40. Syrus #3
“Check the envelope,” I suggest. She snatches it up off the desk, turning it over, then opening the flap.
“There’s something written inside…” she murmurs. Then she goes very still.
“This is a letter from Strickland,” she says, her voice flat with astonishment.
“What? The assemblyman?” I blink at her. “What makes you say that?”
“The phrase written here.” Her hand is shaking a little as she holds up the envelope for me to read the line scrawled on the inside of the flap.
To take our power, we have to dance with the darkness.
“He’s said that to me,” Leah says. “I remember it exactly. Fuck.”
“Okay,” I hold up my hands like I’m calming a wild horse. “But him knowing that phrase doesn’t mean he wrote the letter,” I point out. “Maybe it’s a common quote or something.”
Leah crumples the letter a little in her hand, eyes darting over the writing on the envelope again.
“But Roseingrave and he were friends. And she knew things about me at the party, knew I was married to Hathwell. She said my lawyers told her…but they spent a full twenty minutes assuring me that they’re the most discreet firm in Pax.
It’s not like I asked—they just volunteered that information.
If it’s such a point of pride for them to keep their clients’ secrets, they wouldn’t have spilled mine to Roseingrave.
But Strickland might have, after he looked into me…
” She jerks her head up. “Why wouldn’t he tell me that he knew Hathwell unless he was hiding something? ”
“You’re still assuming that he wrote that letter,” I say.
“You said she likely wouldn’t have been working alone,” Leah says, her voice getting croaky with tension. “Well, Strickland pulled me aside at the party. That’s when Roseingrave found me. It’s how she got me alone without Syrus noticing.”
Okay, yeah, that doesn’t sound great.
“Shit!” Leah says, and she’s practically vibrating with panic now. “What if—what if we’ve really fucked up, Filippa?”
“Has Strickland given you any sign you shouldn’t trust him?” I ask. “I mean, the man is in charge of Pax. People would notice if he was part of some shady cult, right?”
“Except he has everyone who matters in his pocket,” Leah says. “I’ve heard him blackmail people. He’s good at it. But then, he had Roseingrave arrested…” A ray of hope breaks on her face. “So maybe he is on our side.”
I hate to crush her optimism, but… “Not necessarily. Maybe he’s fine with this Roseingrave woman taking the fall to cover his tracks.
It doesn’t prove his guilt, but it doesn’t prove his innocence, either,” I say, crossing my arms. “Let’s look at this strategically.
If Strickland is part of this Order, what’s his end goal? ”
“Maybe something to do with the collateral,” Leah says, her eyes widening.
“He wanted me to use my magic on the Heart of Dawn. He said he was worried there was something wrong with it but…fuck I’ve been stupid.
He said there were protections on them. Maybe that’s what he needed me for—to give him access to power that he couldn’t reach otherwise. ”
“You need to talk to Syrus,” I say. “And you two probably need to get out of the Assembly building until you’re sure you can trust Strickland.”
“To go where? He’s got authority over every corner of Pax. Aradis considers us enemies, and the lords of Infernum still hate Syrus.”
“I don’t know,” I say, throwing my arms down. “Maybe another city in Strata? One where Strickland won’t have much influence? Or stay at the Assembly building, play your cards close to your chest. Keep acting like you trust Strickland while you find a way to expose him.”
Leah tosses down the letter and envelope, tugging a hand through her hair.
“I’ve got to at least act normal until I can warn Syrus,” she says, looking at the nearest clock. “Let’s go now.”
But when we get to the Assembly building, we’re met by a set of stern-looking wardens at the gates.
“Pre-approved guests in the residence only,” one of them grunts to Leah. She curses before turning and pulling me aside.
“I forgot,” she says, sounding sheepish. “I haven’t had any guests before now—but Syrus brought Aster and Viz here, and they had to get approved to visit us in the residence. They were searched each time on the way in too.”
She glances meaningfully at my cloak, underneath which my wings are being held down by the harness. I probably don’t want any wardens looking too closely at me, wondering when exactly I entered the city and by how long I’ve overstayed my legal welcome.
“It’s fine,” I say, dropping my voice. “I’ll go back to Hodges’s place. You find Syrus and then send me a message or come find me tomorrow, all right?”
“Yes. Thank you,” Leah says, squeezing my hand.
I’ve never had a talent for combat, I’m a piss-poor flier, but my foresight is the one ancestors-given gift I have that works just fine.
I know not to ignore it when my gut twists ominously as I watch Leah disappear behind the high, reinforced walls of the Assembly building.
But I also know there’s nothing I can do.