She pressed her hand to the lock on the cage. This wasn’t an easy one. She really had to concentrate. She frowned. Bit her lip. The lock clicked. Tanith stepped back, blinked, watched the cage door open and frowned again. Had she opened it? Why had she opened it? Why would she—

Her legs gave out and she fell, but there was a man beside her and she dropped softly into his arms. It was the man from the cage, the one she’d released. He lifted her. Even if she’d wanted to struggle, she wouldn’t have been able to. Her life was dripping on to the floor, robbing her of her strength. The whispers had stopped.

“I’m dying,” she mumbled.

“Not if we get you medical assistance,” replied the man. He carried her to the door, tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.

She shook her head. Her thoughts were jumbled. “The White Cleaver,” she said.

“He’s gone by now,” said the man. “Open the door.”

Some part of her knew that this wasn’t a good idea. Some part of her, growing quieter with every slow heartbeat. She was finding it hard to keep her thoughts in order. She reached out. He moved her closer, so she could rest her hand flat against the door. It took a few attempts, but finally, Tanith focused long enough for the door to stop shimmering. Behind her, the prisoners in the cages started laughing again. The man put her down.

“No,” she said dully.

“Moribund,” said another one of the prisoners, “hurry. Release us.”

The man, Moribund, ignored the call. He knelt by Tanith’s side.

Her mouth was dry. “You tricked me,” she whispered.

“I am sorry,” he said. “I was imprisoned here a long time ago. I have to escape while I can.”

“Free us!” a woman demanded.

Moribund looked back at the cages. “I won’t be doing that,” he said.

The woman spoke again. “What are you talking about? This was our plan!”

“This was my plan,” Moribund corrected.

“But it wouldn’t have worked without us!”

“And for that I am grateful. But each and every one of you is a killer. Each and every one of you has claimed innocent lives before you were thrown in those cages, and were I to release you, you would go on to claim many more. No. You’re staying where you are.”

They stared screaming at him, cursing him, flinging threats and spittle.

Tanith tried sitting up, but Moribund laid a hand on her shoulder. “Save your strength,” he said.

“I’ll stop you...”

“Why would you want to?”

She gritted her teeth. “I let you out...”

“And that wasn’t your fault. Who are you? What’s your name?”

Tanith collapsed back. It was all she could do to keep her eyes open. “Tanith Low,” she said.