“Seems the fortress was in quite a flutter when you first disappeared. Search parties, lots of movement. But soon, there was an internal shuffle. Now we’re seeing a lot of external movement, troops coming freely from the other houses.”
“Shit,” Raff said.
If they’d missed the window of opportunity, the traitor might have already seized control of Daruvar. If that was the case, they might have executed Janek and Sky. An icy hand clutched at his heart.
“How do you know all this?” Thalia demanded. “Who the hell are you?”
Titus sighed, motioning them both to take a seat. The only place they could all sit was at the rustic table, which had four rough chairs. Reluctantly Thalia closed the door and moved to comply, so Raff went along. There was no point in escalating this situation, if it could be resolved otherwise. He didn’t like the idea of fighting the man who had given them shelter, even if he’d been miserly with the truth.
The water was boiling, so he made the tea she’d requested earlier. It might be faintly ridiculous to drink it now, but she was still cold, whatever else might happen. Titus gave him a look as he served the drinks. He responded with a shrug, setting out powdered milk and sugar. While the cabin might be equipped with basic supplies, he’d enjoy returning to civilization, where he could get a proper hot toddy with fresh lemon and fine aged whiskey.
Assuming that this asshole doesn’t throw down with us here and now. That didn’t seem likely, but the boundaries demarcating who they could trust blurred by the minute. Titus might have backup he could call in—
“Raff probably already knows that this cabin is a meeting point. There’s no erasing scent trails.”
He had smelled a variety of people, converging here—Titus was just the most recent—he hadn’t realized that meant that this was more than a hunting retreat. Raff decided to keep quiet on that point and only offered a silent nod. Best for the great cat not to figure out that Thalia was the true bright spark between them.
“What about it?” he asked.
“We’re all outsiders for one reason or another. Left our prides and packs years ago, but that doesn’t mean we have no interest in the world.”
“You’re wise to be worried,” Thalia said softly. “If Ruark Gilbraith finishes my father’s work and solidifies an alliance with Tycho Vega of the Golgoth, nobody will be left to live as they wish.”
“That is the absolute truth. I went on a supply run and was trying to figure out what to do with that information when I found you two here. If you don’t mind my saying, it seems like providence.”
“What does?” Raff asked.
“Well, instead of passing the word along, as I was planning to, I believe I’m meant to take a more active role this time.”
Thalia cocked her head. To his watchful eye, it looked as if some of her aggravation had dissipated, or at least cooled to a calmer curiosity. “It sounds like you have an idea.”
With a nod, Titus said, “Of course I do. Listen up, and if you approve, we’ll get started before this tea cools.”
20.
Playing dead was never among Thalia’s top strategies, and it was fucking humiliating, but she cared about results, not elegance. Her dignity could get fucked permanently, if it meant resolving the standoff at Daruvar. The wolves were in position, as Korin had come in response to an SOS from Janek, abruptly cut off twelve hours before.
The idea that it might be too late, well, she wouldn’t think about that.
The filth and animal blood that Titus had rubbed on her to transform her into a compelling corpse reeked, and it must be ten times worse for Raff. He lay like a truly dead person beneath her, not reacting even a trifle to the ruts in the rocky forest path. Titus was hauling the cart like a mule, and she wondered, not for the first time, if they could truly trust him. He’d proposed returning their ‘bodies’ for the bounty Ruark had posted, and once they were inside, the wolves would strike, helping them liberate the fortress and root out the traitors.
It was a sound plan, but one that hinged on a stranger not betraying them at the worst possible moment. For all she knew, Titus’s real intention could be to sell them to their enemies, and here they were, quietly going along with the capture. Raff had said he didn’t smell deceit on the great cat, but she’d heard of gifted conmen who could lie without a single physiological sign.
Worrying is pointless. Even if Titus turns on us, Korin is here.
The journey seemed to take forever, and periodically, Titus had to lift the cart physically over a large stone or tangle of roots, jolting them around with absolute unconcern. That was for the benefit of those who were undoubtedly tracking his progress. It didn’t make sense that whoever had taken control of Daruvar in Ruark’s name wouldn’t have posted scouts or sentries.
No, they know he’s coming. He’s passed the preliminary inspection.
With her eyes closed, it was tough to gauge their progress, but maybe she’d been in the wild long enough for her senses to sharpen because she noticed when the scents around her changed. Most of what she smelled was old blood and Raff, but instead of the crisp verdant scent, she also detected hints of smoke, likely from the hearths burning inside Daruvar.
Not far now.
Thalia wished she could get a final word of encouragement from Raff, but their success depended on selling this ruse, so she didn’t move or speak; she barely breathed as Titus dragged the cart up a small incline. She let her body tilt like a dead person would, completely at the mercy
