The Lost Hero - Chapter 11

They were all in his suite when he arrived.

Karn shot up from a chair. “My prince, I must—”

The Sword made a hissing sigh as Ero drew it. Karn froze, chin straining up as the tip pressed into his throat.

“Give me a reason I shouldn’t kill you.”

The others pressed together. Karn held up his hands. “My prince—”

“Don’t!” Ero barked. “Don’t dare to pretend!”

Karn swallowed noisily. But he persisted. “My prince, please, I must warn you.”

“What does Jharen want?”

“How did—?”

“What?”

Karn flinched as the Sword dug into his skin, a trickle of blood beading up. “You’re in danger. The queen is—”

He choked, collar twisted in Ero’s fist.

“When?”

“Tonight. Midnight. Kill her.”

“How?”

“Assassins. Sevietians. I am to let them in, claim to have a message from you. Implicate you; you’ll be arrested and executed. Claim she was poisoning the king, a coup.”

“Swear it! Swear to Athus’li!”

“By the Earth Mother, my prince, it is the truth.” His sincerity could not be doubted. He staggered as Ero dropped him.