Night Rose, page 31
The last part was directed at Vydian, who mocked offense, her right hand going to her heart. Was Canon amused by Vydian’s act? Or was he just not as good of an actor as she’d initially thought?
Briatta thought about the people in her life who had no idea where she was. What if they failed this façade of a test? What would the Weilers do? Would they keep the two of them there in this mock criminal base? Or would Briatta and Vydian be released as failures of the Ackmanlee, banned from continuing the competition and helping others?
Briatta hadn’t considered warning Leah she might miss some of her Sour Soup shifts. She hoped Neven or someone else would be able to help in her stead. Of all the things to be worrying about at this second, Leah and Sour Soup were probably the least important, yet it was still one of the first things she’d thought about.
Maybe Owena had been right to make her find work.
“Rory already told you that,” Canon said as he observed their lack of reaction to his threat. “Or you expected it.”
Vydian shrugged. “Can’t expect to walk into a den of vipers and stroll right back out.”
Canon’s brows drew together. “No vipers here, child. Only people who want justice.”
“We believe in justice.” Vydian placed her hand on the table and leaned toward Canon. “Tell me, who deserves it?”
“Classified,” Canon said smoothly, though he appeared faintly amused at her gall.
“What will it take to earn your trust?” Vydian asked plainly.
It was becoming clear now to Briatta the picture that Vydian was painting. Her friend wanted Canon to view her as a young woman desperate for him to mete out his judgment, as someone who wanted to be part of this organization. While Briatta had known, to a degree, what to expect when interviewing the store owners, she wasn’t sure how these people had been briefed or what they’d been told to do.
Canon, for all she knew, could be an actual Weiler trained in interrogation methods and would see straight through them.
But thinking that way wouldn’t help. Just because this was a staged event didn’t mean that the people were infallible. And it didn’t mean they hadn’t stumbled upon something real, either. This could very well be a true interrogation, and if it was, then Vydian was risking everything.
“Who are you? Names, both of you,” Canon said, completely ignoring Vydian.
Scowling, Vydian pushed off the table and eased herself into a chair next to Briatta.
“Briatta Belrose,” Briatta said without hesitation. Anyone in Montclair would be able to verify her identity, and there was no use lying; she didn’t have false papers to prove anything.
Canon nodded as if he already knew, then looked expectantly at Vydian. The dark-haired woman folded her arms.
“Vydian Lockwood.”
Briatta noted Vydian’s family name, because it was her first time hearing it out loud. At least it confirmed that the file Neven had found was the right one, though it didn’t explain how someone caring for elderly people knew how to fight as well as Vydian did. She returned to the multiple instances when she’d considered looking deeper into Vydian since then, but each time had decided that since the Weilers deemed her worthy—even if they were historically bad at that—and because there were no criminal records of her in Night Rose documents, the woman didn’t deserve her scrutiny yet. If there was anything clandestine about her, it would be revealed in time simply by keeping her close.
Besides, it was nice to pretend that she had a friend in this woman, who could spar nearly as well as she could, without feeling the constant urge to dig into her background. Yet.
If for no other reason than those, Briatta had wanted to focus all of her attention on the Ackmanlee, and she couldn’t afford to be distracted.
Again, Canon dipped his chin.
“Thank you for your honesty.”
Vydian’s eyebrows lifted. Briatta hadn’t been expecting that either.
“Now, I must ask what you were doing trying to get into our base?”
Briatta shifted in her chair, unable to keep entirely still. It was one of her faults. To others, she knew, this would portray her as untrustworthy. Owena had drilled it into her thousands of times, and yet she could never manage to heed her aunt’s words regarding stillness. She opened her mouth.
“Wanted in on the action,” Vydian replied smoothly. “Like you said, there’s justice to be had.”
Canon steepled his hands on his lap, tilting his head at Vydian. The question was unspoken, and yet it was more effective than if he’d held a whip.
“Listen, we’ve heard the stories. The things that man did. We’ve been tracking the friends, and how little they seem to actually care. We’re in.” Vydian leaned forward, her tone low and intense. She looked like a woman who was ready to fight; someone who would draw her blade against anyone aligned with Tallor.
Briatta was confused, but then it clicked. Of course—they’d heard mixed stories about Tallor. The Weilers had reported that he was unproblematic, but some of the locals had a different story. This was a classic case of the common people taking charge when the authorities would not.
How could she have been so blind? Why hadn’t Vydian shared this with her before?
The answer seemed satisfactory. Canon’s mouth tightened, and he blinked before turning his gaze on Briatta.
“And you? What were you doing?”
“I’m with Vydian,” Briatta answered. “I’ve been following the case with her, and it’s as she said. We’re in.”
A small part of that acknowledgment stung. Somehow, Briatta had ended up following Vydian through this, just as she’d always followed Neven. Apparently, she could only separate herself from life before her Choosing so much.
Canon regarded Briatta for a breath too long, as if he didn’t entirely believe her, but then he nodded. “Alright, then. Why join us? Why not do it yourselves, if you’ve collected so much evidence on your own?”
