Girls of Storm and Shadow (Girls of Paper and Fire, #2)(10)
The group’s attention is rapt, all of us considering the impact of his words.
“Possibly they wanted to stop the assassination from happening,” Ketai suggests. “Maybe they hoped the mark would scare us into rethinking our plans against the King. Or it could be possible they wanted to force us to declare war against him. They wanted to bring the fight into the light. If this is indeed the case, then that means someone besides the court is plotting against us.”
The others shift uneasily.
“How fantastic,” Merrin murmurs. “More enemies. Just the thing we need.”
I angle my face away, taking a deep draw of the fresh, wintry air blowing in from outside. The ice-locked lake glitters under the winter sun. Meltwater drips steadily from the eaves of the temple, a ticking sound that matches the quick patter of my heart. Because there’s something else I haven’t told anyone about that last night in the palace. Another memory I’ve been suppressing, forged in blood and agony and desperate breath.
“You can kill me,” I hiss, forcing each word past his tightening grip, “but it won’t stop them. They are coming for you.”
It’s fleeting, but I see it spark across his eyes then—fear. And I comprehend now that it’s not a new emotion to him. It’s just been in hiding. All it needed was something to call it forth, to trip his mind into panic.
He stills. “You know.” A pause, then his voice rises. “Who? Tell me! Tell me who dares plot against me!”
Blood trickles down my forehead. I blink it away. “Go ahead. Kill me. I’ll never tell you.”
He didn’t know. Unless he was acting, the King didn’t know the Hannos were about to betray him—which means it’s highly unlikely he ordered the murder of Ketai’s wife.
Ketai is right. Someone out there other than the King is plotting against us.
Turning back to the group, I prepare to tell the Clan Lord exactly this. But the second our eyes meet, the words disappear, burying themselves deep in my chest where I can’t call them forth.
Ketai watches me for another long moment, something unreadable moving behind his coal-black irises. Then he breaks contact, turning slowly to look at each of us in turn. “This is where we currently stand. There is a bounty on my head. The King’s court, though broken, still clings on. From the news my spies have been bringing me of the palace, we have about two months, three at most, until the fractures are resolved. But whatever the court decides, we can be sure it will not be in our favor.” He spreads his arms wide, fingers clamping into fists. “So we must act before then. We must strike while they are uncoordinated. Since we cannot avoid a war, we are going to bring one to them. And this group here, each of you, are key to making certain it is a war we will win.”
My skin prickles. I shrug deeper into the fur blanket around my shoulders, shifting my eyes from Ketai’s intense gaze.
Bo lifts a hand. “Um, a few questions, Lord K.”
“How many times have I told you not to call me that?” Ketai sighs.
“I understand why I’m here, of course,” Bo goes on, “what with my incredible fighting skills and superior intellect.”
Merrin scoffs at this.
“And I suppose Nitta is pretty great, too.”
“Thanks, Little Bro,” his sister says with an eye-roll.
“But what about everyone else? No offense, but this is one odd assortment of demons and humans.”
Ketai’s arms relax. “If we are to amass an army strong enough to definitively take control back of Ikhara, we need to secure alliances in strategic locations with powerful clans—and fast. Before the court can win them over. Caen and I had planned for this in case of our original plan’s failure, which is how we were able to get word to you all so quickly after my wife’s death. You must travel across Ikhara to Shomu, Kitori, and Jana to gain the alliance of the White Wing, the Czo, and, of course, the Amala clans.”
“It would appear that’s why you two are here,” Merrin says, leaning in toward Bo, his orange eyes glinting. “To lead us to the secret camp of your old clan, and not because of your… how did you put it? ‘Incredible fighting skills and superior intellect’?”
He laughs huskily at Bo’s affronted look.
Ketai holds out a hand. “Now, Merrin. I know you birds and felines have a complicated history.”
“Understatement of the century,” Nitta mutters.
“But in order for the mission to go smoothly, this group must act as a united whole. You are to look out for and protect each other, at all times. All of you.” Ketai stares down Bo, Nitta, and Merrin. “Is that understood?”
“Yes, Ketai,” Nitta murmurs, while both Bo and Merrin give curt nods.
“The journey will not be easy,” Ketai continues, “which is why Wren and Hiro are here to provide any magical protection you might need. Caen will act as leader in my absence. Merrin is our navigator and eyes from the sky. Then, of course, we have our good luck charm, though she is far more than that.” Shimmering, his eyes rest on me. “As Moonchosen, Lei, you will hold favor with some of the clans. I have no doubt at least one of the negotiations will come down to your alliance with us.”
I swallow. “No pressure, then.”
“I have no doubt you are more than capable of handling it,” he replies warmly. He claps his hands. “Tomorrow, we will go over the details of the plan so you are ready to set off the morning after. But tonight…” Ketai smiles once more, a beam that cuts through the murky darkness of the temple. “Tonight, we celebrate! Our kingdom is poised on the precipice of change, and we are the ones who will see to it that it is for the better.” He throws his hands up. “To a new era of peace and unity!”