I lifted my chin, rejecting his assertion. “Not mad,” I said. “I’m angry, as is my right—and yours. To hate hateful things is our liberation. Now, come. We will free Martin.”

He was a proud man. I saw it galled him to follow my order, but he had no choice. He joined me at the bottom of the stairs.

The man standing guard over Martin’s cell had witnessed my display. He looked terrified as he saw us coming and he backed away, surrendering his prisoner. We slid back the iron grate without incident. Condor hooked his powdery hands under Martin’s arms and lifted the smaller man from the cell. Martin was unconscious and gagged.

“Needs water,” the Pit Guard whispered to Condor. “Three days, no water.”

Condor laid Martin on the cold stone ground and slapped his cheek. Except for the faint rise and fall of his chest, there was no sign of life in him. Condor looked up at me and confirmed, “He needs water and food.”

I shook my head. “We can’t wait. There’s no time. Pick him up and follow me.” I turned to the Pit Guard. “When they come for your prisoner, say nothing.”

The Guard’s beady eyes volleyed between Condor and me. He had a loose-lipped look and I suspected he would go on to spread the details of what he witnessed here.

Good, I thought. I wanted news of this burgeoning alliance—Record Keeper and Rebel—to spread throughout the twelve Houses. The quicker the better. It would pave the way for the united future I envisioned.

Martin was awake, but still immobile, when we reached the testing suite. The twins shrieked at our entrance and covered their faces. I strode to East Keep. “Do you have the braid?” I demanded.

She seemed unable to blink.

“East Keep, the braid,” I commanded.

Fumbling, she held up the twisted length of Jones’ dress.

I took it and turned away. The crystalights above me seemed to dim. The crowd of people around me and the others faded to the background as a smile formed on my bruised lips. I moved to stand over Jones. She lay on her back, her injured eye bulging obscenely. The skin around the globe was black and tender.

I bent for a closer look. Her fingers caught my eye. They were covered in rings. The same rings that had pounded me into submission. I shivered. Reaching out, I caressed the largest one then plucked it, gently, from her hand. I tried it on. It hung loose on my middle finger. I clenched my hand to secure it. Slowly, I pulled back my balled, bejeweled fist. I aimed the flashing ruby at her swollen eye.