“Ah. I wondered why you seemed off.” Fletcher snatched the glass from Kane’s hand and took it over to the table, where he sank into one of the hard-backed chairs. “You didn’t tell him, did you? That we were too late to get the necklace?”
“He already knew.”
Fletcher’s face turned masklike. His hesitation was tangible as he asked, “Was he very angry?”
“Yes,” Kane said. “Yes, Ward was angry.” The words sounded dull even as they threatened to choke him.
“Are you okay?”
Rarely.“Of course.”
Fletcher dragged a hand over his chin. “You can tell me, you know. If he hurt you again.”
Kane’s face heated as his friend trailed off. More than once he remembered arriving home with blood on his shoes or bruises on his face. Ward preferred to hurt Kane by making him hurt others. But on the few occasions he’d lashed out himself, seemingly unable to control his rage, it had been…
Well. Kane’s memories were fogged by shock and time.
“I’m not hurt,” he said shortly. “Merely added to the collection.”
Fletcher knew what he meant without Kane’s having to roll up his sleeve. “That’s not right.”
“Almost makes you wanna leave this hell, doesn’t it?”Say yes. Please, God, say yes.
But Fletcher shook his head. “Stop dreaming about escaping when you know we never will. You’ll only torment yourself.”
You can escape, though, Kane thought.Soon.He would make sure of it. Somehow this job, this place, hadn’t yet broken Fletcher’s spirit, and Kane was determined it never would. After they delivered the necklace to Ward, Fletcher would be free to go, and Kane could suffer in peace. Could spend his days bloodying those who owed Ward money and pushing families with small children out of their homes. Perhaps when there was no one left to whom he could confess his guilt, he would cease feeling it at all.
It was something he hoped for. But it was also something he feared.
“Tell me what you came up with,” Fletcher said when Kane remained quiet. “I assume Ward’s demands haven’t changed. The Crystal Palace is huge, and once it opens, it’ll be difficult to stealfrom. There’ll be far too many witnesses, not to mention security measures.”
“I’m aware.” Kane grunted, wishing for his glass back even as his head pounded. “But I’ve found someone to help.”
“Who?”
“Do you remember the alchemologist Saville commissioned the revolver from? Zaria Mendoza?”
Fletcher’s brows came together. He crossed his ankles beneath the table, causing the hems of his trousers to rise up slightly. “I mean, obviously I never met her myself, but I remember. Everyone knows about her. You think she could help us?”
Kane rose, crossing the room to reach for the whiskey on the opposite counter. Fletcher beat him there, grabbing the liquor and tossing him a dismayed look.
“Again, it’sdawn.Answer the question.”
Kane sighed dramatically. He pulled his fingers through the dark mess of his hair. “I went to visit her last night.”
“And how did that go?”
Kane briefly recounted the evening, noting that Zaria had been on his mind since Ward refused to be of any help the day before. He described the things she could make and what he’d seen in the cramped quarters of her workshop last night. “She’s clever. Really clever. And if we’re going to pull this off, we’ll need magic.”
Fletcher tugged at the lapel of his jacket but didn’t argue. “I never said she wasn’t clever. I saw that revolver.”
“You should’ve seen her demonstration. Trigger smooth as butter and a firing speed you wouldn’t believe. No kickback whatsoever.”
“Can she be trusted, though?”
“Anyone can be trusted if you’re making the best offer.”
“And what was yours?”
