“It is in a library,” said Séverin, thinking of the mud. “She has another one.”
“In the greenhouse?” asked Enrique flatly.
“No,” said Séverin, grinning. “Beneath it.”
“How do you figure that?”
“I saw the mud on her shoes. Besides, you’ve seen the blueprints. The dimensions of the library are too small for the size of the rumored collection. She has to be accessing the real library underground. That must be why the guns are guarding the gardens. Which is where our next stage comes into play. Enrique and Tristan, are you all set to release the piranha solution?”
They nodded.
“Good. The solution will take about eight hours to work. Laila. What happened with the icebox?”
But Laila didn’t have a chance to answer.
“It’s all set to be debuted as a surprise to the matriarch for tomorrow evening!” said Hypnos. “I’ve even arranged for it to be wheeled into the office where the matriarch keeps the physical key to the vault. She can’t access it using her Ring anymore, so it’s not Forged. Laila’s nautch dancer costume has already been hidden under the cushion of the chaise lounge. Once she has the key, shecan exit the office dressed as a nautch dancer who presumably got lost. Then, Séverin, the ever helpful gentleman, assists in finding her way while she slips him the key. He gives the key to Zofia, who makes a copy. At dinner, Zofia gives the key to me, and I return it to the study. Me and Séverin go through the House access, while the others go through the greenhouse and we meet in the library vault!”
“Hypnos?”
“Yes?”
“Are you Laila?”
Hypnos hung his head. “… No.”
“Laila?”
Laila pointed at Hypnos. “What he said.”
“Are we clear?” asked Séverin. “Laila gets the key. Zofia makes the copy. Me and Hypnos take the library route, meet you in the underground vault. We get the Horus Eye, and we’re out no later than an hour after midnight when our transport comes.”
Hypnos, Enrique, Zofia, and Laila nodded as one. Tristan, who had silently been curled up on the bed, was the last to nod.
Enrique left first, escaping down the laundry chute armed with Forged bells that muffled his sounds. Next went Hypnos and Zofia, their heads bent close. Which left Tristan and Laila.
“Stay a moment, Laila?” asked Séverin.
She frowned, but nodded.
Tristan shuffled to him. Séverin shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down at him.
“Listen—” started Tristan.
At the same time Séverin said, “I forgive you.”
Tristan paused. “I’m not asking for forgiveness.” He swallowed hard, then lifted his gaze. His gray eyes looked bleak. Sleepless. “I don’t trust Hypnos. I don’t trust the Order.”
Séverin groaned. “Not this again.”
“I’m serious this time. I just… I have a feeling and I need you to listen to me—”
“Tristan.” Séverin gripped his shoulders. “You’re my family, and I will always protect you. But I won’t hear this.”
“But—”
“Another word and I will find a way to get you off this acquisition and send you straight back to L’Eden. Is that what you want?”
Tristan’s face burned red. Without another word, he stalked out of the room. Séverin stared at the closed door.
