“No,” said Rohan, puzzled. “I didn’t run into anyone today—I spent most of it sorting dragon bones in a new crypt I hadn’t been to before. Nobody goes down that hallway, because there’s only one crypt way at the end that’s been closed up for years. Sounds like I lucked out.”

Thisbe frowned at the vial, thinking hard, then handed it to Rohan. “Maybe just . . . Don’t drink it now. Save it. Then, when they force you to drink the other kind, you can switch them out without them noticing and drink this one instead while they’re watching you.”

“Sure,” said Rohan, nodding. “That’s a great idea. The last time they gave me a vial was before you were here. I held the stuff in my mouth and pretended to swallow it, then walked around the corner and spit it out after they were gone. It was pretty disgusting—I was gagging, but I wasn’t about to drink that stuff. I had to turn away and start working so they wouldn’t suspect.”

Thisbe remembered how the Revinir had scrutinized her every move while forcing her to drink it. “You’re lucky the soldiers don’t care as much about this as the Revinir does.”

“I am lucky,” Rohan said solemnly. He knew what Thisbe had gone through. “And now I’ve got a better solution. Thank you.” He slipped the bottle into his pocket and frowned. “But what are you going to take when they force it on you?”

“I’m just hoping we have a new batch of ancestor broth ready by the time they come around again.”

“That would be ideal. How, though? I’m so angry that Dev threw out the last batch of it.”

“He didn’t know any better,” Thisbe said. “It would almost be funny if it weren’t so horrible—he’s following every rule the Revinir lays down. It’s annoying, actually.” She paused, then asked, “Where is the Revinir? I haven’t seen her since she sent us down here.”

“She can’t fit through the hallways in the catacombs anymore, so she stays at the castle. It’s quite nice. Until she sends for you, that is—then it’s a long, life-sucking journey to find out what trivial thing she wants.”

“I was wondering if she was too big now,” said Thisbe. “That works in our favor too.”

“She doesn’t have to worry about us like she did in the past, because she thinks she’s controlling us. I’ve actually felt very free down here since my return. The soldiers don’t check up on us as frequently, and Mangrel has relaxed exponentially. It’s much better, compared to before. Though I’d rather be out of here, obviously.”