He shakes his head sadly. “I don’t know that it will be enough, Cate. I don’t know if we have time to wait for everyone to recover from the strikes and violence and upheaval. Even if the new decree is signed tomorrow, it will take months, or even years, for actual change to be enacted.”
A dark pit opens in my stomach. “What are you trying to say?”
Harold slides a piece of paper across the desk. “I’m saying if we don’t take some drastic action, find some kind of miracle, there’s a good chance I’m going to have to shut down La Puissance.”
I know how much it pains him to even utter those words because it pains me just as much to hear them. The ache in my stomach is a pure physical response at the mere thought of losing the club. This isn’t just a place where our clients come for a bit of fun. La Puissance is our home. It’s our refuge.
So many of the Gifted—all of whom are women and girls—have landed on Harold’s doorstep after being kicked out of our homes or abandoned by our families. There are no laws prohibiting having Gifts, or even using them, but being Gifted makes it difficult to find work, and illegal to bear children, limiting marriage prospects. Many a girl has found herself on the street after discovering her Gift, finding her new ability to be unwelcome in her home. But we always found a home and a family here. I don’t know what we will do if that sanctuary is taken from us.
My eyes run over the sheet full of numbers, but my brain doesn’t absorb much of the information. It doesn’t matter what the numbers say, La Puissance cannot be shut down. “Do whatever you need to do to save this place, Harold.”
“Cate—”
“I mean it. You know how important it is. Do whatever it takes.” I stand, as if the action can somehow stop this news from pressing down on me.
Harold sighs and rises, coming around the desk and taking my hands in his. “I promise, no matter what happens, I will make sure you and Andra are cared for, Cate.”
I nod, knowing the truth in his words like I know my own name. Harold would never let any harm befall us.
For many years, we, the rulers of the provinces of Avon, have governed our individual provinces as we see fit. Today, we stand united in making this decree. The Gifted have lived among us for as long as any of us can remember. They have been advisors, mothers, teachers, healers, and even friends. But we can no longer ignore the imminent danger they pose. How can we allow one group of people to amass an array of Gifts that may one day be used to destroy the very kingdoms your monarchs are sworn to protect? Such danger will no longer be permitted.
From this day forth, no woman deemed to possess a Gift will be allowed to bear a child.
From this day forth, no more than ten Gifted may gather together in any one location.
From this day forth, in order to seek employment, any Gifted woman must have the sponsorship of a gainfully employed man.
From this day forth, no Gifted shall own property or operate a business.
From this day forth, the power entrusted by you in your faithful monarchs will be protected.
Signed,
King Claudius I of Kalmar
King Capulet III of Talia
King James I of Scota
King Jacob II of Venezia
2
Callum
The blow tomy gut catches me by surprise, folding me in half.
“Good form,” I mutter when I finally catch my breath, pulling myself back to standing.
My younger sister, Dom, raises an eyebrow. “That’s the third time I’ve caught you unaware today. Don’t tell me you’ve been slacking on your training?”
I press my shoulders back, attempting to stretch my muscles and ease a bit of the ache. “Of course not. It’s more important to be on top of—”
“—our game now than ever before.” Dom lowers her voice as she finishes my sentence in a false approximation of my tone.
I gesture for her to return to fighting stance. “Have I mentioned that once or twice?”
“An hour? Yes, yes you have.” She squares her padded fists in front of her face. “Since the beginning of the Uprising, I think you’ve told me at least a hundred times a day.”
