Chapter 25

"We don't know where they took her," Virodha growls, slamming his hand down on the rough map of the city. The rickety table squeaks and shifts, almost collapsing from the force.

"We don't know for sure," Khiara clarifies.

"There is no doubt in my mind," I counter, leaning over the map. "They will take her here, if they haven't already."

I put my finger down on the Kala Tavara.

"Impossible," Virodha says, sighing heavily. "If that is where she's at, we have no hope of getting her out."

Khiara and I look at each other. We cannot, will not, let her stay there. I know what is done in that place. Dark things happen there.

Thinking of her in that place, honestly anywhere but in my arms, fills me with rage. Rage is blinding though, and I cannot afford to give myself over to that. I must think, must figure out a way to save her. Virodha stares at the map and growls shaking his head.

"It's not impossible," I say, speaking softly and Khiara nods. My brother is with me, no matter what it takes. "No matter what it takes, we will free her."

Or die trying.

I leave that thought off. It doesn't need to be spoken.

"You think it hasn't been thought of?" Virodha asks. "You think we don't want to free those trapped in there? We do not have the force necessary. It is an impossible task. You're marching into the very heart of the Shaman's power."

"I don't care," I yell, my temper exploding. I'm seething with barely controlled rage. She could be being tortured right this instant while I stand here debating. "I must save her. No matter what it takes."

"And I didn't rise up to save you so you can throw it all away!" Virodha yells back.

"What good is the resistance if you don't resist?" Khiara shouts, adding his voice on my side. "This is the time. The Shaman is weakened, we act now we can end this before it gets worse."

"We are not ready!" Virodha snaps. "We won this battle and that only because they were not prepared. They did not expect to meet the force I brought. That won't happen again."

Khiara and he continue to argue. They raise their voices as they each try to overwhelm the others' opinions with the volume of their disagreement. One thing is clear, though, it's getting us nowhere.

Turning the problem over and over all I can see is that he's not wrong. The Shaman and his Maulavi took over the tower when he solidified his power. It's always guarded by the most loyal, a mix of Maulavi and guards. I cannot see a way to infiltrate it. The interior is a maze, designed to confuse those trying to escape or break in. No matter how I don't see an answer.

"Even if I could spare the forces, we cannot storm Kala Tarva. Gada, have you all lost your minds? The Maulavi will be back to quell our rebellion. The clock is already ticking. I'm sorry I cannot save your pet."

Something snaps in my head. Grabbing the table I throw it aside as I roar, rushing for Virodha. He snarls as I grab him by his shirt and throw him against the wall. One arm cocked back to strike, his eyes narrow, ready for the blow, but Khiara grabs my arm.

"Brother," he says.

He doesn't yell. Doesn't even raise his voice. He doesn't need to because it is the voice of reason. I growl and let Virodha go, turning my back to him. I stalk my way to the middle of the room, breath coming in rapid gasps as I struggle to contain the rage in my chest and head.

"Never call her a pet," I say, looking over my shoulder. "She is my dragoste. My everything. One more word like that and you won't have to worry about what the Shaman will do to you."

His lips curls into a sneer. He holds my eyes, defiant, then Khiara grunts, stepping to my side. His sneer fades and he drops his shoulders. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath then lets it out in a huff.

"Gada," he curses, shaking his head. "I apologize. That was uncalled for."

I glare and want to continue the fight, but then as clearly as if she is in the room with me right now I see Gweneth. The way she would quietly, apparently effortlessly, defuse a fight between Khiara and me.

And just like that, I let it go. She is in danger, and this is one of the few allies I have. Fighting with him is stupid. I am lashing out from my own sense of helplessness and that will accomplish nothing.

"Thank you," I nod.

I walk over to the overturned table and grab a side. Khiara goes to the other side and together we lift it back into place. It's a little ricketier than it was, but surprisingly still functional. Kneeling, I gather up the scattered papers including the rough map.

"There might be a way," someone says.

The room is dimly lit and I don't know most of the men here so I don't recognize the voice. I stand up and look around for the speaker. A boy is standing off to one side. He is looking around at the rest of us with wide eyes and a trembling lip.

"A way?" I prompt.

He nods. His tusks aren't even fully grown yet making it clear that he hasn't reached his majority. This is what we have become. A people who pulls our children into war, but what choice do we have? The lizards were issues enough before the Shaman. He and his lackeys have only compounded our problems.

And no one should go into the next world without feeling like they've done all they can for the world they leave behind. If we're going to die, die fighting. I walk closer to the young one and crouch so that I'm eye level with him. He nods, squaring his shoulders and meeting my gaze.

He's scared. I see it but he does his best to keep it hidden. A sense of admiration for this young one fills my head.

"It won't be pleasant," he says.

His eyes dart around as the others close in to hear what he has to say. He blinks rapidly, swallows hard, and his tusks tremble.

"Go on, young one," I say, gripping his arm and nodding.

The ghost of a smile forms on his lips.

"I know a way they don't guard. I can get you inside."

I grunt in surprise then laugh.

"All right," I say. "Unless someone has any other ideas, let's hear yours and go."

The young one nods and then he tells us how we're going to get inside.