From the opposite end of the train depot came the sound of screeching metal. Zofia winced and covered her ears, turning to the door where people streamed out from the portal. There was the matriarch of House Kore and her Sphinx guard and attendants; Hypnos with his House Nyx attendants and Sphinx; and the patriarch of House Dazbog and his cousin, the blood Forging artist named Eva.
Ruslan gestured to the boxes and equipment they’d carried with them. Zofia recognized her portable laboratory, the Forged suitcase charred. Thetroikaexplosion had rent a small hole in its side, and saltpeter dribbled out of the crack. Zofia’s skin prickled. She needed saltpeter for any demolition required inside the Sleeping Palace. If she didn’t have enough, that meant—
“This is the last stop before Lake Baikal,” said Ruslan. “If there are any other supplies you require, you have to go into Irkutsk, I’m afraid.”
When the House Dazbog couriers brought over her luggage, a pang struck through Zofia. Her storage of saltpeter had definitely been affected. The only question was how much and whether she needed to go into the city. As she started opening the case, a shadow fell over her. Eva walked toward them, and Zofia noticed a slight limp to the other girl’s gait.
“I hope I’m not being too forward, but I have to say that I’m a great admirer of you all,” said Eva.
Zofia heard her, but it was not a question and did not need an answer. The lock on her luggage had been mangled, requiring a lock and pick from her necklace of pendants. She crouched on the ground, fiddling to open it.
“I’ve heard of Miss Boguska, of course, a fantastic engineer,” said Eva.
Zofia grunted. She had not heard of Eva Yefremovna.
“And, of course, Mr. Mercado-Lopez. Ruslan is quite an avid fan of your articles—”
Enrique let out a laugh, which sounded strangely high-pitched. Zofia frowned and looked at him. He was grinning at Eva. So was Hypnos.
“And I knowallabout you, Mr. Montagnet-Alarie,” said Eva.
Zofia detected a slight change in Eva’s pitch. It was lower. When she spoke, she fiddled with a silver pendant at her neck, yanking it back and forth.
“The handsome treasure hunter with the opulent hotel,” said Eva, smiling. “What a dream. Perhaps you might have need of my services one day. As a blood Forging artist, I’m versed in pain. Or pleasure. Or both, depending on your taste.”
Beside Zofia, Laila cleared her throat. Zofia had finally managed to open the luggage. She gazed up triumphantly, but no one was looking at her or the luggage. Everyone’s gaze went back and forth between Laila and Eva.
“How rude of me!” said Eva. “I’m Eva Yefremovna, the blood Forging artist of House Dazbog. Are you the cook? Secretary?”
Enrique inhaled sharply. Zofia looked at him, but he didn’t seem hurt. When she looked at Laila, her friend seemed to hold herself taller, and she placed her hand gently on Séverin’s cheek.
“Mistress,” said Laila. “You might know me better by my stage name at the Palais des Rêves in Paris:L’Énigme.”
Though Laila had stopped hiding her other job once she left L’Eden, Zofia never remembered her talking about it and soundingquite so chilly. Perhaps she was cold and Zofia should return her scarf.
Eva shrugged. “Never heard of such an establishment. But well done, I suppose?”
Zofia began to lift up the layers of what she’d packed. So far, most of her belongings were intact.
“I’ve heard all about your exotic tastes, Monsieur,” said Eva to Séverin. “Concerning all of your… objects. I hope you don’t find my question impertinent, but may I ask why you would allow your mistress on such dangerous ordeals? My understanding was that mistresses have a rather distinct place.”
Oh no, thought Zofia. Her suspicion was right. She was out of saltpeter. She looked up just as Eva grasped Laila’s hand.
“Truly, my dear, this work is dangerous.”
Séverin opened his mouth to respond, but Laila lifted her chin and took a step in front of him. Séverin closed his mouth and took one step back.
“My place, Mademoiselle Yefremovna, is wherever I damn well please,” said Laila. She flipped her grip, so now it looked as though she was holding Eva’s gloved hand with her bare one.
Zofia sank back on her heels. “I’m out of saltpeter.”
The rest of them glanced down at her as if they’d only just noticed she was there.
“Peter? Who’s Peter?” asked Hypnos, looking interested.
“Potassium nitrate,” said Laila. “Not a person.”
“How exquisitely boring.”
