She turned to Allon. “You say you’ve been studying the map, right?”
“Yes.” Allon’s skill at hiding his displeasure left much to be desired.
“Good. I’ve found a way through the mansion grounds.” The note she’d found in the dead drop this morning had solved the problem for her. “Between the two of us, we ought to be able to find the fastest route to Lord Auslan’s vault.”
She drew out the crude map and spread it on the table. “The mansion’s built like a fortress, but even the mightiest castle has weaknesses.” She tapped the servants’ entrance. “This is where we get in.”
Allon’s forehead wrinkled as he bent over the map. “A good plan, but there’s a problem. Beyond getting through rooms packed with household servants.” He tapped the enormous room at the center of the mansion. “Everything goes through here. If we’re trying to get to Lord Auslan’s bedroom, we’ll have to go up the main staircase and through the corridors. If there’s even one Arbitor on guard, we’re doomed.”
Ilanna nodded. “I know. The mansion was designed well. For all the wide open spaces and ornate ballrooms, there’re two choke points: the staircase and the entrance to Lord Auslan’s private quarters. But I’ve got a plan for that.”
Allon raised an eyebrow, but she shook her head. “I’ll tell you once we’re inside.” She wouldn’t risk even the slightest detail of her plan getting out.
The Hound frowned. “Are we good?”
“What’s that mean?”
“Last night, I understand. But planning to take Errik into the mansion, and now this? Do you not trust me?”
“It’s not about trust, Allon.” Ilanna’s jaw clenched. “There are far too many things that can go wrong with this plan. Too many moving parts that have to fall into place at just the right time. One word to the wrong person and everything goes to shite.”
“Yes, but—”
“Allon.” She narrowed her eyes. “This isn’t about you and me. It’s about doing what’s best for the job. Can you trust me?”
Allon hesitated. “As you say.”
“Good.” Ilanna’s fingers uncurled. “Now’s the time to make any last-minute preparations. We go in tonight.”
“Tonight?”
Ilanna nodded. “It’s the only way we’ll be in position when Lord Auslan leaves.”
Confusion twisted Allon’s face.
“There’s too much open space around the mansion. If we try to cross that in daylight, the sentries on the walls or at the front gate will see us for sure. So we need the cover of darkness if we’re going to get close enough to slip in when Lord Auslan leaves tomorrow.”
Allon gave a slow nod.
“I’ve had weeks to think about this, Allon.” Ilanna gave him a wry grin. “Not much to do while riding a horse or wagon but think.” And hope to the frozen hell you don’t fall off. She winced. She had learned the hard way that she was not a horse person. “Return here just before sunset. I’ll be ready to go.”
With a nod, the Hound slipped from the warehouse.
One thing left. She’d have just enough time to return to House Hawk for her supplies, a fresh change of clothes, and a quick meal. Though it sent an ache of longing through her, she knew she couldn’t spare even a few minutes to spend with Kodyn and Ria. She’d need a mind free of distraction tonight.
“Darreth, time to show me your magic!”
The Scorpion scowled. “Magic?” He sniffed.
Ilanna rolled her eyes. “Oh, you know what I mean. Show me your science, then.”
Mollified, Darreth produced a fresh sheet of parchment. “I’ve calculated the thickness of the vault door and how fast the acid eats through the steel. This is what you need to know.”
Ilanna studied the neat handwriting. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve tested it as many times as I could without risking running out. Even then, it’ll be close.”
Ilanna took the glass bottle of Kharna’s Breath, now more than half empty. The clay jars of Derelana’s Lance, however, retained most of their contents.
Darreth produced two slim glass tubes. “These are called pipettes. We use them to transport small, measured quantities of liquid between containers. Very handy for making potions.”
He pointed to the shorter of the two. “See that marking?” Someone had etched a line into the glass a fingernail’s breadth from the tip. “Stick the pipette into the bottle of acid and place your finger over the other end.” He demonstrated. “This will create suction and trap the acid in the tube. When you place the full tip against the door and remove your finger, you break the suction and release the acid. Want to give it a test?”
