Cassandra's POV
Adrian was dead.
The guards threw me into a stone cell deep beneath the palace. My hands were still covered in his blood.
You hang at dawn, one guard said. Make peace with whatever gods you believe in.
The door slammed. Locked.
I was alone in the darkness.
I sank to the cold floor, staring at my bloodstained palms. Adrian's blood. The man who'd tried to save me. Who'd found a secret passage to reach me. Who'd died with my name on his lips.
And the Queen had made it look like I'd murdered him.
Rage and grief warred in my chest. I wanted to scream. To break something. To make someone pay for this nightmare.
Instead, I forced myself to think.
The Queen had known Adrian would come for me. Had set a trap. Which meant someone had told her about the secret passages.
Someone close to Adrian.
But who?
I closed my eyes, replaying the scene. Adrian collapsing. The knife in his back. His final words: Marcus. They moved him. To the...
To where? Where had they taken my brother?
Told you this would work.
I jerked upright.
That voice. Male. Familiar.
Someone stood outside my cell door. I couldn't see him in the darkness, but I knew that voice.
Who's there? I demanded.
A match flared. A candle lit.
Commander Thorne stepped into view, smiling.
Comfortable? he asked.
Go to hell.
Probably will eventually. But not today. He pulled keys from his belt. Today, I'm here to make you an offer.
I'm not interested in anything you
The Queen wants you to confess. Publicly. At the execution. He unlocked the cell door. Admit you murdered Lord Ravenshade in a jealous rage. Admit your father was a traitor. Beg for mercy.
Never.
Didn't think so. Thorne stepped inside. Which is why I'm giving you another option.
What kind of option?
He tossed something at my feet. A guard's uniform. Escape. Right now. I'll look the other way.
I stared at the clothes. Why would you help me?
I'm not helping you. I'm helping myself. He leaned against the wall. The Queen's getting dangerous. Killing the king. Framing you for Ravenshade's murder. Soon she'll turn on everyone—including me. I need insurance.
And I'm your insurance?
You're the only person with evidence against her. Your father's journal. His investigation. If I help you escape, you help me take her down. He smiled. Simple transaction.
Nothing about this was simple.
How do I know you won't just kill me the moment I'm out?
You don't. But you're dead anyway if you stay here. He nodded toward the uniform. Choose fast. Guards change shifts in ten minutes.
I grabbed the clothes. Started changing, not caring that Thorne could see.
Survival first. Modesty never.
Smart girl, Thorne murmured. Your father would be proud.
Don't talk about my father.
Fair enough. He handed me a guard's helmet. Keep your head down. Walk like you own the place. There's a service exit past the kitchens. I've bribed the guards. They'll let you through.
I tucked my hair under the helmet. And then what?
Then you run. Get out of the capital. Find somewhere safe. He paused. And when the time comes, you help me destroy the Queen.
I studied his scarred face. Why should I trust you?
You shouldn't. I'm a bastard who's done terrible things. He met my eyes. But I loved your father. He was a good man. And watching him die for crimes he didn't commit... Something flickered in his expression. Let's just say I have regrets.
Before I could respond, shouting echoed down the corridor.
What's that? I whispered.
Thorne's face went pale. They found him.
Found who?
Ravenshade. The body. They're moving it already—she wants the evidence secured before— He grabbed my arm. Go. Now. Before they lock down the entire palace.
But you said I had ten minutes
Plans change. Move!
He shoved me toward the door.
I ran.
The guard uniform was too big, but it covered me. I kept my head down, walking fast but not running. Running drew attention.
Guards rushed past me toward the execution chambers. No one looked twice at another guard in the chaos.
The kitchens were ahead. Steam and cooking smells filled the air. Servants bustled everywhere.
I spotted the service exit. Two guards stood there, looking bored.
The ones Thorne had bribed.
I walked toward them, heart hammering.
Shift change already? one asked.
Special assignment, I mumbled, keeping my voice low.
He shrugged and opened the door.
I was through. Outside. Free.
The night air hit my face like a blessing.
I ran.
Behind me, bells started ringing. Alarm bells.
They'd discovered I was gone.
I sprinted through dark streets, away from the palace. The city was mostly asleep, but a few people stared at the running guard.
Where could I go? I had no money. No allies. Nowhere safe.
The East Library.
The thought came suddenly. My father had mentioned it in his journal. Said there were hidden documents there. Proof.
If I could find that proof, I could clear his name. Could expose the Queen.
Could save Marcus—if he was even still alive.
