The Defiance of Vim (Catalyst Book 4) by C.J. Aaron (graded readers txt) 📕

the hallway lit with the intensity of the sun. The sudden wave of heat was scorching, bringing with it the putrid scent of burning hair and flesh.

Everything in the path of the liquid flame caught alight. Fire raced across the floor of the bath as it jumped from one flammable drop of liquid to the next. The corpses of the guards, doused in the kerosene, were ablaze. The ball of flame exploded outward when it struck the wooden intersection, pouring into the foyer and opposite hallway.

There was a certain balm to watching the fire consume the barracks from the inside out. The building had played home to a festering evil that had plagued the tributes for generations. It was an ever-present symbol.

It would soon be reduced to ash.

Chapter 29

Ryl’s fascination with the fire was short-lived. He snapped himself from his thoughts, hastening to Breila. Taking her by the hand, he rushed onward, escorting her from the doomed barracks. With effort, he closed the heavy metal door that divided the hallway, tamping out the flickering orange light that illuminated the death within. A puff of smoke billowed out of the gap before he forced it shut.

Though her insistence of her fortitude was finite, he was aware of the gasp and the muted gag as they made their way through the final stretch of the tunnel.

Ryl sent a focused wave of hope ahead. His mindsight was rewarded with the motion of Aelin’s still form as he approached.

As it had been before, the fresher air outside the tunnel was a relief. His lungs drew in the oxygen like they had been starved of it for ages. Aelin, who had been rushing to meet him, skidded to a stop as Ryl exited with another in tow. His face was fearful. He protectively balled his hands into fists.

“Fear not, my young Aelin.” Ryl spoke as he strode from the hallway. “This is Breila. She is a friend.”

Aelin looked curiously at the woman who approached him. Breila’s stern features seemed to melt as motherly instincts took control. She kneeled in front of Aelin, smiling kindly at the boy. The attention disarmed the cautious young tribute.

“It’s nice to meet you, young Aelin,” Breila cooed.

Ryl chuckled to himself for a moment as he moved past to collect the horses.

“So stealth is out?” he called as Ryl passed.

“Aye, for the moment,” he replied as he tossed the reins to the youngster before moving toward the chain that controlled the drawbar of the gate. “For now it will be speed. I have clothes. We can get changed once we’ve made the alleys.”

With a grunt, he pulled down on the heavy chain. The drawbar only needed to clear a few hand widths to allow a single panel of the door to open. The heavy wooden bar rumbled as it retracted into the wall.

“Breila, were there any guards in the courtyard when they brought you in?” Ryl quizzed. “Any archers on the palisade?”

She stood, dusting her knees off as she spoke.

“No, there were none,” she offered confidently. “It’s not the palisade you need to fear. The city has been in a state of disarray since the Harvest failed. Lord Maklan led all but a token force of his most trusted killers behind when the army moved into The Stocks. They’ve closed off most access to the city. There are small patrols throughout, though their focus remains in the East Ward. The port has been filled with ships since the morning, though anchored offshore when they brought me in. Under what banner they fly is uncertain, though it doesn’t bode well. The king is here. Why have you returned? What is it you seek?”

“Not what, but who,” Ryl corrected, though the purpose for his coming had now swelled. Seeing Kaep alive was his priority. The chance to end the Ascertaining Decree was now inside the city proper.

“I seek a woman,” Ryl replied, not quick to divulge too much information, though he trusted the madam. The sentiment in its entirety was incongruous; she dealt in skin. Secrets were her power. If not for her unexplained friendship with Andr, he’d have thought himself daft.

“She or her captor would be clothed like me or even disguised as a guard,” he continued quickly. “They were less than half a day ahead. Can you ride?”

Ryl moved quickly to collect the reins from Aelin. Breila had little more time than to nod her head before he tossed her as gently as he could onto the horse’s back. Aelin followed shortly behind, landing with much less grace behind the madam.

Breila fixed Ryl with a momentary glare of annoyance that cleared as she pondered his earlier statement.

“Tell me, Ryl. What makes her important enough to risk returning here?” she asked.

Ryl was startled by the question, pausing as he placed his hand on the freed panel of the massive door. As a member of the few phrenics remaining alive, she was vital. He couldn’t help but feel that her survival was a crucial piece of the continuation of their kind. His mind struggled to answer the questions, whether she was more important to the cause? Or to him?

Breila spoke without awaiting a reply. “Like Andr, I understand and respect your silence, though I can see the truth written across your face.” Breila grinned. “Though I truly know little of who you are, I comprehend, perhaps better than you, the disturbances you’ve caused. The fires you’ve ignited have been smoldering in silence, pent up for generations. She’s important to you, that I can see clear as day. I know where they’ll have taken her. They’ll have taken her to the king.”

Ryl was unsurprised by the answer.

“Can you get us off the main avenue, to somewhere discreet?” Ryl asked, temporarily halting the discussion. The troops occupying the port. The king’s arrival. He had no control over the situation, which was rapidly degrading into a frenzy.

Breila nodded.

“Then lead the way,” Ryl called as he put his weight into the massive panel