Sora looked down, gripping the Cat’s Eye at her throat. After Krait’s interrogation, she had a vague idea of Cerastes’ plan.
“You’ll have to kill me if you want the necklace,” she hissed. “And then it will be useless to you. It only works with a bearer, and your kind can’t touch it.” She raised her head. “I won’t go willingly.”
Cobra scoffed. “You forget, my dear, we are in a city full of humans. You are easily replaced.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Sora countered. “To control the necklace and kill a wraith, a bearer needs training.”
Cobra’s eyes sharpened. Sora held his gaze in defiance. Finally he shrugged, “As you wish,”
and vanished.
Sora felt a gust of wind brush her left cheek; she ducked just as his heavy gauntlet swung past her face. Remembering her training, she grabbed Cobra’s arm, dragged him forward, off-balance and over her hip, and threw him into the snow.
Cobra landed on his back. He lay in the snow for a moment, but then she heard him laugh. The eerie sound echoed off the alley walls. “Well-played, little girl,” he wheezed. “But you won’t be so lucky twice!” He leapt to his feet, turned, and lunged at her.
Sora braced herself, knowing she was outmatched. Cobra slammed into her, his crushing grip on her wrists. She gasped, anticipating the pain. He twisted her arms behind her; fire shot up her arms and down her spine. She collapsed to her knees with a choked sob.
Cobra laughed. “Just a weak little human after all, hmmm?” he taunted.
She couldn’t focus on his words through the pain. Her eyes fell to the cobblestones, and she saw a dark shadow gathering beneath her on the ground. A portal.
No, I won’t be taken! she thought. With a firm command, she activated her Cat’s Eye. Green light encased her skin as the necklace counteracted Cobra’s magic. With a loud crack, the portal snapped shut.
Cobra cursed and dragged her from the ground. Sora screamed—she thought he would break her arm. “You crafty little fox,” he seethed. “Must we do this the hard way?”
Suddenly, a strong vibration passed over her skin. Her Cat’s Eye released a fierce jingle. Bright light spilled into the alley, dazzling her eyes, and she felt arms wrap around her. Cobra lost his hold as she was dragged backward, away from him.
Caprion, she thought. It had to be.
The bright light disoriented her but faded quickly. When her vision cleared, she saw Cobra at the opposite end of the alley. Skid marks in the snow revealed he had been pushed, or pulled, away from the fight. And then a shocking sight met her eyes. Her heart stopped. Crash stood next to him. She blinked twice. He seemed to look straight through her.
“If you want to fight, you can fight me,” Caprion said from behind her, his voice firm and authoritative.
The two assassins glared menacingly at the Harpy. Sora tried to recover, although she couldn’t stop staring at Crash. He still wore his suit of dark livery, but somehow he looked different. Dangerous. Not himself.
Cobra hissed, a venomous sound, and then the shadows darkened at his feet. Crash grabbed his arm. Within seconds, they vanished into a portal, and the alley was empty. A lonely gust of wind swept over the snow. Sora waited, wondering if they would reappear and continue the fight, but after a long moment, she relaxed in Caprion’s hold. It seemed that Cobra had fled.
Caprion’s strong arms gently released her, and Sora stood shivering in the snow. She couldn’t look away from where Crash had stood just seconds before.
She turned to the Harpy. The wind ruffled his pale hair and he looked tense, his eyes scanning the alley and surrounding rooftops, still prepared for an attack. He was dressed in a clean, white tunic, soft tan breeches and tall black boots. He turned and touched her arm, the one she had dislocated two days earlier, then searched her eyes. “Are you injured?” he asked with concern.
His hand was surprisingly gentle, and she brushed it off awkwardly. “I’m fine, thank you,” she said. “How did you find me?”
He pushed his pale hair away from his eyes and said in a weary voice. “Ferran told me you were in The Flower District. I didn’t know if this was the place, but I spotted you from above.”
Sora frowned. “Ferran sent you? Why?”
“No, not Ferran. I came by myself. I feared you were in danger. The Shade are much bolder than we anticipated.” He paused solemnly. “The sacred weapons are missing from the ship.”
Sora blinked twice. Then her face became pale. “What?” Her bodice suddenly felt too tight. “But how…? When?”
