“We should leave the bitch,” Vellon said.

“We need her,” Lamaën said.

Quilla walked right up to Vellon. “You know, Vellon, I’ve been counting the number of times you use that word to describe me. Every use adds to the length of time I make you suffer before I kill you.”

Sam laughed.

Vellon snarled and bared his sharpened teeth at her, but he’d done that so often, it had no effect on her now. She was pretty sure any fear she’d had left of him had vanished last night. Any fear she had left of all these Darkers vanished when Tianna went up in flames. All replaced by sheer hatred and determination. She had never actually killed anyone before, but she wouldn’t hesitate to kill Vellon if she got the chance.

Lamaën walked past them, pulling on his moustache. “Enough. Ms Steranovist comes with us. You are far more expendable, Vellon.”

“I gave an order!” Dyle yelled. “Move!”

Vellon snarled once more, then turned and stomped through the door that led to his room. He came back a moment later carrying a bag and a club. He stormed up the stairs.

Dyle held out his hand. “Shall we, Quilla?”

She glared at the hand. “What do you want me to do with that? Stab it?”

Sam laughed again.

Dyle lowered his hand with a shake of his head. “Let’s go.”

Sam ascended the steps next, Quilla right after him. She hated all these Darkers, but she hated Sam the least. She wasn’t entirely sure why. The sight of him just didn’t fill her with the same amount of vile the others did. She’d stick near him for now. Dyle was right behind her, unfortunately, but she couldn’t have everything.

They came out from the basement of the theatre past the vineyard and orangery. She’d learned this for the first time last night, but it was nice to see it in the light now, and know she’d given Borisin the right directions.

Not far ahead, just past the main entrance to the row of glasshouses, a group of guards marched in their direction. Thilin and Gabriella were in the lead, both of them armoured and with swords drawn.

Sam took off to the left away from the guards. “This way.”

Quilla followed, trying to keep watch around her and to pay attention to where everyone else was, hoping to find a moment when she could make a break for it.

Dyle and Lamaën stayed just behind her, while Vellon, Heb, and Silv ran ahead of Sam towards the glasshouses. Thilin, Gabriella, and the guards broke into a run.

“Move!” Dyle yelled.

Quilla ran with Sam round behind the glasshouses towards the main expanse of gardens on the south side of the Palace. Vellon, Heb, and Silv had stopped up ahead at the corner of the wall surrounding the glasshouses.

“Keep moving!” Dyle yelled at them.

As Quilla and Sam got closer, it became clear why those three had stopped. Captain DeSeloön and a group of Kingsguard stood just around the corner. Zandrue and Rudiger stood beside DeSeloön.

“Why have you…?” Dyle started, but drained off as he reached them.

Thilin, Gabriella, and the Palace Guards came up on them from behind.

Dyle held up his hand, calling for a stop.

“You know,” Zandrue said, “I asked myself, if I were a Darker hiding out beneath the Royal Theatre and I saw a bunch of Palace guards approaching from the west, where would I go? Turns out, there aren’t many options. The only viable one is round the east side of the glasshouses to the southern gardens. Lo and behold, I was right. Hey, Quilla.”

Quilla waved back. “Good to see a friendly face again. So glad you got my message.”

Dyle turned and stared at her.

She smirked. “You really thought I wouldn’t find a way, Dyle?”

Vellon came at her. “It was her! I told you!” He grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against the wall. “I’ll kill you, bitch.”

“Engage!” DeSeloön cried.

“Forward!” Gabriella yelled.

Vellon’s hands were firmly round Quilla’s neck, and she couldn’t breathe. She had to resist the urge to pull his hands away, as there was no way she was strong enough for that. Instead, she fumbled to unwrap the dagger. Her throat felt like it was going to collapse and her lungs screamed for air.

At last, the dagger came free and she stabbed it into his thigh. With a cry, he let go. She pulled the dagger back out, but he slammed his knee into her stomach. She gasped and the dagger clattered to the ground. His hands went for her neck again.

