Chapter 30 #3
Eventually, Sorisana spoke. “Nevertheless.” Sorisana pushed Aliya’s hands tighter against her chest. “Hold onto the pendant until we get this sorted out. I bet there’s more going on.
King Enorathil would never permit Tsara to debase herself by marrying anyone other than a pure-blooded sun elf.
Both Tsara and my son know the king’s opinions on the other elven races, and mountain elves are at the scum beneath his shoe, as far as he is concerned. ”
Aliya flinched. Zadé had made a few references to Roland’s racism, but Aliya had never given it more than a passing thought. But Sorisana had a point. Someone as racist as Roland would never allow his daughter to dilute the blood of his heirs. “What does Tsara have on him?” she asked.
Sorisana shrugged. “I don’t know. You should ask my son. He’s spent most of his life working as a spy and navigating political maneuverings, for the elves and others. If anyone could get it out of Tsara, it would be him.”
Aliya snorted. As if she wanted to give him more reason to devote time to his new wife. Pulling her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs, hugging them close. She sighed. As long as she was a prisoner here, Elessan could spend as much time with Tsara as he desired.
Perhaps she’d been stupid to let her emotions get in the way. If she’d had Elessan lead the charge against the library instead of trusting Roland, the soldiers would’ve attacked as agreed and she might not be in this mess, the prisoners would be free, and Brooks may well be executed.
“Oh!” She dug into her pockets and pulled out a handful of wax balls. “I forgot! Brooks is in possession of several Whisperers, and could set one off at any minute.” She handed out a pair to each of the hostages. “These are for you. If he decides to activate one, anyone not wearing them is dead.”
Most of the elves gasped at the word Whisperer, and crammed the offered plugs into their ears. Others stared at her blankly.
“What?” she asked, catching a few of their eyes.
“Who’s Brooks?” one of them asked.
By the mages. “The human with the white eyes and glowing gem in the middle of his forehead.”
The one who’d spoken wrinkled his nose and shivered. “He’s creepy.”
The hair on the back of her neck prickled. She suppressed a shudder. “You have no idea, trust me.”
Aliya studied the last set of plugs in her hands, then met her aunt’s quicksilver eyes which were framed by black fur and long whiskers. Without opposable thumbs, Shadow would have no way to insert them, should the need arise.
“Don’t worry about me, niece. I’ll be fine,” Shadow said, keeping her voice quiet.
Sorisana was still sitting motionless in front of Aliya, her earplugs in her palm. Her eyes went round as she gaped at Shadow. “A shapeshifter!”
Valek. Aliya scanned the other prisoners. They all had their ear plugs in, their focus directed elsewhere. At least that was something.
Sorisana turned her attention back to Aliya. “And she called you her niece?” Her gaze slashed back and forth between Aliya and Shadow. “You’re both shapeshifters?”
Aliya bit her lower lip and glanced at Shadow before nodding.
Sorisana’s eyes narrowed. “Does my son know?”
Aliya nodded again, leaning forward and putting her hand on the other woman’s arm.
She hardened her expression, attempting to mimic Elessan when he was angry or trying to threaten someone.
“But only a handful of others and it needs to stay that way.” Silence stretched out for several heartbeats until Aliya began to wonder if the other woman would refuse the implied request.
Swallowing, Sorisana placed her hand over her heart. “I won’t tell anyone.” She dropped her attention to Shadow. “I promise.”
Shadow huffed and rolled her eyes, the motion looking disturbing on her feline face.
Aliya opened her mouth but the sound of approaching footsteps cut her off. Freezing, she tensed as Brooks walked into view.
Her blood froze as his white eyes met hers.
The gem on his forehead flashed once, casting everything in a flickering crimson light.
One side of his lips curved up into a cruel, self-satisfied smile. “Hello, Your Majesty. I’ve been wondering where you were.” Bending over, he grabbed her upper arm and jerked Aliya to her feet.
“Let go of me!” She pounded on his fingers where they dug into her bicep.
“Leave her alone!” Sorisana lunged forward, grabbing for Aliya’s free hand.
Brooks hauled Aliya out of range and kicked Sorisana in the shoulder, shoving her back into the other prisoners. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth.
“No!” Aliya struggled, kicking out at Brooks. “Sorisana!”
Shadow hissed and spit, flaring her claws as she leaped at Brooks. He caught her by the scruff of her neck and threw her down the row of bookshelves. The cat slammed into the wall and slid to the floor.
“Shadow!” Aliya yelled as Brooks dragged her from the room. She screamed at the top of her lungs before bending forward and biting him on the arm. Her teeth sunk into his flesh.
Reflexively jerking away, he backhanded her.
Aliya spun from the force of the blow, her vision threatening to go double.
Tangling his fingers through her hair, he yanked her head back until he again had a firm grip on her arms. “You’re not going anywhere, Your Majesty.”