Ilanna nodded. “Good idea.”
Darreth led her over to Master Lorilain’s vault door. “Take this.” He handed her a length of the thin black rope used by House Hawk. He pointed to the knot tied at one end. “See this? You’re going to use it to measure the precise location to apply to acid.”
Ilanna eyed the hole burned into the steel door. “Show me.”
Bending, he placed one end of the rope on the floor and used his foot to hold it in place. When he pulled the string tight, it reached the height of his chest—directly over the hole. “Mark your place using this.” He drew a line using a wax stick. “Now, see this second knot partway down the rope? This marks the distance from the wall. Hold this.”
He left the knotted end in her hand and pulled the rope tight to the door frame. Once again, the knot hovered over the hole. “Make sure the two marks meet, and you’ve got the spot where you’ll apply the acid.”
Darreth shone the light of a beamer lamp into the hole. “Can you see the locking bar?”
Ilanna squinted. “I think so.”
“Good. You can also use the longer of the two pipettes to feel for it.” He pointed to the second glass tube in Ilanna’s hand. “Notice how the mark is closer to the tip? You won’t need as much acid to melt through the locking bar.”
Ilanna eyed the half-empty bottle. “You’re sure this is enough?”
Darreth nodded. “According to my calculations, you should have a bit to spare. Just in case.” He scratched his pointed nose. “But you’ll only be using it for the door. For the vault, you’ve got Derelana’s Lance.” His eyes brightened as he led her back to the work bench she’d constructed the day before.
A ring of blackened stones surrounded the saw horses. The piece of Odarian steel bore narrow holes from Kharna’s Breath, but Derelana’s Lance had melted entire sections of metal.
Darreth drew a tiny metal spoon from his pocket. “Use this to measure out one scoop of red powder and one grey.” He poured the powders into a metal cup. “Make sure they’re fully combined, else it won’t work.”
He dumped the mixture onto the only undamaged section of steel. “All you need is a firestriker and—”
Ilanna leapt back as a gout of fire shot up from the metal. The fire burned for a full minute, leaving a gaping, blackened hole.
“Do the same with the stone beneath and you’ll have your way out.” He passed her the spoon. “Fair warning: the heat’ll be bad in that metal room. It’s best if you wait outside while the powder’s burning.”
Ilanna nodded. “Thank you.”
Darreth met her gaze. “No, Ilanna, thank you.”
The earnestness in the Scorpion’s face surprised her. “You’ve more than earned your share of the—”
“It’s not about the money.” Darreth shook his head. “You trusted me enough to include me. This,” he waved around, “all of this. To be out of House Scorpion and challenge the minds of the Secret Keepers, Reckoners, and Duke Phonnis himself. That is the gift you’ve given me without even realizing it.”
He reached out a hesitant hand and gave her shoulder an awkward squeeze. Shocked, Ilanna could only stare. Darreth loathed physical contact as much as she. Coming from him, it was a gesture beyond words.
“You’re welcome,” she said when she finally found her voice. “I couldn’t have done it without
you. Go, rest. Your part is done. The rest is up to us.”
“I will. But first, a word of caution. You saw the inner workings of the vault door, right?”
“I did.”
“Master Lorilain scoffed at the design—’heavier than clever’, I believe she said. But she was wrong.”
Ilanna raised an eyebrow.
“The locking bar is directly above the threaded shaft. One drop of acid slips out of the pipette—”
“—and I melt the shaft.” She cursed. It can never be easy, can it?
“And whatever you do, do NOT let the acid come in contact with any moisture. Your hands have to be absolutely dry. Sweat, saliva, rain, any moisture…”
“Bad news.” Journeyman Donneh had said the same thing.
“With that, I take my leave.”
Ilanna’s eyes followed Darreth from the warehouse. His gratitude had caught her off guard. She’d included him because she needed his cleverness, never thinking of how he would feel about it.
Her revenge against Duke Phonnis mattered less and less with each passing day. Her hand stole into her pouch, fingers tracing the faded outline of the wooden hawk figurine. Her share of the take would buy her freedom from the Night Guild. For that, no risk was too great.