“A thief came in the night and took them.” His expression darkened. “I suspect the Viper.”
Caprion's words made her stomach cramp. “Crash,” Sora corrected automatically. She wanted to forget her entire encounter with Cobra. “It can’t be…he was with us last night.”
“And this morning?”
She found herself reluctant to answer; Caprion seemed to know her reply already. She shook her head. “I didn’t see him at the manor this morning, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“No,” Caprion agreed, “but we just saw him with Cobra.”
Sora’s thoughts were slow and sluggish. Although she secretly hoped Crash’s appearance was an illusion, or simply a trick played by her eyes, Caprion had seen him as well. How could she justify that? She had no explanation, but she knew in her gut that Crash wouldn’t betray them. Not after everything they had been through together.
“It must be a trick,” she muttered. “Magic of some kind, or an impostor. The Shade are cunning, they would want us to turn on each other….”
Caprion remained silent. His unwavering gaze made her suddenly angry.
“Was no one guarding the ship?” she asked. “Did anyone see who took the weapons?”
“I did,” Caprion said. “I couldn't see the man’s face, but he was one of the Sixth. And he had Viper’s height and build.”
Sora found herself becoming defensive. “Obviously the Shade have been watching us,” she said stubbornly. “They must have seen where we hid the weapons. They sent someone to steal them. We couldn’t have seen Crash with Cobra. He wouldn’t betray us…not with Burn’s life in the balance.” The sickening knot in her stomach grew tighter. Burn. Crash promised to save his life. Would he actually go to the Shade on his own, without telling her…?
No, she thought. No, he’s not that foolish….
Again, Caprion didn’t respond to her outburst, but she thought she saw pity in his eyes. She hated that, and had the sudden urge to cover her ears and scream.
“I came here to check on your safety,” he repeated, “and I’m glad I reached you in time. We should return to the manor and keep you indoors. Cobra will come back if we wait here long enough. He might bring more warriors.” His eyes returned to the rooftops. Without further explanation, he grasped her gently by the arm and started back to the main road. “We should hurry.”
His concern was obvious, but Sora resisted. She wanted to argue for Crash’s honor, and convince Caprion that the assassin was not their enemy. The two had hated each other since their first meeting. She wanted to know why; it couldn’t just be prejudice.
She dug her heels firmly into the snow. Caprion came to a stop.
“Why are you always against Crash?” she asked fiercely. “Assuming we really saw him—perhaps he has good reason to go with Cobra. Perhaps he is trying to rescue Burn, or gather information, or do something useful while I'm forced to squander a full day, shopping in The Regency!”
Caprion took her firmly by the elbow, and walked her toward the main street. Sora tried to resist again, but he was too strong.
“If that’s the case, then why didn’t he tell us his plan?” the Harpy asked logically. “He gave the sacred weapons directly to the Shade’s leader. That sounds rather counterintuitive, doesn’t it?”
Sora scowled. “Perhaps he went to barter for Burn’s life.”
“Then why has he not returned? We would know by now if he was successfu
l.”
“They must have tricked him somehow…coerced him into helping Cobra….”
Caprion chuckled dryly. “Now who sounds far-fetched?”
She twisted toward him. “You don’t know him the way I do!” she said vehemently.
Caprion gave her a pointed look. “True,” he said. “But consider—perhaps you are too close to him, and perhaps that makes you blind.”
Sora bit her lip. Caprion’s words caused a small crack in her heart. She knew deep down that her eyes hadn’t deceived her. She knew who was standing next to Cobra; she would recognize him anywhere by his posture alone. But why would he go with the Shade? Why had he not helped her fight? Why hadn’t he protected her life?
More than anger, she felt confusion. Didn’t he swear to watch over her in The Regency? Didn’t he promise to save Burn’s life? Why would he take the sacred weapons to the Shade? Why would he leave without telling her?
She continued to walk numbly through the snow toward the street.
“What are you doing out here alone, anyway?” Caprion asked.
Sora sighed—she had almost forgotten her quest to find Lord Seabourne. She didn’t feel like explaining her entire sordid history to Caprion. “I’m looking for someone, but I didn’t find him,” she said briefly.
“Someone connected to the Shade?”
