"Where is everyone?"
Mikhailis swallowed a grimace. "They're either in hiding or worse," he murmured back. "Not everyone has the luxury of being a traveling prince… or a knight… or a crazy warrior woman like you."
"Or they knew," Lira added softly, her voice cutting through the gloom with quiet certainty. "They knew the collapse was coming. They knew Luthadel was going to tear itself apart."
The statement sank in like a lead weight. Mikhailis exchanged a glance with Rhea, who wore a tight frown. This can't all be chance, he mused in silent agreement. Uprisings typically required months of planning, a spark to ignite the powder. The catacomb collapse was that spark. But how in the world had the Crownless House predicted it? Was there a leak? Some inside knowledge? The questions whirled in his mind, making him rub absently at his temple.
