The lieutenant regarded her curiously. “I assure you, ma’am, Northport is now under Magnus control and is likely to remain so, long after you’re hung for treason.”
Lady Thorgrim’s face . . . collapsed. Her mouth tipped down, and her head drooped as if she was about to faint. Ritsuko took a step closer, and as she did, the older woman struggled in earnest, lashing out with arms and legs. It took all Mikani’s strength to hold her, but she broke free for a few seconds. Instead of running, however, she put her hand to her mouth. Ritsuko didn’t have a good look at what happened, but her partner swore.
“Spit it out.”
In seconds, pink froth bubbled from the woman’s mouth and she went into convulsions, shaking so hard it appeared her bones might snap. As Mikani stretched Lady Thorgrim out on the floor, Ritsuko knelt and pulled her tongue away from her teeth. But she had insufficient medical knowledge to do more. The Magnus lieutenant ran in search of Irahi, but by the time they returned, it was too late.
Irahi knelt, checked her pulse, then raised his head with a sorrowful look. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”
“Damn’d be!” Mikani stood. He was livid, and for a moment Ritsuko feared he might kick the corpse, but he turned to strike at a wall with an open hand. “Damn her bloody soul to—” He struck the wall again, and let out a hard, shuddering breath.
She put her hand on his back to console him. “It wasn’t your fault.”
He tensed for a moment, then relaxed as he turned back to her. “I know. Bloody coward, killing herself instead of facing justice . . . I’m fine. Let’s go.”
“My men will see to the body. This way.” The lieutenant waited for Ritsuko, Mikani, and Irahi to join him, then resumed his trek.
They passed through the manor, and in the reception room, Ritsuko paused. With a gesture silently requesting patience from Mikani, she crossed to the antique coin collection that had drawn her eye during the first visit. With a rueful smile, she tapped the glass case. Though they weren’t identical to the ones Nuall had used, they were old and stamped from the same era. It might’ve been enough to make me suspect her if we had been investigating Lorne Nuall’s patron instead of the elemental troubles.
“Find something?” Mikani asked, behind her.
Ritsuko didn’t need to say anything; she waited two beats, then he swore. “Like to like, it seems.”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” she said.
The soldier who had charge of them cleared his throat in apparent exasperation, and she let herself be herded out the front door. Better than the coal chute. Magnus soldiers patrolled the palace grounds in twos and threes. A group of Skarsgard guards were stationed near the gates, and Ritsuko felt the weight of their hostile stares as she passed by, but the soldiers didn’t move from their assigned posts.
Good thing, too. We’re in no shape to fight on.
The streets of Northport bristled with activity. People peered out through cracked windows as Magnus and Skarsgard patrols maintained order: word of the fall of the Major General must have spread like wildfire. Ritsuko saw a small group of teens fleeing from a Skarsgard patrol while holding on to armfuls of trinkets and food. Looters. Not surprising. I hope it doesn’t get worse. The harbor was abuzz with sailors returning to their vessels. Some wore bloody bandages, and others were singing sea shanties in celebration of a battle well fought. They held on to each other’s shoulders as they went up the gangplanks. Ritsuko smiled at the antics of the cabin boys, who swung from the riggings in visible glee.
It’s not every day you bring down a House scion. And they were part of it.
Ritsuko knew there would be repercussions, but she wasn’t eager to face them. Though she had a bit of coin put by, there wasn’t much to spare on an honest inspector’s salary, so if she lost her employment, it wouldn’t be long before the wolf was at the door. Sighing, she put those thoughts aside and turned to the lieutenant, who wore an expectant look.
“Commander Magnus is waiting on the Pride.”
“Lead on,” Mikani said.
“I’m heading back to the Gull,” Irahi cut in. “I should check on Saskia and see if we’ve any injured who need me.”
Mikani nodded. “Tell her we’ll be along as soon as we can manage. As long as we’re not in chains.”
Irahi grinned at them. “It wouldn’t be the first time, mate. If you avoid the brig, we’ll be leaving Northport before the week’s end.”
