Droplets of water echoed as they hit the pavement over and over again. Arturo counted the drips: one, two, three, four, and stop. A couple of seconds later, the same pattern repeated itself. Across from him, with his head slumped down and eyes closed, was Kyrad—the man he wanted to kill.

  The words of his enemy rang through his skull. It was true, Arturo had killed brothers, fathers, and various other types of siblings in battles; of that, he was sure. Kyrad said that was no different from what he did, but that’s wrong. He fought rebels, people who were trying to overthrow their kingdoms. Kyrad began the killing, much like the rebels did. No talk, no warning, just attacking innocent people and slaughtering them.

  Regardless of that fact, it did make Arturo wonder how many people wished death upon him. He was under no illusion that he would want to avenge his brothers regardless of how they died—at least that’s what he thought. If only Jen, Achillion, or Tarmon were here, he would have liked to get their thoughts on what Kyrad talked about.

  Jen would tell me Kyrad was right and tell me to stop seeking revenge. Arturo thought. But what would Achillion or Tarmon say? Eurisha would be a great person to ask, too. Stop it, no point in thinking about that now. I need to escape.

  Footsteps outside the cell caused him to look up. “About time you showed up,” one of the guards said.

  “Yeah, we were a little preoccupied. We’ll take over from here,” the new guard said.

  It was shift-change time. Arturo leaned his head back. What a mess—how was he going to get out of this? Nobody would know where to look for him, and he had no doubt these women would sentence him to death. Dying via execution was not how he wanted to go. He always envisioned himself going out in battle, not by hanging or beheading or however his executioners would choose.

  One of the guards moved closer to him and knelt. “Arturo?” a familiar voice said.

  Arturo turned and found himself staring wide-eyed at a familiar person with blond hair and green eyes. He had never expected to see her again. “Lily?” he asked incredulously. What was she doing here? The last time he saw her was when he dropped her off at a small village after saving her from a couple of rapists from the Crystal Syndicate. That was years ago. “What are you doing here?”

  “I could say the same for you,” she said.

  “How did you find yourself with these people?”

  “Oh, well, when you refused to let me join you, I started training and was discovered by Salamina. I hoped to see you again and show you I can fight too,” Lily glanced at the shackles and laughed nervously. “Of course, I would rather you be free instead of imprisoned.”

  “Well, I’m glad to see you’re doing well,” Arturo said, and he meant it. Most people would have struggled after the siege Lily went through. She really was strong; perhaps he should have let her join him. At the time, he was lost, unsure of himself after finding the darkness within the Crystal Syndicate.

  “I heard you killed some—”

  “Lily, everything all right?” one of the guards said.

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  “Just asking this prisoner some questions,” Lily said.

  “Don’t talk too much, we’ve got to be alert.”

  “Yes, Liliath,” Lily said.

  “I don’t have much time, but did you kill guards in Moontani?” Lily said after Liliath went back to her position.

  “I was protecting a shop when some corrupt guards tried to steal some money. It turned violent, so yes,” Arturo whispered.

  “I believe you,” Lily said after a moment of silence.

  “Do you know why I was captured? Moontani was supposed to have forgiven me,” Arturo said. The Whispering Mists had made sure of that, so why the change of heart?

  “You killed one of the higher-ups' fathers,” Lily whispered, looking up at Liliath, who was beginning to show interest in their discussion.

  “Then I’ll be executed for sure,” Arturo said.

  “I’ll see what I can do about that. I can’t let you die,” Lily said.

  “There’s nothing you can do.”

  “When my shift is done, I’ll talk to some people and see what can be done. For now, I must get back on duty, or Liliath will scold me,” Lily said and stood up. She walked back to her position a dozen or so feet away. A different guard walked up to her and began to talk, but Arturo couldn’t hear what was being said.

  Did Lily have a chance of saving him? If so, could he convince the leader that he should be the one to kill Kyrad? That almost made Arturo laugh. Here he was, on the verge of execution, and instead of being grateful for a chance of being saved, he thought of how he could be involved in another execution.

  Kyrad stirred and raised his head from where he had been sleeping. He yawned and glanced at Arturo. “That was the same look I fell asleep to,” he said with a chuckle.

  Arrogant fool. Arturo thought angrily. Kyrad knew how to stir his emotions. He decided not to respond, as that was what Kyrad wanted—a reaction, something to entertain himself.

  “You know, you never asked me why I chose your village to attack,” Kyrad said.

  “I doubt you have a good reason,” Arturo said.

  “All you have to do is ask, and I will tell you.”

  Arturo wanted to ignore him, but curiosity got the better of him. The thought had crossed his mind many times since that fateful day. Why Arindall? Was there a reason, or did Kyrad want to amuse himself by angering him? In the end, there was only one way to find out. “Why did you attack Arindall?” he said.

  “It was a reconnaissance mission. I wanted to see how Azzellia responded while gathering information about your people,” Kyrad said.

  “Like what? Why slaughter so many people?”

  “On that, I can’t tell you,” Kyrad said. “Know that the information gathered proved useful.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

  “I don’t care if it does or not. All I wanted you to know was that there was a purpose to the attack,” Kyrad said.

  “No matter what excuse you come up with, I will never forgive you.”

  “I’m not asking for your forgiveness,” Kyrad said. “There are things you don’t understand. You have no idea what my family went through after the great rebellion.”

  “That was over fifteen hundred years ago,” Arturo said. “Clearly your family has thrived since you have an army.”

  “I don’t know why I’m telling you this; you wouldn’t understand,” Kyrad said. “But know this: The people of this land will embrace our return, one way or another. I recommend you submit, so fewer lives have to be taken.”

  “We’ll throw you out of these lands. Might even finish what the great rebellion started,” Arturo said.

  “You have no chance of victory, and do you know why that is?”

  “Humor me.”

  “You’ve split into five nations. When my ancestors ruled these lands, it was as one nation. If you were still that way, perhaps you would have a chance of victory. With how you are now? You have no chance,” Kyrad said.

  “You’re crazy,” Arturo said. Despite his words, he didn’t think Kyrad was wrong. If the five nations worked together, there would be no chance of victory for the invaders. Kyrad and his army would be a threat because of the division between the nations.

  “You call me crazy?” Kyrad said. “You are the one so focused on revenge you would sacrifice anyone who opposed you.”

  Arturo decided not to respond. What was the point in talking to a sick man like Kyrad? He glanced at Lily. His only hope of survival was her. He hoped she could talk sense into his captors. It would be justice to see Kyrad executed, even if he wanted to do it himself. Who knows, perhaps Tarmella will grant him his wish and allow his sword to be the one to end Kyrad’s life.