The metal edges of the hole Whisk had cut still steamed faintly, the heat dissipating into the air and dust stirred up by the battle. Pax froze, halfway up into the wagon, one arm braced as he stared at the unexpected cargo.

  It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the light from his stones, which warred with the flickering glow of a beast core lantern swinging from the ceiling inside. To his left, he saw what he’d expected, sturdy crates stacked high against the wall, their surfaces marked with the empire’s markings. The sharp, acrid tang of oil and metal suggested they were indeed some kind of weapons.

  It was the movement to his right that challenged his expectations. He focused on the three people who sat ramrod straight on a padded bench built into the wall of the wagon. They seemed understandably concerned and worried about the ambush and battle happening just outside their wagon.

  His sudden appearance hadn’t helped. All three of them were staring between him and Talpa’s unusual form, poised on the verge of taking some kind of action.

  The woman in the center, dressed in a travel-stained cloak, was obviously in charge. The two to either side were younger than her. A young man and woman kept looking to her for guidance, likely her assistants. They were too shocked to even attempt to grab something to use as a weapon against Pax and Talpa.

  A handful of documents, including a leather journal, lay scattered across the table bolted to the floor of the wagon. A set of three bunk beds had been built into another wall, their carefully arranged linens suggesting the three of them lived in the wagon.

  A sturdy row of built-in drawers under cupboards filled an adjacent wall along with a small door next to them that probably led to some kind of latrine, further evidence that the trio had spent many hours here.

  Something tugged at Pax’s mind, and his gaze snapped back to the woman in the middle. He knew her. And, by the confused narrowing of her brow, she might know him too.

  The shock of recognition hit him hard, and for a moment, he simply stared, unable to reconcile her presence here. Why was she with the empire’s caravan? He’d expected weapons, maybe even traps, but certainly not her.

  That can’t be her. Pax shook his head as he double-checked, examining the woman’s features lit by the flickering lights. The ticking time for his mission faded into the background along with the battle sounds and screams from outside, muffled by the thick wooden walls.

  He had to ask. “Mistress Victoria Windhelm?”

  Her features twisted in surprise. Her lips parted slightly in disbelief as she shook her head. “Pax Vipersworn?” she said, her voice low, more in question than greeting. “Am I seeing things?”

  Shaking his head, he pushed himself up further, climbing fully inside the wagon with Talpa right next to him. They stared at each other, the tension between them stretching as the two assistants’ gazes darted between the standoff.

  For a moment, Mistress Victoria Windhelm seemed caught in a swirl of emotions. Her eyes flickered with recognition, then disbelief, then something harder to place. Was that shock, worry, or disapproval warring for dominance on her face?

  She crossed her arms, the motion sharp and defensive, even as her voice softened. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone low but taut with meaning. “Attacking an empire convoy? Are you with the people outside?”

  Pax shifted, darting a look at the crates of dangerous supplies that represented a deadly threat to many of his fellow rebels if the caravan delivered them to Brightgate. “I could ask you the same thing. Do you know how many people the items in those boxes will kill?”

  Mistress Windhelm flinched, not answering immediately. Instead, she glanced at the crates surrounding them, her lips pressing into a thin line before her eyes locked onto his again. “So, am I to assume you’re now with the rebels? They’d be the only ones foolhardy enough to attack an empire caravan. And was all that about searching for your brother just a convenient story to get information from me?” She asked the questions quietly, but there was a flicker of hurt and betrayal in her eyes.

  Her assistants stiffened, one of them dropping a small vial that clattered noisily onto the wooden floor. Pax held up a hand, his voice steady but low enough not to carry outside the wagon. “You don’t have anything to fear from me unless you try to harm me or my friends.”

  He turned to Mistress Windhelm and held her gaze with as much earnestness as he could summon. “You might be glad to hear that I found my brother. And, yes. Not only have I joined the rebellion, but my brother was already with them when I found him.”

  She shook her head in small movements as she opened her mouth to object.

  Pax hurried to add another fact that he thought might sway her opinion. “Not only that, we captured Captain Langley of the Steelshade Vanguards along with his crew. After a stay with us and other rebels, he’s also decided that our side has the best chance to save the people of the empire.”

  She drew back, frowning in surprise. “Captain Kael Langley? Really?”

  He nodded, debating how much to tell her. He wanted to convince her, but if she continued on to Brightgate, he didn’t dare give her any critical information. “Let’s just say the rebellion has completely shattered the empire’s prohibition against magical innovation. And while we’re currently using our new powers to win this civil war, the original purpose was to stop the beast hordes—permanently. We were all more than willing to make that our first and only purpose, but you probably know better than I how the corruption and rot in the empire with its Inquisition reacted to that.”

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  She gave him a wry shrug, and he appreciated that she didn’t try to argue the point with platitudes.

  Pax! What’s taking you so long? Did you get the weapon crates?

  Ren’s words jolted him out of his conversation, a sharp reminder that they were in the middle of a battle with a time-sensitive mission to finish.

  Almost. Update me on the battle while I fill my inventory.

  Rin’s impatience was evident, but she still answered. We took out about half of the guards. The rest regrouped and are using shield devices to keep us at bay. We’re circling and attacking at range, using our mounts’ speed to avoid getting hit. Don’t bother trying to come out of that wagon. You’ll need to escape the same way you got in. Just hurry. Yours is the wagon they’ve gathered next to. It won’t be long before one of them decides to check on the valuables.

  “What is it?” Mistress Windhelm’s sharp eyes immediately noticed Pax’s attention had shifted.

  “I’m sorry, but our time is up.” Pax was already moving, grabbing the first crate he could reach. He hefted it up, straining to lift the weight so he could send it to his inventory, which he’d nearly emptied for this purpose.