Ritsuko thought that sounded welcome. “I’m ready.”
The lieutenant tapped an impatient foot, so she quickly said a temporary farewell to the doctor and followed the man to the Magnus war cruiser. The massive vessel was damaged, but as near as Ritsuko could tell, it had fared well enough. Men scurried along her sides and on deck, repairing and hauling off wreckage. They seemed in good spirits, though. Their guide knocked at the captain’s door and ushered them in quickly.
Viktor Magnus dominated the room. Two men in Skarsgard uniforms flanked him, and a sullen-looking woman in Thorgrim colors sat facing him. They all looked up as they entered.
Ritsuko paused at the sheer hatred from the Skarsgard men, whereas the Thorgrim woman seemed resigned. Magnus waved them in. As she stepped forward, she sensed Mikani at her side; she almost reached for his hand. Then Mr. Loison cleared his throat and took position on her other side, offering a smile as he pushed his glasses up on his nose.
“You two have caused more trouble in the last couple of weeks than I can easily recount.” Commander Magnus rose as he spoke. “Fortunately for you, it benefits me.”
He sounds more amused than angry. What’s going on?
Mr. Loison leaned in to stage-whisper in her ear. “The commander has been made to see the advantages of a House Magnus regent being appointed to Northport while this mess is being sorted out. It could take years.”
The Magnus scion nodded. “House Thorgrim will need to explain their Major General’s actions. Lady Teresa of Thorgrim denies all knowledge of her cousin’s plans—”
The Thorgrim woman shook her head and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. “She acted on her own. House Thorgrim will support any punitive action taken, of course, but the Council must understand that our House cannot be expected to stand idly by while Magnus usurps our authority here.”
She’s lying. Those are empty words. It felt odd to sense that, and by the gleam in Viktor Magnus’s eyes, he knew it as well. Now that he has hands on the wheel, he won’t yield the driver’s seat anytime soon.
“House politics are not our concern,” Mikani put in. “So why’d you bring us in, Commander?”
Ritsuko was wondering that, too.
• • •
MIKANI NARROWED HIS eyes, considering. He needs to cement his claim with Skarsgard to retain control of Northport. And what Skarsgard wants most right now is us. Mikani cast a quick look around the room. The door behind them was locked and probably guarded; they’d have to go through the room and over the commander to get to the large windows behind Viktor Magnus.
Not the best plan even if we weren’t battered and bruised.
“Captains Boehr and Phylos of Skarsgard requested your presence.”
The older Skarsgard captain started to rise. “We demand that you turn over—” Mikani tensed and started to crouch. If I can take out the one on the right, we stand a chance.
But Magnus slammed a fist on the table, cutting the man short and pulling Mikani’s attention back to him. “You are here as my guests, Captain. And you will not forget that. If it weren’t for this lot, the Thorgrim witch would have ripped Northport apart, and gods only know what else. Right beneath your noses.” The smaller man glared at the commander for a moment before sitting back down. Mikani relaxed slightly but didn’t let down his guard.
So we’re not the sacrificial goats?
Mikani started when Loison spoke. “Ladies. Gentlemen.” The bookish clerk offered a smile and stepped up to the table, making Lady Teresa shift aside. “We’re not her
e to assign blame, much as there is of that to go around.” He held the gaze of each Skarsgard captain and Lady Teresa, and they all looked away after a moment.
Mikani frowned; he sensed faint but distinct sparks of fear when Loison made eye contact. Who the hells are you, really, Loison?
Commander Magnus addressed them all, but Mikani noticed he kept glancing back at the clerk. “Northport remains under joint Magnus and Skarsgard control until the Council decides otherwise. Thorgrim will cede all authority until that time; their men will be confined to barracks, under Lady Teresa’s command. The Free Merchant ships will sail back to Dorstaad under escort, to be judged by the Council about their involvement in this affair.”
Captains Boehr and Phylos rose together, and the former spoke for the two of them. “Skarsgard officially objects. This is on your head, Magnus.”
Boehr strode out, snapping orders to his subordinates as he went. Phylos wore an identical look of outrage in stomping out of the cabin. They took that well.
