The two men parted, breathing heavily. Starling’s carnation lay crushed on the floor. Gun smoke wafted in the air. Although the fading wore oppressively on Karigan, she did not drop it.

“Now, Miss G’ladheon, I surmise the guard who got away will return with reinforcements, and the entire palace will be alerted to you. There is no escape, no matter how impressive your ability with the etherea. Why not make things easier on yourself and Mr. Harlowe by reappearing and giving yourself up?”

“Don’t do it,” Cade said.

Starling punched him in the shoulder, and Cade cried out in pain, much more than the blow should have warranted. Once again, Karigan prepared to rush to his aid when a hulking figure arrived, silhouetted in the doorway and wreathed in smoke.

“Ah,” Silk said. “Finally, our reinforcements have arrived.”

THE KING’S MAN

Karigan rotated the club in her grip and turned to face the new threat.

“Welcome, Guardian,” Silk said. “A couple of my prisoners have gotten unruly, and your aid is most welcome.”

She let out a relieved breath, but Fastion’s countenance in his inhuman armor, and his general forbidding presence, left her uncertain, wary. Was he truly on her side, or had his earlier words been an act to win her trust, even in the face of his betrayal of king and country?

He said nothing, did not move, which reassured her not at all. Then he stepped into the chamber. He crossed the floor to Silk, wrenched the gun out of his hand, and tossed it aside.

Even as Silk sputtered in shock, Karigan took another easing breath. She dropped her fading, staggering from all that its use had taken out of her.

“How dare you?” Silk shouted at Fastion.

Ignoring him, Fastion tossed an object to Karigan, which she caught deftly. Her bonewood! She shook it from cane length to staff length and discarded the club.

“You are the emperor’s man!” Silk said. “As am I!”

Still, Fastion said nothing, so Karigan spoke. “The Eternal Guardian is an old friend of mine.”

“What is this you say?” Silk looked desperately between Karigan and Fastion.

“I am the king’s man,” Fastion said finally in his harsh voice.

Starling chuckled. “Oh, my. And here I feared this would be just another dull day.”

“You’re a traitor, is what you are,” Silk told Fastion.

“He is anything but,” Karigan said.

“Do you wish me to kill them?” Fastion asked, drawing his sword.

She did, and it was immensely satisfying to see Silk and Starling quail at the suggestion, but she said, “Wait. They might be useful.”

She went to the doorway and peered out. The crumpled body of the guard who’d tried to escape lay on the floor. His unfortunate encounter with the Guardian had prevented him from sending reinforcements as Silk had hoped. Still, there was no telling who had heard all the gunshots, although at the moment, it appeared they hadn’t drawn anyone. Perhaps they were far enough underground that the noise had not penetrated other levels.

Cade moved to Karigan’s side. “You know the Eternal Guardian?” he whispered.

“Old Granite Face? We go back a long way.” She turned and studied Cade anew. In the light from the corridor she observed darkened rings beneath his eyes, and fresh blood trickling from his nose. He looked bent with exhaustion. She felt exhausted herself. They would have to hold each other up.

“What now?” Cade asked.

“Yes, what now?” Starling echoed. “I am most entertained. Please don’t disappoint me.”

Karigan felt Cade stiffen beside her.

“We go get Lhean,” Karigan said. “Then go to the museum.”

Cade’s eyes were full of questions. “The museum?”

“Our way out.”

She could tell he wanted to ask more, but Fastion interrupted. “Time is slipping by.”

“There is someone else who needs help,” Cade said.

“Arhys?”

“No. I mean, yes. I need to help Arhys and Lorine, too, but there is a woman being held captive here. They call her a witch. We need to help her.”

Fastion turned his head sharply to look at Cade, as if surprised.

Starling laughed, but Silk looked horrified. Based on Silk’s reaction, Karigan thought Cade’s statement must have merit. However, it complicated an already complicated rescue and escape.

“I cannot imagine what you will come up with next,” Starling said.

“I wouldn’t laugh if I were you,” Cade said, “since Rider G’ladheon thinks she has a use for you, but I would just as soon the Guardian run you through with his sword. If you ever want to see your wife again, and eat her good cooking, you will shut your mouth and do anything we say.”

“My wife, Mr. Harlowe? What wife?”

Cade faltered beside Karigan. “But . . . she cooks for you. And your daughters.”

Starling laughed mirthfully. “What makes you think it was true? My word, how naïve you are. I do have a very good cook—that much is true.”

Cade’s eyebrows narrowed in consternation.

“Cade?” Karigan asked.

He shook his head. “He’s right,” Cade muttered. “I am naïve.”

“You believe it is important to rescue this witch?” Karigan asked him.

“She has been tortured. Horribly. I—I sense it would be best to free her. Not just humane, but there is something else. I don’t know how to explain it.”