Chapter Forty-Six
“WHAT IN THE Keeper’s name is that?”
Ilanna chuckled at Allon’s surprise and confusion. “Our way in.” She threw one of the odd-looking garments to Allon. “Put it on.”
Allon eyed the garment with confusion.
“Here, you put it on like this.” Ilanna pulled the loose cloak over his shoulders and cinched it at his waist. “These,” she said, pointing to the strips of cloth, burlap, and twine hanging off the cloak, “make it harder for any watching eyes to spot you. The colors—green, black, and brown—blend in with the shadows of bushes and trees. Hell, it’ll even move with the wind, making it look like regular grass and leaves.”
“And are these real bits of grass, leaves, and bark sewn on?”
Ilanna nodded. “If we move slowly, we’ll be all but impossible to see in the dark. Even during the day, provided none of the Arbitors get too close or stare directly at us.”
Allon shook his head. “How the hell did you come up with this…thing?”
Ilanna shrugged. “We all have our uses.” He didn’t need to know Errik had suggested it. If yesterday was any indication, Allon believed the Serpent to be his rival for her affections. Better keep the two apart. Though, after this job, it didn’t matter what either thought. She would be gone forever.
She slipped into her own camouflaged cloak. “Good thing is that they’ll keep us warm, too. Trust me, by sunrise, you’re going to be bloody glad for this thing.”
Allon gave her a skeptical expression but said nothing.
“Let’s do this.”
With a nod, Allon climbed the metal ladder rungs set into the stone wall. The shaft ascended for three or four man-heights. Allon lifted the steel grate at the top with a grunt. Ilanna winced at the gentle clang of metal on stone. He disappeared into the darkness above, then appeared a moment later and beckoned for her to follow.
Ilanna emerged into the oppressive blackness of an enclosed space. “Where are we?” She spoke in a voice pitched low. The harsh sibilance of whispers carried farther than a quiet murmur.
“Gardener’s shed.” Allon allowed a faint glow of his quickfire globes to illuminate the shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, sacks of potting soil, and other items stacked on metal shelves lining the walls. He grinned. “Made it easier to cut through the grate lock—no chance of being overheard.”
Ilanna crossed to the door in two strides. She opened it and peered out. The wall around Lord Auslan’s property cast a shadow to her right, but the walkways and gardens spread out to her left. Shutting the door, she turned back to Allon. “Well done.”
He grinned and inclined his head.
“Now put that away before someone sees the light.”
Allon stuffed the quickfire globes into his pouch, plunging the shed into darkness.
“Keep a sharp eye for the Arbitors. Any sign of light and we stop dead in our tracks. The cloaks should hide us if we’re still.”
“We’ve been over this a half-dozen times, Ilanna,” Allon grumped.
“I know.” She did it more for her sake than his. His flawless memory had captured the entire plan the first time she’d laid it out, but she needed to be sure they both had every detail correct. Everything hinged on their timing.
“You’ve got a clear idea of the route we’re taking? Only one way through that blackthorn hedge.”
“I’ve got it.” Frustration echoed in Allon’s voice.
“Then let’s do this. Stay close.”
She opened the door and peered through the crack. The sound of boots echoed from atop the wall, accompanied by the clank of a swinging lantern. She waited until the light and noise faded before slithering into the darkness of Lord Auslan’s gardens.
A narrow path led away from the garden shed, running along the inner circumference of the wall. She ignored it and slid into the foliage surrounding the wooden building. The path led to the guards stationed at the front entrance.
Whoever designed the layout of Lord Auslan’s garden had chosen security over beauty. Perhaps flowers and fruit trees had flourished during the days of Lady Auslan, but no longer. Ornamental vines grew in abundance throughout the property. More than once, Ilanna and Allon had to pause in their advance to find a way around or through dense stands of thorn-covered bushes.
