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Ren felt the great satisfaction of a correct guess. Landwin Brood wasted nothing. He did not rule one of the great houses because he was a fool. Theo’s appointment as warden would have extended their family’s power to an entirely new sphere of influence. Ren knew he wouldn’t sacrifice that entirely. It was clear to her then that he’d cut a deal with the Graylantians. He would deter Theo so that one of their candidates might replace him, but only if the Broods had access to them. It fit their family’s cutthroat business mentality. Sacrifice a child’s happiness for the family’s greater gain. Ren was starting to enjoy how predictably conniving they were.
“And what was it that Thugar Brood wanted you to do?”
Zell’s face gave away nothing. Her little mice had skittered all the way up one leg and were now racing one another across the straps of Zell’s leather jacket.
“He asked me to destroy your bird.”
Of course he did.
Ren felt indescribable satisfaction watching another piece of the puzzle click neatly into place. She’d researched Zell rather thoroughly. There really was so little on paper about her. Almost no news clippings at all. Balmerick had next to nothing in its records. The only real point of emphasis, then, was how disconnected she was from the rest of the world. Ren had figured out what Landwin Brood simply couldn’t imagine: Zell loved stone more than people. She’d grown up training with statues—as Theo had with Vega—but her only friends had been the three mice who were now playfully looping in and out of her loose hair. Men like Landwin Brood saw the livestone creatures as tools. A number of previous wardens had seen them that way too. Not Zell Carrowynd. These were her friends.
“Which you didn’t do.”
Carrowynd sighed. “Of course not. The only time a livestone being should come to harm is in defense of the city—or if it goes feral. We’ve had to put them down before, but only as a last resort. Which brings me to my first question. Why would they want to kill your bird? Most houses view a livestone creature as a prized possession. Like enhancers. It gives them an edge over the others. So why would they make that request of me?”
“The answer is simple: Landwin Brood does not approve of my relationship with his son, Theo. He approached Theo about breaking our bond—and Theo refused. Then he offered me a position in another house to sever the connection—and I refused.” Ren was providing these details because she knew it would make everything feel more despicable to Zell’s sensibilities. “Killing Vega was the only other way. After all, she was the conduit for our bond.”
Understanding dawned on Carrowynd’s face. It was a shocking revelation, but not to Ren. She’d seen this moment coming like clockwork. Landwin Brood was too cunning not to notice. His scouts would have observed her usage of Vega. From there, Brood would have realized that the reason they shared a vessel was that it was used to perform the ceremonial bonding spell. A person could not fully destroy livestone. Banish it, perhaps. Wound it, yes. But only livestone creatures could kill other livestone creatures. Landwin Brood had followed all of this to the inevitable conclusion: he could command Carrowynd to order her statues to kill the bird on the Broods’ behalf.
“I hope they at least told you a good lie,” Ren said.
Carrowynd nodded. “They said you stole Vega from his son through dark magic.”
“Dark magic,” Ren repeated, smiling. “I suppose love can feel that way sometimes.”
Hearing that, Carrowynd took her feet. She looked incredibly annoyed.
“Well, this was a colossal waste of my time. If you bonded through Vega, that means she chose you too. She’s a living creature. It would have been well within her rights to reject your request. Which means Vega trusts Theo—and she trusts you. I refuse to destroy a living creature solely because it suits the whims of House Brood. You are free to go.”
The gargoyle had watched in silence, motionless. Now it swooped down from the rafters. Ren watched the creature unfold its wings. Vega came tumbling out. Ren heard a mournful cry as the hawk righted itself and fluttered up to her shoulder. She couldn’t tell if she’d forgotten the pain of having the bird there or if it was clutching tighter out of fear.
“You’re safe now,” Ren whispered. “Welcome back.”
The gargoyle had trundled over to the door. It was reaching for the handle when she spoke.
“Wait. I have more to discuss.”
Carrowynd turned back with suspicion. This was always going to be the delicate part of their transaction. Ren needed to ask something of her without appearing to be just like the Broods. Once more, she planned to appeal to the woman’s sensibilities.
“What is it?”
“I want to make a trade.”
“Oh? And what could you offer me that the Broods did not?”
“A livestone statue.”
That drew a sharp look from Carrowynd. “But you can’t give Vega up. Unless you’re willing to sacrifice your bond?”
“No, I won’t do that.”
Ren fell briefly silent. She was surprised by the strength with which she’d said those words. She realized they were utterly true. No matter what happened, she was not willing to leave Theo.
“I’m not offering Vega.”
Carrowynd looked even more curious. She sat back in her chair and signaled to the gargoyle. It took up a guardlike position, leaving the door shut to the outside world.
“Go on.”
