Page 18 of The Dragon and the Dove

There is more to do, Maker.

The mounting tension was interrupted by a creeeeak. Without turning around, Madame Mercure clucked her tongue and said, ‘Fabian, what have I told you about eavesdropping?’

Through a crack in the door, Sera glimpsed a set of curious brown eyes.

‘So you’ve got one of those too,’ said Anouk, leaning back in her chair. ‘Theo’s cousin Tobias is usually—’

‘Spying,’ said Theo, pointing accusingly at the crack in the door.

Another face had appeared below the first, those mischievous aquamarine eyes impossible to mistake. There was a brief scuffle, some muffled words and then the door swung open, tipping both boys into the room. At fourteen Tobias was a couple of years older than Fabian, but as they scrambled to their feet, they wore remarkably similar expressions of guilt.

‘He told me I could listen in,’ said Tobias, immediately hanging his accomplice out to dry.

‘At your own peril,’ clarified Fabian. He grinned at Ransom. ‘I knew you’d come to help us.’

‘It remains to be seen who is helping whom,’ said Madame Mercure.

‘I can help make a weapon,’ said Tobias. ‘I’ve got some big ideas.’

Fabian approached the table, looking beseechingly at Ransom. ‘I can be an apprentice too.’

‘You’re eleven,’ he said flatly.

‘I’m tall for my age,’ said Fabian.

‘Great,’ drawled Val. ‘Someone give the kid a pair of throwing axes.’

Gentling ever so slightly, Ransom said, ‘I don’t need an apprentice, Fabian. Thank you for the offer.’

‘He already has a fleet of monsters,’ Theo chipped in. ‘If I were you, I’d steer well clear of him.’

But Fabian’s eyes went as wide as moons. ‘Really?’

Mercure stood. ‘I think that will do for now. We’ll reconvene tomorrow. In the meantime, Vincent will show you to your rooms.’

As the others stood and filed out of the vault, Fontaine grabbed a fistful of Sera’s shirt, dragging her back.

‘I meant what I said, girl. You have your allies. Now make something of them.’

Sera glared at the old soothsayer. ‘Are you angling for sainthood, Madame Fontaine?’

‘Oh, Seraphine.’ Her smile was one of pity. ‘I wouldn’t drink from that poisoned chalice for all the coin in Valterre.’

She pottered off, leaving Sera wondering if it was a blessing or a curse that ran in her veins.

Chapter 4 Seraphine

It was not yet dawn and Pippin was growling again.

‘Hush, Pip.’ Sera turned over in bed, burying her face in her pillow.

The mutt would not be silenced. Or cajoled by the biscuit she fished blindly from her bedside table. He released a series of loud yelps then stuck his snout under the pillow.

Groaning, Sera lifted her head. ‘For such a tiny dog, you have an awfully big presence.’ She scratched behind his ears. ‘Why is every man in my life determined to defend my honour so… obtrusively?’

She didn’t need to fling her arm out to know that Ransom wasn’t beside her. He had come to bed several hours ago, folded her into his arms and held her there, warm and tight, until she fell asleep with her head on his chest, lulled by the rhythm of his breath. She’d hoped he’d stay until morning, but the dark made him restless, paranoia dragging him away from her long before dawn.

She hated how she was already getting used to it.