Page 109 of The Dragon and the Dove

‘We can if I rip down the walls,’ said Anouk.

It was not the worst idea. But it didn’t account for the Strix.

‘Save your rage, little Hale,’ said Caruso. ‘We won’t have to storm Bellevue Castle. Andreas will come to us.’ Returning his chair to all fours with a decisive thud, Caruso turned serious. ‘The Silver-tongue Saint is planning to march on Fantome this coming Saints’ Day. When he plants his flag on Traveller’s Arch in place of yours, he will officially claim the capital and the Kingdom of Valterre as his own.’

Anouk quailed. ‘Saints’ Day is three days from now.’

‘Let him come,’ said Ransom, feeling his resolve strengthen. There was no one in this room, in this whole damn city, who knew Fantome better than he did; every dark alley and forgotten corner, the winding sewers and looming rooftops were all scoured into his brain. The city had long been Ransom’s playground. Why not a battleground, too?

‘What exactly is he planning?’ said Sera.

‘A dual attack. The Strix will take the skies, and the Rose-bearers will come on foot.’ They listened in stony silence as Caruso went on. ‘When Andreas infiltrates the city, he’ll begin his own reign of terror. Just like in the west provinces, he’ll drag every single person in Fantome out of their homes, make them kneel at his feet and swear allegiance to their new ruler. They’ll pay their tithe either in blood or gold, and in return he’ll plant a worm in their head. By the time he’s finished, the mind of every person in this city will belong to him.’

There was a rush of murmurs.

‘Such numbers…’ Albert looked to Mercure, his face grave. ‘Even with every willing Cloak at House Armand… we cannot hope to stand against one army, let alone two.’

‘This is not a game of odds,’ said Fontaine, who alone seemed unperturbed – or perhaps unsurprised – by Caruso’s news. ‘You don’t need an army greater than the one that sits in this room.’ Her gaze roved over Anouk, then Ransom and down the table, marking each saint. ‘Once you take the head of the snake, his armies will fall.’

Ransom dipped his chin in agreement. ‘The heart of our plan remains unchanged. We go for Andreas.’

‘And what about Lark?’ said Sera. There was a catch in her voice. He knew she was replaying her last moments with him. How he had cast her to the Strix like a frightened mouse.

As rage seeped through the cracks of his composure, shadows crawled up the walls. He said, with deadly quiet, ‘Leave Lark to me.’

‘And the Strix?’ said Val.

It was Paola who answered. ‘I can cast a storm. Confuse their senses, if only for a short while.’

‘We’ll shoot them right out of it.’ Caruso was gleeful at the prospect.

‘We’re going to need crossbows,’ said Ransom. ‘Enough at least for our Order.’

‘There’s an armoury not far from here,’ said Mercure, rising to the task. ‘I’ll send out my most seasoned Cloaks tonight. We’ll take what we can.’

‘Thank you,’ said Sera, the others murmuring in agreement.

Ransom released a breath of relief. It was no small thing for the Orders to work together like this. Not only had the Cloaks welcomed their fledgling Order into their sanctuary, now they were helping them in their stand against Andreas.

Their alliance, while still tentative, was welcome. Vital.

The meeting resolved in good spirits, their plan crystallizing with such swift and vivid clarity that Ransom almost wished Saints’ Day would come sooner.

In three days’ time, Andreas Mondragon Rayere would meet his end on the banks of the River Verne. And yet, a familiar unease festered. As the Orders rose from their chairs and filed into the hallway, Ransom watched Versini pull Seraphine aside, and was sure there was another enemy much closer to home that had yet to be dealt with.

Chapter 28 Seraphine

The door to the cloakroom was ajar when Sera arrived. Theo was alone at his bench, scribbling in his journal. There was Lightfire everywhere, half-plucked boneshade plants scattered across the shelves. More littered the far end of the workbench, where Tobias appeared to be grinding them.

When he spotted her hovering in the doorway, his face split into a grin. ‘I knew you’d come! It’s time for my making, isn’t it?’

Sera’s magic flared in response.

There is more to do, Maker.

But she was not ready. Still woozy from Paola’s making and reeling from her conversation with Val over breakfast, she couldn’t set her mind to anything else until she had spoken to Theo.

Alone.