“Maybe not,” Beru agreed. “I’ll admit, I was skeptical of his motives at first. But—”

“But nothing,” Ephyra said. “Whatever he said to get you to trust him, it’s a lie.”

“He didn’t say anything,” Beru replied. “He risked a lot by even meeting with me. By bringing you here tonight. And if you can’t trust him, you can at least trust me. We have a plan to get you out of here.”

“Get me out of here?” Ephyra repeated, incredulous. “Beru, I—I can’t leave without you.”

“You have to,” Beru said firmly. “Ephyra, don’t you get it? If you’re gone, the Hierophant will no longer be able to use you against me.”

Ephyra wasn’t a fool. She knew that what Beru said made sense. But the thought of escaping without her made Ephyra want to burn the entire citadel to the ground.

“I won’t go without you,” she said. “Either we both get out, or I stay.”

Beru looked away, her face crumpling. “You should have let me go.” Her voice cracked. “Why couldn’t you just let me go?”

Did she mean at the Red Gate? Or after she’d killed Hector? Or maybe she meant the first time, in Medea, when Ephyra had woken up to find Beru dead beside her.

“Listen to me.” Ephyra grabbed Beru by the shoulders. “I will never give up on you. Never.”

Beru shook in Ephyra’s hands, tears finally spilling over.

“We’ll find a way, all right?” Ephyra said. “We always do.”

Beru closed her eyes, and more tears streaked down her cheeks. “I have to go back now. Otherwise he’s going to notice I’m gone.”

Ephyra knew she meant the scarred Witness, Lazaros. She swallowed, wrapping her arms around Beru tightly, not knowing when they’d see each other again.

Beru slowly disentangled herself, wiping at her eyes. “Please—at least consider my plan. Please.”

Her gaze held on Ephyra, eyes bright and glimmering with tears as Ephyra answered only with silence. Then with a bitter shake of her head, Beru turned and climbed back through the open window.

Ephyra closed her eyes, wincing at the sound of the window clicking shut. She stayed hidden behind the bushes a moment longer, dabbing at her eyes before she emerged back into the courtyard. Illya waited on the other side, leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed over his chest.

“So?” he said as she approached. “You believe me now?”

Ephyra didn’t reply as she swept through the doors that led inside. He kept pace with her down the corridor to her room.

Illya had done what she’d asked. He’d taken her to see Beru. And for some reason, Beru seemed remarkably sure of Illya’s intentions. So much so, it drove a spike of doubt through Ephyra.