Page 99 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘Though their lack of care makes it seem unlikely, I hold a lot of value to the Guild. My death would be… unfortunate for them. If I were to, say, have a seizure from lack of nutrition right at that crucial moment when they had lowered your wards, I dare say the guards would find it distracting. You would have a few seconds grace, but if you are as good as your reputation that might be enough.’

Nieve thought about it. ‘It will have to be enough,’ she said quietly. By her reckoning, dinner should be served within the hour. She would be ready.

*

Nieve kept her shoulders slumped as the guards stopped at the other prisoner’s cell with his meal. The taller of the two uttered some words and touched an engraved stone on his bracelet to release the wards, while the shorter guard with the bow barked a command for the prisoner to get to the back of his cell. The first opened the door enough to slide the tray through with his foot before slamming it shut.

Nieve readied herself. Her window would be tiny, but she didn’t have time for nerves. The guards were coming.

At the command to get back, she moved to the middle of the cell, hands raised, positioning herself slightly off centre so she was half a second closer to the door.

The first guard lowered the wards, and the door creaked open.

A bang echoed down the corridor, followed by an almighty gurgling screech. Without thinking, Nieve darted forwards.

She made it to the door in half a second. The first guard was turning back, but Nieve grabbed the arrow from his bow and, spinning on her heel, used her momentum to drive it into his companion’s chest. The guard’s face registered a look of pure horror as he crumpled to the floor.

The remaining guard scrabbled for another arrow. Before he could draw, Nieve flung a spear of ice—taking him through the throat.

Adrenaline pounded through her; it had all taken seconds.

Guilt tore through her as she scrabbled at the tall guard’s limp wrist to free the bracelet she needed to lower the other prisoner’s wards. Bloodied and sticky it slid off his wrist and she stumbled along the row of cells, shock flooding her system as her gaze landed on the other prisoner’s inked face.

His eyes narrowed. ‘You promised to release me,’ he reminded her.

‘Your face… your people attacked our camp, killed one of Ariadnne’s company.’ She hesitated, and he looked confused.

‘Are you sure? My people would never harm a dragon. If it was them, there must have been good reason.’

‘Oh, they definitely had faces like yours. What do you mean you’d never harm a dragon?’

‘Not important.’ He was right at the bars now. ‘Are you going to let me out or are you going to risk the wrath of the gods by ignoring our bargain?’

Nieve cursed. She didn’t really have a choice; she’d tied herself to him now. She quickly muttered the words the guards had used and touched the stone, holding her breath as the wards flickered out of existence.

‘The key…’ she muttered and bent to search the bodies of the guards. Fingers clenching around the thin metal, she rose and slid it into the lock, wondering who she was releasing into the world. As the emaciated prisoner stepped free of the cell, a tendril of darkness swooped round him, Nieve’s skin prickling as the wave of power swept past her. The prisoner grinned as he drew it back into his body.

‘That’s better.’ He inhaled deeply, as though he had spent a lifetime without the taste of air.

Nieve raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re a Shadow?’

She’d never met one, given how rare they were outside of Braem. Supposedly masters of darkness, they manipulated the very absence of energy. Worn as he was, power clung to the prisoner like vines on a wall.

He nodded. ‘My powers are weak, thanks to that cell, but I should be able to help us move unseen, for a time.’

Nieve exhaled. Their odds had just risen tenfold. She fastened on one of the guard’s belts and sheathed the sword.

‘Let’s go.’

The Shadow gestured for her to lead the way. ‘My shadows might conceal from a distance, but anyone who passes close will see through the glamour,’ he explained as they walked.

‘In that case let me deal with the guard at the door,’ Nieve said. ‘It’ll be easier for you to hide us once we are out of the jail.’

Nieve fingered the keys she had stolen and moved silently to crouch behind the door. The thick iron muffled all sound of the guard on the other side, poised to alert every guard in the vicinity if she wasn’t swift. She nudged the Shadow back, the scrape of metal too loud as the key slid home, tumblers releasing with a soft click.

They paused, listening for movement. When silence reigned, they breathed.

Nieve mimed counting to three on her fingers and the Shadow crouched against the wall. She counted silently then heaved her weight into the door. The heavy iron moved slower than she liked but it was still enough to surprise the guard and knock him off his stool. His eyes widened as she bore down on him, sword drawn, and he scrambled back with a cry of alarm.