The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

of my mind. I would get out of here—either on my own, or
Casteel would find me.
I knew he had to be searching for me. Likely started the
moment he woke. And he would tear the entire kingdom
apart if necessary. He would find me.
I would get out of here.
But first, I needed a weapon.
Bracing myself for pain, I slowly stretched out my arm.
My fingers brushed the dusty handle of the spear.
Excitement thrummed as the bindings snapped tighter
around my wrist, digging into my flesh. Pain spiked—
Stone slid against stone somewhere in the darkness of
the crypt, halting my attempt. Ignoring the intense
throbbing in my limb, I drew my hand back to my lap, where
fresh blood gathered, soaking my slip. I stared into the
shadows, straining to see who had arrived.
“I see you’re finally awake.”
My hands curled into fists at the sound of Alastir’s voice.
A moment later, he passed under the glow of one of the
torches. He looked the same as he had in the Temple,
except his black tunic, threaded with gold, was sleeveless. “I
checked on you earlier, but you were asleep.”
“You traitorous son of a bitch,” I spat.
Alastir stopped between two of the stone tombs. “I know
you’re angry. You have every right to be. Jansen confessed
that he lost his temper and struck you. I apologize for that.
Hitting anyone who cannot defend themselves is not part of
the oath we took.”
“I don’t care that he hit me,” I hissed, glaring up at
Alastir. “I care about how you betrayed Casteel. How you
had a hand in the death of your own great-nephew.”
His head tilted, and the shadows hid the jagged scar
across his forehead. “You see what I have taken part in as a
betrayal. I see it as a messy necessity to ensure the safety
of Atlantia.”