Chapter Thirteen Claire
Before the birth of humankind, Noctu had created the silverwolves to test whether a species of powerful individuals could work together in harmony to survive. His test was so successful that to this day, we often hear silverwolves howling but scarcely ever see them.
—Sermon on The Tale of Stars (L’Histoire des étoiles), Part I: The Book of Origins
Chapter Thirteen
Claire
A few minutes after we enter the noise of the city, the carriage halts.
Abel exits first and offers me a hand to step down, but the moment my heeled boots touch the cobblestone, I twist him up against the Gendarmerie station’s brick wall.
His brow lifts in surprise, like the night we met, but then I shove a wiggling Lucy into his arms.
“Keep your helmet turned away from the crowds,” I say. I point to a bench beneath a marble clock tower in the town square. “Meet me there in a half hour. I’ll have coins and lodging by then. Now, give me your coin purse.”
“Why? I only have enough money for the info broker.” He pats his empty pocket. “Damn. I lost—”
I dangle his coin purse by the string.
“Oh.”
“Quit checking your pockets. That tells the pickpockets where your valuables are. Keep them somewhere you can feel at all times.”
“Right.” He watches me slide it into his waistcoat. “Anything else?”
The carriage driver clucks his horses into the flow of traffic.
Gentlemen shuffle past with polished canes and top hats.
Ladies with parasols and elaborate dresses navigate the crowds, nearly shoulder to shoulder.
Several of them wear wildflower crowns in their hair, matching the blossoms that wreathe the verdigris lampposts like fawna antlers.
City folk caught up in the latest fashion fads. I’ve dressed us well.
Camouflage goes both ways, however. Anyone can remove a mask and blend in with a crowd.
“We should assume Madame Afi’s abductors are watching. Surround yourself with witnesses as much as possible,” I instruct.
“I thought that’s what the disguises were for.”
“No disguise is foolproof with that helmet. When in doubt, get yourself arrested.”
He recoils. “Arrested?”
I pinch his cheek. “Aww. Poor slayer baby can’t fathom breaking the law? How upsetting for you.”
“I’m not upset.” He pushes my hand away. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“What’s so confusing? Punch someone, break something, steal something…” I wave him off. “You have options.”
“I meant I don’t see the purpose in getting arrested.”
“Crime is the quickest way to a jail cell. There’s no better protection than one of those.” I shrug. “Don’t worry. I’d bail you out.”
He rubs his face. “It’s a last resort.”
“Good boy.”
If he’s bending his rules, he might very well be trustworthy—or on the edge of it. Now that I have his journal in my possession, I can almost feel a cure. My hands are itching to open the pages and find out what he discovered.
That will have to wait until we’re safe inside our lodging.
Abel glances up the road, where a steeple cuts into the crisp blue sky. Atop it stands a shiny brass emblem of the twin suns in perfect eclipse.
“Is that the church where they’ll release Madame Afi?” I ask.
Abel nods. “Lyle should be in the city already. I’d be surprised if he’s not keeping a close eye on that building.”
“I’ll track him down once we’re settled.” I shoo him toward the station’s door.
“Are you sure you can finish so soon?” He points to a few signs that jut out from four- and five-story buildings. “I can check those inns for availability. Help speed things up.”
“No. Just handle your business and stay surrounded.”
A carefree smile on my lips, I shake out my hair and bunch wrinkles into my skirt. In a city this big, there are bound to be flocks of stuffy, rich men eager to prey on a young, tired tourist.
Abel analyzes my transformation with a guarded expression. “Please only steal what we need. After that it’s just greed.”
The accusation stings a little, but I lock the hurt inside. I’m doing a good deed by helping him and Lyle. I’m not completely selfish.
“Au contraire. I deserve everything I can get.” I wink. “I only saved your life twice.”