Lady Teresa Thorgrim stood more sedately and curtsied to them all. “We’ll welcome the Council’s judgment on this matter.” She turned without another word.
She probably has a half dozen plots ready to regain her position. I don’t envy Viktor Magnus. But he looks like he can keep what he’s won by conquest.
With a wary expression, the commander watched her leave, then took his seat. “I should have clapped you two in chains when you first came aboard this ship.”
Ritsuko said, “I assure you, Commander, that what Lady Kare was plotting would have been far more trouble than anything we could have managed.”
Viktor Magnus narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “The last of the Kare line were hunted down a thousand years ago.”
Mikani shook his head and met the commander’s gaze. “Seems they missed some. She was using the elementals to try to finish what her family started long ago . . . wiping mankind from Hy Breasil and bringing back the ancient Ferishers.”
Magnus muttered an unintelligible oath. “Sit. Tell me everything.”
Mikani sat across from Magnus while Ritsuko claimed the chair beside him. The telling didn’t take long, and by the time Mikani completed his account, Magnus looked incredulous but alarmed. The commander shook his head, rubbing a hand over a jaw bristling with silver whiskers.
“Do you have any idea how far she got in her ritual? Was she close to finishing?”
“I’m not sure,” Ritsuko said, “but from what Mikani sensed, it seems so.”
Mikani sighed. “Things were bad enough after what happened in Dorstaad. I’ve no idea if this will make things worse, but if there was anyone out there who could’ve helped her or completed her work, I don’t think Lady Kare would’ve killed herself.”
“I agree.” Ritsuko frowned, probably over the old woman’s death.
“That’s good news. We’ve had precious little of that of late.” Magnus seemed weary, but it didn’t seem to Mikani that the man would see peace anytime soon. The commander turned to Ritsuko. “You know, I was serious when I offered to hire you, Inspector.”
Mikani glanced at his partner with a raised brow. “You had time to go looking for a new job?”
A blush rose to her cheeks as she explained, “He did suggest that House Magnus might benefit from our propensity for wreaking havoc, so long as he could direct our efforts.”
Mikani turned back to Magnus. “I think we’ve had enough fun up in the north for a while, Commander. Afraid we’ll have to decline.”
“I thought you might. You don’t look the type to follow orders. The harbormaster will see to it that your ship will be ready to sail in three days.” He motioned toward the door.
Ritsuko rose. After a brief hesitation, Mikani followed suit.
It could have been worse. Neither Viktor Magnus nor the Council would let Skarsgard murder them in their sleep, at least.
“I was wondering, sir.” Ritsuko paused. “Did they find any trace of the mine management? Have you heard?”
“They came into town earlier this morning, hungry and somewhat worse for wear. They’re holed up in the Skarsgard compound.”
She nodded. “You should know . . . they left a number of miners to die after the salamanders attacked.
“Cowards.” Magnus wore a look of pure disgust.
“You can speak to Mr. Evans or Kurtz if you require confirmation or evidence.” She seemed to assume there would be punishment, and Mikani hoped so, too.
“That’s no longer your concern.” Magnus’s tone brooked no argument. They were at the door when he spoke again, in a milder tone. “Inspectors.” Mikani looked over his shoulder. “Thank you. You did good work. I cannot offer you anything officially—”
“We couldn’t accept anyway,” Ritsuko interrupted.
“Then we’re in accord. If I see you after your ship’s ready to sail, you’ll be clapped in chains and delivered to Skarsgard instead of the Council. As for your escort, I’m short on men and ships, so after the second day, you’re on your own. I trust you know your way to Dorstaad.”
Clever bastard. Always cover your arse. “We do,” Mikani answered.
Magnus saw them off the Pride, and as Mikani stepped onto the dock, Ritsuko said, “We need to talk about our next step.”
At her somber tone, he studied his partner. The skin beneath her eyes was bruised from lack of sleep, and worry lines formed a crease between her dark brows. Without even trying, he sensed the anxiety rolling off her in waves. It was enough to make him want to take her in arms and shelter her from the coming storm.
