Sire Dagon was speechless for a moment. He then said, “But we’ve brought Ishtat. They’ll attack any moment. That’s why we are safe in here.” But even as he said this he felt his logic falling away beneath him. Of course his actions would confirm the betrayal in the Other Lands. The few Numrek on Acacia would die, but they would act as assassins in their last moments. Perhaps his appearance had given them a few extra minutes to kill chosen targets. The rest of the clan, safely on the Teh Coast, would dig in and wait. Who knew what preparations they had made already, what supplies and weapons had been stored?

Corinn, speaking to Rhrenna now, snapped, “How many Numrek are within the palace today?”

When the Meinish woman craned around to answer, Corinn flicked her fingers, indicating she could release him. She did, and Sire Dagon’s fingers went immediately to his throat. He touched it gently, as if his fingers could somehow do more damage than the blade had. He realized Rhrenna was answering the queen, but he caught only the end of it.

“… and there is a handful with Aaden and Mena at the Carmelia Stadium.”

The queen let out a gasp of air, as if she had just been punched in the chest. She did it again, forming it into a word this time. “Aaden!”

She stepped for the hidden door, but Sire Dagon dove to block it from her.

“Out of my way!” Corinn hissed this so fiercely that Sire Dagon, despite knowing it was the worst possible action, half stepped to the side. He could not help it, for it suddenly seemed she had the power to crush him in an instant if he did not obey.

Her shoulder brushed him and he watched her from the back as she sought out the contours that would open the door. She had just leaned to push against it when one of the Numrek, Codeth, called for the queen from the other side of the door. The feigned calm of his voice was short-lived. A rush of new voices beat it down, with the clang of steel on steel and the commotion of furniture being overturned.

Nearer, Sire Dagon heard the queen whisper her son’s name, barely more than an exhaled breath.

Song of Souls

C HAPTER
T HIRTY-FIVE