Broken Veil (Harbinger #5)(6)

“I travel constantly,” he answered. “I’ve never liked being in one place for very long. I tried making a go at parliament, as I told you I would, but I couldn’t find anyone to back me. Until now, that is. There are many of us in the government, advancing in the ranks.”

Jevin interrupted. “Now that you are here, Mr. Patchett, it’s time to prepare for your mission. You both leave before midnight.”

“Ah, yes,” Rand said. “Formalities. I’ve been looking forward to this all day. Cettie is quite a pilot. We can take over a tempest. No problem.”

“Come this way, then,” Jevin said, steering them both to the inner domain. It was surreal to be walking alongside Rand. She kept glancing at him, unnerved by his presence. His demeanor and mannerisms were so familiar to her. He’d always had the inner energy of a predator cat, constantly pacing and stalking. He was also very impulsive, which she did not think was a good quality for a kishion. It didn’t matter—she couldn’t be happier to see him.

“This room,” Jevin said, stopping in front of one of the smaller rooms. He twisted the handle and opened it, revealing a small table surrounded by some chairs.

Rand gestured for her to sit first, and he began pacing along the perimeter of the room. Jevin sat down at the head of the table and set the instrument down beside him. “This mission has been underway for several months,” he said. “I won’t explain the larger aims at this point, but let me describe once again the near-term goal.”

“Steal a tempest. Dispatch the crew,” Rand said with a shrug.

“Yes, to put it bluntly. The tempest you seek, Rage, should be arriving at midnight, according to our intelligence. Its destination is the Arsine warehouse here in Genevar. It must be commandeered upon arrival and flown to the Hotel Vecchio in Pree. There, you will pose as brother and sister. One of the rooms on the top floor has been arranged.”

“What about my zephyr?” Rand asked.

“Your zephyr stays here until you finish your mission,” Jevin said. “You will take a carriage together to the warehouse. Once you get to the hotel, you will wait there until further instructions arrive. It may be several days, depending on how other parts of the mission go. Do not leave the hotel until ordered or unless you are compromised.”

Jevin leaned forward and looked at Cettie. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a gold ring. “This will help you impersonate Miss Patchett. She does not know her brother has joined our efforts. Since you have met her, you have knowledge of her looks and manners. The ring will aid in your disguise, although I recommend choosing a dress that will facilitate the transformation. Here, try it on.”

She took the gold ring from him and stared at it. Then she slid it onto her finger.

“There is a word of power that activates the ring: metamorphoune. All you must do is think the word.” He pursed his lips. “Try it. The magic will draw Miss Patchett’s appearance from your memories.”

Cettie gazed at the ring on her hand and thought the word. Metamorphoune.

A rippling sensation went through her. It felt strange, as if her ears were plugged from a quick ascent to a higher altitude. She heard the chords of magic, faint music, but soon it blended in with the noise of the room, and she heard nothing. Looking down at her hands, she saw that they were different. The shape was different, the nails longer and covered in polish. The ring was gone.

Cettie touched her finger with her other hand, feeling the ridge on her finger. The ring had vanished upon activation of the spell, but it was still there.

“Yes, it’s still there,” said Jevin. “And it worked wonderfully. Is this what your sister looks like, Mr. Patchett?”

“Indeed, it is,” Rand said, sitting back. He chuckled to himself. “Her hair is a little longer now, but that’s hardly—”

“It matters,” Jevin said. “Now, Cettie. Give Mr. Patchett your kystrel. It will be able to access his latest memories of his sister, which will improve your disguise. It will help make the transformation more real. More convincing. Your voice will be the same to you. But others will hear the one they are familiar with. You will be able to speak in any language necessary for the situation.”

“I will?” Cettie asked, intrigued. She tugged at the chain around her neck, loosening the kystrel from her bodice. In the past, whenever she’d thought about taking it off, she’d felt uneasy, wary, and protective of it. Though its magic had not freed her as she’d hoped, it was still a powerful protection. But knowing Rand was to be her kishion changed things—she was eager to share her power with him. She hoped that by doing so, she would feel a little more connection to the girl he’d known her to be. She hesitated for only a brief moment before pulling it off and handing it to him.

Rand took it, cupping it in his palm. She saw him swallow as he stared at the magical emblem with curiosity. Then he slipped the chain over his own neck.

A jolt went through Cettie’s heart, and gooseflesh tingled down her arms.

“When do we leave for the warehouse?” Rand asked. “How far is it?”

“The carriage was summoned an hour ago. You’ll be leaving after dark. Pack the clothes you need. Occitanian coins will be provided for expenses.” He looked at Cettie and put his hand on top of hers, the one with the ring. “These are powerful rings,” Jevin said. “If you do well, you will be permitted to keep this one.”