The Abyss (Fae's Captive #7) - Lily Archer Page 0,18
have to go.”
“Your interests and ours might not need to diverge.” Chastain sits again, his silver eyes on Silmaran.
“What? We’re going to the mines, not on an asshole hunt with you.” Beth frowns. “Though I wish I could do both.”
“Maybe you can.” Chastain tips his glass toward us. “Yesterday, when we discussed the help the rebellion needs, you made it quite clear you were heading south to liberate Clotty. We respect that, and we wouldn’t want to dissuade you.”
“Okay. Good, I guess? So, yeah, same page.” She looks down at me.
Something tells me that Chastain and Silmaran have plans that stretch much farther than Cranthum or even Byrn Varyndr. And I have a strong inkling that the mines are of just as much interest to them as they are to us.
Chastain glances at Silmaran, who gives him a go-ahead nod. “We have something of a proposition for you. I think it will work out to our mutual benefit, and we can—”
“No.” I stand with Beth. “You can give us your plan, but I already have my answer. No. Better yet, allow me to lay it all out so we’re all speaking the same language. You and Silmaran want to liberate the mines, bring the slaves back through the Abyss and add them to Cranthum’s defenses in case Queen Aurentia decides to march south. Or, you can use those additional soldiers to march north and stay on offense. In other words, you want us to carry the message of liberation to the mines and start a rebellion there. On top of that, it appears Zatran and Cenet have fled south, perhaps hoping to use the mines as their own recruitment area for an army to destroy the rebellion. All this means that Beth and I are most likely walking into a meat grinder, and you want to be the one turning the crank. Am I missing anything?”
Beth’s mouth drops into an ‘o’ as her brows draw together.
Chastain cocks his head to the side. “One quibble—I’d rather bring the slaves to Cranthum via the Grave Bridge. It triples the journey time but is a bit safer.”
“No.”
Chastain shrugs. “Well, we could try the Abyss if you think—”
“You know what I mean. No to all of it.”
“This would never work.” Beth puts a hand on her hip. “Gareth is powerful, but he’d be up against hundreds of slavers at the mines.”
“He wouldn’t be alone.” Parnon rises, the joints in his knees popping. “I’m going.”
“I’m not even entertaining this.” Dragging my mate into another conflict? Not happening. “We’re already running headfirst into danger to rescue Clotilde. Once that’s done and Beth is safe in the winter realm, I will speak with Leander about aiding your cause.”
“We need aid now.” Silmaran opens her arms wide. “Look at what we’ve already accomplished. If we keep this momentum, the mines can be liberated, and the slaves freed. Not in a year or more. But now.”
“I want to free them.” Beth looks up at me, her big brown eyes cajoling. “With Parnon—”
“And me.” Chastain crosses his arms over his chest. “Along with a contingent of skilled warriors.”
“See?” The hope that lights in Beth’s eyes is dangerous.
“Beth, please.” I gently take her elbow and pull her away from the table, though I almost trip over Phin who scuttles around my ankles. “This is a suicide mission. The slavers at the mines are the most vicious in all of Arin. You think Byrn Varyndr was bad? The mines are worse, far worse. And the masters there won’t surrender, won’t agree to coexist. They will slaughter every last slave if it means winning. If it means getting another crop to send into the depths of this world to dig up its riches.”
“No wonder Zatran and Cenet are headed that way.” She nibbles her lip as she thinks.
I don’t want her to think. I want her to leave with me now before Silmaran does any more damage. “We should go. Remember Clotty? Remember the reason we’re here?”
She nibbles some more as Chastain and Silmaran wait, their eyes on her. They hang on her words just as I do.
“We’re leaving.” I put as much vehemence in it as I can. “Now.”
“If I were a slave in the mines, would you only free me, or would you destroy every slaver there?” She meets my gaze as the sting of magic sizzles along my tongue. Our deal has snapped into place, and now I must answer or suffer the consequences.
Spires! Why is my mate so clever?