“Hey, Toothy!”

He turned just in time for Zandrue to ram her sword into his chest. He clutched at Quilla as he fell. Blood and guts poured over her. She felt sick.

Zandrue pulled her sword out and pushed him to the side. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. You okay?”

Sam rose behind Zandrue.

“Look out!” Quilla gasped.

Zandrue ducked as Sam swung his mace at the back of her head. She spun round to face him, and he swung at her again. She ducked once more.

“Been looking forward to this rematch,” Sam said.

Quilla lunged for the dagger, but he slapped her across the side of the head. She fell back and hit her head on the wall. Her vision spun for a moment, and a shape lunged at Sam.

Zandrue yelled and something clattered on the ground.

Quilla’s vision cleared.

Zandrue was stumbling backwards, her sword lying on the ground. Sam raised his mace.

A yell came from Rudiger, who rushed at him from behind. Sam started to turn, but Rudiger’s sword cut right through his back. His mace clattered to the ground, and his top half followed. Then his bottom half.

Quilla wiped blood from her face. She might have hated Sam the least, but he was still a Darker, she still hated him, and she was glad he was dead.

Ahead, either Silv or Heb fell to one of the Kingsguard. Then Gabriella ran the other one through.

Where were Dyle and Lamaën? They’d been surrounded. They couldn’t have gotten away.

“Spread out,” DeSeloön commanded. “Find the other two.”

“They just vanished,” Thilin said.

DeSeloön nodded. “I know. I saw.”

“The Pearl,” Quilla gasped, her voice still raspy and her throat aching. “They must have used it.”

“Makes sense,” Zandrue said.

Quilla rubbed the back of her head. There was a lot of blood there, but she had no idea if it was hers, Vellon’s, or Sam’s. “We have to get the Pearl. It has to go to Felitïa.”

“Where were they headed?” Zandrue asked.

“Their tertiary hideout, Dyle said. Apparently, Barnol Friaz doesn’t know about that one. I have no idea where it is though.”

“That’s okay,” Zandrue said. “We do.”

“You do?”

Zandrue grinned. “Barnol knows more than they realise. They have quite the extensive network here, and while Dyle and Mister Moustache guy may be higher ranking—”

“Lamaën,” Quilla said.

“Sorry?”

“Moustache guy’s name is Lamaën.”

“Ah. Anyway, Dyle and Lamaën may rank higher, but Barnol has handled the logistical details in the Palace for decades, possibly longer than either of them have been alive. He knows far more more than they realise, and he’s given it all to us. We hope. I mean, for all we know, he’s left some things out, but he’s given us more than enough to cripple their operation for years, if not put an end to it altogether. They made a big mistake when they killed Tianna.” Zandrue’s upper lip twitched. “I’m going to make those bastards pay.”

Quilla touched Zandrue’s arm. “She talked about you quite a bit.”

Zandrue put her hand on Quilla’s. “Yeah, I’m not surprised.”

“She loved you.”

“I know.”

“It kind of took me by surprise.”

Zandrue smiled and patted Quilla’s arm. “Surprised me, too.”

“What about you? Did you love her?”

Zandrue sighed. “Not in the way she wanted me to, but yeah, I suppose I did. Oh hey!” She waved Rudiger over and took his hand. “Quilla, have you met my fiancé?”

Quilla gaped. “Your what? Your...your fiancé? Gods, a lot has happened while I’ve been gone.”

Zandrue beamed. “It kind of took us by surprise, too. The Queen arranged it. Sort of.”

“The Queen?”

“Oh, and she’s promised you an apology.”

Quilla wasn’t sure she was keeping up. Maybe she had hit her head harder than she’d thought.

Zandrue took her hand. “Come on, let’s get Dyle, and I’ll fill you in on everything on the way.”

