Lately, she had not allowed herself to think of what she had leftbehind in L’Eden because it seemed statistically unlikely that she would ever see it again. But if Séverin’s smile could return, perhaps other things could return as well.
“I know,” she said.
Séverin laughed.
AFTER AN HOURand two stumbling routes through the hidden passageways of House Janus’s headquarters, they were finally outside. The cold air burned in Zofia’s lungs as she, Hypnos, Enrique, Laila, and Séverin wound their way through the low-ceilinged passageways that threaded the streets of Venice. Zofia’s ears were still ringing from the explosion, and she had begun to count the lanterns tucked into the eaves of the street. She told herself that every light she crossed was one step out of the dark.
The unknown terrified her. It settled inside her like an itch that scratched through her thoughts. It was only the reminder that Laila depended on her that forced distance between herself and her panic, but she hadn’t stopped thinking about Hela, and all the sounds and chaos from the Carnevale acquisition only served to remind her that there was far too much she did not know. She was so focused on counting the lights that she almost missed the conversation around her until Séverin said her name.
“What?” she asked loudly as they came to a stop before a curved archway.
In the distance, she could see the black, shimmering water before the Rialto Bridge. The market kiosks were closed by now, and nothing but the occasional stray cat crossed their paths.
“The explosion,” said Séverin. “I assume there were no problems attaching it to Ruslan’s gondola.”
Problems? No, thought Zofia, her mind momentarily returningto the kiss she had shared with Enrique. That aspect had been pleasant… happy, even, in a way that reminded Zofia of winter fires in her parents’ sitting rooms, the feeling of utter safety. But then she remembered Hela’s lost letter, and her face crumpled.
“There was no problem attaching the detonation device,” said Zofia. She reached into her sleeve, where the other half of the bonded bomb pair lay against her forearm. She pulled it out. In the moonlight, it looked as if it was carved of ice. “When this is triggered, the other half will explode.”
“Good,” said Séverin. He shifted a little on his feet, not looking up at them. “We need to deal with Ruslan before we go, and we cannot afford the risk that he will jump off the gondola to safety. He doesn’t trust me.”
Laila’s eyes narrowed, her shoulders lifted. Zofia recognized that posture. It was as if Laila were bracing herself for something.
“Meaning?” asked Enrique.
“Meaning… we will have some help,” said Séverin.
“Fromwho?” said Enrique.
Séverin said quietly, “You can come out now.”
A figure stepped into their line of sight, Zofia recognized the person immediately: long, red hair, a talon ring on the pinky. Eva Yefremovna.
When Zofia had seen the blood Forging artist in the past, Eva had not been expressive. Her mouth was usually in a flat line, which suggested anger. And she had not been kind to Laila, but there was a reason for that unkindness. Zofia remembered Laila pleading with her to help them in the Sleeping Palace, promising Eva that she no longer had to follow Ruslan’s bidding, that they would be able to protect her and her father, whose life Ruslan threatened. Eva’s gaze darted to Séverin’s. Her eyes were wide, which led Zofia to conclude that she was worried.
“I… I’m here to help,” said Eva.
“I’ve seen what your help looks like,” shot back Enrique. His hand flew to his ear.
“Can we really trust her?” asked Hypnos.
Eva opened her mouth to speak, but it was Laila who answered.
“Yes,” she said.
“After what she did?” said Enrique.
“You cannot corner a wild animal and scold it for snapping at you,” said Laila. Her voice was even and unwavering. Zofia could not tell if she was angry. “I know what I read in Eva’s objects.”
Eva’s eyes widened, her lips parting slightly. That meant she was shocked by Laila’s response. Zofia was not shocked. Laila was the kindest person she knew.
“All I want is a new start,” said Eva. “I want… I want to be free.” Eva raised her chin, looking them each in the eye. “I can make sure Ruslan is temporarily paralyzed and cannot leave the boat.”
“And in return,” said Séverin, his gaze sweeping over them, “I have promised Eva living quarters in L’Eden, future protection both for herself and her father from the Order of Babel—”
Hypnos grumbled. “Yes, fine.”
“And potential employment,” said Séverin.
