I look to Temra in a panic. “Is there someone else we could hire?” I ask, hoping the universe will magically provide a solution.

“No. Well, he was an option.” Kellyn nods at the passed-out man on the floor. “But since you just got a good look at his fighting skills, I doubt you’d want to hire him. But none of that! We have an arrangement, and I will be ready to leave posthaste!”

Kellyn stands with his empty mug, takes one step toward the stairs, which likely lead up to his room, then tips forward. He catches himself on a wooden beam holding up the ceiling, before lowering himself to the ground.

“Actually, I think I’ll have a little lie-down first.”

And then he’s out.

Temra raises from her chair, leans down, and slaps him across the face.

He doesn’t budge.

“What now?” I ask.

“Go get the horse, and I’ll meet you outside.”

“What are you doing?”

“Just trust me, okay?”

Gathering my cloak about me more tightly, I stride outside and pay the stable boy to bring Reya around. I reattach Secret Eater to the weapon’s bundle.

Then we wait. I’m unsure what for, and every passing second makes me more and more anxious. What if something happened to Temra? What if she’s been caught by the warlord’s men? What if—

The doors open, and Temra comes outside, followed by four big men, carrying something.

No, someone.

Kellyn.

Temra directs them to lay him atop the horse and pays each of the men a coin.

I turn to her in horror. “This is your plan!”

She smiles. “What choice do we have?”

“We can’t just take him!”

“Not like this. Help me strap him down.”

“Temra!”

“Ziva, you got us into this mess. I’m getting us out. Now, are you going to help me or not?”

There it is. The anger I’ve been looking for. The outburst.

“Just what exactly are you two doing?”

I hadn’t realized that one of the men didn’t return inside with the others. I do a double take when I recognize him and his blue robes.

It’s that scholar from the restaurant. What was his name?

“Petrik,” I say.

“Hello again!”

“None of your business,” Temra says in answer to his question.

“Can I be of further assistance?” he asks, undaunted by her tone.

“We’re fine.” Temra finds some rope from the stables and starts attaching Kellyn to the saddle. Wordlessly, I assist.

Petrik disappears back into the tavern at a run, but I don’t spare him another glance.

It’s only when Kellyn’s secure and we’re headed out of town that I say, “I’m sorry. For everything. For—”

“No. I used your own insecurities against you. I’m sorry. I needed you to go along with the plan. We’re taking Kellyn. And you have nothing to be worried about between us. I love you. This isn’t your fault. But we have to go, and we have to take him. Now let’s be off.”