* * * * *

Quilla had never been to the Isyar Pavilion before. It was located at the west end of the complex, past the stables. Despite its name, there were rarely any Isyar staying at it. These days, it was mostly used for visiting nobles who weren’t quite important enough to get accommodation in the Palace itself. Like most buildings in the complex, it had a basement cellar, and like the one in the theatre, its basement was never used. It made an ideal place for Darkers to hide out, though Quilla couldn’t imagine living in such a place for years on end. Two weeks beneath the theatre had been more than enough for her.

“I don’t think I want to be a noble,” Quilla told Zandrue as they approached the Pavilion.

“Then I guess you don’t have to,” Zandrue said.

“There was a time when I wanted it, back when I was going to marry Garet, but now I’m not so sure. Especially if it’s awarded by that woman.”

Zandrue nodded. “I understand. No one’s going to force you. In fact, the Queen will probably be relieved. She was a bit reluctant in the first place. Of course…”

“What?”

“Accepting the title is your opportunity to really annoy her, what with her being unable to refuse you without breaking her word.”

Quilla smiled. That did have an appeal to it. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

Zandrue motioned to Quilla’s neck, a frown on her face. “You sure you’re okay? Vellon had quite the grip on your neck.”

Quilla nodded. “I’m fine.” The truth was, her neck still ached. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse. Her voice was less raspy though.

They circled round to the back of the Pavilion, Thilin taking the lead. “It’s probably too cramped for us all to enter. Let the Kingsguard go in. Everyone else, wait here in case they make a run for it.”

“With all due respect, your Highness,” Zandrue said, “if the Kingsguard barge in like that, they’ll escape the same way they did at the other side of the complex—with their magic pearl. Eventually, they’ll flee the Palace complex entirely. We need a subtler approach. I’ll go in.”

Thilin held up his hand for everyone to stop. “By yourself?”

“I’ll go with her,” Quilla said.

Zandrue shook her head. “You’ve done enough already, Quilla. Let me—”

“I’m going,” Quilla said. “Dyle wants nothing more than for me to join him. Failing that, he’ll settle for capturing me. He’ll let me in, possibly let his guard down.”

Thilin shook his head. “I can’t let you do that, Quilla. It’s too dangerous.”

“We can handle this, Thilin.”

Thilin continued to shake his head. “I’m sorry, Quilla. It’s too risky.”

Quilla sighed. “I just spent two weeks with Dyle and his people. I survived. I can survive this.”

“I don’t know.”

“Fine, Gabriella can come with us, too.”

Thilin considered a moment. “Both Gabriella and I will come with you.”

“Too many people and he’ll bolt, your Highness,” Zandrue said. “Three is pushing it as it is.”

Thilin groaned. “Fine, just the three of you. But don’t take any unnecessary risks, and cry out if you need help.” He addressed the guards. “Stay alert and be ready to rush in at a moment’s notice.”

Rudiger took Zandrue’s hand. “I’ll be right outside the door if you need me.”

Zandrue smiled at him. “So gallant.”

Gabriella punched Rudiger lightly in the arm. “Don’t worry, Rudy. I won’t let your blushing bride-to-be come to any harm.”

Zandrue eyed Gabriella. “When did you start calling him Rudy?”

Gabriella shrugged. “Just now. He calls me Gabby.”

“Everyone calls you Gabby. No one calls him Rudy.”

Gabby grinned. “First time for everything.”

Quilla tried the door. It was locked.

Captain DeSeloön came forward with a set of keys.

“Barnol Friaz’s master keys to everywhere in the Palace complex,” Zandrue said. “He was quite eager to give them to us.”

It took DeSeloön a few tries, but he soon found the right key and opened the door.

Quilla took a deep breath. It hurt, and she grimaced. “I’ll go first. I know Dyle best. You two are my backup.” Without waiting for either of them to object, she walked through the door.

As at the theatre, the door led directly to a flight of stairs leading down. Candlelight flickered at the bottom, but it wasn’t bright enough to make out further details. Quilla began to descend.

