come chasing Markes again, I s’pose – like all the others, now that he’s one of the Youth Circle. Well, he’s not interested in you, you know,’ Cal sneered. ‘We’re already exclusive.’ She gave a sly look. ‘As much as you can be here anyway.’
For the first time since they’d met, Cal’s antagonism didn’t intimidate Naif. ‘Why are you so threatened by me?’
‘Pardon?’ Cal’s eyes widened in surprise as they were pushed forward again.
‘Invitation!’ demanded a Riper in a full-length leather dress and mask. She held out a hand encased in a chainmail glove.
Naif recognised her as one of Lenoir’s followers. She handed over the gold-trimmed card.
The Riper glanced at it.
‘My apologies, Naif. I didn’t recognise you in the dress. Please step this way.’ The Riper indicated inside the church to a door between two columns.
‘But, I’m with Markes – the musician,’ said Cal, waving her invitation before the Riper. ‘I should get in before her.’
The Riper ignored Cal and gave a small bow to Naif. ‘Lenoir wishes to see you.’
‘Lenoir?’ Cal gasped. ‘Then the rumours are true. I didn’t believe them.’
‘Naif?’ Test appeared alongside the first Riper. She gave a short bow and also gestured towards the columns. Both Ripers seemed nervous of keeping Lenoir waiting.
Naif didn’t want to see him but nor did she want to create a fuss. She glanced at Cal. ‘Maybe I’ll see you inside. You can finish telling me about Markes.’
The girl’s open mouth was the only answer she got.
Naif followed Test through the door and up a set of stairs that led to a gallery similar to the one in Vank – though much wider and grander. Her feet sank into a soft floor covering, so unexpected after the wood and stone of most other buildings.
Lenoir leaned against a wooden railing, exquisitely carved in the manner of a laden grapevine. He held a fluted glass in his hand and stared down into the cruciform with a pensive expression that made Naif’s heart thump.
While she waited at the door to the gallery, Test approached him and spoke quietly in his ear. Lenoir jerked from his reverie and glanced at her. Though his expression remained unchanged, Naif felt a honeyed warmth emanate from him and spread through her body. For some inexplicable reason her presence pleased him.
‘Come closer, batling,’ he said. ‘I’m pleased that the dress is … as it is. Please join me.’
He held out his hand for her and watched intently as she walked towards him.
Unsteady legs carried her across the balcony. She had not expected to see him again so soon. And not like this.
Lenoir, however, seemed in no hurry to speak. When he did, finally, his voice was a mere whisper. ‘I had thought you might enjoy the view from here before you join your party.’
Naif peered down into the cruciform. Agios was a church like no other she had seen. No austere furnishings and heavy wooden beams, or alcoves darkened by crosses. Neither was it gaudy or cheapened by crude figurines.
Agios glowed with candlelit, gold-inlaid marble that enhanced the sumptuous satin friezes of hunting scenes and feasts hanging from its walls. It reminded Naif of her mythology lessons about the incredible Marble City of Marsoucee.
‘What do you mean by … my party?’ she asked.
‘When we bonded, I learned much about your desires. You craved fun but did not know how to have it.’
She stared at him, not knowing what to say.
‘I have something for you.’ With deft fingers he slipped a jewel bracelet around her wrist – blood stones, dark red and cool to touch.
‘Beautiful,’ she breathed.
‘Like you, baby bat.’
Something caught in Naif’s throat. Lenoir’s compliment – like his gift – was unexpected and untruthful. She did not compare to the rich, cool beauty of the bracelet – nor did she want to. ‘I don’t think so, really.’ She cast a quizzical look at him. ‘And nor do you.’
He laughed at that. ‘No. You taste much better than ancient gemstones. And I for one should know.’
Naif removed the bracelet and returned it to him. ‘I owe you my life, Lenoir. We have a bond. But please don’t … give me things.’
His face grew stony. ‘Do you seek to order me around like Brand?’
‘Brand?’ Naif caught her breath in anger. ‘How could you tar me with her brush?’
He sighed, his flash of annoyance leaving him as quickly as it came. The troubled look returned to his eyes. ‘Brand wishes to lead a hunt against Ruzalia. She has called an extraordinary meeting