Page 139 (1/2)

"Tell ive youin my power to take you and Araris out alive"

Isana studied her quietly, then asked, "And if I do not?"

One of her eyelids twitched "Neither of you will get out of here alive, Isana Not without my help"

Isana took a slow breath It had worked - at least, she had given Invidia enough hope that she had taken action of so in to pound Had she truly gone to the High Lords?

"Once I give the to our deaths?"

"I told you My word"

Isana met her eyes and felt a swift, brief stab of pity for the woman as she slowly shook her head "You don't have that anyive me what you do not have"

Invida stared at Isana without expression Then she said, "What would you have of me, then?"

"Your sword," Isana said calhtly "Why? You're hardly a threat, Isana, even armed"

"If I have it, you don't," Isana said

The burned woman's eyes narrowed suspiciously

"Does it matter?" Isana asked "You said there isn't much time After any sort of battle, your cure won't be left whole Do you really have time to debate with ether Then she started unbuckling her sword, and said, "A certain amount of drama will be required"

"The rowth found in hives like this one," Isana said "The Marat call it the Blessing of Night Unlike us, it apparently has thorns I would look for it concealed around the edges of the pool or within the Queen's alcove"

Invidia took her sword, in its scabbard, in hand, and asked, "How is it used?"

"Eaten, according to Octavian, or squeezed, and its juices applied to wounds"

Invidia stared at her for a moment Then she frowned, and said, slowly, "I cannot tell if you are lying to s are never true because ant them to be, Invidia," Isana said "Or because we don't want them to be They simply are"

Her spine stiffened "And what is that supposed to hly deceived herself about the truth can't recognize it when it is spoken to her"