TITUS: “Disappointing.” His smile falls. “If you see her, tell Gene I still have her earrings and that I won’t be returning them.” Without awaiting a response, Titus goes back to warning his castmates he’ll be making up most of his lines tonight, as he’s not bothered to review the script.
My eyes narrow. There are only four Players in the dining room.
“Where is Jude?” I ask Arius a little too urgently as he passes.And what the hell is a Craft binding?I almost scream.
His fair brows draw together. “Heard him arguing with Sil this morning.” Perhaps noticing the unabated terror I fail to prevent from crossing my face, he offers a reassuring smile. “I’m certain he’ll be back soon. He argues a lot. I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
My hands clutch the plate I’m holding so hard, I’m surprised it doesn’t crack.
He’s gone to turn me in. I refused his deal and now…
I try the dining hall door and find it locked.The hell? I just came through here—
ARIUS: “Is everything all right, Alistaire?” He tilts his head as I yank on the handle with all my might, his mane of golden hair falling to one side. “Here, why don’t you find somewhere to sit, and I’ll go check if—”
I ignore him and storm over to the empty table in the corner, where I can at least keep one eye on the door. Worse comes to worst, I bet one of these table legs could break the glass panes. The Revelers outside will panic, causing a distraction and giving me a chance to—
TITUS: “Watch the council go and blame us for it! It’sacasting call.This is just what happens.”
He crumbles the newspaper on the table in a fist and tosses it, just close enough for me to subtly kick it under my table and snatch it up. As I flatten the article out beside a plate I no longer have the stomach for, I listen to the Players.
ARIUS: “One of their temples burned to the ground, Titus.” The legs of his chair scrape the marble as he seats himself at their table. “Their council was taken underground.”
What?I stare at the crashing waves beyond the crowds outside, wishing I could see home.
PARRISH: “All this drama isn’t going to help Jude’s case for opening the Cut.” She drags a fork over her plate, a line forming between her brows. “Their rulers will take one look at the damage to the District and refuse treaty negotiations with him.”
MATTIA: “Pretty sureJudealready refused negotiations with them.” She spears a strawberry. “Not diplomatic like Gene was, that one. I bet you my best jewels this ends in blood.”
TITUS: “Why wait for them to open their wall? I say we just go. Perform in the North for those who will have us and bury those who won’t.”
My eyes widen at their words, and I keep one ear out while turning my attention to the report.
12dead,declares the headline.hundreds injured after casting call mayhem. players fled.Below the words, an image that vaguely resembles the District is printed in black and white. Fallen columns, tufts of smoke, ash, and ruin.
Is thiswhat all those dismissed auditionees got up to in the District after we left?
My teeth clamp together. If the District fell under attack after our departure, there’s a chance my brother was called in to help manage the destruction.
I wonder if Haris got my message to Cassia, if help is already on the way. Never in mylifehave I had to rely on a Reveler. Now I’m at the mercy of one.
And a Player. The Lead Player.
ARIUS: “You think Sil will let you sacrifice half our audience, Titus?” He shakes his head in answer to his own question. “You must be kidding.”
Why are they talking so casually about crossing into the North? Theycan’t. They can’t cross the Cut. We’re safe from Playersin the North.
We have to be.
TITUS: “The North is full of self-righteous zealots who’ve publicly shamed us with their marks. They’re practically immune to our Craft.Killedhow many of our own? Tell me how you expect to win them over.”
MATTIA: “We won’t.” Her voice is bold and resolute. “We won’t win the North, not while territories like Syrene still stand. It’s time to give up that fantasy. Their so-called resistance threatened our cast yesterday.” She looks pointedly at Titus, who grimaces.
My gaze flickers up at the mention of Syrene. Its people have a long and bloody history with the Players, beginning with the forging of the treaty and ending with a nasty dispute over the placement of the Cut.
Titus scowls. “So what would you have us do?”
MATTIA: “We take them by surprise. Before they dip their blades in Eleutheraen gold and comehere. Give me six days, and I’ll bring you the North on a platter.”