Dyle was sitting at the table at the bottom. He was writing into a book, a flickering candle sitting on the table near him. The room had a similar layout to the primary hideout, except there were numerous crates and boxes stacked along the walls, and there was only one interior door.

Dyle looked up. Upon seeing her, he started to rise. “Quilla! Are you all right? You look—”

“I’m fine, Dyle. It’s mostly Sam and Vellon’s blood. Sit down.”

He did as she asked, but his eyes followed Zandrue and Gabriella’s entrance into the room. “I saw Vellon go after you. I feared the worst.”

Quilla leaned on the table across from him. “Did you? Feared the worst so much you took off?”

He put the pen down. “I didn’t have any other choice.”

“Lamaën insisted, I suppose.”

“Something like that.”

“Where is Mister Moustache anyway?” Zandrue asked.

“Wandered off somewhere,” Dyle said.

Gabriella crossed the room to the interior door. “Really? Strange time to go for a walk.”

Dyle shrugged. “Go ahead. Check back there if you want.”

Gabriella reached for the door handle. “I’ll check it out. Zandrue, watch my back.” She opened the door and slipped through.

Zandrue went to the door and held it open.

“Where’s the Pearl, Dyle?” Quilla asked.

He closed the book he’d been writing in. “You can’t use it to control the dragon. The bonding with Lidda has already started. It can’t be stopped as long as she remains alive.”

Quilla walked around the table towards him. “Guess we’ll have to kill her then.”

He chuckled. “Be my guest. Never did like her much. The whole plan to put her in control of Arnor is Lamaën’s idea.”

She stopped beside him. “What’s in the book?”

He put his hands on it. “Just a few notes. I would have given you everything, you know? I still will if you’ll come with me. I’ll make you my queen.”

She shook her head. “It’s over, Dyle.”

He nodded, and looked her in the eye. “I still love you, you know. I always will, no matter how much you betray me.”

“You’re not in love with me, Dyle. You’re in love with the power you think you can get through me. Sure, you’ll put me on a pedestal in praise of that power, but that’s not love. I’ve experienced real love, and you’re not it.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.”

She shook her head and walked away from him, circling back around the table. “You’re pathetic. Especially without all your cultists to back you up. Where’s the Pearl, Dyle?”

Gabriella came back into the room. “There’s no one else in here.”

“I told you, he wandered off,” Dyle said.

Quilla sighed. “He took the Pearl, didn’t he? He took the Pearl, used its magic to get away, and left you behind.”

Dyle shrugged, but said nothing.

“Where did he go? Do you know?”

“If he has the Pearl, he could be anywhere,” Dyle said. “Literally anywhere.”

“Quit playing games and tell us. Does Lamaën have the Pearl or not.”

Dyle just sat there, not answering.

Gabriella raised the point of her sword to his neck. “Answer the question.”

Dyle chuckled. “You’ve become a very violent person, Quilla. And you criticise me.”

“She’s not the one holding the sword to your neck,” Gabby said.

“True, but she’s condoning it.”

“Would it make you happy to learn that, Dyle?” Quilla said. “That I’ve become a heartless killer like you?”

He shook his head. “Honestly, no.”

“Luckily, I’m not yet, but I’ve taken a step or two in that direction. It’s all I intend to take, but…”

“It’s easy to say such things. Every time you kill, it becomes a little harder to not do it again.”

She leaned her hands on the table. “Good thing I haven’t ever killed anyone yet. Tell us where the Pearl is, Dyle.”

“We won’t ask again,” Zandrue added.

Dyle lowered his head. “Give me five minutes. Just the two of us. Then I’ll tell you where Lamaën is.”

Quilla stared at him.

“I’m serious.”

“So are we,” Quilla said.

“Are you?”

“You have a fucking sword pointed at your neck. You think we aren’t serious?”

He shrugged. “You won’t run me through until I give you the information you need, and I won’t give you that until you give me five minutes.”

Quilla groaned and turned away from him.

