was an instrument of pure death.
41
Lila
It looked almost like a mousetrap glued to a small, wooden box. When I leaned down, I saw that it had a spring, and a switch release. A string attached to the copper switch, with a little pin on the end. Next to the bomb, nestled in the packaging, was a small tube of glue.
“How does it work?” I asked in a whisper.
Finn pointed at the wooden box. “First, you glue it to the bottom of the drawer. Carefully. And you’ll need to make sure it’s in the right place. There are two sticks of dynamite in there, in the box part. When that copper switch release is pressed down and hits the contact, the whole thing blows.” He looked like he might throw up.
He breathed slowly in and out, then pointed at the pin attached to the string. “You pin this string to the back of the drawer, so when he pulls the drawer open fully, the string will pull the switch down. It will touch the contact, and detonate. That’s why it has to be in the right place. But you have to be careful—”
“I understand, Finn. I won’t let the switch hit the copper bit while I’m there.” At least, I bloody hoped not. “I can do it after night falls. Around eight-thirty, maybe. He usually doesn’t come back to his bedroom till late.”
Finn scrubbed a hand over his mouth. "I didn't want you to have to do this.”
A dark thought wound around inside my skull. What if I was wrong somehow?
But no—I’d seen the evidence with my own eyes.
“Look Finn, I don’t know if destiny is real. But it seems like the stars are aligning. I am maybe the only person in this city who knows how to get in and out of his room unnoticed. I may be the only person who seduced Samael. This feels like fate, doesn’t it? So I will be fine. As soon as I get it in the drawer and set up the pin, I'm just going to get out of there. I’ll never go back. I’ll leave the city for good.”
Sadness carved through me, but I had to do this for Alice. As soon as I thought of her, the memory of the photograph popped into my mind. Samael gripping her platinum hair, the blood dripping from her neck …
I stared at the bomb. “Where did the photo come from?” I asked.
“The Free Men. I think one of the Clovian soldiers took it. But we have spies within the castle.”
“You do?” Would’ve been useful to know who they were.
Finn stammered something incoherent, then looked at the table. “You really seduced him?”
“I knew it was how I needed to make him vulnerable, Finn.”
Finn nodded, then pulled a key out from his pocket and slid it across the table. “If you need somewhere to stay today, you can hide out in my flat, get some food, calm your nerves. You’re sure you’re okay?”
"Stop asking, Finn. I already told you. I feel like I'm on the right track, like it's destiny. And the ghost of the Raven King is on my side.”
“Just don’t jostle it.”
I glared at him. “Go back to your market stall.”
“I’m working at the Bibliotek tonight. Will you find me there after you’re done if you can? Before you leave the city?”
“Of course. I’ll bring your key back to you before I go.”
He touched my arm softly. “You know you're my best friend, right?”
"Of course," I said.
“And if it weren’t for all this, if it weren’t for the angels … It would have been nice if maybe you and me could have lived together.”
Finn definitely had a crush on me. And that was adorable, but today was a day for death. Not sweetness.
I slowly slid the briefcase off the table, my nerves sparking. Then I took a deep breath, focusing on holding it steadily. As I walked out the front door of the pub, the breeze rushed over me. I glanced at the briefcase, making sure it didn’t bump against my leg as I walked.
I lifted my eyes to scan the street. It wasn’t crowded, but a woman was pushing a pram on the other side. And that made me feel a rush of fear and guilt, because maybe I was doing something completely irresponsible. Just be very, very careful.
Only when she passed into the distance did I start walking again—slowly, trying to look casual. I kept the briefcase at a safe distance from