Lenny and Calum exchange a look before the latter sighs and says, “Our attack was as much of a surprise to us as it was to the guests.” I’m reminded of how unprepared the few Resistance members looked, how they were trying to fight their way out of the ballroom.
“It was never part of the plan,” Lenny interprets as I raise an eyebrow, urging him to explain further. “So, basically, the ball was the perfect cover to sneak in a small group to search the castle, using the festivity as a distraction. And, well, let’s just say they got caught.”
My gaze slides to Finn. “You were there and escaped. What happened?”
Finn clears his throat. “I won’t bore you with the details, but a guard found me in a back hallway during my search, and thought it was rather suspicious that a serving boy was so far from the festivities. So, when he asked prying questions, naturally, I lied my ass off.” He ducks his head, shaking it at the floor. “Only after he dragged me back into the ballroom did I discover he was a Bluff who could sense each of my lies.”
“But Finn wasn’t the only one caught,” Mira cuts in, looking grim. “Turns out, there were a lot more Imperials crawling around the castle than anticipated.”
Finn heaves a heavy sigh. “We were all equipped with low-damage bombs, knives, and suicide capsules, though we weren’t planning on having to use any of it. But we discreetly wore our leather armor and had our masks as a precaution in case we needed to fight our way out. And that’s exactly what it came to. An Imperial was the first to set off one of our bombs, not knowing what it was, and that’s when the ballroom broke out into chaos. We tried to escape, but Elites started fighting us, and all we could do was try to fight our way out.” He pauses, swallowing his sorrow. “In the end, we all used the bombs while those who were caught used the suicide capsules.”
Leena’s pretty face is pinched with grief, her next words hallow. “Our secrets are too valuable to lose, and they were too loyal to divulge them. They knew they would lose their lives anyway.”
The room goes silent as if taking a moment to honor the lives of those they lost.
“We weren’t intending for the kingdom to learn of the Resistance that night, or in that way, but it seems fate had other arrangements,” Calum says softly. “Sadly, sometimes it takes martyrs to show people that there is something worth fighting for.”
I let the information sink in, sitting silently before voicing the question that has slithered its way to the forefront of my mind. “What was it that you were searching for?”
It’s Lenny who offers me an answer. “As an Imperial, I’ve been informed that the final Trial will be held in the Bowl, and that is where we are going to show ourselves to Ilya. Now, the castle is riddled with secret passageways and tunnels that lead in and out to various places. We need to find the one that leads right under the box in the arena. Securing the king is the trickiest part of this, so we need to use the element of surprise against him while the rest of the Resistance can come through the many tunnels leading into the Bowl.”
My brows knit together in confusion. “How do you know there is even a tunnel leading into the waiting room beneath the box?” I don’t remember seeing a door down there before the interviews, but then again, I suppose I was rather distracted.
“Because I’ve seen it,” Lenny says simply. I open my mouth, but he quickly cuts me off. “And that’s all good and dandy, except that the tunnel doors only open from the inside, and I have no idea where the other end of that passage is.”
“Oh,” I say softly.
Lenny’s laugh is dry. “Yeah. Oh.”
I look between all of them expectantly. “So, what, you need me to find the tunnel that leads there?”
Their response is practically in unison. “Yes.”
I choke on a laugh. “If Lenny hasn’t been able to find it yet, I’m not sure I—”
“Yeah, well, it would be a hell of a lot easier if I had the future king wrapped around my finger,” Lenny murmurs under his breath.
I shoot him a look as Calum slowly says, “Your relationships with the princes are…valuable. Specifically, your connection with Prince Kitt.” He leans forward, urging me to understand. “Paedyn, I believe you hold far more sway over that boy than you give yourself credit for.”
I’m not sure he’s right about that, but I nod slowly, taking in his words. “You want me to use Kitt to find the tunnel.”
“Bingo,” Finn says.
“He has already begun to trust you,” Calum insists. “So, use it. What was it you said earlier? ‘The strongest weapon a woman has at her disposal is that she is often underestimated.’ So let him underestimate you. He is a means to an end. Make this boy bow if he must.” His eyes are locked on mine. “Just get us into the Bowl. We’ve been planning this for a long while now, and it will be the first time that most of the Resistance will be in one spot. So, this needs to go right.”
I nod again. “I can do it. I will do it.” There is a beat of silence before I ask, “What exactly is the plan?”
“It’s really quite simple,” Calum says. “The majority of us will finally all gather together, and we’ll show the people of Ilya who we are and what we have to say. Show them that we are not a threat while also reminding them of who they have been killing for decades. The king is going to have to either admit his lies about the Ordinaries or simply give us our freedom. And you are going to help us do it.”
“We need you to find the tunnel,” Lenny urges. “I’ll be there to help with anything you need, of course, and we will check back in soon with Calum.”
So, Calum is the head leader?
“Yes, I suppose you could call me the that, though none of us really have titles,” Calum says coolly, running a hand through his tawny hair.
Plagues. He’s a—
“Yes, I am a Mind Reader, Paedyn.”
My breathing quickens.
He’s been reading my thoughts the entire time. He’s probably reading them right now—
“Yes, I have been reading your thoughts the entire time, and yes, I did just read them again.” I don’t try to hide the look of betrayal on my face, which only softens his expression. “I’m sorry for invading your thoughts, but I had to make sure you were truly on our side. Truly willing to help us.”
Get. Out. Of. My. Head.
He almost smiles. “So very headstrong, just like your father. But now that I see you are trustworthy, I will leave you to your thoughts.”
Lenny clears his throat and stands, offering me a hand. “We should get going. We have a lot of work to do. And you need to spend as much time with the future king as possible, so you can find us our passage.”
“Yeah, I still need to figure out exactly how I’m going to get that information out of him,” I admit.
“Flirt,” Finn chimes in at the same moment Lenny says, “Bat your eyelashes or something.”
I snort before Lenny waves me over to the stairs. “Come on. We need to get you back to your room.”
I nod to the small group before me. “Thank you. You gave me something to fight for.” And with that, I turn away, heading for the stone steps behind Lenny.