Scar Night Page 0,120

it and go when she asked him to. Of course that had been before Adjunct Crumb had told her what he’d done. She placed a hand on Dill’s arm, stopped him from drawing the weapon.

Fogwill had frozen mid-step and stood with his mouth open.

For God’s sake, speak to her.

Carnival landed lightly on the edge of the aperture and folded her wings and then her arms. All of her attention was fixed on Rachel, who noted the iron fork in the angel’s belt with dismay. However impotent the weapon looked, she knew better than to dismiss it. The last time they’d fought, Carnival had been unarmed and blinded.

“I…” Fogwill was sweating. “We…have a proposal for you.”

Carnival ignored him, her dark eyes still focused on Rachel.

“A trade.” The Adjunct edged closer to the lectern, to the gas valve.

Don’t you dare. Not while Dill is here. But Rachel couldn’t move to stop him. She might alert Carnival to the danger. Or worse. The mood in the Sanctum felt brittle as glass. Any move on Rachel’s part was likely to shatter it.

“You are aware,” Fogwill began, “of the restorative qualities of angelwine—the elixir first used by Callis to bestow immense strength and longevity upon his warriors.” He swallowed. “You are also probably aware that a distillation of this elixir now exists.”

Carnival grunted, but the Adjunct’s statement at least earned him a glance.

She is tempted. But the priest’s careful choice of words had not escaped Rachel.This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Fogwill. And to what end? There’s something more here than meets the eye.

The fat priest leaned insouciantly against the lectern, a posture so contrived it made Rachel clench her teeth.

“By our laws, a blasphemous potion,” Fogwill went on. “It should never have been distilled. Nevertheless, it now exists, though it has been removed from Devon’s hands—and it would be of immeasurable benefit to you. So, a trade? The angelwine for your assistance in a small matter.”

Carnival merely glowered at him.

Fogwill practically wilted. Sweat shone on his wide forehead. He reached a hand behind the lectern, casting a fretful glance at Rachel and Dill, then swallowed. “We’d like you to kill someone for us.”

Someone? Why are you still hedging, Fogwill?

Carnival reacted bitterly. “You expect me to kill for you ?” she hissed. “Do you think I’m a fucking assassin like this bitch, to be bought?” She wheeled on Rachel and scars gathered on her brow. Her eyes had narrowed to murderous slits. She snapped out her wings to their full length and beat them, again, again, until a gale blew around her. On every side, candles blew out. “It’s getting darker, Spine.”

Fogwill had his hands up. “Wait, hear me out.”

Rachel yanked the bamboo container free from her belt, pushed her thumb against its plug.

Carnival advanced, dragging a storm behind her.

“Leave her!” And suddenly Dill was between them, his sword wobbling in his hand.

“Dill!” Rachel yanked him aside.

Carnival attacked.

She came so fast, Rachel barely saw her move. One heartbeat the assassin was upright, the next she was thrown across the Sanctum with brutal force. She slid twenty feet on her back and came to a halt inches from the wall. The bamboo tube rolled away into the shadows.

“I said leave her!” Dill swiped at the scarred angel.

Carnival diverted his blow without taking her eyes off Rachel. She caught the blunt blade in her fist, jerked it aside, and then punched Dill in the face. He dropped like a puppet whose strings had been severed. Wings thundering, Carnival came after the assassin again.

Rachel leapt to her feet, unsheathed her sword. She had to act now, while there was still some light in the Sanctum. She ran at her adversary, swung the blade up over her shoulder, feigned a down-cut…

Carnival moved to intercept the sword.

With her bare hands…? She thinks she’s that fast? Shit, she is that fast. But Rachel had no intention of attacking with her blade just yet. At the last moment, she slid both legs forward and dropped onto her back on the polished marble floor, turning her charge into a reckless slide. Carnival recoiled from the manoeuvre, but too late. The Spine assassin collided with the angel, taking Carnival’s legs out from under her.

It was an unorthodox tactic, but effective. Carnival tumbled over head first, wings thrashing, as Rachel skidded to a halt six feet beyond.Great, but she won’t let me attempt that one again . The assassin rolled over onto her stomach, and slipped her loaded blowpipe from her belt. Still lying