“Evenly matched Channelers. Grounders help Wielders handle their Flame through Sharing. What the commander was doing for you in the van. So they tend to pair up. When the pair’s strength is equal, they’re called Compatibles.” Her cheeks color. “Apparently, this can make them, um, irresistible to each other. But it also makes them a perfect team for the battlefield.”

I think about that as I chew. The craziness at the steelworks. The crackling streaks of Flame. I feel like it was yesterday, not days ago.

“Do the Guardians fight that many Blood Servants every time they find a new Channeler?” I ask.

“Gosh, no.” She adjusts her glasses, which seem to tip to one side. “The Guardians haven’t had a battle that fierce in years. Certainly not with Anlu’kyr present. And the prince rarely makes an appearance.”

No wonder Flanagan and the soldiers doubt my ignorance. I’m pretty sure the prince only turned up to make the Guardians think he was making an effort. He had no intention of taking me that day. The crafty bastard wants me here at Blackriver for some reason. But he can’t have changed my memory. I’m sure of it.

I devour the last bite of the best sandwich I ever remember eating, then finish off the rich, nutty coffee from the flask. It’s delicious. I can taste caramel undertones.

Laasya watches in silence. When I’m done, she says, “Councilor Quinton’s office is on the other side of Blackriver. He can’t see you here because the iron bars interfere with his abilities. We’ll go the back route, but I can’t promise we won’t meet anybody on the way.”

I clap my hands. “Bring it on.” I’m just glad to be getting out of this cage.

She unlocks the cage door to let me out, then hunkers down to unfasten my ankle chain. That’s a relief. I’m still left with the manacles weighting my legs, but I had visions of my face meeting the stone floor when I tried to walk any distance.

She leads me out to the stairwell where we’re joined by four guards, all in black Guardian garbs: hard leather vest and suede trousers with heavy boots.

They throw me wary looks—the wild beast has left his cage. Once they place themselves two ahead and two behind, we set off down the stairs.

On the ground floor, we enter a long, straight corridor with windows down the right side and huge paintings dressing the opposite wall, mostly war scenes and portraits.

Outside the windows, Blackriver mansion curves away into the distance—a three-story colossus of glass and sandstone. The building resembles a Georgian palace. The kind of place rich folk and butlers live. Very different from the castle-like keep holding the cage.