30. Chapter 30
Chapter 30
I t’s in the dead of night that Raven, Dryden and I set off on our mission. Every time we pass a window and I only see the strange blackness outside, this shiver runs down my spine.
I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this — the Academy and ourselves being in some other dimension.
It’s practically the only thing on my mind as we climb up to Level Two and find our way to the gargoyle watching the entrance into the Theatre.
Now that there’s no one running the Academy, the creature seems to have gone wild with its species favorite pastime — collecting stuff abandoned by people. There are so many trinkets in so many heaps around it, we have to step over jackets, balls, jewelry boxes…
“Well well, who do we have here?” the gargoyle greets with a drawl.
“Three people in need of a favor,” I say.
It clicks its tongue. “It’s interesting, that it’s only now you’re all being reminded of my existence.”
The statement takes me by surprise a little, but I dismiss it. “I apologize for the oversight,” I reply with a slightly confused smile. Then I get straight to the point, knowing the gargoyle will want to bargain either way. “We need you to tell us whether you know of any Aesir iron here at the Academy.”
It tips its head back a little, taking a moment to observe us in silence. “What are you willing to pay for that information?”
“Books, gold, trinkets,” Dryden says with a glance around the heaps, “we’ll get you anything you want from the Academy.”
“Except the iron,” I add.
“Except the iron,” he echoes, smiling at me.
The gargoyle thinks for a moment, its gaze eventually settling on Raven. “I want the girl,” it finally says.
I guess it’s a disgusted look that I throw it, because it feels the need to explain, “It’s been lonely here since the students and the soldiers all departed. I only want someone to talk to.”
We exchange a look, all three of us seeming to be taken by surprise. Then again, the point of a bargain is to start higher than where you want to land. “No, thanks,” I say coldly. “We’ll find some other way to get the information.”
And I move to walk away.
“Are you sure you’ll be able to?” the gargoyle drawls.
“It seems we’ll have no choice,” I reply flatly, now actually starting to walk away, Dryden and Raven following closely.
“How about a compromise?” it says, making all three of us stop midstep and turn around. “I only keep her for the next seven nights.”
I grit my teeth. “You will not get the girl. State some other price or we’re out of here.”
“One night,” it insists, “and I tell you everything I know about the Aesir iron.”
“It’s a deal,” Raven says before I can react.
I throw her a shocked, disapproving look. “Raven.”
“Anna,” she echoes pointedly, making it clear to me that this is not my decision.
I turn to the gargoyle. “ Everything you know?”
“Everything.”
I let out a sigh. “One night and one night only.”
It smiles. “Agreed.”
Raven shakes its hand.
“Well?” I demand, folding my arms. “What do you have for us?”
It inhales deeply. “I once heard someone mention it, a somewhat cuckoo fae who worked from the Red Room.”
I frown. “ And ?”
It smiles. “That’s it. That’s everything I know.”
My jaw clenches. “The Red Room is basically rubble at the moment. Magical rubble we can’t get through. How do you propose we use that information of yours?”
Raven takes me by the upper arm. “It’s fine. You go now, Anna. I’m sure you’ll find a way around it.”
Pressing my lips tight, I just keep looking at her, trying to come up with a way to get her out of this.
“Don’t worry about it,” she tells me with a slightly surprised chuckle. “I was a cursed raven once, remember? This is not unfamiliar territory for me.”
I shake my head. Goddamn it. But what’s done is done. I take her hand to give it a comforting squeeze. “If it starts giving you any kind of trouble,” I say with a warning look, “ leave . We’ll deal with the consequences later.”
She gives me a nod and I force myself to let go of her hand.
Exchanging a glance, Dryden and I turn around and start walking away.
“So,” I hear the gargoyle say, somewhat awkwardly to my surprise, “what’s your favorite kind of stamp?”