“But why were you arrested, Shai?” I asked.
She let out a long sigh. “Either Legion or Kas screwed us. Or both of them.”
I swallowed hard and turned around to face her. “Explain.”
“Okay, so…a few weeks ago, Legion and Kas were helping me learn a spell to control the weather. It was just the three of us. That’s it. And I lost control of the spell. I have no idea how it happened, but it was too much all at once, and I caused a storm in the Atlantic. Or someone I was with caused it, because I didn’t feel like I was losing control at all.”
My mind flicked back to the night of thunder booms and a churning sea, when Jasper had attacked me. “Yeah, I remember the storm.”
“I didn’t tell you about it because you had so much stress already. But either Kas or Legion reported to the mortal police that it was my fault. No one was killed, but it wrecked a ship and caused a bunch of property damage. Then the cops knew exactly where to find me. I’ve been freaking out this entire time because I had no idea what happened to you.”
My veins buzzed with anger. “Do you think it was both of them?”
She stared at me for a long time before answering. “I think it was Kas. I don’t have a rational explanation, but I just don’t think Legion would do that to me. I think he actually cares about me. Like, I know him. Does that sound stupid?”
I shook my head. “That’s how I feel about Orion, even when I watched him call me a traitor and kick me out of the City of Thorns. I know him, and that wasn’t him. Orion technically won the trial, but he gave me the book in Sudbury. He left himself behind just to save me. He sacrificed himself to torture, and he only won because I went back for him and exploded with magic. That was the real Orion. I know the real Orion. And the person who kicked me out? That wasn’t him.”
“Okay,” she said tentatively. “Magic can create so many illusions, Rowan.”
“Kas told me not to trust anyone, not even him. He said a demon never lets you know all the kinds of magic they’ve mastered because it’s an advantage to keep their weapons hidden.”
She swallowed hard. “Yeah, well, he was right about not trusting him. But what do we do now?”
My phone buzzed again, and my hands shook as I read another message from Kas.
“What is it?” The wind whipped at Shai’s dark curls.
I took a deep breath, staring at the text. “Kas says he managed to trap Orion in the dungeon, and he can break the wards to let me in there. He says I can’t trust anyone, and I shouldn’t speak to anyone, and it’s time for me to take matters into my own hands.”
“He’s desperate to end Orion’s life,” said Shai. “This isn’t even subtle.”
I swallowed hard. “He’s panicking.”
As the Porsche hurled northeast on Route 128, I felt sick.
“What, exactly, are we doing?” asked Sabazios. “For your mother’s sake and yours, I’ll do anything in my power to protect you, but please just clue me in.”
“Thank you, Sabazios.” I pulled out my phone and flicked to Legion’s number. “Before we get too close to the city walls, let’s start by trying to find out whether Legion is working with Kas. As subtly as we can.”
“He isn’t,” said Shai from the back seat.
“Okay, but let me prove it, Shai.” I dialed Legion’s number, and he picked up after just one ring.
“Rowan?” he asked in a loud whisper. “What’s happening?”
“Legion, have you been back into the City of Thorns, by any chance?”
“Yeah,” he said, sounding surprised. “I’m here now. Invisible, of course. I wanted to see what Orion was doing. He’s been making speeches throughout the day at the Tower of Baal. He has a crowd there thoroughly worked up. Seems completely unhinged.”
I closed my eyes. “When was the last time you saw him?”
“I just left one of his rants fifteen minutes ago. He’s talking about enslaving mortals and seeking revenge on them. He’s lost his mind.”
I took a deep breath. “I’m a bit confused because Kas sent me a text saying Orion was locked in the dungeons right now.”
“What? No. Kas told you that?” he asked, baffled. “I haven’t been able to find him since you ran off. Are you sure it was him?”
It would appear Kas hadn’t filled in Legion on his latest lies. “What do you know about Kas’s magical abilities?”