“No,” she snapped, annoyed. She picked up her skirts and walked faster, trying to leave the Harpy behind. She didn’t want to think of Crash, where he was now, or what she had just witnessed. This has to be a mistake. He’s back at the manor with Ferran. Cobra is trying to trick us.
Suddenly, she heard a shout from the street. Horses whinnied and a carriage rolled past. She spotted the Seabourne crest on the door.
“Damn!” she cursed, picked up her skirts and took off running. She sensed Caprion following. She had to see where the carriage went. Perhaps she could follow it in the Ebonaire coach.
Sora sprinted through the rest of the alley and around the corner of the Gentleman’s Club—and skidded headlong into an unexpected pedestrian. Wham!
She yelped as her nose smacked against a hard forehead; her foot slipped on the ice and she started to fall. Thin arms grabbed her, but the short stranger couldn’t hold her upright. They stumbled awkwardly to the cobblestones, falling together.
“Bells!” Sora cursed angrily, trying to untangle her limbs from the stranger's. She felt her skirt rip, and wanted to tear the rest of it in frustration. Lord Seabourne was long gone by now; she stood no chance of catching him.
“By the North Wind, forgive me, Lady, I’m so sorry!” a voice twittered in her ear. The girl disengaged herself and got back on her feet, took Sora firmly by the arm and helped her up.
Sora put a hand on her stinging nose. The stranger immediately began adjusting Sora’s dress, mindlessly apologizing all the while. “Forgive me!” she repeated. “Oh, no, your pretty dress is torn! But never you mind, a maid should be able to hem that in a quick minute!”
Sora finally refocused. Standing before her was a young woman dressed as a serving girl in pale blue skirts covered by a simple white apron; a handkerchief tied back her dark brown hair. Long bangs hung low across her forehead in a stylish cut.
“I can’t apologize enough!” the girl babbled. “I admit I wasn’t paying attention. We’re out of flour, you see, and the cook sent me across the street. I didn’t see you...” then she was silent. “By the Goddess,” she whispered in awe. “Sora?”
Sora’s mouth opened in surprise. “Lily?” she stuttered.
They stared at each other.
Sora tried to think of something reasonable to say, but her mind was a blank. Lily had served as her handmaid for twelve years. They grew up together on the Fallcrest estate. Lily was the closest Sora ever had to a best friend. In fact, Lily would remember the night of her kidnapping and her father’s murder.
Sora realized that. Lily would know all the tawdry details of her disastrous Blooming, the warrant for her arrest and her mysterious disappearance into Fennbog swamp….And perhaps she had more information about Lord Seabourne and the fate of the Fallcrest estate.
“Um, Hello,” Sora managed.
Lily frowned. “Hello?” she demanded. “Hello? I haven’t seen you in years! You were declared dead! What are you doing here?”
“I can’t explain it all right now,” Sora stammered, remembering Lord Seabourne’s vanished carriage. “I mean, I can explain, just not here. Please. We have to leave right now!”
Lily gave her a suspicious look, then glanced around. “Why?” she asked. “Are you hiding from someone? Are you in trouble? Well, you’re in a world of trouble, I suppose—your obituary was published a year ago. By the four winds, Sora, you have to tell me what’s going on!”
“What is an obituary?” Caprion’s voice interrupted.
Lily looked over Sora’s shoulder at her attractive male companion, Lily's eyes widened and her jaw went slack. “Oh,” she said. “Is he with you?”
Sora grabbed Lily by the arm and began to walk her up the street. Lily tried to resist but Sora was much stronger. She practically lifted the poor girl off her feet toward the Ebonaire coach. “It’s a long story, and should be told in private,” she said. “By the way, what are you doing in The Regency?”
Lily glowered. “Well, I had to find work somewhere after you ran away!” she huffed. “That dratted uncle of yours fired me last year, sold off his townhouse and left the city.” Lily continued to stare at her former mistress, as though she couldn’t quite believe her eyes. “I knew it,” she muttered fiercely. “Everyone thought you met a horrible fate in Fennbog swamp, but I knew you weren’t so foolish! You’d never set foot in that place!”
“Right,” Sora agreed.
“Goddess,” Lily continued to grumble, “the entire Fallcrest staff owes me a fortune in bets right now….”
