Page 38

He’s right. I know he’s right. And yet … “If I was careful, they’d never know.”

“Yes, they would.” He motions to a pendant necklace with a large sapphire. “When the Garnet Guild sets a gem like this, they etch their guild sign into it. Since it’s being sold by the Cups, it will have their sign as well. Having easily traced stolen jewelry is a death knell for a pawnshop or a broker. They’re much more likely to turn in the thief and get the reward and increase their standing with both the Garnets and the Cups.”

I didn’t know about the guild sign. How would I? I’ve never gotten close to fancy jewelry like this. I swallow hard. “You’ve made your point.”

Cato nods. For once, he doesn’t look arrogant or patronizing. There’s something almost like empathy on his handsome face. “Focus on winning. You’ll get access to resources that make these baubles look like paste. The Wands won’t be able to touch you or anyone you care about.”

Maybe the normal Wands won’t, but the Minor Court still has more power than the Cinque. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have been able to order my mother’s execution. There’s no point in saying as much, though; not when he’s done me a small kindness, not when I’m very intentionally keeping my relationship to the last Moon from both him and Vesper. “More motivation to win.”

“Yeah.”

Vesper clears their throat. “What’s taking so long?”

“Coming.” As we emerge onto the street, the Sun is already visible over the top of the wall in the distance. We’re moving slow, Vesper leaning hard on their cane and ignoring my silently offered arm. I half expect Cato to leave us behind. While each block that passes drains what little strength I have left, the opposite seems to be true for him. His spine straightens, his head lifts, and his skin loses the waxy appearance it gained after he passed out the first time. He even smiles, just a little, as if he’s enjoying himself.

Understanding dawns. “The Sun heals you.”

“I am Their favorite son.” He grins, sharp and quick. “I bet the Moon will do the same to you.”

“They didn’t help much while I was passed out half the night.” I sound like a sullen child, but it’s continually aggravating to see the other champions get benefits that are beyond me. Mouse didn’t say anything about the Moon healing my mother, but she was never seriously injured during the last Trials, so maybe it never came up? Or maybe it’s beyond the Moon’s ability. If I didn’t hallucinate that conversation with Them, if They were telling the truth, there are limits to Their powers. At this point, there’s an equal chance of both.

Vesper seems to follow my unspoken thoughts. “I wonder if the strength of Their healing—or lack thereof—has to do with where in the cycle They are. Full Moon is more powerful than new Moon, and all that. The Moon is starting to wax, so I’d wager your healing will increase each night.”

I’ve learned the hard way not to take anything that’s “known” for granted. But … Vesper might have a point. I don’t know where the Moon was in Their cycle during the last Trials. If waxing means increased healing, perhaps a fuller Moon means They’ll grant me moonbeams as well? Only time will tell. “I’m not going to hinge any of our plans on an assumption.”

“Fair enough.” They stumble.

I don’t think. I just reach out to catch their elbow. Now that I’m paying closer attention, Vesper looks kind of terrible. There are new brackets around their mouth from a pained grimace. Their limp is far more pronounced, too. Even if the Sun heals Cato and the Moon heals me, the Wheel doesn’t seem to have that kind of magic.

Vesper pulls their elbow from my grip. “Stop staring at me like I’m about to collapse without warning. I’m not.”

“I could—”

“No, Kestrel.” They take a deep breath and release it far slower than I expect. “I have been living with these limits my entire life. If I needed help every time I overextended myself, I wouldn’t be the Page of Swords and I certainly wouldn’t have dared become the Wheel of Fortune. I’m fine.”

I don’t know if I believe them, but I understand well enough. Wasn’t I just thinking about perceived weakness? This is the same. If they’re displaying any outward sign, they must be in terrible pain. I bite down on my tongue before I can offer to find some way to carry them. They won’t thank me for the attempt, and it might fracture what little trust we have.

“We’re almost there,” I say instead.

Cato actually has a bit of bounce in his step as we turn the final corner and cross the bridge to the champions’ island. Fifth strike is called. I breathe a sigh of relief. We’re closer than I want to be to the cutoff. Vesper exhales shakily, drawing my attention up. There are banners unfurled over the temples of four more champions. Victims of the night’s violence.

The Chariot eliminated the Devil and the World, bringing his kill count up to three, the same as the Tower. The Fool killed the Emperor, confirming my suspicion about the source of the blood on him. I make myself study his banner. It’s so unassuming—a figure walking with a jaunty step, a small dog at their feet. There’s little to link that cute animal with the monster the Fool can morph into. I shudder.

The final champion, the Hierophant, was killed by the Star. I hate that her banner is beautiful, depicting a dark sky with a bright star in the center, all overlooking a nude woman bent over a pool of rippling water.

I barely register the champion herself waltzing up to us until she speaks. “You three look an absolute mess. It’s a miracle you survived.” She smiles sweetly. “One has to wonder if you’ll be so lucky once the Sun sets this afternoon.”

Vesper rolls their eyes. “We’ll be gathered at fifteen strikes for the Pentacles display. Cato and Kestrel, we’ll speak at fourteen strikes.” They turn away without acknowledging the Star and limp toward their temple. I want nothing more than to do the same, but Cato catches my gaze and I instantly understand what his heavy look means. This is a chance to gather information.

I pivot to face the blond woman. “You killed the Hierophant.”

She shrugs. “That’s what we’re here to do, dear.” A smile, a hint of cruelty in the curve of her lips. “She desperately wanted a kiss. Who am I to deny her?”

I fight down a shudder. If not for Death’s warning, I would have fallen victim to her poison, too. Though even I’m not silly enough to kiss another champion. “Was that before or after sunset?”

Her eyes widen theatrically and she presses a hand to her chest. “I’m insulted you would think I’d break the Trials’ most sacred condition.” Her attention flicks to the missing sleeve of my dress. “The Hierophant died after nightfall.”

I can’t tell if that’s confirmation of my suspicions or not. She talks as carefully as a Sword does. “I see.”