"They're not just Rook killers." Naima straightens. "The ivory temporarily weakens all gifts."
I frown. "How do you know?"
"I tested it on interns." She adds quickly, "Minor cuts. Nothing they don't already do at the forgery."
Malachi raises an eyebrow. "And?"
"They couldn't use their gifts. Neither could I. A minor cut was enough to block everything except the most basic abilities.”
"Godsdamn it." Mal looks at Kage. "We'll have to be quick. Save your shadows."
Kage's shadows, already thinning around us, fall away completely. He scowls. "I can't wait to be rid of this curse."
"Pack a bag," Mal tells Naima. "After we search the ship, Kage takes you to Vindariel."
Her eyes widen. "What about Margot? We can't leave her."
"Then take her by force."
If things weren't so dire, I'd balk at his bluntness. But he's right. When Jordi mentioned leaving, Margot withdrewcompletely. She hasn't spoken about her vision since, but I haven't stopped thinking about it.
“Bain is right,” I add. “We can’t give her a choice. Bring her to the cottage and tell her I need to speak to her or something and we’ll find a way to keep her there and convince her.”
Naima nods rapidly and exhales. “Okay.”
Kage steps out first. We follow, blending into the groups of visitors heading toward Veneficia Alley. Naima grabs my hand to slow me down.
"If Vindariel is cursed, how will we survive there?" she whispers.
"Mal says we can keep going north to Aerathos. But for now, Vindariel is safer than here."
Her eyes narrow. "You know you're the only one who calls him Mal?"
I sigh. "Naima."
"I'm just saying. Everyone's noticed."
"Everyone?"
"Me. Margot. Kage. Draven. Even Jordi mentioned it."
I roll my eyes. "You'd think we have bigger things to worry about."
"That's exactly why it comes up. We only talk about our worries." She squeezes my hand. "You two give us something else."
I huff a laugh. "There's nothing to talk about."
"The way he looks at you says otherwise."
I try not to take the bait. Fail. "How does he look at me?"
"The way you look at Milly's pastries."
A laugh escapes before I can stop it. Both men glance back.
Naima grins.
"I have nothing to say about that,” I mutter, earning a laugh from her.
