Chapter 29 · If Toby is hurt -

They raced through the old smuggler tunnels. Cael stayed ahead, sword ready. Mara followed with her blade in one hand and the black fire crawling under the other sleeve.

"If Toby is hurt -"

"He may have sold us out."

"Take that back."

"You said he always waits. People who always wait learn when to leave."

"He wouldn't sell me."

"Everyone sells something."

"You would know."

Cael glanced back. "I know what it costs."

They reached the hidden door beneath the abandoned print shop. Mara shoved it open.

The room had been torn apart.

Shelves lay on their sides. Glass jars glittered across the floor. Toby's small brass lockbox had been split in half. A dark smear ran from the worktable to the rear wall.

Mara stopped breathing.

"Toby?"

No answer.

She crossed the room fast, checking behind the counter, beneath the table, inside the storage closet.

"Toby!" she shouted. "Quill, answer me!"

Cael crouched beside the smear and touched two fingers to it. He lifted them. Blood. Not much, but fresh enough to shine.

"He's alive," Cael said.

Mara whirled. "You don't know that."

"If they wanted him dead, there would be more blood."

"That is not comforting.