Batu waved at us to follow him and stepped into the hallway.
I didn't want to walk through the carnage or risk being killed. I wanted to return to the rooftop and … what? Starve to death up there? Risk he'd follow through with hurting me until I broke down and did what he wanted?
I really did like my fingers and ears where they were. Mahmood seemed to think this was the best way, and my handler had only said to ensure the princess was safe.
On the surface, I had a lot of room to make my own decisions and do what was best. In reality, there was a Mongol warrior standing between me and any other path but the one he chose for me.
"Time for us to leave, Flowers," I told the girl.
She said nothing and clung to me as we went to the door.
Batu waited at the end of the hallway. His people had taken care of the newest challengers and were bent over, slicing off ears. I focused on the man alleging to be my guardian and went to him.
Unaffected by the death and carnage around him, he shoved bodies out of his way with his feet and led us down the stairs.
There's no way I'm staying here longer than I have to.