Crooked Kingdom (The Six of Crows Duology #2) - Leigh Bardugo Page 0,189

joined when I was even younger than you. I know what it’s like there, the thoughts they put in your head. But you don’t have to do this.”

The boy shook even harder. “I charge you with treason,” he repeated.

“I am guilty,” said Matthias. “I’ve done terrible things. And if you wish it, I will walk back to the church with you right now. I will face your friends and commanding officers and we can see what justice may come.”

“You’re lying. You even let them kill that Shu boy you were supposed to protect. You’re a traitor and a coward.” Good, he believed Kuwei was dead.

“I will go with you. You have my word. And you have the gun. There’s nothing to fear from me.”

Matthias took a step forward.

“Stay where you are!”

“Do not be afraid. Fear is how they control you.” We’ll find a way to change their minds. The boy had only been with the order for six months. He could be reached. “There’s so much in the world you don’t have to be afraid of, if you would only open your eyes.”

“I told you to stay where you are.”

“You don’t want to hurt me. I know. I was like you once.”

“I’m nothing like you,” said the boy, his blue eyes blazing. Matthias saw the anger there, the rage. He knew it so well. But he was still surprised when he heard the shot.

N ina pulled off her gown and the heavy rubber belly she had strapped over her tunic while Rotty rid himself of his beard and coat. They tied everything in a bundle and Nina tossed it overboard as they climbed into the bottleboat moored beneath Zentsbridge.

“Good riddance,” she said as it sank into the water.

“So little maternal sentiment,” Kaz said, emerging from behind the wine crates.

“Where’s Inej?”

“I’m fine,” said Inej from behind him. “But Kuwei—”

“You’re bleeding again,” Nina observed as she slid behind the high stacks of crates to join them. There was little traffic on the canal now, but it didn’t do to take chances. “And what happened to your eyes?”

“I’d tell you to ask the White Blade, but …” Inej shrugged.

“I hope she suffered.”

“Nina.”

“What? We can’t both be merciful and serene.”

They were in a pocket of shadowy space between the crates of wine and the stone arch of the bridge. The stretcher with Kuwei’s body on it lay atop a makeshift table of crates. Genya was injecting something into the Shu boy’s arm as Zoya and the man Nina assumed was Sturmhond looked on.

“How is he?” Nina asked.

“If he has a pulse, I can’t find it,” said Genya. “The poison did its work.”

Maybe too well. Genya had said the poison would lower his pulse and breathing to such an extent that it would mimic death. But the act was uncomfortably convincing. Some part of Nina knew the world might be safer if Kuwei died, but she also knew that if someone else unlocked the secret of parem , he was Ravka’s best chance at an antidote. They’d fought to free him from the Ice Court. They’d schemed and connived and struggled so that he could be safe to pursue his work among the Grisha. Kuwei was hope.

And he was a boy who deserved a chance to live without a target on his back.

“The antidote?” Nina asked, looking at the syringe in Genya’s hand.

“This is the second dose she’s injected,” said Kaz.

They all watched as Genya checked his pulse, his breathing. She shook her head.

“Zoya,” said Sturmhond. His voice had the ring of command.

Zoya sighed and pushed up her sleeves. “Unbutton his shirt.”

“What are you doing?” Kaz asked as Genya undid Kuwei’s remaining buttons. His chest was narrow, his ribs visible, all of it spattered with the pig’s blood they’d encased in the wax bladder.

“I’m either going to wake up his heart or cook him from the inside out,” said Zoya. “Stand back.”

They did their best to obey in the cramped space. “What exactly does she mean by that?” Kaz asked Nina.

“I’m not sure,” Nina admitted. Zoya had her hands out and her eyes closed. The air felt suddenly cool and moist.

Inej inhaled deeply. “It smells like a storm.”

Zoya opened her eyes and brought her hands together as if in prayer, rubbing her palms against each other briskly.

Nina felt the pressure drop, tasted metal on her tongue. “I think … I think she’s summoning lightning.”

“Is that safe?” asked Inej.

“Not remotely,” said Sturmhond.

“Has she at least done it before?” said Kaz.

“For this purpose?” asked Sturmhond. “I’ve seen