“Don’t test me,” Gabby said.

Dyle chuckled. “You know I’m right, don’t you, Quilla?”

Quilla removed the dagger from where she had hidden it again. “No, I don’t think so.” She spun around and slammed the dagger down into his hand.

With a scream, he tore it back out, and stumbled out of his chair, nearly falling over to avoid Gabby’s sword. Gabby didn’t even move.

Zandrue came up behind him, grabbed the arm with the injured hand and twisted it behind his back. “You probably shouldn’t provoke her.”

Dyle stared at Quilla, his jaw hanging open. “You...you…”

Quilla picked the dagger back up from the table. She pointed it in his direction, trying to look as intimidating as she could. “Last chance, Dyle.”

“Better take it,” Zandrue said, “because, honestly, even if we don’t find Lamaën and the Pearl, this will still have been a really good day, culminating with your death. I’m willing to settle for that.”

Dyle took several slow breaths, then nodded. “I’ll show you where he is.”

Zandrue yanked his arm back further, and he grunted. “Quilla, search him first.”

Quilla approached him slowly, watching him carefully. His face was contorted in pain, but he smiled at her. She scowled back. “Don’t try anything. Gabby’s still got a sword not far from you, remember.” She reached for his belt. There were a couple pouches tied to it, so she started to undo one.

He hooked his foot behind her ankle and yanked, pulling her leg out from under her. There were cries and yells, and she hit her head on the table. She scrambled to regain her footing.

Dyle, Zandrue on top of him, crashed into the table, sending it toppling back. The candle spun through the air and splatted onto the floor. Its flame flickered and dimmed, nearly out.

Everything was shadows.

Two shapes—Zandrue and Dyle?—rolled about against the wall. Zandrue grabbed Dyle’s legs and pulled him back. He cried out.

Gabby ran up, stabbed her sword down.

The candle went out.

Dyle cried out.

There were several thuds and grunts. “Hold him!” Zandrue said.

“Quilla, get Thilin!” Gabby cried.

Quilla stumbled in what she hoped was the direction of the stairs. She bumped into the toppled table. “Thilin!”

She found the stairs and started up them, just as light flooded down them. She averted her eyes from the intensity. As bright as the outdoor light seemed, it didn’t penetrate far into the room, leaving it mostly in shadows.

Zandrue sat with her back against the wall, holding Dyle on top of her. Gabby knelt beside them, holding onto Dyle as well. They were all covered in blood and Quilla couldn’t tell who was the source.

Dyle stopped struggling just as Thilin rushed past Quilla. Two Kingsguard followed.

Gabby pulled Dyle to his feet and Zandrue stood up behind him.

“You all right?” Thilin said.

“Probably a few bruises,” Zandrue said, “but the blood’s all his.”

Dyle was clutching his side, blood pooling over his fingers and hands.

Quilla moved past the guards to stand beside Zandrue. “He tried to stop us searching him.”

Zandrue nodded and reached for Dyle’s belt, yanking off one of the pouches. “He was trying to get this.” She untied the pouch and shook out its contents into her palm. A single pearl fell out. “Looks like he had it on him the whole time.”

“Mine!” Dyle lunged at Zandrue, grabbed her hand.

Without thinking, Quilla thrust her knife out—straight into his neck. Blood gushed over her hand and she let go.

Dyle’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide in surprise.

Then, both he and Zandrue vanished, the knife with them.

Thilin and the guards moved forward, but there was only Dyle’s blood on the ground there now.

Gabby stepped back. “What the fuck? I knew it could do that, but…” She kicked the table.

Quilla closed her eyes for a moment, and took several deep breaths. “They could be anywhere.”

“That includes the Palace grounds,” Gabriella said. “We should do a thorough search of all the hideouts Barnol gave us.”

Thilin nodded and motioned to the Kingsguard, who started back up the stairs.

Gabby put a hand on Quilla’s shoulder.

“We were so close,” Quilla said.

