I crept over to the door. Praying it wouldn’t squeak, I peered out. The hallway was deserted. So was Malegant’s room. I didn’t dare open Aine’s door, so I crept down the stairs and into the main room. It was deserted as well.
Imogen was slicing parsnips in the kitchen.
“Where is Aine?” I really didn’t want an answer, but I had to know before we could reinstate our escape plan.
She rolled her eyes and pointed at the ceiling. Then she made a gesture I’d never seen from a woman before. Apparently Aine was entertaining our guest with the friendship of the thighs, as my mother used to call it.
“Get your things and meet me back here.”
Imogen pointed at a bundle at her feet. She was way ahead of me.
“You know what to do then?”
She nodded, signing the word for fire.
I raced back up the