  Or tried to. With a straining grunt, Pax used every point of strength he had and barely managed to get the crate into the air. He wasted no time in storing it, but quickly realized he was in trouble if he wanted to finish quickly.

  We help. Talpa and Whisk were already in motion, diving in to wedge the next crate up with a combination of bulging slime and Talpa’s powerful legs and tentacles.

  You’re the best! Pax sent them a flush of gratitude for saving the day as he lunged forward and grabbed the underside of the crate, instantly disappearing it into his inventory as soon as his companions let go.

  Yes, we are. Whisk’s connection thrummed with delight as he and Talpa tore through the crates, lifting them as fast as Pax could grab them.

  Space quickly opened up in the crowded wagon. Pax made sure to keep an eye on the three observers, who stared at him in shock as he methodically stole what had to be a ransom’s worth of the empire’s equipment.

  “You can’t take those,” the young woman finally blurted, summoning the courage to object.

  When Pax ignored her, she turned to Mistress Windhelm. “We can’t just let him do that, right? Those belong to the empire!”

  The other assistant merely watched, looking like he might want to join in.

  Mistress Windhelm stood, taking a single step forward, her face a study in conflicting emotions. “You mean the empire that essentially kidnapped us and forced us to accompany them to the city where they’re planning to destroy more lives than they’ve ever managed in the past? The empire that abandoned cities they promised to protect from the beast hordes? The empire that despite generations of loyalty from our house have decided they can’t trust us because as part of our stewardship, we have the audacity to suggest improvements? Do you mean that empire?”

  Startled by Mistress Windhelm’s words, Pax nearly dropped the crate his companions held for him. He quickly recovered, working as fast as he could, though he figured he had enough breath to say a few things. “I thought Master Windhelm was a true loyalist. Is it just you who’s begun to question your family’s loyalty to the empire, or him too? Because I’ve got plenty of convincing arguments, if I can trust you not to pass them on to our enemies.”

  He glanced over his shoulder and saw her face twisted with conflict as she grappled with her dilemma. He remained silent, grabbing four more crates before she finally spoke.

  “Yes. He was irate when they employed strong-arm tactics to force my assistants and me to join the troops in Brightgate. He initially refused, and they didn’t take it very well. They invited Elowen to join other young scions in what’s pretty much considered a gilded cage. He chose to comply after that.”

  “They took his daughter?” Pax sucked in an outraged breath, remembering the mage whose life they’d saved after the loxotine battle, not knowing she was related to the powerful merchant family head. He wondered why he was surprised by the idiotic things the corrupt empire leaders did. There was a reason the rebellion numbers were growing daily.

  “Mistress! Those are family secrets,” the young woman shouted, looking outraged. “And he’s a rebel!”

  “But an honorable one who might have all our best interests at heart, right?”

  When Pax glanced at Mistress Windhelm, she was watching him intently, waiting for a response. This time, he paused in his work to face her. “Yes. Though at first, I cared only for my survival. Then I extended that to my found family. Now, it’s clear none of us have a future unless we all do. My people have already put their lives on the line to make that happen. What about you? Are you considering joining us?”

  She shook her head, looking as if she couldn’t believe she was entertaining the idea.

  Pax turned back to his task, moving quickly as the battle sounds outside diminished. Behind him, drawers clattered open. There were hushed objections from the young woman, but the frantic activity continued.

  By the time he stowed the last crate, he turned around to see Mistress Windhelm and the young man clad in a second layer of protective leather gear. The young woman stood with folded arms, glaring at them.

  Pax grinned widely and nodded at the first two. Talpa, quick. We need enough room below for all of us. We need a safe hole to hide in until we’re clear.

  Talpa dove through the floor at startling speed, earning shocked gasps from the other three.

  Pax, get out now. They’re coming in.

  Ren’s warning came a split second before the wagon door rattled violently.

  “Mistress Windhelm, open up! Hurry, before the rebels break through!”

  “That’s my cue.” Pax motioned to the hole. “If you’re coming, there’s room underground. I can promise you a fair shot at saving the world instead of coercion like the Empire.”

  Mistress Windhelm nodded, still looking stunned.

  “Follow me, then.” Pax dove through the hole, trusting Talpa to be ready.

  Instead of hitting hard-packed earth, he fell into empty space, landing with a jarring thud on a pile of dirt. He scrambled to the side, hoping the others would follow.

  Mistress Windhelm appeared next, biting back a cry of pain as she landed. Pax dragged her aside, just in time to keep the tumbling young man from landing on her.

  Talpa, close it up!

  One more coming. Then I close it.

  To Pax’s surprise, the young woman plunged down the hole, landing hard on the man who hadn’t managed to get out of the way in time. As angry cries echoed above, Talpa sealed the vertical tunnel so fast, he showered them with a spray of dirt and pebbles.

  “Not a sound,” Pax hissed, listening to the muffled sounds of angry soldiers scrambling above. He felt the other three go completely still, likely imagining the soldiers’ reaction when they discovered the theft of the valuable weapons they were supposed to be guarding.

  Without any more Illuminate stones, Pax didn’t dare cast the spell, not with mages possibly lurking just yards above who might sense his magic use. But he didn’t mind the darkness.

  Besides, Rin—and Langley through her—were probably waiting for an update. He winced at the thought of their reaction to the extra passengers he’d brought along. There was no way they could move all three underground right now, so they’d have to sit tight until the Empire troops repaired their wagons and moved on. Only then could they safely emerge.

  Still, knowing how extensive the Windhelms’ business network was, Pax couldn’t help but wonder if the extra passengers might turn out to be even more valuable to the Rebellion than the stolen weapons.

  Then he realized something and let out a soft, rueful laugh as it hit him. He hadn’t even checked the loot before he stole it. Vitur willing, it wasn’t a bunch of uniforms or rations.