“Fenn,” said Basil in a reproving voice. “We have all suffered. We do not compare our suffering. Let Em speak.”
This, too, sounded like something that had been said often.
“Carved it out of me with a spell as easy as you’d winkle out a clam,” said Em. “Two pretty ladies, and they didn’t have enough magic left to ride their carriage home as quickly as they would like. They told me a crumb of heart would do, that I wouldn’t miss it. Well, I would have given them anything, wouldn’t I? So beautiful they were. I didn’t think. ‘Twere like a maze were on me. I didn’t feel a thing, until afterward. And then I had to follow them here.” She glared at me suddenly. “And before you ask, yes, I was in love with them, all right?”
Taken aback, I said, “I didn’t ...”
“I spent my life raising babes and caring for a house,” she said. “I was a good wife, and a good ma. I did my duty. My children were all grown. And I never so much as looked at another man or woman after I was married, until they came along—and I could have! I had plenty of offers! Well, I lived with one of the ladies for a while, until she tired of me, like Nat. It’s always the way. They use us up, then cast us out.”
“I’m sorry,” I said inadequately.
“I was not seduced by any promises,” said the wealthy-looking older lady. “I offered my heart freely.”
“You ...”
“I needed their magic. My daughter was sick.” She pressed her lips together and dabbed at her eyes with her lace handkerchief. “There was no other way. And I couldn’t bring myself to buy a heart on the black market. I wasnot,” she said vehemently, “going to have anything to do withthat sort.”
“Still. Your own heart!” I said.
“She lived, and that was all that mattered,” said the old lady. “I have not seen her in a long time. She lives with other family now, and I am here. I do not want her to see me like this ... And I do not have long.”
I was ashamed of myself. I had dismissed her as a snooty old bag. Of course, shewasa snooty old bag, but that wasn’t all she was.
“They took a piece of your actual heart?” I said, turning to Em. “Your real, live heart, out of your chest?”
“As I said.”
“And your whole heart?” I said to the boy. “The whole thing?”
“Right,” he said.
“But ... then how are you walking around? Talking? I don’t mean to be rude,” I added quickly, as Em bridled. “It’s just ... Take the heart out, and you take the life out. I don’t mean to be rude,” I repeated to the roomful of eyes staring at me.
“It’s magic, innit,” said Nat.
“Right, but ... There has to be something in there, to keep the blood going.”
“I don’t know how it works.”
“But you can’t live without a heart!” I argued. “It isn’t possible!”
Nat glowered at me. I appealed to Basil, spreading my hands. “I’m not doubting you. I’m just wondering what you’ve got in there instead, that’s all.”
“Oh, there’s something in there, all right,” Basil said grimly. “They want to keep you alive, I suppose, in case they can harvest from you again. Wears off after a while, though. Takes longer for some than others.”
“I were nineteen,” said another man who looked to be only a little younger than me, “when a sorceress came to my village. She looked at me out of everyone there and crooked a finger. At me. Not any of the big lads, nor the handsome ones. I couldn’t believe it. She took me into her carriage, and she promised me ... things.”
He blushed. The rest of the room nodded, as if in understanding.
My sorcerer had never promised methings.
“She brought me here,” he said, “and ...”
Em patted his shoulder. “It’s all right, Jol,” she said.
“I don’t remember it very well,” he said. “I remember it hurt.”
“What did she do?” I asked. I realized I was leaning forward on my rickety stool.
