Maria Snyder - Dawn Study

Another agent strode into the office. He extinguished the lanterns and muttered a hasty good-night before bolting. There were a number of words to describe this night, and good wasn’t one of them. Nope, not even close. I managed to doze briefly, at least until a burning pain in my shoulders woke me.

Cahil returned in the morning, or what I assumed was the morning, as he appeared awake and clean-shaven. He stood staring at me while one of his men lit the lanterns.

Unable to endure the silence any longer, I asked, “What’s the verdict?”

“The Mosquito is dead.”

“That’s good news.”

“I’d thought you’d like that.”

“What’s the bad news?” I braced for his answer.

“Onora was spotted in the Citadel late last night.”

My legs trembled with the effort to hold my weight. The chains prevented me from sinking to the floor. Valek would never have allowed her to walk away from a fight. The fact that she lived meant...

“We were unable to locate Valek’s body.”

“Why would you care about that?” I asked, leaning back on the wall as the rest of my world melted.

“Confirmation. We think she’s hidden the body to keep everyone guessing long enough to avoid any retaliation from Fisk and his people.”

The body. No longer being referred to by name. I concentrated on Cahil’s comment to keep from screaming. My focus narrowed to one thing—keeping the baby safe. “Why would she worry about Fisk’s guild? If she can...beat Valek, no one else can touch her.”

“Fisk has the numbers, plus Stormdancers.”

“Stormdancers?” This kept getting worse. If Bruns suspected the Stormdancers, then they needed to disappear. Fast.

“Don’t act stupid, Yelena. A huge thunderstorm roared over the Krystal garrison at the precise moment you needed a distraction to escape. You couldn’t have done it without their help.”

“We would have figured something out.” Eventually. Maybe. Probably not. Bruns had us pinned.

“You know, I was about to disagree, but I’m sure you would have, which is exactly why keeping you alive is a bad strategy.”

“Trying to rationalize your decision so you don’t feel guilty, Cahil?”

“I won’t feel guilty. I’m protecting over a million people. If only you understood that we’re doing the right thing—” he gestured vaguely “—none of this has to happen.”

“I understand that’s what you believe.” I straightened as a sudden notion popped into my head. Perhaps a way to save the baby. “How about a deal?”

“No deals.”

“Okay. How about you prove me wrong?”

Cahil gave me a just-how-dumb-do-you-think-I-am look. “Okay, I’ll bite. How would I do that?”

“You stop eating the food Bruns’s people cook and wear a null shield for ten days. After that, if you still think Bruns’s strategy is beneficial for Sitia, then I’ll sign up and help you convince Fisk and all his people to join up, as well.”

“And why would I trust you?”

“Because I’d give you my word, Cahil. And you know me. I’ve never broken a promise. Not even to the Fire Warper.”

A contemplative purse rested on Cahil’s lips. Then he chuckled. “You almost had me, Yelena. But I’m not falling for any of your tricks.”

“It’s not a trick. I’m serious. Think about it. There’s no downside for you.”

“Yes, there is. I’d have to let you live for ten days. Plenty of time for Fisk to send in his troops and rescue you.”

Good point. “I’ll send them home. I’ll stay with you.”

“Why would they listen to you? You could have been...what’s the word you used?...indoctrinated to the cause.”

I balled my hands into fists. Another valid concern. “It takes more than a few days to be brainwashed. How about if I sign an agreement, so you have written proof that I’ve given you my word? And we can also leave the Citadel before they try to rescue me. We can go to the Featherstone garrison. Isn’t that where you need to be to prepare for war?”

“So you can steal all our secrets.”

“Lock me in a cell. I’ve been in so many, it’ll almost feel like home.”

He studied my face for a dozen heartbeats. “You are serious.”

“Yes.”

“And if I write up an accord right now?”

“I’ll sign it.”

“What if I’m cured, but I still believe Bruns is the best for Sitia?”

“Then I lose. I’ll help you and Bruns, like I promised.”

“You’re that confident of my response once free of the Theobroma?”

“I know you, Cahil. I know that you would be upset by Bruns’s methods of robbing people of their free will and ability to make their own decisions.”

He strode to his desk, found a clean piece of parchment and wrote up our deal. It was simply worded. I would agree to go with him, without trying to escape or interfere with any of his plans, and to cooperate for ten days. No one but his loyal people would know who I was. In exchange, he would wear a null shield pendant at all times and no longer consume food cooked with Theobroma for ten days.

“How do I know if the food has Theobroma or not?” he asked.

I gave him a wry smile. “I can taste your food like I used to do for the Commander.”

He snorted in amusement and continued writing. At the end of the ten days, if Cahil remained loyal to Bruns, I would agree to join their cause, do nothing to sabotage their efforts and be an active participant.

“Like a cheerleader?” I asked.

He was not amused. “More like a spokesperson. And help us with strategy and planning.”

If he was no longer loyal to Bruns, then Cahil would join our side and be as engaged in our efforts. Cahil held up the finished treaty for me to read.

“We’ll need witnesses, and you need to release me.” Seeing his dubious expression, I added, “If I’m chained to the wall when I sign, then even a bad solicitor can argue that I signed it under extreme duress and that I don’t have to comply.” Not like I’d ever break my word; signing the parchment was a mere formality and for Cahil’s peace of mind. But I really wanted to be free of these chains.

Cahil disappeared and returned with two of his people. He introduced Faxon, and I already knew Hanni. Faxon unlocked the cuffs, and everyone stepped back a few feet with their hands on the hilts of their weapons. Amused by their skittishness, I rubbed my wrists, working feeling back into my fingers.

When the pins and needles ceased, I signed the agreement, then handed the stylus to Cahil. He paused for a moment—probably trying to uncover any loopholes—and added his signature to the document. Hanni and Faxon affixed their names, and it was official. I focused on the fact that the baby would remain alive. At least for the next ten days. If this ended well, we’d have a powerful ally. If not...

Best to focus on one thing at a time.

I drew in a breath. “We need to leave,” I said. “Right away.”

“Why?”

I told him about the trail of bobby pins.

“Shit.” Cahil barked orders to his people, harassing them to hurry and grab their things. We were leaving. Now.

Keeping out of the way, I hoped I’d have a chance to send Fisk a note. One of the agents handed me a cloak to wear, and while everyone was occupied, I reclaimed my weapons and lock picks. Grief threatened to drown me, but I chanted keep the baby safe over and over in my mind to block the emotion. Also there was the possibility that Cahil lied about seeing Onora in the Citadel.

Cahil returned. “Time to go.” He grabbed my elbow as we headed to the stairs. A number of his people preceded us, and the rest followed. Twelve total.

“Can one of your crew deliver a message to Fisk?”

He slowed. “Why?”