“A crypt,” she said in a low, furious voice. “We burn the dead. We don’tburythem.”
Vanya looked at her, at the betrayal and disgust in her face, and raised an eyebrow. “Do not tell me you would not adhere to the tradition Callisto demands for those who sit on the Imperial throne?”
“My House has never had the honor.”
“And if it had, you would keep that tradition the same way every major House has since the founding of our nation.” He didn’t speak of the sanctions their country owed because of it, of the tithes they’d have to pay and which the wardens would need now more than ever. Eventually, they all would have to bear that cost.
Soren cleared his throat. “We can argue over the terrible decisions of your ancestors through the Ages later, but right now, we need to keep moving.”
Cybele’s gaze cut his way. “Are any more wardens coming?”
“No.”
“Why not? Haven’t they heard the warning siren? We need their aid.”
“Daijal attacked the Warden’s Island yesterday. From what we were told, the casualty toll was high,” Vanya said.
The cries of shock from their group of survivors washed over Vanya. He’d meant to inform the Senate after the Conclave had ended, news which would then be disseminated to the general populace afterward. In delaying, he’d left an opening for Joelle to twist truth into a lie if he didn’t survive.
“The warden manning the resupply station I went to was recalled to a city in Ashion. Their replacement isn’t here yet.” Soren swallowed thickly, blinking rapidly. “The governor is in Glencoe. I need to report back to her.”
Vanya tightened his grip on Soren’s hip, knowing that Soren would’ve been well within his right to have left without saying goodbye after hearing the news. But instead, he’d returned to the palace and stumbled upon a betrayal that targeted not just Vanya’s own House but so many others.
Cybele’s gaze dropped to the pendant cradled in Vanya’s palm. She drew in a sharp breath. “That is the House of Kimathi crest.”
Vanya curled his fingers over the pendant, clutching it tightly. “Yes.”
“The House of Kimathi’svezirwas not present for the Conclave tonight, and her heir left early. So did all their allies.”
All true, Vanya knew. The Conclave was supposed to end tonight at a gathering where all the Houses were in one place. Glancing at Cybele, watching the way she went bloodless in her face, Vanya knew he wasn’t the only one thinking that.
“Oh, the games she plays,” Taisiya said from behind him, sounding impossibly, ridiculously impressed.
“Valide,” Vanya ground out.
“Do you not see? We were all meant to die tonight.”
Taisiya spoke a truth that could not be denied. Vanya looked over his shoulder at hisvalide, at the few remainingpraetorialegionnaires who had fought to keep them all alive, and the scattered members of Houses, both major and minor, that he could not leave behind in their frantic push through the palace.
“Joelle has been trying to kill me since Nicca left to dance amongst the stars. I will not grant her that victory. Not tonight,” Vanya swore.
“I passed rooms that revenants never made it to on the second floor. We can barricade everyone inside there before continuing to search for Raiah,” Soren said.
The protestations were immediate, all aimed at securing starfire for their defense against the dead. While Taisiya could cast it, she was old and did not have Vanya’s strength, and he would not put their survival on her shoulders, though she might take it up anyway. Vanya caught Javier’s eye, and the captain nodded. He quelled the fearful uproar by virtue of being louder than everyone else.
“This plan is not negotiable. We’ll move quicker with fewer numbers right now,” Javier cut in. “We’ll leave somepraetorialegionnaires with you and come find you after we’ve rescued the Imperial princess.”
“Leave us the warden!” someone cried out.
“I go where your emperor goes,” Soren said before Vanya could deny them their request.
Javier headed for the stairs. “Then let’s go.”
Soren led the way, overtaking Javier, to bring them to a library Vanya’s mother had always favored. Enough heavy furniture was inside for them to use as a barricade. Thepraetorialegionnaires wasted no time in corralling everyone inside. Yadvir and Cybele refused to enter the room, remaining in the hallway.
“My road is with you,” Yadvir said, staring defiantly at Vanya, who could not refuse the request.
“There are those in the Conclave who will not believe a word you say, but they’ll believe mine about what happens tonight,” Cybele said.
