63. Vera
Vera
“I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me who you are and what’s going on,” I demanded, staring at Sloane with shadows swirling in my palms.
She side-eyed me. “You’re real fun at parties, aren’t you?”
When I stepped toward her with flared nostrils, she sighed. “Relax. I’m on your side. I’ve been undercover here for several weeks now. I heard the High Elders talking about where to take your friend, and—”
“Wait.” I held my hands up. “Why would the Elders take Everett? We’re trying to help them. We’re trying to help all of you.”
It didn’t make sense. Everett had warned me, had said he was in Arcadia’s dream, but what could he have seen that would prompt this? That would make the Elders turn on us?
Sloane lifted an eyebrow. “Fates, I didn’t expect people from the outside to be so dense.”
My mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t know what you think is happening, but the High Elders don’t work with anyone.
” Sloane’s jaw shifted, and her gaze burned with anger that seemed to go far beyond this conversation.
“They’re using you, and taking your friend is another move in their massive game of chess.
If you ever want to see him again, you’re going to have to trust me. ”
“Trust you? I still don’t even know who you are!”
The door flew open, and Tessa stood in the archway, arms crossed and braids frizzy from sleep. “Can someone please tell me why I’m awake right now?” she grumbled. When she saw Sloane, her eyebrow raised slightly. “And why the maid looks like she’s been raiding tombs for fun?”
“Everett’s been taken,” I told her. My worry slammed into me tenfold. “He was here with me, and then he was—he was gone. There’s blood on the sheets and signs of a struggle. I’m going to look for him.” As I spoke, I fixed several daggers to my thigh and pulled the strap of my bag over my shoulder.
“What?” All the grogginess left Tessa’s eyes as she looked at the bed behind me, taking in the horrible sight. Her gaze snapped back to me. “I’m going with you. Have you told the Elders yet?”
“No, and I’m not going to.” I jerked my head to the maid. “Sloane thinks they’re the ones who took him.”
“Because I heard them discussing it,” Sloane said. “Listen, I can explain everything if you’ll just come with me. We may not have long until—”
For the second time, a figure appeared in the doorway, and Kieran’s large frame towered over us. “What is all the commotion for? It’s four in the morning.”
Sloane let out a frustrated sigh. “How do you people ever get anything done?”
“Trust me, this is nothing,” Tessa scoffed, then turned to Kieran. “Everett’s gone.”
“Gone?” Kieran thundered. “What do you mean, gone? We were all together last night.”
“He was kidnapped,” Tessa said, gesturing to the torn, bloody sheets. Kieran’s face paled.
“It was the High Elders,” Sloane added. “You can’t believe anything they say.”
Kieran’s brow furrowed at her. “Wait, are you not the maid who works for them?”
“I’m going out on a limb and saying she’s not actually a maid,” Tessa interjected. “But first things first: we’re going on a rescue mission, so suit up.” She eyed Kieran. “Well, not literally. Just go get some weapons.”
Kieran instantly straightened, eyes alert. “Very well, but we need a plan. Give me a moment to consider the options. Tessa, can you—”
“Everyone, stop,” I forced out, squeezing my eyes shut.
This was all too much. The image of blood splattering the mattress rose to the surface, along with the memory from four years ago, where blood and bodies streaked the dark cells.
Where I was convinced I’d lost him. Where I’d grieved until there was nothing left of me to give.
The difference was that four years ago, Mortep cast an illusion to make me see Everett’s body. It wasn’t real. This time, however, it was no illusion. It had happened in my bed, with him right next to me, and I still couldn’t save him.
The room went quiet, and I took a breath. “I have to go get him. I don’t care what the rest of you do. I don’t care who you’re working for, Sloane, or what the High Elders did.” I gritted my teeth. “I have to find him.”
Tessa stepped forward and put a hand on my shoulder. “We’re coming with you. We love him, too. You’re not doing this alone.”
My chest tightened. I wondered if this was what it felt like back at the Keep, to be in the thick of the action.
Where everyone was so accustomed to the constant threats, the voices talking over one another, the planning, the late night missions.
I looked at the Ashen Order as an outsider during those months I lived with them, but this time, it felt like I was one of them.
“We don’t have time to stand here,” Sloane insisted. “I can get you somewhere safe, and then we’ll go search for your friend.”
Kieran cleared his throat. “We cannot leave Odessa. I’ll stay behind and figure out how to get her to safety. The rest of you need to go before it’s too late.”
I nodded, and the prospect of taking action began to push away the panic. Then I remembered— “Starke,” I suddenly said. “I can’t leave him, either.”
Sloane groaned. “Fine. Three minutes, that’s all I can give you. And then I’m blinking us out of here before my cover’s blown.”
Tessa opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again. “I’m sorry, you’re what-ing us out of here?”
“Blinking,” Sloane repeated. The rest of us stared at her. “You know…my magic.” She disappeared, then reappeared on the other side of the room.
“Oh, so you’re a Strider,” Tessa said.
“A what?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I cut in hastily. “Kieran, go protect Odessa. We’ll touch base soon. Tessa, get changed. I’ll wake up Starke, and we’ll be back here in three minutes.”
As the others scattered, I fingered the edge of one of Everett’s letters I’d shoved in my pocket. A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed it down with a whisper.
“And then I’m coming for you, Swift.”