Coldmaker(56)

I held back a retch. ‘What?’

‘That Nobles like Humphrey, most Nobles,’ Cam’s expression was harsh, ‘they believe this nonsense. They believe the Jadans brought their fate upon themselves all those years ago, and that as a Noble they are special and chosen.’

I nodded. ‘I know that.’

Cam took a deep breath. ‘But even if I’m a Noble, I want you to trust me. I understand why you would have every reason not to. But I need you to know that I don’t want to do you any harm.’

‘I trust you,’ I said. ‘You did jump in front of a whip to save me.’

‘Not enough. Here’s to Humphrey.’ Cam checked back down the row to make sure we were alone. Then he gathered a big gob of saliva and spat right on the painting. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he said: ‘This painting is all lies. Just like the Cleansing. I don’t believe in any of this for a second.’ He tapped the spot under his shirt where the necklace was. ‘And even though people are scared to admit it, I’m not the only one.’

I stared wide-eyed at what he’d just done, the wet lump dripping down the canvas. Even though he was a High Noble, Cam could be punished severely for defacing something so precious to the Khatdom.

‘It’s a copy,’ Cam said, seeing the panic in my eyes. ‘But if I could get to the real thing down in the locked archives, I’d spit on that too.’

I swallowed hard. His expression told me this was true.

‘Come on,’ Cam said, nodding back down the row.

He led me through the library to the section of private rooms, neither of us saying a word. Quickly Cam unlocked a door, the lantern in his hand illuminating a room which was completely empty, save for a single table with two chairs behind the door.

Closing the door behind him, Cam gestured for me to sit as he put an ear against the door. Eventually he seemed satisfied with the silence, taking the opposite seat and putting the lantern on the table.

‘So,’ Cam said, idly playing with his silk sleeve.

I nodded, not used to the feel of a chair under me. I’d only really ever sat on rocks or ledges, and wasn’t used to such comfort. ‘So.’

He pointed to the boilweed sacks over my hands. ‘You can take those off, by the way.’

‘Thanks.’

Cam tapped his fingers on the table, lips twitching back and forth. I could tell he’d been thinking about this moment for some time, and was worried about what might happen next.

After a long stretch, I realized I’d have to be the one to break the silence. ‘Is there something you—’

‘You fixed the music box,’ Cam declared.

‘No. It was my family—’

Cam shook his head. ‘If this friendship is going to work, we need to be honest with one another. I need you to trust me.’

I let out a long breath at the word ‘friendship’. ‘Yes. I fixed the music box.’

An enthusiastic smile cut broadly across his face. ‘Brilliant. How did you know what to do? From what I understand, Jadans aren’t allowed to own things, let alone tinker with them.’

I shrugged, struggling to find my words. ‘I steal things from rubbish heaps at night. Usually I don’t think too much about what I’m making, the pieces just tell me what to do. That’s what happened with your music box.’

‘Which she loved by the way,’ Cam added. ‘Thank you for that.’

‘I’m glad.’

Cam gave a smug smile and then got serious again. ‘What do you make?’

‘Small things. Things that might be useful.’

He paused. ‘So what you’re telling me, since you’ve had no teacher and have to do everything in secret,’ he clucked his tongue, ‘is that you’re a natural.’

I kept a straight face, and then my smile broke.

Cam leaned forward, the lantern light casting his shadow long across the brick wall at his back. ‘What do you know about the Great Drought?’

‘Same as everyone else I guess.’

Cam nodded. ‘So very, very little.’

I shrugged.

‘What if I told you,’ Cam said, ‘that there is nothing that proves the Crier wants you to be slaves?’

I felt my face flush. ‘What about the fact that He stopped giving us Cold?’

‘Did He?’ Cam asked, tilting his head. ‘Or did someone else just take it away?’

‘I don’t understand.’

Cam leaned in, speaking quietly. ‘Some people say the first Khat had a hand in the Great Drought. That he made a deal with the Sun for power.’

‘I—’

Cam held up his hand. ‘It’s just one of many stories. But I’ll let Leroi explain the real theories to you. He’s better at it.’

There was that name again. ‘Who’s Leroi?’

‘There’s only one member of my family that I truly respect. My cousin Leroi,’ Cam blushed, his mood changing, ‘and he is dying.’

I paused. ‘Dying of what?’

Cam’s expression hardened. ‘Of himself.’

I tilted my head.

Cam’s eyes flashed to the door. Then he screamed loudly at the top of his lungs, his voice breaking in the middle from the effort. My hands flew to my ears.