“We don’t have time.” He pointed at the cave. “The others are there in the darkness on the other side, waiting for you to do the one thing none of the rest of us can do. You have to bring her here and break the seal.”

“And you?”

“I’ll be working from this side. Another reason for you to hurry. I’ve only got so much food and I have to be strong enough to pull a bow. Once the seal is broken, magic should work here.”

“So you believe she wears Nhandi’s skin as a disguise?”

“Yes. Perhaps it even lends her some kind of power.”

“That explains what I saw when I looked at her reflection and when I stabbed her.”

“You stabbed her and she didn’t kill you?”

“She won’t kill me as long as there’s any chance that I’ll do as she asks.” Klia kept the new scars on her hand and side to herself. “So, I’ll get her here as soon as I can.”

Alec let out a pent-up breath. “You’ll do it?”

“Yes. Keep yourself safe until I return.”

“Eat first, before you go back.”

Klia shook her head. “She can smell that, too. Besides, you’ll need every mouthful. Illior’s Luck to you, Alec.”

“Sakor’s Flame to you.”

Klia nodded and strode away up the tunnel. Skirting the town, she walked up the riverbank for a while, then turned and let herself fall to the ground as if in a faint.

And then she waited.

Rhazat descended the hidden stair that led from her chamber to the tower cellars to see to her remaining prisoners. There were only two now; she’d made them last as long as she could, like a child hoarding sweets, but she could feel herself beginning to fade. It was time to send out her hunters, and for that she’d have to fortify herself. It took food to get food. If noble Klia refused to comply for much longer, she would make a meal of her, too, before the precious life force left the woman’s body. Then she’d continue to bide her time; if a royal princess disappeared, others would surely come, or the hold of the seal would continue to weaken. As long as there were people on the island, she would not starve.

Reaching the base of the stairs, she conjured a light and made her way through the echoing darkness to the chamber of cages. Fetid air greeted her as she opened the heavy door, and she breathed it in with pleasure. Decay and excrement were like perfume in her nostrils, rich and sensuous.