Mistborn #03 The Hero of Ages

shifted.
    "I would think that you'd be flattered," Yomen continued. "I didn't know if you were really as dangerous as reported, but I decided to assume that you were. You see, I—"
    Vin didn't give him any more time. There were only two ways she could escape from the city: the first would be to find some metals, the second would be to take Yomen captive. She planned to try both.
    She yanked her greased hands free from the manacles, which had been fastened to her arms when they were squirming and flexed. She ignored the pain and the blood as the manacles scraped her hands, then she leaped to her feet, reaching into a fold in her shirt and pulling out the silver screws that she'd taken from her cot. These, she threw at the soldiers.
    The men, of course, yelled in surprise and threw themselves to the ground, ducking her presumed Steelpush. Their own preparation and worry worked against them—for Vin had no steel. The screws bounced against the wall ineffectively, and the guards lay confused by her feint. She was halfway to Yomen before the first one thought to scramble back to his feet.
    Yomen turned. As always, he wore the little drop of atium at his forehead. Vin lunged for it.
    Yomen stepped casually out of the way. Vin lunged again, this time feinting, then trying to elbow him in the stomach. Her attack didn't land, however, as Yomen—hands still clasped behind his back—sidestepped her again.
    She knew that look on his face—that look of complete control, of power. Yomen obviously had very little battle training, but he dodged her anyway.
    He was burning atium.
    Vin stumbled to a halt. No wonder he wears that bit on his forehead, she thought. It's for emergencies. She could see in his smile that he really had anticipated her. He'd known that she would try something, and he'd baited her, letting her get close. But, he'd never really been in danger.
    The guards finally caught up with her, but Yomen raised a hand, waving them back. Then he gestured toward the bench. Quietly, Vin returned and sat down. She had to think, and she certainly wasn't going to get anywhere with Yomen burning atium.
    As she sat, Ruin appeared next to her—materializing as if from dark smoke, wearing Reen's body. None of the others reacted; they obviously couldn't see him.
    "Too bad," Ruin said. "In a way, you almost had him. But . . . then, in a way, you were never really close, either."
    She ignored Ruin, looking up at Yomen. "You're Mistborn."
    "No," he said, shaking his head. He didn't turn back toward his window, however. He stood facing her, wary. He'd probably turned off his atium—it was far too valuable to leave burning—but he'd have it in reserve, careful to watch her for signs of another attack.
    "No?" Vin said, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "You were burning atium, Yomen. I saw that much."
    "Believe as you wish," Yomen said. "But know this, woman: I do not lie. I've never needed lies, and I find that is particularly true now, when the entire world is in chaos. People need truth from those they follow."
    Vin frowned.
    "Regardless, it is time," Yomen said.
    "Time?" Vin asked.
    Yomen nodded. "Yes. I apologize for leaving you for so long in your cell. I have been . . . distracted."
    Elend, Vin thought. What has he been doing? I feel so blind!
    She glanced at Ruin, who stood on the other side of the bench, shaking his head as if he understood far more than he was telling her. She turned back to Yomen. "I still don't understand," she said. "Time for what?"
    Yomen met her eyes. "Time for me to make a decision about your execution, Lady Venture."
    Oh, she thought. Right. Between her dealings with Ruin and her plans to escape, she'd nearly forgotten Yomen's declaration that he intended to let her "defend" herself before he executed her.
    Ruin walked across the room, circling Yomen in a leisurely stroll. The obligator king stood, still meeting Vin's eyes. If he could see Ruin, he didn't show it. Instead, he waved to a guard, who opened a side door, leading in several obligators in gray robes. They seated themselves on a bench across the room from Vin.
    "Tell me, Lady Venture," Yomen said, turning back to her, "why did you come to Fadrex City?"
    Vin cocked her head. "I thought this wasn't to be a trial. You said that you didn't need that sort of thing."
    "I would think," Yomen replied, "that you would be pleased with any delay in the process."
    A delay meant more time to think—more time to possibly escape. "Why did we come?" Vin