Gabby gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry too much. There’s no way Dyle survived that. Zandrue will get the Pearl and find her way back to us, wherever she is.”

“Unless he took them into a nest of Darkers.”

Gabby sighed. “There is that. Come on. The sooner we start searching, the sooner we find them.” She started up the stairs behind Thilin.

Quilla watched them go, but didn’t follow for now. They had been so close. They should have just killed him as soon as they found him. She had let him talk. So stupid.

She tried to wipe away the tears forming in her eyes, but her hands were still covered in blood, so she actually made the matter worse.

She had stabbed him. He had to be dead now. Then Zandrue could take the Pearl and make her way back, just like Gabby said.

She’d never killed anyone before. She’d imagined it. In the last couple weeks, she had imagined various ways she might kill Dyle, Vellon, Lamaën, all of them. But now that it had happened, she wasn’t sure what to think. Was it cathartic? Not really. Especially without a body. She couldn’t be sure. What if he was still alive somehow?

She screamed in rage and kicked at the table, nearly tripping on the book he’d been writing in.

The book.

She wiped her hands on her skirts, bent over, and picked it up. A few drops of ink dripped off it as she raised it up. One corner had been lying in a puddle of spilled ink. A quick examination revealed that the ink had not gotten on any of the pages, though her fingers left little blood marks on the cover.

She righted the table, pulled the chair over, sat down, and opened the book. Most of the pages were blank. Only the first couple had any writing on them, and it was addressed to her.

Quilla,

If you’re reading this, I’ve been forced to leave without you. Or maybe I’m dead. That’s possible.

I need to warn you of Aylor. If he gets his hands on you, he will throw you in shackles. He will torture you. He will do whatever he needs to to force you to use your abilities for him, to force you to fulfil your role. Even if you do it willingly, he will still harm you, torture you, treat you like shit. He considers you the lowest of the low. To him, you have one purpose and nothing else. You are worth nothing beyond that purpose.

And he is powerful, Quilla. Powerful and dangerous. There are various rituals the Servants of Sunset can perform to give ourselves unnatural powers. You’ve heard a bit about it with the powers given to Laänne Friaz. We pay a lot for these abilities. That’s why few ever go through more than a single ritual. Most don’t go through any at all. The price is too high.

But Aylor is an exception. I don’t know how many rituals he’s been through, but it’s left him a husk of a man. Yet so unbelievably powerful. Even I am rightfully terrified of him.

But you have one hope. The Isyar, Jorvanultumn. He is destined to kill Aylor. I don’t know how, but that is what the prophecies say. I’ve tried a couple of times to draw them together. It’s why I let him, Zandrue, and Rudiger know to go to Ninifin. I thought he would be there. But Aylor knows his destiny too. He will do whatever he can to avoid an encounter with Jorvanultumn.

Your only hope for survival is to bring those two together before he gets to you. If he gets to you first, the added power you will bring him will make it possible for him to avoid his destiny. He will destroy Jorvanultumn instead.

Also, watch out for Lamaën. He’s not what he seems. He

It just stopped there. That must have been when they interrupted him. What had he been about to write about Lamaën? It was obvious she needed to be careful of him, so Dyle must have meant something more.

Jorvan was supposed to kill the Dusk Supreme? It was comforting, if true. Yet, how much could she trust what Dyle had written? As best she could tell, he wasn’t in the habit of lying to her. Still, what if it was a ploy to get Jorvan killed? Dyle had broken one promise to her. He could lie to her, too.

She closed the book, picked it up, and stood up. She needed to let Zandrue—

Shit. She’d forgotten for a brief moment Zandrue was gone. Transported somewhere with Dyle. Dyle had to be dead, but a part of her doubted it.

The rituals he had written about. Had he ever been part of one? He had never demonstrated any unusual powers around her—apart from vanishing, but that had turned out to be the Pearl—but that didn’t mean he didn’t have any.

Gods, she hoped Zandrue was okay.