Counting Shadows (Duplicity)

doesn’t sound like him. But I take a deep breath and say, “Then I need to get to him.”
    Jolik shakes his head. “You can’t.”
    “I have to! He’s my brother. I need to make sure he’s safe.”
    “I won’t let you, Miss Princess. The prince doesn’t need protection anymore, and you have no reason to go barging into a castle that’s about to be invaded.”
    Before he can grab me, I dart around Jolik’s horse and race into the crowd of soldiers filing past. I drag Lor with me, afraid to leave him alone with the soldiers. He’s an Angel, technically an enemy, and he could be in danger.
    “Miss Princess!” Jolik calls after me. “Get back here!
Now!
”
    I ignore his order and dive deeper into the ranks of soldiers. Some of the men glare at me, but most are too focused on the sky to even notice. Lor manages to stay close, cursing as his foot drags more and more. My own leg is throbbing, and I feel faint from losing blood.
    When we’re a few dozens yards away, I slow to a walk and try to blend in. I wish I had my cloak with its hood, but I make do by keeping my head low. I keep with the flow of the soldiers, and step to the side as I approach one of the side entrances that leads into the castle.
    I slip into the castle undetected, Lor in tow. A servant nearly runs into me as he tries to race out the door I just came in. But he skirts by me, not bothering to stop and ask what I’m doing sneaking around.
    “We need to get to Farren,” I whisper to Lor. He walks behind me as I guide him down a corridor, his breathing coming in short gasps. His hand remains firmly clenched around mine.
    “Where are his chambers?” Lor asks between pants.
    “They’re on the first floor.”
    “Close?”
    I nod to the end of the corridor, which we’re growing close to. “Right around the bend there. He insists on being as far away from the other chambers as possible. Doesn’t like being around other royalty.” I’m babbling, but I can’t stop myself as I break into a jog. “He likes being close to that exit. Says it’ll make a good escape, if he’s ever in danger.” I can hear the hysteria in my own voice, and wince at my weakness.
    “Calm down, Faye,” Lor murmurs. “It’ll be fine. We just need to get to him and get him out.”
    “But he’ll want to stay with the soldiers. That’s probably what he’s doing in there, you know. His chambers have thick walls, so people can’t hear from outside. He’ll be planning tactics with the generals. He’s good at tactics.” I gasp in a breath and add, “I’ll make him leave. He can’t get hurt. He
can’t.
”
    “Then we won’t let him,” Lor says gently, and he squeezes my hand again.
    We’re both completely out of breath when we reach the bend in the corridor. Lor stumbles just as we turn, and his hand yanks out of my grasp. He sags against the wall, his good leg shaking with the effort of keeping him upright. I hesitate for a moment, and then say, “Just stay here. I’ll come back for you as soon as I get Farren.”
    Lor grits his teeth and shakes his head. He pushes off from the wall and takes the lead, hobbling down the corridor. “I’m not leaving you,” he snaps. Then he looks over his shoulder and flashes that cocky smile. “Now, come on. Let’s get your brother.”
    I race after him, forcing my legs to work off sheer will-power. My injured leg is stiffening by the moment. I close my eyes and wince, thinking of how painful it will be to run back out of the castle. But I’ll do it, if it means getting Farren to safety.
    When we reach his door, I’m still trying to decide how to I’ll convince him to leave. Probably a threat would be the easiest way to get him out of the castle. I’ll threaten to stay here, in harm’s way, until he leaves with me. That will convince him.
    With a decisive nod, I reach to knock on Farren’s door. Lor’s hand whips out and whacks mine away. I open my mouth to protest, but he slaps his palm over my mouth. He nods toward the door, and I give it a closer look. It’s already ajar. But why? Surely Farren knows to close the door when he plans battle tactics.
    “Stay here,” Lor murmurs quietly. “I’m going to go in and check it out.”
    I want to protest, but his hand is still covering my mouth. So I just nod.
    Lor slips inside. I wait for him to give me the all clear, and impatiently tap my foot and rub my face. Seconds pass. Then a minute. I hear nothing from inside, and my palm grows slick as I