“You do have one hope. If you help us against the Assassins Guild, we can bring your case again before the Council. They’ve been known to reduce the sentences of prisoners who served them well. In previous questioning, you’ve been loyal to the Guild. Now that they’ve tried to kill you, and you know their connection with the Demon Riders, are you still so eager to defend their secrets?”

She studied their faces, trying to gauge the truth behind Malikel’s words. “How do I know I can trust the Council?”

There was a dark humor in Malikel’s eyes. “The Council shifts to the tides of politics. If you’re looking for security there, you’ll not find it. The only thing you can be sure of is what you know of the Assassins Guild, and what they have done,” said Malikel.

At least he was being honest. Kyra tried to think, but her mind fell apart. It was a devil’s bargain.

“Can I see Flick and Bella?” she asked.

The knights exchanged a glance.

“We’ll let you see them, if you want to,” said Malikel. “But you may not. They think you’re dead.”

“They what?” Kyra grabbed her chair to keep from falling off. “What did you tell them?” Tristam reached to steady her, but she jerked away. “What did you tell them?”

“Calm down, Kyra.” Malikel’s commanding voice cut through her hysteria. “It’s for their protection. You, of all people, should know that even being under guard in the Palace doesn’t keep you safe from the Guild. If James wants to harm them, he’ll find a way. But if you’re dead, he has no reason to.”

She imagined Flick and Bella hearing the news, Bella’s hand over her mouth, Flick pounding his fist against a wall.

“How did they take it?”

Tristam looked down. “Not well, as you’d expect. But at least they’re alive.”

She shook her head, gripping the edge of her chair like a lifeline. “Flick will do something stupid if he thinks the Guild killed me. He’ll get himself killed.” Her voice rose as she spoke. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”

And here already, she was falling prey to the noblemen’s machinations. Of course they would be making her decisions for her. Dictating how her life should go.

“I don’t know him like you do, Kyra,” said Tristam quietly. “But I don’t think he will. Flick knows that he’s all they have now.”

“He doesn’t know that. He thinks that because you told him I was dead.” She paused. “Who knows I’m alive?”

“Even the guards think you were killed. Only key members of the Council know you survived.”

“But we could still tell Flick and Bella. They can be trusted.”