The library was on the other side of the city. I'd have to cross through noble districts. Risk being seen.
But what choice did I have?
I changed direction, heading east.
Twenty minutes later, I reached the library. It was closed, locked.
I circled to the back. Found a window. Broke it with my elbow wrapped in cloth.
Climbed inside.
The library was dark, silent. Thousands of books surrounded me.
Where would my father hide evidence?
Behind the fourth bookshelf on the east wall. The old woman's words echoed.
I found the east wall. Counted bookshelves. One, two, three, four.
Pushed.
It swung open, revealing a hidden space.
Inside: a metal lockbox.
The key. I needed the key the old woman had given me.
I reached into my pocket—
Empty.
No. No, no, no.
The key must have fallen out during the escape. Or been taken when they arrested me.
I wanted to scream.
So close. The proof was right here and I couldn't open it.
I grabbed the lockbox anyway, tucking it under my arm. Maybe I could break it open later.
As I turned to leave, I heard voices.
Guards. Outside the library.
Check inside! She might be hiding here!
I froze.
They'd tracked me. Somehow.
I looked around desperately. No other exits. No way out except the broken window, and guards were already surrounding the building.
I was trapped.
The front door crashed open.
Search everywhere! a voice commanded.
I recognized that voice.
Helena.
Of course. The Queen's perfect little spy.
I pressed myself behind a shelf, holding my breath.
Footsteps. Coming closer.
Cassandra! Helena called out. I know you're here. I can help you. Just come out.
Liar. She'd never helped me. Only betrayed me.
The Queen knows you escaped, Helena continued. She's furious. But she's also impressed. She wants to make you an offer.
I don't want anything from her, I said before I could stop myself.
Stupid. Now they knew where I was.
Helena appeared around the bookshelf, holding a lantern. Alone.
There you are. She smiled. You look terrible.
Where are the guards?
Waiting outside. I told them I'd handle this personally. She set the lantern down. We need to talk. Really talk.
About how you betrayed me? How you helped frame me for murder?
I didn't frame you for anything. Helena's smile faded. Cassandra, Lord Ravenshade isn't dead.
The world stopped.
What?
He's alive. Badly wounded, but alive. The knife missed his heart by inches. She stepped closer. The Queen wanted you to think you'd killed him. Wanted you desperate and broken. But he's being treated by physicians right now.
Adrian was alive.
Relief flooded through me so strong I nearly collapsed.
Why are you telling me this? I whispered.
Because I'm done being the Queen's puppet. Helena's voice turned hard. She promised me power. Position. A good marriage. Instead, she's made me a spy, a liar, and an accessory to murder. I'm tired of it.
So now you want to switch sides?
I want to survive. The Queen's getting sloppy, making enemies. When she falls—and she will fall—I don't want to go down with her. Helena held out her hand. Work with me. We can take her down together.
I stared at her hand. How do I know you're not lying again?
You don't. But Cassandra, if we don't work together, we're both dead. She paused. The Queen has Marcus. She's using him as bait to draw you out. If you go after him alone, you'll be captured. But if we work together...
We might actually save him, I finished.
Helena nodded. And clear your father's name. And stop the Queen from destroying everyone else.
It could be a trap. Probably was a trap.
But if Adrian was alive, if Marcus could be saved...
I took her hand.
The moment our fingers touched, Helena's smile changed.
Became cold. Cruel.
Good choice, she said.
Then she yanked me forward. Her other hand came up, pressing cloth over my face.
Chemical smell. Sweet and wrong.
Chloroform.
I struggled, but she was stronger than she looked.
Sorry, Helena whispered as darkness closed in. But the Queen pays better than your friendship ever did.
The world faded.
My last thought before unconsciousness claimed me:
I'm so stupid.
I woke to pain.
My head throbbed. My wrists hurt.
I blinked, vision slowly clearing.
I was tied to a chair in a room I didn't recognize. Candlelight flickered.
Someone sat across from me.
Not Helena.
Not the Queen.
A man I'd never seen before. Middle-aged, sharp-eyed, dressed in expensive clothes.
Lady Cassandra, he said pleasantly. We finally meet. I've been watching you for quite some time.
Who are you?
He smiled. Your father called me the Spider. But you can call me Lord Morrick. The Queen's cousin. The man who orchestrated your father's execution. He leaned forward. And the man who's about to make you an offer you can't refuse.
My blood ran cold.
The Spider. The mastermind behind everything.
And I was completely at his mercy.
What do you want? I asked.
Simple. His smile widened. I want you to kill the Queen.