Broken Veil (Harbinger #5)(46)

Cettie turned, her heart still brimming with appreciation, and saw the Aldermaston approaching them.

“Welcome, Lord Fitzroy,” the Aldermaston said.

Stephen smiled wistfully. “That title will always belong to my father. Stephen will do well enough, Aldermaston.” He reached out and they firmly shook hands. “Thank you for returning her to us.”

The Aldermaston put a hand on each of their shoulders. “I come bearing news. I received word from Lockhaven that the empress disappeared several days ago. Prime Minister Durrant has kept it a closely guarded secret. Not even all of the privy council knows. Her maid, Becka Monstrum, was apprehended. They found an invisible ring on her finger, just as you said they would. Her form changed immediately as the disguise was stripped away. She bore the lily mark on her shoulder. As soon as she was revealed, the young woman attacked the soldiers sent to arrest her. It took six men to subdue her and four young mastons from the Ministry of Thought to overpower her and her kystrel. One of them ripped it from the chain around her neck. She’s been incarcerated in Lockhaven and is now being interrogated by the Ministry of War.”

Stephen grinned at Cettie.

“Well done, Sister.”

“Did they send officers to Gimmerton Sough?” Cettie asked. She couldn’t help the pang of worry she felt for Shantelle. What would happen to her? The young girl had made bad decisions, just as she herself had, but there was more to her than her worst choices. “I believe Sera was taken there.”

“Yes, officers were dispatched as soon as your warning about her maid was verified.”

“Gimmerton Sough?” Stephen asked.

“Yes,” Cettie said. “Rand is part of this cabal. In fact, I know that Rand is an imposter. He’s really Will Russell. I think Rand’s sister may also be involved. If they’re not careful, Sera could be . . . she could be killed.”

The Aldermaston shook his head. “No, they need her alive. We believe their goal is to liberate Ereshkigal. Only Sera can.”

Cettie gave him a fierce look. “That is their goal. I was to be the vessel. They planned to send me to Lockhaven to impersonate Sera. The maid was part of the trick.”

“Then we don’t have any time to lose,” Stephen said. He hooked his arm around Cettie’s. “We fly to Gimmerton Sough.”

The Aldermaston shook his head no. “The Ministry of War is sending zephyrs to come fetch her. Mr. Durrant wishes for her to be brought to Lockhaven at once.”

Stephen narrowed his gaze. “I’m sorry, Aldermaston. But she stays with me.”

“I implore you to see reason. You cannot simply take her away when—”

“I can, and I will,” Stephen said. “If they want her, tell them where to meet us. Gimmerton Sough.”





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

GIMMERTON SOUGH



They did leave Muirwood Abbey, but not before the Aldermaston pressed a new chain into Cettie’s cupped palm with an entreaty to wear it at all times to protect herself from the Myriad Ones that would seek to reclaim her. Gratitude burned in her heart as she clenched the chain and symbol in her fist. She didn’t feel worthy to put it on, but she honored the Aldermaston’s request, nonetheless.

She and Stephen boarded the tempest, and he offered her the helm with a look of encouragement.

“Come, Cettie,” he said. “We both know who is the better pilot.” Once again, she was struck by how much her almost-brother had matured in her absence.

The peaceful feeling that suffused the abbey and its grounds had melted away the negative emotions that still plagued her. It was like a terrible night was ending, brought to heel by the first rays of dawn. She stood at the helm, her hands gripping the spokes of the wooden wheel mounted there. All it did was give the illusion of a ship—the power came from elsewhere.

It came from the Knowing.

Her mind whispered to the Leering, We must away.

The tempest vaulted into the sky, making Stephen grip the handrail in surprise. A smile spread on his mouth as the tempest began to rush with the breeze, leaving the grounds and the majestic abbey awash in colors painted by the sinking sun.

As they raced to Gimmerton Sough, Cettie revealed her story to Stephen. She told him of the poisoner school in Genevar. Of the Leerings that summoned serpents should anyone attempt to leave the walls. Of the young women she had met, each snatched from a life of misery and despair. Of the tests of courage, combat, and duplicity she’d faced, guided by her father, a kishion, and the garden keeper named Jevin. She ended with the information of how she’d discovered Rand Patchett, who they’d known, had in truth been Will Russell.

Stephen listened with uncanny patience. He’d changed so much since Father’s death. There was stone dust on his jacket, and his hands were callused from working at Dolcoath mines. Even his pose, hands clasped behind his back, made him look more like his father. The son had finally accepted the mantle of his master.

In return, Stephen shared the news about their family. Lady Maren’s health had declined since news of her husband’s death. Not sickness—just a deep melancholy that was getting worse. Anna had been restored to good health, but she too grieved for Father. She was anxious to see Cettie again, to embrace her as a sister. Phinia and her husband, Malcolm, were expecting their first child. If it was a boy, they would name him Brant.