Blackbird Broken (The Witch King's Crown #2) - Keri Arthur Page 0,70
was, and then stretched like a cat, feeling warm and rested. But also very hungry.
I tossed the blankets off and padded into the bathroom for a shower. Once dry, I came back out to discover that not only had the cleaning fairy been in to grab my grimy pile of clothes, they’d left a small carryall sitting on top of the blanket box. Inside was an assortment of fresh clothes. Mo’s doing, rather than actual fairies or the maid.
Once dressed, I grabbed the scroll and the notes and headed downstairs. Everyone else was already there, enjoying breakfast.
“Morning all.” I nodded a thank-you to Henry as he seated me. Once he’d taken my order, I added, “How’s the butt, Barney?”
“In full working order,” he said with a grin. “Although if your grandmother hadn’t pushed me off the rock when she did, more vital body parts could have been injured.”
“Which is why I pushed,” Mo said, voice dry. “The butt I don’t care about. I do, on the other hand, have a deeply personal interest in keeping your knob in full working order.”
“Well, isn’t this a fabulous conversation to have over breakfast,” Ginny said, clearly amused. “So much more interesting than listening to my mother drone on about babies and me needing to have them before I hit the crone years—which, in case anyone is interested, she insists start at thirty.”
I tucked the old leather scroll safely under my chair, then reached for a piece of toast and smothered it in butter and raspberry jam. “I thought you were dating the very lovely but very human detective in your division to shut her up?”
“I am.” Her cheeks dimpled. “She’s less than pleased, but it hasn’t yet stopped her. It might take another few dates—which won’t be a hardship, let me assure you.”
“Speaking of no hardship,” Mia said. “Where’s that luscious Blackbird of yours?”
“Taking care of the mess in London.”
Mo frowned. “What happened in London?”
“You didn’t hear?” I asked, surprised.
“Obviously not, if I’m asking the question.”
Despite the seriousness of the whole situation, I couldn’t help grinning at the tartness in her tone. “Darkside attacked the Blackbird headquarters with an earth-powered witchling.”
Mo sucked in a breath. “Many casualties?”
“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t think so. We had enough warning to order an evacuation. I suspect their library and artifacts store is now buried under a mountain of rubble, however.”
“Which might have been the whole point,” Barney said grimly. “The Blackbirds held the real coronation ring and crown, didn’t they?”
“They certainly had the ring,” Mo said. “And it would be easy enough for demons or even elves to slip into a collapsing building and steal the thing—especially if one of their own controlled the collapse and kept it to certain areas.”
“And if the building was utterly destroyed afterward,” Barney said, “it could take months before anyone realized it was missing.”
“But why would anyone want to steal the coronation ring?” Mia asked, confusion evident. “It’s only a bit of jewelry left over from witch rule, and these days isn’t even used in actual coronations.”
“There’s a theory the power of the sword can only be accessed by the crowned king.” Mo’s expression was contemplative. “I personally think the ring was not the sole intent of the attack, however.”
“Taking out the Blackbirds does clear the path of opposition somewhat,” Barney said. “None of the other witch houses are as truly ready for battle as them.”
“Yes, but I think it’s deeper than that.” Her gaze met mine. “Didn’t Gianna say that the new Witch King intended to resurrect witch rule?”
It was interesting that she didn’t actually name Max. I could understand her not wanting Mia or Ginny to know, but surely Barney had to—he was the head of Ainslyn’s witch council, after all, and would by necessity be involved in any countermeasure we made against either Max or Darkside.
“Yes,” I said, “but to do that, he has to attack the crown and the queen, and she’s still protected by Layton’s spell. No witch house has ever been able to break it.”
“So there have been attempts to do so?” Mia asked, surprised.
Mo nodded. “Three or four, at least, over the centuries.”
“Then what makes you think the new Witch King will succeed where those others failed?” Ginny asked.
“Because none of the others held the sword of power.”
“And in reality, he might not, either,” I said.
Mo’s gaze met mine. “Whether the sword he drew was the real thing or a substitute, it does hold power. We just don’t know what kind and