“What the hell is this place?” Rush could barely see in the almost complete darkness.

Bruze had led them to a building on the outskirts of the marketplace. They’d climbed a ladder into the darkness they found themselves in, and had been traversing dark tunnels, taking turns that Rush had no clue would yield Katrina to them.

Was she even here?

Bruze, leading the way with Caayn behind him, then Boron, and Rush bringing up the rear, didn’t seem to have much to say other than to shush Rush with warnings that they’d be passing by doors that weren’t completely soundproof and it would be best for them not to be found. And Jeweler would rather his elaborate tunnel system beneath the marketplace not be discovered.

So, Rush had contained his questions after the first initial outburst.

Winding, turning, scrambling, with an occasional rodent scrabbling over their shoes, they’d passed trapdoor after trapdoor overhead. Many of the doors had long cracks in them, giving some light from the buildings above the tunnels.

“How much farther?” Rush was getting impatient. He’d come down here without so much as a word about whether they’d find Katrina or any answers here.

Bruze whirled and gave him a dirty look that was visible even in the dimness. He leaned in, past Caayn, until his face nearly touched Rush’s. “Do not jeopardize Jeweler.”

Rush backed up, raised his hands, though his fists were clenched. He wanted to hurt someone—anyone—but he realized, without Bruze, they’d be screwed. Katrina would be in serious trouble if it weren’t for Bruze and his connections.

Finally, they stopped beneath another trapdoor.

Rush waited. Was Bruze trying to get his bearings, or was this the place?

Bruze nodded and pointed to the wooden panel. Then he reached into a narrow, tall cubby in the wall and pulled out a long rod with an attachment on the end. Digging into his pocket, Bruze pulled out a fixture the size of his palm, though flat like a disc, and attached it to the rod’s end.

He raised it until it was secure in the indentation next to the door and turned it.

A ladder made of rope dropped. He tugged on it and a staircase made of wood dropped.

“Let’s go,” Bruze murmured. He climbed the ladder and Caayn started behind him.

Bruze was out of sight, inside whatever was up there by the time Rush landed a foot on the ladder.

He followed Caayn into a room lit by candles. Dark-brown furniture, light-brown walls.

No sooner than Rush had stepped off the ladder and into the room, he found himself surrounded by men.

Uniformed soldiers.

Cursed fires. He whirled on Bruze, ready to beat his face into a pulp.

“Fraruska.”

Rush whipped a one-eighty around and faced—

His father.

Rush was immediately saddened. His father had changed. He’d aged. Creases of worry and stress lined a face previously handsome and formidable.

“Father.”

“When Saldon said—” His voice broke. “I thought you were dead. First, I lost your mother. Then you. Why?”

“I didn’t want the life you had designed for me. Mother said to chase my dreams.”

“This is your dream? Running with corsairs? That is what you’ve been concentrating on?”

“Right now, I have one thing I’m focused on. Finding Katrina.”

His father studied his face, and then his expression softened and he wiped at one eye. “I know that feeling.”

Caayn stepped forward. “Governor, right? It is governor, isn’t it? That’s what Saldon mentioned.”

Rush’s father appraised Caayn, taking his measure, assessing. “You are the captain who leads my son.”

Caayn nodded. “I am. He’s a good man.”

“And who are you?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Caayn Fellish, of Gorgus Cranif.”

“Ah. Good man, that Gorgus. Then you must be—”

Rush knew where his father was going with this. Would Caayn ever be able to live down that he wasn’t born of an arranged marriage between two Cardinal Few families, but an illicit tryst?

“I am.” Caayn stood taller, looking proud.

Rush stepped next to his friend. “He’s a good captain. A good man.”

His father nodded and extended a hand to Caayn. “Governor Menen. Nice to meet you.”

“Father, I don’t want to interrupt introductions and niceties, but we are here on a pressing mission.”

“What would that mission be?”

Rush sighed. He knew his father too well. He hadn’t changed in all these years. He knew why they were there. What game was he playing by being coy? “You know we’re looking for someone. Where is she? Do you have her? If you don’t have her, then we must move on. If you do, for all that’s holy, speak up.”

His father stepped forward, put his hands on Rush’s shoulders. “It’s clear she means a lot to you.”

She? He said she!

Rush fought the excitement threatening to overwhelm him. If his father knew they were looking for a “she,” that could only mean he had her. “Where is Katrina?”

“In a vehicle bound for the Governor’s Building.”

“Why?”

“What else would you have me do with her? She was being held hostage. We had to save her.”

“Was she hurt?”

“She’s being taken care of. Her injuries were not minor. After that, we have questions for her and the lady accompanying her.”