Chapter 733: Stronghold

Ahbi released us at the base of the prison tower, the bottom of the steps a familiar sight I'd climbed twice and, hopefully, would never have to again.

My thighs trembled at the memory of all those stairs.

Quaid grinned at me for my choice.

"Perfect," he said, speaking in a whisper and, for the first time, I remembered using mental connections and any magic, really, would trigger the stronghold's protective magic. Not to hurt us or anything, at least not here, from what Gram told me. But would trigger warnings of the Brotherhood we were around. The veil was different, the power contained inside it, so riding it wasn't an issue. But any overt, outward magic could create some serious problems.

Good thing one of us was thinking.

"I thought so," I whispered back. "Didn't think there'd be much activity here." At least, hoped. Who knew if the Brotherhood thought some back way into the prison tower was important just because the Enforcers hadn't?

Piers's face screwed up in a desperate s