“If you want me to help with them, I will,” Pip whispered.
“I’m done helping the Magistrate. In the end, it won’t save my life, anyway.”
I could tell by the nod she thought I meant the looming countdown. A trace of guilt wrapped around me.
“Do you have a Life Rune?” I whispered.
Her eyes fell heavy to the floor as she shook her head. “I, uh. I sold it for my sword.”
My hands went to the chain around my neck, fingers finding the familiar weight of my pointless Life Rune. I didn’t need it. I only wore it to blend in, to look like every other person trying toavoid being burned by my flames. I unclasped the chain and held it out to her. “Here.”
Pip’s eyes went wide. “No. Absolutely not.”
This had to be the first time she’d denied a gift in her whole life. “Pip?—”
She sat up, wings fluttering with agitation. “No! You need that. I’m not taking your Life Rune because I made a foolish choice about a sword.”
“It’s not foolish if it keeps you alive. And I can get another one.”
“That’s not the point.” Her small hands pushed the chain back toward me. “You can’t just give me something that valuable. What if something happens to you? What if?—”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me. Please, Pip. Let me do this.”
“No.” Her voice was firm despite the tears gathering in her eyes. “I won’t let you risk yourself for me. Not like this.”
I sighed, studying her stubborn expression. “Eda Mire had a collection of them in her shop. A whole drawer full, actually. Since I’m the owner now, I can get a new one for myself whenever I want.”
Pip’s wings stilled. “Really?”
“Really. This one’s just the most convenient right now.” I held it out again. “So take it. Please.”
She reached for it hesitantly, then pulled back. “Can’t you just... make one? I thought you could weave runes.”
“I can. But Life Runes need specific materials. Erelith ash, silver from a blessed source, bloodstone naturally sourced. I don’t have any of that here at Chancellery House.” I pressed the chain into her palm, closing her fingers around it. “This is faster. And safer. Take it, Pip.”
She looked down at the rune in her hand, then up at me with watery eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I’ll pay you back. Somehow. I promise.”
“You already have. Now put it on and get some sleep.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes as Pip nestled into the bed, content to be on the edge, thanks to Si’s territorial sleeping habits. Something small and metallic hit the floor with a soft ping.
Pip gasped. “My button!”
I snagged it before she could move, holding it up to catch the moonlight.
And froze.
Three circles. Perfectly aligned. Except...
“Pip, where did you get this one specifically?”
“The heretics. The day we went to the Tangles, remember? The lady who thought she was being burned alive.” She flew closer, hovering near my hand. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“This isn’t a button.” I turned it over to examine the smooth back. “Look. No holes for sewing. This is a talisman.”
“A what?”
I didn’t answer. My brain was too busy connecting dots at lightning speed.
