Page 72 (2/2)

And it was the joy that sparked in her mount’s eyes that told her

Mo a lazy path over the mountains, a dark-haired, pale-skinned rider atop her He’d truly been able to change parts of hinizable And kept it that way

Asterin rushed toward the mare, and even Manon blinked as her Second threw her arht The ainst Asterin’s back and huffed

Dorian slid off the

"Well?" Manon de’s--flashed She didn’t try to explain that her knees had been shaking Still buckled while she handed hiloved hand

Dorian’s eyes lightened to that crushing sapphire, his skin becoolden once more "The Matrons are not there Only Petrah Blueblood, and about three hundred Ironteeth from all three clans" His mouth curved in a cruel half s "The way is clear, Majesty"

The patrols at the Ferian Gap spotted them miles away

The Thirteen were still allowed to land in the Oathered the Thirteen If they did not return within a day, he was to do what he wished Go to Morath and Erawan’s awaiting eood-byes between them

Manon kept her heartbeat steady as she sat atop Abraxos just inside the cavernous a, aware of every enemy eye on them, both at their front and back "I wish to speak to Petrah Blueblood," she declared to the hall

A young voice answered "I assuh the nearest archway, an iron band on her brow, blue robes flowing

Manon inclined her head "Gather your host in this hall"

Manon hadn’t dwelled long on what she’d say

And as the three hundred Ironteeth witches filed into the hall, so off their patrols, Manon half wondered if she should have They watched her, watched the Thirteen, with a wary disdain

Their disgraced Wing Leader; their fallen Heir

When all were gathered, Petrah, still standing in the doorhere she’d appeared, merely said, "My life debt for an audience, Blackbeak"

Manon sed, her tongue as dry as paper Seated atop Abraxos, she could see every shiftingswords

"I will not tell you the particulars of who I am," Manon said at last "For I think you have already heard them"

"Crochan bitch," someone spat

Manon set her eyes on the Blackbeaks, stone-faced where the others bristled with hatred It was for them she spoke, for them she had co only slightly, "I have been fed a lie"

"We don’t have to listen to this trash," another sentinel spat

Asterin snarled at Manon’s side, and the others fell silent Even disgraced, the Thirteen were deadly

Manon went on, "A lie, about e are, e are That we are er over the scrap of red fabric binding her braid "But ere ht be so erandmother does not plan to only reclaim the Wastes when this war is done She plans to rule the Wastes as High Queen Your only queen"

A murmur at that At the words, at the betrayal Manonher Matron’s private plans

"There will be no Bluebloods, or Yellowlegs, not as you are now She plans to take the weapons you have built here, plans to use our Blackbeak riders, and make you into our subjects And if you do not bend to her, you will not exist at all"