mean “our” side?’ Macready said sharply. There she was, proving his point already. ‘Rhian wouldn’t throw her lot in with Garnet. That’s crazy talk.’
‘Livilla’s sanity is not the issue here,’ said Velody with a sigh. ‘I believe she’s telling the truth. About Garnet, and her captured courtesa. About Rhian. Something bad is coming, we know that. It might be sooner than we thought.’ She took a deep breath. ‘It’s time for me to take the city back from Garnet.’
Macready wanted to argue further about Rhian, but they had moved on. Fighting Garnet. He felt himself spark up at the thought of it, though practicalities took over soon enough.
‘He has the other Lords,’ he reminded her.
‘I know,’ said Velody. ‘But I have the sentinels. Also, I actually want to keep the city in one piece. I no longer know what Garnet’s motivation is.’
‘We don’t have our blades,’ said Crane suddenly. They all looked at him. He coloured a little, but continued. ‘We don’t have our blades. Ashiol is gone, and Garnet is crazy. We’re exactly where we were a year ago.’
Macready gave him a light shove on the shoulder. ‘We have Velody, lad.’
Usually he and Kelpie took turns to be the cynic. It wasn’t Crane’s job.
‘And that’s enough, is it?’ The lad sounded angry now. ‘We’re not Creature Court any more. We walked away. We chose that. It’s not honourable to try to get it back. We lost the fight.’
Macready let his hand fall, staring at him. ‘Got something better to do, have you?’
‘It’s all very well, this honour of yours,’ said Livilla. ‘But Garnet has none.’
‘You were happy enough to throw your lot in with him until he stole one of your toys,’ Kelpie said sharply.
Livilla’s eyes went cold. ‘And these are your precious sentinels, Velody? So very compassionate when it comes to the needs of a vulnerable child. Topaz is a person, not a toy. And she is mine.’
‘Don’t you act the high and brightness with us, love,’ said Macready. ‘You haven’t exactly been a saint over the years, have you? If there are lads and lassies in danger, it’s because you brought them into the Court.’
‘I saved them,’ Livilla said huffily. ‘Devils only know what Poet had in store for those lambs.’
‘And you have such a history of keeping your courtesi safe,’ Macready said, and watched hatred flash in her eyes. Good to know he still had the touch.
‘You’re not helping,’ said Velody.
‘And you’re trusting too easily.’
‘It’s what I do, Mac. Are you still angry at me for bringing him back?’
‘Apparently.’ He sat back and folded his arms.
‘I need Topaz home,’ said Livilla, starting to sound desperate.
‘Why?’ broke in Kelpie. ‘Because you’re worried about her? Or because you need your secret weapon?’
Macready glanced at her. ‘What are you on about, love?’
‘Topaz. She’s the salamander, isn’t she?’
Macready blinked. That was a word he hadn’t heard in a long time. ‘Salamanders don’t exist.’
‘This one does. I’ve seen her. She controls fire. She can shape herself at any size. And she’s loyal to you, Livilla.’ Kelpie’s voice shook only a little. ‘She carried the poison cup directly to me. The one meant for Garnet.’
‘Why do you let them ask all these questions?’ Livilla flung at Velody. ‘They’re not our equals. They’re dirt. No wonder you never get anything done.’
‘I tried demanding that everyone follow me blindly,’ said Velody. ‘It didn’t work out well. Now I listen. Is Kelpie right about this Topaz of yours?’
‘She’s been holding Garnet at bay with that little demme,’ Kelpie said scornfully. ‘He was afraid of her.’
‘Exactly,’ said Livilla. ‘So who knows what he will do now he has her in that damned cage.’
‘I know,’ said a voice.
Macready looked up and saw Rhian. She seemed taller, her wide shoulders filling the doorway. She was blazing bright, as if she had swallowed sunlight and it was shining out of her skin. The room smelled of smoke. Then she blinked rapidly and stumbled into the kitchen, herself again.
Delphine darted forward to help her. Macready hung back so as not to get in her way. ‘Quite an entrance,’ he noted.
‘What do you know?’ Livilla demanded of Rhian. ‘What has he done to her?’
Rhian pushed Delphine carefully away, keeping a distance between them. ‘I know what Poet and Garnet have in mind for the salamander demme,’ she said clearly. ‘They’re going to kill her on the Kalends of Saturnalis.’
‘It’s the Kalends today,’ said Velody.
Rhian nodded. ‘That’s right.’
‘You look pale,’ Delphine accused. ‘And all bony — have you been eating?’
Velody stood up