Vydian started talking before Briatta could get a word out.
“Hah, as if you think we could do it on our own.” She scoffed. “We have no delusions, here. We’re two small women, and while we might be good at what we do, we’re up against a whole group of men.”
The two guards, who had followed them inside and stood on either side of the door, glanced at each other. They were both tall men, and they shared a small smile and a laugh at Vydian’s comments. A ripple of disgust traveled down Briatta’s back. She and Vydian were likely to best all three men within seconds, even without knowing how well they had been trained.
The possibility that they were as good as she and Vydian was just so low.
Briatta hated they had to demean themselves to confirm their desire in joining this group, but it was something that Owena had taught her and Ellery. To be faster and smarter than their opponent, but to never think that they could be stronger. To assume they were stronger would mean their death. One must always enter a fight thinking they are the lesser of their opponent and be prepared for every potential outcome, or they would be bested within moments.
Despite thinking she and Vydian could handle these three men only seconds before, Briatta forced herself to reconsider.
Canon watched Briatta with his dark eyes as if he could read every thought that went through her mind.
“Do you feel the same?” He asked.
Swallowing, Briatta nodded. They needed to infiltrate this group if they wanted to win. And if this wasn’t a group that had been put together for the Ackmanlee, then their survival hinged on their success in this room. “I do.”
Quiet fell like a soft blanket over the table. Briatta fought the urge to move, forcing herself to sit still, while Vydian absently picked at the wood of the table as if she didn’t even care where they were.
“There is a price,” Canon finally said. “All must pay. Call it…an entry fee.”
“Name it,” Vydian replied instantly, looking up at him from under her lashes. It sounded more intimidating than innocent.
“You must tell us a secret. One that we can verify. One that would have you thrown into jail by the Weilers if it were to get out.” Canon tilted his head as he spoke, watching their reactions carefully, coming to some internal resolution.
Briatta and Vydian shared a look. If they had indeed found the Weiler-created criminal group, then it would make sense that the Weilers would want to know their secrets. They could assume that Canon would, of course, be reporting everything. And they’d want to know everything about the candidate they’d be hiring.
If their innermost darkness could end up damning the Weilers if they hired them the same as it could damn them.
Canon waited silently, as patient as a father with a young child.
Without thinking about it, Briatta knew what she’d have to say. There was only one secret she had that would put her in jail, and it was the Night Roses. Rory would be able to verify. She could only hope that some relationship between Owena and the Weilers actually existed, because otherwise, this would ruin everything—not just for her, but for the Night Roses themselves. And what if this wasn’t for the Ackmanlee? What would revealing the Night Roses risk?
Briatta’s mind raced for something else, but it was as if every other memory she had was gone.
A new fear wrapped its oily fingers around her heart; the fear that she would destroy herself and everything she loved now that they’d finally made it this far. Briatta was trying to pull herself together to speak the words into existence when Vydian sat up straighter in her seat and cleared her throat.
“I will give mine to you,” Vydian said. “But not with anyone else in the room. And…I trust that my secret will cover her, as well.” She nodded in Briatta’s direction.
Briatta’s breath quickened, her nostrils flaring as she stared at her friend. What kind of secret could Vydian have that would account for both their entries?
“I will hear it.” Canon had made his decision as his eyes shifted to the two guards. They moved to flank Briatta’s chair, and she hesitated, looking to Vydian for reassurance. The word her friend had signed earlier, trust, rang in her head, and Briatta made herself move even when Vydian didn’t meet her eyes.
The three of them walked out of the room, shutting the door behind them, and then stopped to wait. Briatta wasn’t sure what to do with herself, with her hands.
She still had her daggers, which was a bit shocking.
Luckily, however, Vydian’s reason for wanting to join the group had helped them both. Canon now presumed they were defenseless young women against a man of his size and likely never even considered checking for weapons.
Fighting the compulsion to reach for them, Briatta made herself pace in front of the guards instead.
They were at the corner of the hallway that led back to the main room and the wing where their rooms were, and Briatta glanced restlessly down each of them with every turn she made. There didn’t seem to be anyone else about, though she kept a vigilant watch regardless.
The two guards eyed her but remained stationed by the door.
Canon and Vydian stayed in the room for what felt like an hour, and Briatta eventually ceased pacing and leaned against the wall at the end of the hall. At the opposite side, through the door leading into the main room, she could see when people passed by. She stared at the door, taking a mental note of everyone she glimpsed, when she saw a familiar shock of blond. It happened almost too quickly to confirm, but Briatta knew that head of hair anywhere.
At first, her heart had leaped. Neven had made it here, too. Perhaps they could meet up and finish this together.
But then he didn’t come this way. No one led him down the hall to a room, and she hadn’t noticed anyone guarding him.
She waited, but he still didn’t come.
Why would he be unguarded?
The answer was already there, in the back of her mind, but Briatta couldn’t admit it to herself yet. Perhaps there was another reason. Maybe he’d already found the organization first.
But if he had, why hadn’t he shared it with her and Vydian? He was on her side, wasn’t he?