A glimmer of light in the darkness sent Ilanna to her belly in the shadows of a spindly beech tree. She tugged the hood of the cloak over her face and peered through the two holes cut for her eyes. Her heart thundered as the beam of an alchemical lantern drew closer. Now to see if these damned things do what they’re supposed to.
The clanking of the Arbitors’ silver breastplates grew louder with every heartbeat. The light slithered toward her, dancing over the contours of the bushes, trees, and earth. Blood rushed in her ears as the edge of the beam slid along her side. She clenched her fists to stifle the nervous twitching in her fingers. At any moment, the Arbitors would spot her and cry out.
But the light moved past. With agonizing slowness, the sound of their marching boots faded. Ilanna waited a full minute before climbing to her feet.
She glanced around. The thin sliver of moon provided little illumination. Where in the fiery hell is Allon?
Her heart leapt as the ground beside her shifted. Her hand flashed to her bracer dagger, but she caught herself before she drew and ran Allon through.
At least we know the cloaks work.
Not waiting for the Hound to rise, Ilanna moved on. They had to hurry to reach the next hiding spot before the patrol passed in four minutes. Every sound—the crackle of a dry leaf under her boots, the rustle of the bushes she passed, even the thump, thump of her heart—seemed to echo in the night’s ethereal stillness. The wall around Lord Auslan’s property blocked the sounds from the city beyond.
She hurled herself into the shadows of a mighty oak tree as the next patrol passed. She’d resigned herself to making slow progress, but it seemed they’d barely traveled a few dozen paces from the garden shed. She glanced up and winced.
When the Arbitors’ lantern light disappeared, she waited for Allon to join her. “We need to pick up the pace. Midnight’s not far off.”
“I’m right behind you.”
Ilanna moved with as much haste as she dared. The swish of cloth and the patter of her boots on the hard-packed earth sounded far too loud, but she had no choice. They had to reach the blackthorn hedge within a quarter-hour.
With her eyes fixed on the blackness ahead, she nearly missed the next patrol. Allon dragged her to the ground beneath a thick stand of creeping vines. The scent of damp earth filled her nostrils. She forced herself to take slow, steady breaths, yet her heart pounded not from fear, but excitement. Even after years, the t
hrill of the job hadn’t dimmed.
She moved before the patrol had disappeared into the night, gliding through the shadows of bushes and trees, searching the darkness for any sign of the hedge.
There! The faint moonlight shone on the wall of thorns that rose thrice her height. With a quick glance around, she sprinted the remaining distance to slide into the shadows of the hedge.
Allon followed a few steps behind. “Now what?”
“This way.” Ilanna led him along the hedge. Every few steps, she tested the resistance of the thorns. The barrier held firm.
The Lady’s Bells tolled out midnight. Damn it! Her stomach tightened with each failed attempt. Come on! The note in her dead drop had contained clear instructions on where to go. It has to be around here. She had to get through the barrier now.
Relief flooded her as her hand passed through the blackthorn hedge. Right where he said it would be!
She pulled the cloak tight around her shoulders and slithered into the narrow gap. Spiny branches blocked out even the faint moonlight, forcing her to feel her way through. Thorns sliced her flesh and tugged at the fabric of her clothing, but she gritted her teeth and moved on. After what seemed an eternity trapped in the oppressive embrace of the briar, she emerged into the darkness beyond.
Blood trickled from her palms, both cheeks, and her forehead. Her dark grey clothes bore holes and tears. But she was through.
Allon stumbled from the hedge a full minute later. He’d suffered far worse than she but made no complaint as he crouched beside her.
A broad swath of lawn stretched between them and the mansion. They had at least a hundred paces to cross, but lanterns arranged at intervals flooded the open space with light. If they moved out of the shadows of the hedge, the guards stationed on the balcony would spot them. Worse, this close to the mansion, the Arbitors passed at two-minute intervals.
She slid to a seat. “We wait.”
“For what?”
She gave no reply. He wouldn’t understand. Had she not seen it with her own eyes the previous night, she’d have believed it insane.
Time seemed to drag as she waited. Her eyes scanned the lawn for anything out of the ordinary. Any minute now.
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