Page 72 of To Save a Kingdom

Shadow huffed. “We have two shapeshifters.” She eyed Aliya. “Between the two of us, I would bet we can get into the library and figure out a way to free the hostages… before Brooks sets off another Whisperer.”

At this point, Aliya had no clue how many of the blasted things Brooks had, or what he was waiting for.

“Great idea,” Zadé said, nodding her head. “You two sneak in, look around, and come back out and report, so we can come up with a way to get everyone out.”

Aliya bit her lip and studied Shadow. “Do we have any speaking stones we can plant near the prisoners?”

Less than half an hour later, Aliya and Shadow, dressed in borrowed guard uniforms and shifted to resemble two nondescript humans, marched up to the library. The speaking stone Aliya procured from Malkov’s alchemist lab sat heavy in her pocket.

Lifting her fist, she banged on the door.

The echoes reverberated down the hall.

Footsteps approached from inside. “Who’s there?”

“Is this where we report if we think the imposter queen needs to be tossed off the throne?” Shadow asked.

The door cracked open and the watchman thrust a spear tip toward Aliya until it settled beneath her throat. “Who told ya that?”

“Heard it through the grape vine in Lord Havenhash’s household.” Shadow stepped forward, apparently not concerned by the blade hovering dangerously close to Aliya’s skin. “Did we hear wrong?”

The man eyed Shadow up and down, taking in the uniform, the medium brown hair cropped short in typical military fashion, and the muscular male form Shadow had chosen. “You seem like you’re decent in a fight,” he said.

Shadow dipped her chin. “Name’s Mikhail.” She pointed to Aliya. “And this here’s Jessup. Can we come in?”

The sentry chewed his cheek. “Never heard of you.”

Aliya raised her eyebrow, trying to look bored. She crossed her arms. “You know every one of Lord Havenhash’s guards, do you? Because I don’t know you, either.”

The human eyed them once more before glancing over his shoulder. He nodded at someone Aliya couldn’t see, then backed away and ushered them inside.

The library overflowed with books, complete with a rolling ladder on each wall to help with reaching the upper shelves. It was also jam packed with people.

Shadow had been correct—the entirety of Aliya’s council, except for Alinac and the now-deceased Macherall, sat at the imposing table that was the centerpiece of the room. Brooks lounged at its head. The sentries milled around the room’s edges, casting suspicious glances their way.

To her left, a fire crackled in the hearth, adding to the heat from the compressed bodies that the tiny windows high in the walls did little to dispel. There was no sign of the hostages.

The red gem in Brooks’ forehead flashed. Aliya tensed. It must be in response to her proximity to him, but over the next several heartbeats, the Arcane Inquisitor didn’t react. Aliya relaxed, her shoulders dropping.

“Come on.” Their guide waved them over. “Let’s get you added to the rolls.”

Aliya nodded. If they could get their hands on a copy of that list, they’d have the identity of every traitorous guard and noble in the castle. Then, they needed eyes on the hostages, and somewhere surreptitious to hide the speaking stone.

The stench of sweat tickled her nose as she followed their escort past several bookcases into another space.

One of Aliya’s own lieutenants sat in a chair behind a tall desk as he gave them both a once-over. She committed his face to memory. “New recruits?” he asked.

The sentry nodded. “Mikhail and Jessup, from Havenhash’s house.”

The lieutenant eyed them, his bored expression unimpressed. “As soon as the council’s done with their conference, we’ll have the lord come vouch for you. But in the meantime, please make your marks here.” He held out a lined sheet and a quill.

Aliya met Shadow’s eyes as she took the feather. They had to leave before Brooks’ meeting ended, or Havenhash would out them. Scanning the names on the paper, she scribbled Jessup Devonshire in the next empty line, then handed the plume to Shadow.

After she returned the items to the lieutenant, Shadow pierced the man with her sharp gaze. “So, what’s the plan? When do we make our move?”

The edges of the man’s lips tightened. “You’ll be informed along with everyone else, once the council finishes hammering out the details.”

Aliya nodded. She hadn’t expected them to reveal anything to newcomers, but it had been worth a try.