Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 213
brought him back from the brink of death. The last person to
try that was general Armiger, whose entire army was destroyed
by the Winds."
"But--" she started.
"But," interrupted Linden, "you happen to be right. You
did save my servant’s life, by his own admission. I’m not sure
what it is you are doing, but those who attacked August the
first time just returned to finish the job. That tells me you are
not one of them yourself. I don’t know who you are, but--"
He was stopped mid-word by screams and shouts
breaking out below them. A man ran up the stairs recklessly,
shouting "Sir! Sir! He's dead!"
Calandria had bent to pick up her packs. She hesitated,
as the man stumbled on the top step, skidded to his knees, and
shouted, "They've killed Yuri!"
Linden's eyes widened. "Brendan! I knew it!" He
rounded on Calandria. "If you have some involvement in this,
lady, then you won’t live to see trial. But you saved August, so
if you love our house then come with me!" He raced down the
stairs.
Calandria reached for her packs, but August already had
them. "Where is Jordan?" he asked her, as men raced around
them like a river in flood.
"Don’t you know?"
He shook his head. Then they turned as one and ran after
the mob.
Axel reached for the first thing at hand. It was a potted
spider plant.
"B-bastard," he managed to croak. His throat burned like
he'd been branded. Every time he moved, his arms and
shoulders screamed pain. The subcutaneous armor worked just