I awoke to darkness and the sensation of cold stone beneath me. My head was still throbbing, and my mouth was so dry I had a hard time opening it. As my eyes adjusted to my surroundings, I realized I was in a cell of some kind—likely the palace dungeon. I had half-expected this would happen. The moment the barrier went up, I considered the possibility it was as much a setup as an attempt on Renyi’s life. But why?
“The prisoner’s finally awake,” a voice said.
I heard footsteps approaching, and a man in formal robes peered at me through the bars, like an animal on display in a zoo. Two armed guards accompanied him.
“I’m Minister Chen of the Ministry of Justice. I won’t insult your intelligence. I’m sure you understand why I’m here. More importantly, why you’re here.”
I tried to sit up but found even that small task difficult.
“Where’s the prince?” I asked.
I knew that if I was here, it was a bad sign. He was either incapacitated or…
“Dead. He succumbed to his many wounds shortly after reaching the palace. Your assassination succeeded. Does that make you feel proud?”
“You’re lying,” I said. I knew better than to use my enhancer for something like this, and more than likely I was dealing with a skilled interrogator.
“Of course, it has not been publicly announced,” he said. “The people will demand justice, and I intend to give them that. However, I don’t believe you could’ve pulled off something like this alone. You’ve never been here before, so you had help. I need names.”
“Guilty? I saved his life. For an assassin, I must like getting in my own way.”
“You led him into the ambush,” the minister countered. “Using technology only those from PanTech would have the knowledge to use, much less acquire.”
“If you think I’m the only one here who has access to that type of technology, you’re not qualified for your job. You just want a quick, easy confession from the most convenient person you have access to.”
The minister’s jaw clenched, his face turning red.
“Take her to the interrogation chamber.”
The two guards entered my cell, grabbing me roughly beneath my arms and dragging me out. What struck me as odd was how gentle they were being, like they were assisting their grandmother across the street instead of handling the murderer of their future emperor.
The interrogation room had very little furniture—just a large wooden chair bolted to the floor, lined with restraints. I’d read about the famous torture methods of this zone and braced myself to experience them firsthand.
However, after being placed in the chair, they didn’t even bother to tighten the restraints. They were loose enough that they didn’t put any pressure on my flesh. In fact, with a little bit of wiggling, I could probably get out of them.
I scanned the room for the tools that would be used on me but saw nothing. Were they using a different strategy with me, or did they fear leaving evidence… or upsetting someone if they hurt me?
“Tell us about the ambush. How did you plan it?”
I took a deep breath, trying to clear away some of the fog in my mind. I was still reeling from the attack and the seizure that followed. I could only assume Ghost wasn’t captured, or they’d be using him against me.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Your silence only raises my confidence in your guilt. You are from PanTech. We know the technology used originated from there.”
“You know, huh? Since you know so much, why even bother with all this? Why am I here?”
His eyes narrowed. “His Majesty is dead, and someone will answer for that.”
This was the second time he’d said something like this. I was beginning to think that finding the person truly responsible wasn’t as important to him as simply holding someone accountable who could have been.
Another, younger official entered. His outfit was similar to the minister’s, so he was some kind of assistant.
He leaned close, slamming his fist on the arm of the chair.
“Who are your contacts in the palace? Who gave you that forcefield trap?”
I met his gaze and smiled.
“Oh, I thought I was the one who brought the trap. But maybe someone gave it to me now? Fine. You gave it to me.”
He stumbled back, as though I’d kicked him.
“You’d dare to accuse—”
“It’s obvious this is just a performance from you to avoid looking incompetent. You don’t actually know who is responsible, and you don’t even care to find out. You just need someone to be the scapegoat so you can wash your hands clean of it all.”
The younger man drew back his fist to strike me, but the minister grabbed his wrist with wide eyes. He gave the man a knowing glance, as if to warn him against making a mistake.
How interesting.
They both left the room, and not just for a few minutes. It was hours before they returned again. This time, with a cup of water.
The minister stood in front of me, taking a drink before holding it to my lips. He wanted to make it clear the water wasn’t poison. Not just to me, but to all observers. He’d brought two other men with him this time, both older. The water was the best I’d ever tasted.
“Several soldiers saw you move faster than possible for a human. How?”
“Oh, you’re interested in how I was able to help fight off the attackers and save the prince’s life? You should’ve just said so in the first place.”
“If you cooperate, your death will be quick. Trust me, our executions can get quite creative. And very slow.”
“If the prince is dead, why wait? Kill me right now. I’m sitting here, restrained.”
“By leaving a confession, you can atone at least somewhat for your crimes. The people will know justice has been served. There won’t be any question about your guilt.”
“To satisfy the people?” I snapped. “Or to justify your wages?”
This went on for hours, and fatigue was really setting in. I was dozing off between questions, only to be revived by cold water thrown in my face.
One of the men held my head up by my hair, and the minister leaned in close. I could smell what he had for lunch.
“Ready the documents. I believe the prisoner will confess soon.”
The door flew open. Without turning, the minister scolded the others.
“I believe I asked for no disturbances during our—”
As he turned to see who had entered, his face turned pale, and he nearly collapsed.
“Your Majesty! I—”
“Silence! Release her now,” Renyi ordered. His hair was disheveled, and it was clear he’d only just woken up himself. He leaned heavily on a cane. His robe hung halfway off his shoulder, revealing bloody bandages.
The other men in the room scrambled to undo my restraints, keeping their gaze on the floor.
“Can you stand?” he asked, limping toward me.
I nodded, unsure what the truthful answer was.
I forced myself to my feet and stood on wobbly legs, but I didn’t fall.
“I guess so,” I said, smiling.
The minister grabbed for Renyi’s hand, but the prince drew back, slapping him across the face.
The ice had returned to Renyi’s voice. The look on his face was frightening.
“You will kneel there until I send someone for you. If you move even a hair, your punishment will be severe.”
The minister did not answer. He just bowed his head.
Renyi and I didn’t speak again until we’d made it well beyond the dark, damp walls of the dungeon.
“How is your falcon?” I asked.
“She may never hunt again, but… alive and well, thanks to Ghost. Speaking of Ghost, I can see how the two of you get along so well. He is quite… outspoken.”
“Ghost has never had a problem speaking his mind,” I said.
“Ghost suspects your capture and interrogation seemed more by design than circumstantial… and I am inclined to agree with him. They assumed I wouldn’t recover quickly enough to intervene.”
“Why risk your own health to intervene? That was dangerous.”
He didn’t answer me. He just kept looking ahead.
Before I could press him further, we were met by a shouting female servant.
“Your Majesty, where did you go? The royal physician demands you be returned to your bed at once.”
Renyi grinned, but only barely.
“Prepare a proper room. Taylor is now an honored guest. Bring outfits by her room to choose from. She is hungry and will be joining me for dinner.”
The servant looked at me with bright eyes, as though we shared some kind of secret I hadn’t been let in on.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”