“Yes, but my customers love starsilk garments, and I can’t bear to disappoint them.” I’d told Madame Gale that I owned a chain of tailor shops in Talamh, and that I’d come to find a new starsilk supplier since my old one had raised his prices too much. Starsilk was extremely rare, and the caterpillars that spun the light, shimmery thread could only be found in the Gaoth Aire mountains, which meant it had to be imported. “But you’re right, the journey here was treacherous, and I’m in no hurry to get back on the road.” I leaned in to brush a curl of hair behind her ear, and whispered, “Perhaps I might find a reason to stay a few days longer.”
Madame Gale let out a girlish giggle, and I nearly gagged at the scent of her cloying perfume. I wanted nothing more than to pull away, but I could sense Leap approaching, so I gently caught her jaw between my fingers and nuzzled her neck. I hated debasing myself like this, but I had promised to help in exchange for getting us in here, and I wouldn’t go back on my word.
“What do you think?” I murmured. “Are there any…attractions…in this town, that might keep me occupied for a little while?”
“Oh, I think I could find something to grab your attention.” She clasped my hand in a surprisingly strong grip and brought it down to rest against her exposed cleavage. I noticed the fan was no longer dangling from her grip, and my heartbeat picked up a bit. It was only a matter of time until she noticed it was missing, and I needed to make myself scarce before that happened.
“Your glass is empty,” I said in a husky voice, reaching for the wine glass dangling between her fingers “Would you like me to get you another?”
“I would,” she said, but instead of letting me take the glass, she closed her free hand around my wrist in a vise-like grip. “But before you do, I’m going to have to insist you give my fan back.”
“What?” I blinked, keeping my expression politely confused even as sweat broke out along my spine.
“You heard me.” Her short, stubby fingernails dug into my skin, and her flirtatious smile turned mean. “I felt your little friend take the fan while you were whispering sweet nothings in my ear. I have to admit it was a slick job—if a guard hadn’t tipped me off, I’m not sure I would have noticed until it was too late.”
Icy dread pooled in my stomach, and I glanced over Madame Gale’s shoulder as a commotion snagged my attention. It was Leap, struggling against two guards as they fought to subdue him. His mask had come free, revealing the shocked, furious expression on his face, and I could feel the stirrings of anger in my own heart.
Had we been betrayed?
I tried to push past Madame Gale to help Leap, but before I could, something hard cracked across the back of my skull. Stars swam in my vision, and I fought to stay focused as I spun around to face my attackers. Two more guards were there, holding clubs, and I ducked as one of them swung his weapon toward my head, barely dodging the blow. Furious, I ripped the second guard’s club from his grip and smashed it into his head. Several people in the crowd screamed as the guard went down, and it was then that I realized we had quite an audience.
Was it really worth it to engage in an all-out brawl now, when it would be impossible to get away? Or was it better to wait until we were in a more private space, and I could use my abilities without fear of too many witnesses?
Knowing the answer, I relaxed my posture and held up my hands, surrendering. In response, the guards rudely yanked my hands behind my head and secured them with manacles. I scanned the crowd as they led me and Leap away, trying to find Adara and Mavlyn, but they were nowhere to be seen. Did they know what was happening?
Hopefully they’re just preoccupied with the Oracle,I thought as they hustled us down a dark hallway and up a narrow staircase barely wide enough for my frame. The guards unceremoniously shoved us into a drawing room, and kicked the backs of our knees, forcing us to drop to the hard floorboards.
“You,” Leap spat, glaring at one of the guards as the door slammed behind us. “I recognize your face. You’re friends with Storm, aren’t you?”
“Storm?” The guard pretended to look puzzled. “Oh, you mean the kid that told me you’d be here trying to steal the fan tonight? I don’t know him, but we sure do appreciate the tip.” He winked.
Snarling, I called on my power, willing fire to spring to my fingertips so I could melt the cuffs and tear this smarmy bastard’s limbs from his body.
But nothing happened. I couldn’t feel anything, not even a spark.
“They used enchanted cuffs,” Leap grumbled. “Magic won’t work here.”
“What?” I scowled, craning my head over my shoulder and lifting my bound hands to get a better look. In the dim firelight, I could just make out the glint of tiny primal stones set into the metal. “Blast it.” I hadn’t realized the fae had these—it wasn’t as though they’d released any of the dragons they’d taken prisoner during the war.
The door opened, and Madame Gale sauntered in, a pouting look on her face. The flickering flames from the fireplace cast ugly shadows across her heavyset face, and my stomach soured as she turned and locked the door behind her.
“Well, well, well,” she said, sashaying up to me. She gripped my chin in her meaty hand, and a shiver of revulsion rippled through me as she slid her thumb across my lower lip. “I didn’t know thieves could look so pretty. I was going to have you both killed, but I think I might keep this one for myself. The boy will have to go though—I can’t abide younglings.”
Leap scoffed. “Right, because kids are just lining up to hang out withyou.”
Madame Gale released me—not a second too soon, as I was about to give in to the urge to bite her finger clean off—and turned her attention on Leap. “Any street rat would be lucky to have a home with me,” she said archly. “I have more wealth and connections than most of the air fae here—even those in House Reatha. It’s too bad you tried to steal from me, boy; I could use someone with your talents.”
Leap looked her up and down with a sneer. “As if I would ever work for a hag like you.”
Madame Gale scowled and turned to the guards. “Did you retrieve the fan from him?” she demanded, addressing the one who’d betrayed us.
“No, not yet,” he said, his cheeks coloring a little. He took a step toward Leap, but before he could search him, the door opened.
“Who—” Madame Gale snarled, turning toward the door, but the words on her lips died as a white-robed figure glided into the room. A gauzy veil completely obscured her hair and features, and if her outfit and the serene way she moved hadn’t been enough, the sight of Adara and Mavlyn following warily behind her was enough to confirm her identity.
“Quye,” Leap said dryly. “Impeccable timing.”
The guards immediately saluted, and Madame Gale executed a hasty curtsy. “Oracle,” she stuttered. “It’s an honor to be graced by your presence.”
