“There was an article the other day about an attempted assassination on the Solarian emperor. The assassin was never identified. We can’t ignore the possibility such an attempt was done by one of theserionetkas. Not with the death-defying machine operating in the House of Kimathivasilyet.”
“We’ll need to break some chains to ensure the Clockwork Brigade isn’t compromised any more than it already has been. The news you bring of Nathaniel and therionetkasis news that must be shared,” Meleri said.
“Brielle can spread it amongst the nobility. Dureau can send notice off in code to those cogs who must be told.”
“I take it you are still coming with us?” Blaine asked.
Lore bared her teeth at him. “Try and stop me, Westergard.”
The dig at his bloodline didn’t bother him nearly as much as it used to. “I have an airship waiting for us in the airfield. We’ll retrieve Caris’ parents first from the Bureau of Patents and then leave Amari.”
“And go where?” Caris demanded.
“Home,” Lore said before heading to the door. “Allow me a few minutes to change and retrieve some supplies.”
“We don’t have time,” Blaine replied.
“Thenmaketime. I want to be armed, and you’ll need more than a flare gun.”
Lore swept out of the office, closing the door behind her with a steady hand. Blaine sighed and gestured at the tintype photographs. “Keep them. I’ve sent copies to theComhairle nan Cinnidheanin E’ridia.”
“I’d like a moment alone with Caris,” Meleri said quietly.
Blaine glanced at Caris but made no move toward the door until she nodded. “Very well. I’ll ring the captain of the airship and put them on notice we’ll be departing soon.”
Blaine left the office and made his way to the parlor down the hall. No servants were about when he pulled from his pocket the televox Honovi had given him and used the dial to enter the aeronaut captain’s number. Karla had organized their flights out of Amari. She’d left first, and his airship was waiting for his call.
He put the televox to his ear, the hum of clarion crystal a sharp sound that abruptly disappeared when a familiar voice came through.
“Where are you?” Honovi asked.
Blaine opened and closed his mouth, but nothing came out for a few seconds. When he finally found his voice, he had to remind himself not to shout. “Whatthe bloody fuck do you think you are doing? You should be in the hospital!”
“I was. I left.”
“Clearly.”
“I wasn’t going to stay behind while you ran off again.”
“You wereshot. You shouldn’t be running anywhere, much less captaining an airship.”
“TheComhairle nan Cinnidheanrecalled me after the attack was reported back to them. I’m not staying in Amari.”
“We aren’t going to E’ridia.”
“Blaine.” He snapped his mouth shut, wincing at the tired but firm tone in his husband’s voice. “I have a magician with me and a doctor. They’re seeing to my wound so I can see to you. Where are you?”
“We need to pick up two more people in the city’s civic center before we can make our way to the airfield.”
“I’ll start our engines and ready for launch.”
“It might take some time. There’s a protest happening around the palace and parliament that we need to maneuver through.”
“All the more reason to be ready. Do you have the flare gun with you?”
Blaine fingered the tool in question holstered to his belt. Karla had given it to him before leaving for her own flight. “Yes.”
“Fire it if you need to. I’ll come to you if I see the marker in the air.”
