Black, Buttons & Brains
At the bottom, almost hidden in the fold was a small symbol: a water droplet struck through by an ‘X’.
Calder deciphered the note. “They figured it out, and somehow made it out to the Bloodwood. And now they’re giving us twenty-four hours to get there before they chase after whatever they found.”
I shifted my weight and glared at the Rune Eater. “I can read. However, it could be faked. They could have been taken from their beds, someone forcing her to write under duress. The buzz in the hall?—”
“See the mark at the bottom? That’s real. It’s ours. Mine and Syn’s. We use it when we need to verify messages are actually from us and not intercepted.” His eyes met mine with absolute certainty. “No one else knows it.”
I studied the symbol again, looking for any sign of forgery, any indication this was a trap. I found nothing but careful handwriting.
“She left.” The words came out flat, tactical. A statement of fact rather than emotion, even though something in my chest had gone cold. “Actually left the city. Without telling anyone.”
“She told me.” Calder’s tone carried no apology. “Through Silas.”
The griffin made a low sound, agreement and irritation mixed together in a way that suggested he wasn’t thrilled about being used for messenger service.
Calder crossed his arms. “They’re alive, ahead of us, and we’re wasting time.”
He was right. I hated that he was right, but strategy didn’t care about my feelings.
“We need weapons and an escape plan.” I was already moving, grabbing my knives from the desk, ignoring the brush of pain in my side. “Now. My father has the city on lockdown. No one in or out without his explicit permission.”
“I’m guessing they were seen sneaking out, and that’s what’s going on out there. Their rooms were searched. I could paint a picture if you want, but my guess is they were caught sneaking out and Silas created a distraction for them to get away.”
I nodded. “Let’s go.”
Calder fell into step beside me as we stepped into the chaos in the hall, Silas vanishing immediately. Not a single hunter looked at me. Because they’d let them get away and only punishment would follow.
The Rune Eater’s low tone was nearly swallowed by the echo of indiscernible shouts coming from downstairs. “Riot flies over the city regularly. If there’s a weakness in the watch, he’d have seen it. We can use that to get out.”
“Agreed.”
The Oracle’s chambers were at the far end of the residential wing. I raised my hand to knock, but the door opened before I could touch it.
Aureth stood there, blindfolded as always, yet somehow still looking directly at me. “Wickett Veyne. Calder Grimm. How punctual.”
Behind her, the room was already prepared. Packs sat near the door, provisions carefully organized. Riot stood by the window staring out.
“You already knew we were coming,” Calder said, following me into the room.
Aureth nodded, closing the door. “You’re here to ask about escape routes. Weaknesses in the city’s defenses. Ways to get out without getting yourselves killed.”
“You don’t have to go,” I said, because someone had to. “It’s safer for you here. My father would never move against you.”
“Safe? You think I’m safe in a locked-down city ruled by a man who sees me as an inconvenient obstacle to his assumption of absolute power?” She tilted her head. “Tell me, hunter, what happens when your father decides he no longer needs the optics of keeping me alive?”
I had no answer. Because we both knew what would happen if she truly got in his way.
The footsteps in the hall paused outside her door before the hall fell silent.
I moved instinctively, positioning myself between the Oracle and the door. Six hunters filed in without welcome, my father’s personal guard, all armed. The leader, Marcus, one of my father’s most loyal, took one look at me and froze. They’d all been so frantic in the hall, they hadn’t even noticed Calder and me. A security problem if ever there was one. And he knew it, based on his shock.
He stammered only a second before addressing the Oracle. “By order of the Magistrate’s council, all quarters are to be searched for evidence related to Magistrate Tiberius Veyne’s disappearance. You will stand aside and permit inspection.”
My father’s disappearance.
Of course. Of-fucking-course this was his play.
