"Tyrus . . ." Emperor Tatsu said.
"You think I misspeak?" Tyrus turned on his father. "Did he tell you how he cared for her? He put her in a dungeon, father. A squalid dungeon with a sadistic guard who tried to violate her."
Emperor Tatsu hesitated before looking over, and while his face gave away no more than Gavril's, Moria knew this came as a surprise. He said slowly, "Mistakes were made, but I'm sure Gavril will ensure Moria is not touched."
"Touched? Forgive me, Father. Let me be more blunt, if that helps. She was almost raped while under his care. Now you wish to send her back?"
"Moria can handle herself," Gavril said. "She fought off her attacker, and this time I will be sure she is secretly armed with her dagger. I would never allow--"
"You did allow!" Tyrus bellowed. He spun on Lysias, and before the guard could draw his sword, Tyrus's blade was at his throat.
"Run, Moria," Tyrus said. "Take Daigo and run."
She stepped backward, her gaze on Gavril. He shifted, but at a look from Emperor Tatsu, he did not move.
"Where will she go, Tyrus?" the emperor asked. "Lord Okami has some of the best hunters in the empire. They will find her."
"That depends," Tyrus said. "You said yourself that I was safe here because the Gray Wolf is no slave to the emperor. Perhaps we'll test that. I'll put the case to him, and while I'm certain he'll send men, I would not be quite so certain he'll tell them to look very hard if I beg otherwise."
Emperor Tatsu's lips curved.
"You laugh at me?" Tyrus said, prodding Lysias's neck hard enough to draw blood.
"No, my son. I'm pleased with you. While you may claim to have no head for politics--"
"Do not praise me!" Tyrus snarled. "You are trying to send a Keeper--our sacred Keeper, who has been nothing but loyal to the empire--back to a traitor. Do not cheapen my outrage by praising me."
Emperor Tatsu dipped his chin. "I apologize."
"Go, Moria," Tyrus said. "I will come to you when I can, but your priority right now is your sister. Find her."
Moria wavered there, torn between fear for his safety and fear for Ashyn's. As much as she cared for Tyrus, Ashyn was her sister.
"Go," Tyrus said, his voice low. "I expect no less of you."
She'd just started to run when something flew through the air. It struck Daigo and he let out a yelp. Moria saw a dart in his shoulder. She plucked it out, but he toppled, unconscious. She dropped beside him, her fingers going to his neck.
"It is but a sedative," Emperor Tatsu called.
Moria glared into the dark woods, looking for the attacker. "You said it was only us out here. You lied."
"I took precautions. Your wildcat is fine. Now come back, Moria."
She peered into the forest, and it felt as if a dozen eyes watched her.
&n
bsp; Tyrus turned to his father. "Have I ever asked you for anything before?"
"Tyrus . . ."
"I have asked you for one favor. Only one. Do you remember what it was?"
Silence. Then the emperor said, quietly, "You asked me to allow Gavril to visit his father in prison before his exile."
Gavril's studied blank expression cracked. He looked at Tyrus, and even from where she stood, Moria could see the shock there. Shock and then pain.
"Yes," Tyrus said. "Almost eighteen summers of my life, and I have asked only for one thing. Now I ask for another. Let Moria go. Whatever you need to do, find another way."