I throw my arms up. “I’m only human.”
They laugh in unison, though I meant nothing by it.
“Yes, your human muscles and feelings and weaknesses taint your endurance,” Helget points out unhelpfully. “That can be changed.”
“I don’t want to be a vampire,” I say sternly. “I can do this. I will bring them back here in better shape than when we left. I promise.”
Helget looks me over for a moment. Slowly, she begins to nod with understanding. She hasn’t moved from her place at the head of the table and I get the feeling she rarely does. “If anyone can,” she murmurs, “I believe it’s you. When you get your company in order and seek allies to bring down the Ministers, you know where to find me, old friend.”
It could always be worse. Yes, my mates are ready to rip each other’s throats out as we leave Castle Sirenchis and stalkacross the valley of the northeastern Olhavian Peaks. Yes, I’m bone-tired and weary from so much walking and arguing and scouting. Still, it could always be worse.
“We could have no allies,” I say to my men, lifting a finger. I’m eager to tell them all thegoodthings that could be in store for us. “Very few people know of Manor Marquin, so far. Probably.” I raise a second finger.
“Don’t try to find the silver lining with us, love,” Garroway says miserably. “We’re allergic to silver.”
I laugh humorlessly and shake my head.
We fall into decidedly uncompanionable silence, putting one boot in front of the other as we slowly meander west across the peaks. Our party of six keeps to the outskirts of Olhav as we draw close, like we always do.
This time as we traverse the shining city, we spot Aramastun’s judgemen standing as sentinels in nearly every section of Olhav where we’d usually walk in. They stare out, broad-brimmed hats turning left and right, cloaks fluttering in the breeze. Standing guard.
We have to widen our gap even further.
“Eventually we’ll have to penetrate their lines if we wish to make it inside the city,” Skar says. “Aramastun evidently has the entire place under martial law since taking over as sole emperor.”
“Maybe not, Master,” Garroway answers.
We stay behind a hill, hiding in some shrubs where no one can see us under the cover of darkness. Garroway kneels. He closes his eyes and touches the earth.
“What are you doing, cub? Presenting yourself for Lukain again?” Skar wonders.
Trying to get him to stop picking on Garro, I glance at Skar and throw him a smirk. “How does it feel to be like the rest of us, lord prince? Before, you’d walk me through the streets of Olhavwithout a care in the world. I had to sneak through the outskirts with Garro. It’s how uslesser beingshave always traversed through Olhav.”
Lukain scoffs and puts a hand on his chest. “Try not showing your face at all because you’re an outcast and presumed dead.”
Vallan says, “I must admit to missing Cordea and the silver mines.”
I put a hand on his bulky shoulder. “I’m sorry, Vall. Perhaps we can visit her at the North Mines after the Chained Sisters.”
He shakes his head. “Too dangerous. Aramastun has control over the guards there now. My place is with you, silverblood.”
I smile weakly at him.
Skartovius smiles at me, but it’s a rictus thing that doesn’t belong on his gaunt face. “Aye, love, I am an outcast, fugitive, and inferior being like the rest these men now. I’ve earned my place among the commonbloods.”
“You don’t sound too torn up about it,” I point out.
“Because when I finally do strike, it won’t be from the gilded halls of my manor. It will be from the shadows they thought not to look upon. Our destitution gives us an advantage.”
Slowly, I beam. He speaks cunningly, but I can’t help but smile. “See? You aren’t allergic to the silver lining after all!”
A squawk overhead has us gazing heavenward as a flock of crows fly into the moonlight from the forest behind us. They fly over the hill, out of sight, toward Olhav.
A moment later, raised voices. Footfalls.
Garroway opens his eyes, breathing rapidly. Still kneeling, he looks worn. “We’d better move, friends.”
Palacia and I help him to his feet.