Chapter 28 · Say His Name

"Move the prisoner now—"

"Ironcrown wants him in the square. You want to tell him no?"

Eliza pressed against the stairwell wall as boots scraped below. Two guards. Maybe three. Their argument carried up through the stone.

"The east gate's breaking. If the barbarian gets through, we're dead."

"Then go hold the damn gate."

Eliza waited until the boots moved away, then ran down.

The black cells sat beneath the manor. Gareth had shown her the layout two nights ago, smiling like she was a guest instead of a hostage.

She reached the corridor and found three iron doors. The first two stood open. The third had a guard beside it.

His hand went for his sword.

Eliza swung the fireplace poker into his face.

He stumbled. She drove the tip into his throat before he could shout. He dropped, choking and clawing at his neck.

"Sorry," she muttered. "Not really."

She snatched his keys and opened the cell.

Valen hung from the back wall, wrists chained above his head and ankles locked to the floor. His bare chest was purple with bruises. His head drooped forward.

"Valen."

He didn't move.

She crossed the cell and gripped his jaw.