Page 79 (1/2)

I tuck the baby in Maraya’s arm and hurry over Vomit stains the front of Amaya’s shroud and she has peed and voided her bowels Her hair is slimy, like she thrashed in her own spew The stink of herWhen I lift her head and shoulders, she whimpers

"Oh, e Why is this bed so hard? I don’t like this Make it better" Her eyes stay closed because she simply assuently than I had picked her up and wipe rimy hands on the driest corner of the shroud she wears

"Just stay here, Amaya Don’t move"

Her eyes pop open "Jessa you, of course!"

She wraps her arms over her stomach and rocks in obvious discomfort "Can you please hurry? I don’t want to be here any tone We can’t get out of here quickly enough I light a new taper fro lamp and hurry past the others In the oracle’s roo

Both rope and harness are gone They have pulled up our means of escape and trapped me here

27

Lord Kalliarkos," I call as loudly as I dare Silence is my only reply

"Kal!"

Fortune save me! What if I’ve been an utter fool? No Patron prince could ever care for a mule like , they would agree to help and then trap ot above ht now as they walk out Eternity Gate and leave e pricks me just under the ribs Coriander has co the lit laoing out first" She holds the knife like she kno to use it Flalints on the blade’s polished surface The e of the royal house "You’re not leaving ht and , yet I slowly raise both hands as in supplication, but really so I can defend ht," I say evenly, "you’ll go first I just need your help to lift et the rope"

Under my breath I murmur a prayer that I have not been duped He doesn’t want to be like the other nobles He told me so

Coriander moves closer "Did you scheet trapped here?"

"I didn’t scheme with anyone!"