preposterous.
I’m sure they’re under lock and key in a desk, hidden in a secret room within a secret closet.
But while I’m down here, I’ll check the shelves, see if anything is tucked away.
Snaking my way back out the cramped door and between the shelves, I freeze. The atlatl.
I’m not sure what I plan to do with it or how I plan to get it back up to my room, but I’m more and more certain now might be my last chance. If the High Regent gets word I was back down here, he’ll lock it up for sure.
Quickly, I reenter the room, but when I do, I bump into the door, which hits one of the clay pots and starts a domino effect. The five large ceramic vases tip into another one by one. I hold my breath and watch as each one falls and tips the other over when, thank the Sun, a rolled-up carpet breaks the last one’s fall. They’re left stacked diagonally like ancient ruins.
I release a breath, allow my shoulders to soften, and make a beeline to the atlatl. It’s still in the canvas bag. I sling it over my shoulder, take four large steps, when the closest vase to me shifts, losing its lid, which falls to the floor and shatters.
I’m about to run for it but am stopped cold at the sight.
Not the broken glass, but the contents of the vase.
I step closer.
Spilling out of what most resembles an ornate urn is a small pile of Offering medallions. I look inside the vase. Hundreds more fill it.
These are sacred. Kept in the Coliseum temple—a small room at the very top of the arena that faces the sun. Those medallions of the Offered remain there always—turned over to the Sun.
But I pluck one from off the floor. Then another. The names don’t resemble anyone who’s been Offered. Not that I can recall.
I pull the copy of the list of missing Basso from my pocket. Scan the names.
Find one matching the medallions.
Then two more.
Another.
“My Sun…,” I swear under my breath. They’re all here. Each and every one of them. All hidden away without ceremony. Stuck in a vase underneath the belly of the High Regent’s palace. Another one of his dirty little secrets.
I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t even think, just act.
Swiftly, as quietly and carefully as possible, I pick up each of the vases, righting them as if nothing ever happened. I then grab a handful of medallions, then another, dump them into the canvas bag alongside Veda’s atlatl and spears.
I throw the broken pieces of the lid inside the bag to cover my tracks and remove one of the other ceramic lids to cover the rest of the medallions. I couldn’t possibly take them all—I’d never be able to lift it.
But I’ve got enough to prove what I need to.
With one final glance to be sure everything is back in its place, more or less, I leave.
Quickly, like a phantom, I glide through the door, up the stairs, down the hall, and into my room.
I slice the bottom of my mattress and hide the bag up inside it.
Just as I’m collapsing into the desk chair, wipe my brow, and enjoy one quick, relieved breath, Salazar enters.
He’s eating a blueberry muffin.
Bronwyn is two steps behind him, carting in the morning tea and, yes, a blueberry muffin. We share a glance, and I send a prayer up that Salazar doesn’t pull a blueberry-stained note from his mouth.
“Lord Denali, have you had the good fortune of trying one of these?”
I stand. “I have. Daily. They’re my favorite.”
Bronwyn sets down the tray, and there’s only one blueberry muffin left. The one I hope has a quick reply from Veda.
But before I can grab it, Salazar picks it up, sets it on a napkin. “I’m going to take this to the High Regent—he’s got to taste these.”
Bronwyn steps forward, reaches out for the muffin. “That one’s been sitting out a while. I’ve got a new batch in the oven—they’re much better warm. Allow me to prepare him a fresh basketful?”
Salazar considers this for a second, then pushes the plate away. “That would be nice, thank you. When will they be finished?” But before she can answer he requests she bring them up right away along with coffee. “We’ll be needing something stronger than tea this morning.”
“Of course. My pleasure, sir.” Bronwyn casually picks up the plate with the blueberry muffin and sets it in the basket. But