A Wish Upon the Stars (Tales From Verania 4)

“Great,” Justin muttered. “Just great.”

The hallway was empty, and as we moved ahead, we listened for movement. Aside from the usual sounds of a castle creaking and settling, it was quiet.

“A little too quiet,” I muttered.

“What was that?” Ryan asked.

“I said, it’s a little too—” And then I ran smack-dab into someone coming from a hallway to my left.

“Kill it with fire!” I squeaked, because apparently I scared easily.

“Please don’t kill it with fire!” came the response as I jumped back. “I would really rather not burn to death, my lords.”

It was a woman I recognized, a member of the cleaning staff handpicked by the King. They took their work seriously and considered it an honor to serve the King. The maids and butlers had their own rooms in the castle, were paid and fed well, and were treated like every other member of the King’s staff. Or at least they had been before Myrin took over.

She looked tired now, aged far beyond her forty-odd years. Her eyes were wide and fearful as she looked away from us, wringing her hands. I wondered why she was so scared, and was about to console her until I remembered we were in disguise.

Which, great. We weren’t recognizable. But awful too, because that meant she was scared of us.

“Yes, well,” I said, hating myself for it. “See that it doesn’t happen again. Why are you even up and about? It’s the middle of the night.”

She looked confused. “You only allow us a few hours of sleep per week, my lord. Now is not my sleeping time.”

“Those monsters,” I breathed. Then I coughed. “I mean, right. Right. Well, then, go about your business, and don’t let me catch you slacking off.”

She nodded and turned, obviously wanting to get away from us as quickly as possible.

“Wait!” Justin said before she could get too far.

She stiffened but turned around slowly. “My lord?”

“The King.”

She took a step back.

“Is he guarded?”

“Yes?” she said, as if she thought it was a trick question. “Always.”

“How many?”

“Two of you,” she spat at him. And then she added, “My lord.” Pride swelled in my chest at the anger in her voice.

Justin nodded, and she fled.

“Exactly what the Dark prisoners back at Camp HaveHeart said,” Ryan said. “Good to know.”

“Two,” Lady Tina said. “We can take two of them.”

Justin rubbed his double chin in thought. “I want you to stay here,” he said, staring after where the maid had disappeared. “Keep the hallway free of any obstruction. When we’ve freed my father, we’ll need to move quickly. And the fewer of us moving about the castle, the better. Do you understand?”

Lady Tina snapped to attention, nodding tightly. It would have been impressive if I didn’t dislike everything about her. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Take whatever action you deem necessary to keep the hallway clear, but stay out of

sight as much as possible. I’m counting on you.”

She preened a little like an undeserving show dog with mange, but moved to stand against the far wall, where she had a view of all approaches.