Wasn’t he?
“Excuse me,” Briatta mustered the courage to ask the guards. They looked at her curiously but didn’t respond. “Are all new members watched and questioned? Or…is it case by case?”
They glanced at each other, looking unprepared for such a question. But there would have been a protocol established, because of the premise of the test.
“Everyone is watched and questioned,” the guard on the right said, but he left it very open ended, to account for any possibility.
Briatta’s heart sank. There were many reasons she could think of, then, why Neven would be here and not have told her. None of them were good.
The remainder of the time that passed until Vydian and Canon reappeared was spent in emotional turmoil over every possible scenario, though Briatta did her best to keep it contained. When the door finally opened and Vydian emerged, beaming, Briatta stared at her friend from where she still rested against the end of the hallway.
“We’re in,” Vydian declared.
An act. This was all an act that Briatta and Vydian had to maintain until they uncovered the truth of their situation.
Briatta plastered a smile onto her face that she hoped looked more real than it felt.
“For now,” Canon acceded gruffly before Briatta could respond. Briatta sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Founders that she wouldn’t have to fake a celebration with Vydian in front of the three men.
“So, the party?” Vydian asked, reverting to the original topic of the evening. She linked her arm through Briatta’s and tugged her gently away from the wall, winking at her friend before jutting her chin out at Canon.
“You’ll be welcome,” Canon conceded. “And there will be no more guards. But know that everyone reports to me, so if you’re thinking of anything, don’t.”
Vydian mocked surprise at this, the small sniff of indignation saying more than she could have if she’d tried. “You insult me.”
To Briatta’s shock, Canon grinned wickedly. “That’s the name of the game down here, sweetheart.”
With that, the three men walked back down the hall to the main room, leaving Briatta and Vydian alone. As soon as they were gone, Briatta grabbed Vydian’s arm and pulled her back to her own room, shutting the door behind them.
“What did you tell him?” Briatta demanded. If it had anything to do with her, she wanted to know. More importantly, perhaps, if Vydian had a secret that could put her in jail, Briatta had underestimated her.
“A secret is a secret for a reason,” Vydian replied, shoving her hands into her pockets. “Sorry, but I can’t tell you this one.”
While Briatta would have pushed the subject any other day, she let it go for now. Until this point, she hadn’t felt the need to look into Vydian. She knew that if she pushed, Vydian would be less likely to tell her, and she also knew that she’d have more tools to figure out what Vydian knew after they were out of this mess. For now, Briatta didn’t care how Vydian had gotten them in, only that she had, and they were that much closer to winning the Ackmanlee. This could wait until after they’d rescued Tallor. There were now more pressing things at hand.
“While you were in there with Canon,” Briatta started, wringing her hands on her shirt. “I think I saw…I saw Neven.”
Vydian frowned. “What? But how would he have gotten here?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out,” Briatta replied, looking away. “I…I think that maybe he is part of this.”
Chapter 31
Rory had knocked on Briatta’s and Vydian’s doors before the feast, giving them time to refresh themselves. There were communal bathing chambers where Water and Fire Ardorists kept warm baths drawn as needed. Briatta had taken him up on the offer, splashing some water on her face and using the extra time to explore the other rooms of the living quarters.
Rory offered her clean clothes for the party, but not wanting to part with her favored sparring outfit, Briatta declined.
When it came time for the feast, Briatta noted it was massive considering the size of the hideout. More people squeezed into the main room than Briatta would have thought possible, and it seemed every table and chair had been brought out for the event. Almost every seat was full. Only Neven was absent. Or perhaps Briatta hadn’t seen him at all.
The food hadn’t been served, but the many scents of different dishes wafted in from the other door—the one they hadn’t been through yet. Maybe that was where equipment for cooking and other necessities had been placed, if all the participants of the Ackmanlee were living here for the duration of the contest. Maybe that was also where they kept the prisoners.
A sharp ringing sounded as Canon lifted his empty glass and knocked a spoon against it, standing in the middle of the crew. When everyone fell silent, he raised his arms as if to encourage cheering, which the people in the room obliged with enthusiasm. When that had quieted down as well, Canon set his glass on the table and nodded to the man beside him, who took it and refilled it with wine.
“Tonight, we celebrate the successful apprehension of the Benson boy,” Canon shouted amidst the rise of excited voices again.
Well, that answered at least one question. Tallor Benson. This was the hideout for the Ackmanlee. Tension released in Briatta’s chest, and she sat up and clapped her hands a few times so she wouldn’t stand out as the only one not excited.
But…that meant that Rory was helping. And if Neven…Briatta’s mind whirled. Suddenly, it made sense. Everything she’d been suspicious of clicked. Owena’s longer working hours. The classified information. Why Neven hadn’t been as forthcoming or helpful as he normally was. Why he and Rory had been at the same warehouse.
Founders.
“You have all done well, and so you will eat well tonight,” Canon told them all, and Briatta shook herself back to the present. “And tomorrow, we will move forward with the plan!”
