glared at Helena, and then at General Condor. “You don’t belong here, either of you. We like the Nightside just the way it is; and neither of you have the support or the power to change anything that matters. I own most of the land the Nightside stands on; my associates own most of the rest. We can bankrupt anyone who doesn’t back us up. And we can raise armies, if necessary, to defend what is ours.”
“I have led armies,” said General Condor. “There’s more to it than giving orders.”
“I have led armies, too,” said Queen Helena. Something in her voice made the others look at her. She smiled coldly. “I did not come here by accident. No arbitrary Timeslip brought me here; I can go home anytime I want. To the ancient and melancholy Ice Kingdoms, where my armies wait for me. It has been a long time since the Armies of the Evening have had a cause worth fighting for. Because we killed everyone else who stood against us, in the long twilight of Earth. I have no wish to be Queen of an empty world. Not when I can bring my armies here and make the Nightside my own.”
General Condor and Uptown Taffy Lewis looked at her, then at each other, and finally at Walker, who smiled easily.
“Why risk your armies, and your life, to secure a city, when you already have a world of your own?”
Queen Helena smiled back at him coldly, her blue-tinged lips drawing back to reveal perfect sharp teeth. “I like it here. It’s warm.”
“Ice melts when the going gets hot,” said Taffy.
“You dare?” Queen Helena stood up, glaring down at them all. Strange metallic shapes surfaced in the blue-white flesh of her arms. Silver-grey barrels targeted Taffy and the General.
“That’s enough!” Walker didn’t stand up. He didn’t need to. He was using the Voice. “Put your weapons away, Helena.”
The Queen of the Evening shook and shuddered, her lips drawing back in a frustrated grimace, as she fought the Voice and failed. The implanted technology sank back into her arms, bluish skin closing seamlessly over it. She snarled furiously at Walker, a fierce, animal sound, then she turned abruptly and stalked away. Servants hurried to get out of her way. General Condor and Uptown Taffy Lewis rose to their feet, bowed stiffly to Walker, and then they left, too, careful to maintain a respectful distance between them. Perhaps they were worried Walker would use the Voice on them. He watched them go thoughtfully, and then turned unhurriedly in his chair and looked right at me.
“I’ll see you now, Taylor.”
I nodded and smiled, and moved unhurriedly forward to join him at his table. Bettie stuck close to my side.
“How did he know we were there?” she whispered.
“He’s Walker,” I said.
Bettie and I sat down in the newly vacated seats, facing Walker. He looked perfectly calm and at ease in his elegant city suit, his public school tie neatly tied in a Windsor knot. He didn’t seem particularly pleased to see me, but then he rarely did.
“Nicely played,” I said. “You set them at each other’s throats without once having to make clear your own position. It’s always good to see a real professional at work.”
Walker smiled briefly and turned his attention to Bettie. “I see we have a representative of the Press with us. And a more charming example than most. I feel I should warn you that recording devices won’t function inside the Club. And I am very definitely not available for an interview. I’ve read some of your work, Miss Divine. You show promise. I’m sure you’ll make a name for yourself once you get a job at a real newspaper.”
Bettie smiled widely, almost overwhelmed that Walker had heard of her and was familiar with her work. I could have told her; Walker knows everyone.
“Looks like the vultures are gathering over the Nightside,” I said. “Would I be right in thinking that people are being encouraged to choose sides? Whether they want to or not?”
“Which side would you be on, Taylor, if push came to shove?” said Walker.
“My side,” I said.
Walker nodded slightly. And perhaps it was only my imagination that he looked a little disappointed in me.
“You’ve heard about the Afterlife Recording?” I said. “Of course you have. It’s gone missing, and I’ve been hired to find it.”
“Then find it quickly,” said Walker. “Before forces from Above or Below decide to get involved. The last time that happened was a disaster