“If we head back home, Skarsgard and Thorgrim will do their damnedest to see us in prison or dead.” He paused, considering the ramifications. “Gunwood might try to help, but they’ll just roll over him, if not worse. Whatever favor we earned stopping Nuall might get us sent to the penal farms instead of the dungeon.”
“I’m tired, Janus. And . . . I’m really scared.” Her voice was very soft.
His heart clenched. Without thinking, he gave in to the impulse and slipped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. “We’ll be all right, love. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Her arms wrapped around his waist, and she put her cheek to his shirt. She let out a long breath. “Is that offer to meet your family still good?”
Though she sounded like she might be joking, he nodded. “Sod it, let’s go. The CID can wait.”
She lifted her head to stare up at him. “Are you serious?”
“Why not? It would at least buy us some time. We’ll make them work to catch us.”
“Bronze gods. I always wanted to be a fugitive from justice.” But she was smiling at least, better than the fear from before. “You make my life inexpressibly exciting.”
I can’t bear it when she’s sad.
“If I may be so bold.” Loison had apparently followed them from the Pride, though Mikani hadn’t been aware of him until that moment. “You two have earned your rest, and your family’s address could easily be . . . misplaced, Inspector Mikani, making it rather difficult to track you down.”
He frowned. He couldn’t read the clerk clearly. Unlike Lorne Nuall, Loison was a constantly shifting pattern of emotions when Mikani gave in to temptation and reached out with his gift. That’s not something you see every day . . . hells, don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it before. “If you can pull that off, Saskia’s not paying you enough.”
Loison smiled and bowed his head slightly. “Mistress Braelan is unaware of some of my talents. I may need to ask for a raise. But let’s return to the Gull, shall we?”
Mikani waited for him to be out of earshot. “Do you trust him?”
“Not entirely. But that applies to the whole world, apart from you.”
Mikani smiled down at her. “Good. I thought I was getting paranoid in my old age. Watch my back . . . and I’ll always watch yours, Celeste.”
She hurried along the quay, turning not toward the Gull, but for the nearest m
irror station a couple of blocks away. But inside, the silver surfaces were dead and dull, just platters now, devoid of the spirits that had whispered from place to place. Ritsuko stood for a few moments, lost in thought, then she stepped out onto the street. Mikani followed.
“New plan. I’ll write up a full report and dispatch it with a courier.”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t want to go renegade without filing the paperwork first.”
CHAPTER 33
SASKIA SAT ON HER PRECARIOUS PERCH AT THE PROW OF the Gull. The sea spray stung enough to keep her from drifting into sleep, and the rush of wind made her feel closer to her familiars. She could feel them again, just close enough to comfort her with their wordless whispers. She hadn’t attempted to ask for their help since they’d left Northport a week ago.
I’m still afraid they might not come if I call. She’d have to try, sometime, just to know if she was still a weather witch . . . or if the Kare lunatic had stolen that from her. A creak of wood and a tug on the rigging bracing her jury-rigged nest made her look up. Janus made his way along the rail, gripping the ropes with white-knuckled hands.
She hesitated for a moment, then called out. “Watch your step. If you fall, it’ll be an hour before we can get turned around to pick your soggy self back up.”
He looked up at her, and if his gaze were daggers, she’d be pierced a dozen times. “You’re not funny. Why in hells’ name are you hidden all the way out here, anyway?”
Saskia laughed, casting an arm out as if to take in the sea all around. “I’m not hiding. I just needed the breeze to clear my head.”
She shifted to give him some room as he reached her and sat, legs braced around the bowsprit. “I never did understand your love of the water. Salty, deep, full of things just waiting to feast on you if you slip.”
“I love the sea’s freedom, not the water.” She studied him. He hadn’t shaved in the last few weeks, his jaw covered in a dark scruff that would soon become a full beard. His shaggy mane had grown to near shoulder length, making his dark blue eyes shine bright from a face grown quite feral. “Bronze gods, Janus. I think we stripped the civilization out of you with this little jaunt.”
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