I shut my mind off. It doesn’t matter where his loyalties lie. After watching one of my closest friends die—he’s expendable. I would offer Bax up on a platter to Bale if it meant saving my friends and Caben.
The other contenders slog off and retire in their chambers. Caben eyes me next to the tunnel leading to ours. I nod my head, urging him to go. I need to speak to Bax alone.
Once he’s gone, I steel myself and roll my shoulders back. In the corner, a spire crackles with dark mist, and the black light shadows Bax’s features. He notices my approach and directs the guards to stand outside the entrance.
“I don’t have time for your tiring conversation, protector,” he growls. “Tomorrow will be an even longer trial. Best rest up.”
I grind my teeth. “For everything that has been done to my country, my Nactue, my charge—I demand to know why.” I hold his glower, setting my jaw.
He chuckles, and the sound triggers an angry reflex. My hand flies up to box his face, but he catches it midair. He tosses a look at the guards, and tightens his hold on my wrist. Snatching my arm, he forces me to walk behind him as he stalks to the far side of the training room.
When we’re out of earshot from the guards and the contenders, he turns around and drops my arm. “The reason is no matter to you. You can’t stop what has begun. All you can do is accept your fate.”
I shake my head. “I know that you’re different from them”—I cock my head toward the guards—“from all of them. You could leave here before the final battle of the Reckoning. You could free us, and whatever it is you fear will never have to happen.”
His beady eyes lock on to mine as he narrows his gaze. I don’t care if I’ve given anything away—my friend is dead. And this may be my last chance to save the others.
Rubbing his hand against the back of his neck, he releases me from his heated glare and sighs. “Protector, there were many like me once. But no one dared to go against the dark priest.” His face clouds. “One of the shards has been retrieved. Soon, he’ll have all of them, and there will be nothing to stand in his way.”
“Wait—” I place my hand on his arm, trying to show him my concern. “How did he get it?”
“My Liege ordered an attack on Laryn,” he says, and my mouth falls open. The empress. I can barely feel her presence, and with the darkness of this place invading me, I’m losing my connection to her. I drop my hand as Bax continues. “Your empress still lives,” he says, as if reading my mind. “But don’t think only us monsters are to blame. They wouldn’t have located the shard if it weren’t for one of yours.”
I squint and stare up at him. “One of mine?”
He nods. “Others outside of the Otherworld worship Bale and want her vindicated.”
“Someone in Cavan? That’s impossible.”
“Go back to your man. Spend these last moments with him and pray to your deities.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t think you’re a monster, Bax. And if you claim there are Otherworlders who are good, I believe you.” I suck in a determined breath. “But if you take your family and run, then you are no better than the priest. You’ll damn us, yourself, and your loved ones.”
A low rumble builds in his throat, and I step back. He inches forward, his face hovering above mine. “You know so little of this world and of your own.” He closes his eyes, shakes his head, and opens them. A red light flickers in his pupils, then it’s gone. “Did you ever ask yourself why the divine blood?”
I take another step back, and stare at Bax through slit lids. He used the ancient term for mercury, something I thought was only taught in the Three Realms. “I’ve been questioning why the Otherworlders raided our countries for mercury ever since I was brought here.” Especially since I’ve yet to see it used for their steam-powered world.
Relaxing his features, he says, “Then ask yourself it again, protector. I cannot help you any further. But maybe . . .” He tilts his head, studying me. “Just maybe there’s hope for you. I knew there was a reason why you came here. Search that question and you’ll find your answer.”
The red light flickers once more in his eyes and he jerks his head, shaking it away. “The once-regarded blood of the deities is a conduit,” he whispers. “Now ask me no more.” He turns away and heads toward the front of the master cell.
I stand alone for a moment longer, my mind reeling.
A conduit.
Understanding dawns, and my skin prickles with fear.
The jarring clang of the cell door snaps me out of my daze. I tuck the information away and hurry down the tunnel toward the chamber. Caben is lying stretched out on the cot, holding his wounded side. He jerks awake and tries to sit up. I fan my hand at him.
“Lie back down.” I kneel and take off my boots to empty the dirt that’s accumulated in the soles.
Caben leans back. When I start to lace my boots, he forces himself up again. “What are you doing?”
“Lilly needs me.”
“Kal,” he breathes my name. “I will not beg you, but damnit. Don’t go.” He runs his bruised and scrapped fingers through his hair. “She’s hurting. But she doesn’t want you to risk your life.”
Standing, I tuck in my tunic and get ready for my climb. “I will risk it for whoever I damn please,” I mutter.