“I’m sorry,” he told her. “I’m sorry about every deal I’ve made.” He swallowed, thinking of the events that had transpired at Harrison’s this morning. Levi understood why Jac felt the need to destroy the thing that had nearly destroyed him, but he couldn’t fathom why Jac was putting himself in such danger to do so.
It went far above and beyond Levi’s original request, and it was of Jac’s own volition...so Levi couldn’t help but wonder if all their initial promises still applied.
One promise, in particular.
I told you I’m going to help free you, and I am. I’m going to see that through.
The memory of Jac’s words instantly triggered another rise of shame inside him. Levi should’ve felt only gratitude for Jac’s sacrifice, but all he could think about were his own desires. He’d already come close to breaking his promise.
Levi raised his eyes to Enne’s. “Please let me try to fix this.”
Enne slid the paper into her pocket, and for a brief moment, Levi thought she would walk away again. He didn’t know how many more cuts he could take.
“Fine,” she huffed. “Tomorrow night. The first place on the list.”
And then she disappeared into the club.
Levi sighed and let go of the railing. He could still keep both his promises.
Bryce Balfour descended the stairs, so silent Levi barely heard him until Bryce stood right beside him. He looked as terrible as Levi did, his eyes red and bloodshot. But then again, Bryce always looked like that. “Destiny has a mucking awful sense of humor, don’t you think?” he asked with a tinny laugh.
Lately, Levi’s feeling of destiny had been replaced by a sense of hopelessness. “What makes you say that?”
“Because the hero of one story is the villain of someone else’s. It’s all just a matter of who wins.” Bryce sighed and sat at the bottom of the stairs, clutching the railing like he needed the support. Levi didn’t know Bryce and was in no mood for a heart-to-heart, but he also didn’t want to leave him there alone. Bryce looked lost without a companion.
“Where did Harvey go?” Levi asked.
“Gloating. I hate him when he gets like that.” Bryce put his head in his hands. “What do you think of this Harrison Augustine business?”
“Why do you ask?” Levi snapped, harsher and more obvious than he intended.
“Everyone knows about you and Vianca.”
Levi relaxed. Of course. Everyone knew about him and Vianca. “She’s a witch. Even her son hates her.”
“But you can’t actually want him to win the election,” Bryce said matter-of-factly.
Levi furrowed his eyebrows at Bryce’s assumption of familiarity. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you’re a Glaisyer. Wasn’t your grandfather’s head put on a spike outside the palace with the Mizers?”
Levi didn’t talk about these sort of things—not with anyone. He knew the crimes the revolutionaries had committed against his family. He knew that, for most of the orb-makers, their final act of service to their kings had been dying with them. But Levi didn’t know how to hate his father and also sympathize with him at the same time, so it was easier to pretend that politics didn’t affect him. That Levi’s Caroko skin and family history were like anyone else’s in New Reynes. Even if that was a lie.
“That was a long time ago,” Levi answered.
“The papers mentioned restrictions. Dividing talents by Aptitudes and Mysteries. History is repeating itself.”
Just dwelling on this subject brought back painful memories. Grief could reveal the ugly parts of anyone, but his father had let his fester for so long that it took everything that was left. These weren’t Levi’s first broken ribs.
“Times are different now,” Levi said.
“Yes. This time, we’re the new kings.”
Bryce held out his hand for Levi to help him up. Levi certainly didn’t need to, nor had he enjoyed his conversation with Bryce, but he obliged the Guildmaster anyway.
A chill swept through him the moment they touched, making the hairs on his neck stand on end. Levi jerked his hand away as soon as Bryce staggered to his feet.
And then he saw it.
