Chapters (62)
‘A fierce one,’ said the bearded sorcerer who had called the blinding light. ‘The biggest we’ve had yet. And look at her color. Bright silver. You don’t think . . . Magus Tarik, is her blood pure?’
‘How would I know?’ Tarik’s voice rasped. He turned and barked at the slaves. ‘Clear this place up. It’s a mess.’
He then took the copper chains and led Liana away.
‘I was right there looking at him,’ Finn said.
‘How is he?’ Chloe asked, leaning forward on the table. They were alone in a corner of The Trader’s Rest, and she was anxious to hear every word.
‘Bad.’ Finn winced. ‘I’m sorry, but he’s not in a good way.’
‘How bad?’
‘I couldn’t look at him too closely, but he’s been hurt. He’s chained to the wall, and just . . . sits there, staring at the ground like he’s lost all hope. He must have known who I was, but when I tried to catch his eye, he didn’t even glance at me.’
Cob coughed and looked away. Chloe put her head in her hands. She told herself she had to be strong.
‘At least we know where he is,’ she said hoarsely, forcing the words out. ‘We can do something now to free him. What about Liana? Did you find anything out about where they might have taken her?’
‘I’m sorry,’ Finn said with a sigh, shrugging. ‘I didn’t even know about her until now.’
‘A man at the market said something about dragons flying in the night,’ Chloe continued. ‘He said they come out of the tower. Does that mean anything to you?’
‘The Sky Tower . . . That’s where Isobel was killed,’ Cob said. ‘There’s always a guard outside the door.’
‘Do you think Liana’s there?’
‘I don’t know,’ Finn said. He put vague hope into his voice. ‘I might find out more tomorrow.’
‘By the gods, what’s happening in this world?’ Cob rubbed his hand over his face. ‘Princess . . .’
‘I’m not a princess anymore.’
‘Chloe . . . I’m going to be frank with you: Finn and I . . . We’re out of our depth. We’re going to need you to find out whatever it is that’s going on here.’
‘I’ll try.’ She was silent for a time, before she looked up sharply. ‘I want to see him.’
Finn shook his head. ‘I don’t think that’s poss—’
‘I said I want to see him. You managed to.’
‘It’s too dangerous,’ Finn protested.
Chloe lifted her chin. ‘Tell me exactly what you saw, and what was said. I’ll find a way to make it work.’
Cob gave a wry chuckle. ‘You’re exactly the way Dion always said you were.’
Finn frowned, but Chloe continued to stare directly into his eyes.
Finally he started to talk.
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