Sora’s eyes combed the street, hoping for another glimpse of Lord Seabourne’s coach, but it was long gone. She cursed loudly. “But how?” she exclaimed. “How did he sneak back to his carriage without me noticing?”
“Perhaps he was in a hurry,” Caprion offered.
“Who was in a hurry?” Lily asked.
“Lord Seabourne,” Sora said.
Lily’s eyes grew large. “Ooh! Wait, why would you want to speak to Lord Seabourne? He’s the last person you want to see! He organized a manhunt after you—”
“I know,” Sora snapped.
Lily fixed Sora with a searching gaze. “I don’t follow,” she finally said in confusion. “If you’re alive now, then you never died, which means Lord Seabourne might….”
“What?” Sora asked. “Arrest me? Confiscate my fortune? Denounce my title and nobility?”
Lily blinked. “Ah,” she said with a grin. “I see. Well, if you’re so set on meeting him, I know where to find him.”
Sora raised an eyebrow.
“He’s in charge of security for the winter solstice parade,” she said, and gave Sora a mischievous wink. “I know the tavern where he meets his men. I can take you there tomorrow before the parade begins.”
Sora clasped her friend’s hand eagerly. “You’re certain?” she asked.
“Of course!” Lily said. “But I’ll have to go with you as an escort.” She eyed Caprion again, her smile bright with approval. “And I’d like a proper introduction to your friend.”
Sora found herself grinning. “Don’t you have a job?” she asked, indicating Lily’s uniform.
Lily untied her apron. “Nonsense,” she said. “And risk never seeing you again? There are more important things than money, you know….” She paused. “And if I’m not mistaken, aren’t we standing outside an Ebonaire coach? Is this your transportation?”
Sora blinked and realized they had been standing there for some time; the driver was impatiently checking his pocketwatch. “We’ll be just a minute,” she said to him hurriedly, then turned back to Lily. “Yes, I’m staying at the Ebonaire manor…and I see you
’re still quite the opportunist,” she said dryly.
Her former handmaid winked.
“I suppose I could use a real handmaid,” Sora mused, though she wondered how that would go over with Ferran and the rest of their group. Still, Lily’s presence was comfortably familiar. She needed people she could trust…and she needed to meet Lord Seabourne.
“We’re not staying in the city for long,” she said slowly. “I don’t think you should leave your job for this….”
Lily rolled her eyes. “There’s no shortage of jobs in this city,” she said. “Don’t worry about me.”
Sora found herself sharing another warm smile with her old friend. She introduced Lily to Caprion and all three climbed into the carriage. The driver cracked his whip, and the coach jolted forward down the icy road, back to the Ebonaire manor.
CHAPTER 23
Lori arrived at the Ebonaire estate that afternoon. The sky was dark and overcast, making the hour seem much later in the day. The size of the manor was overwhelming at first, but she had lived and worked in such places before. She gazed out at the wide lawn, with its maze-like hedges and marble statues, as the coach traveled up the slushy front drive.
She adjusted her long white Healer’s robes and held her summons tightly. Her eyes scanned over its curling script for the tenth time.
To Mrs. Lorianne Ebonaire:
Dear sister, although we have not met, I extend my warmest welcome to you. It is my desire that you come to stay at the Ebonaire residence for the remainder of winter solstice, and indefinitely, as you wish. Please arrive posthaste as Lady Danica Ebonaire has fallen ill, and your skills as a Healer are sorely needed.
Fondly, your brother,
Lord Martin Ebonaire III
Her eyes roved over the first line: Mrs. Lorianne Ebonaire. Ferran’s wife, and with a proper surname, at that. Ferran must have been successful in reconnecting with his brother.
She swallowed hard, and cursed Silas a hundred times for concocting such a ludicrous story. The Dracian captain couldn’t possibly know about her shared past with Ferran; her guise as his wife was cruelly ironic. She didn’t know if she could pull it off. Perhaps if Ferran never told her of their time together, she could simply act her role and be done with it. Instead, his possible link to Sora remained constant in her thoughts. They crossed a line on his houseboat when he cared for her after she was wounded; their friendship had changed. She wasn’t sure what Ferran truly wanted, or how she felt.