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“Yes, sir.” The big man set his jaw.
“While I’ll agree that Fisk wouldn’t ever betray or harm you for money, Yelena—” Janco swung down from The Madam’s saddle “—I also think Ari has a point, even though he didn’t communicate it well. Everyone is vulnerable. If I was a ne’er-do-well, I’d find a person’s weakness and exploit it in my favor. Like when Owen found your weakness by kidnapping Leif and forcing you to steal the Ice Moon. Fisk is no exception.”
“You’re right.” Before Janco could gloat, I added, “Ari didn’t express it well. My apologies, Ari.”
“Just be extra careful,” he said. “Janco, if you sense any magic inside Fisk’s headquarters—”
“We’ll make a super-quick exit.” He handed The Madam’s and Rusalka’s reins to Ari.
Janco entered the alley and I stayed a step behind him. The rank smell of urine and rotted garbage stung the inside of my nostrils, causing nausea to roll in my stomach. Our boots crunched on broken glass. Fist-sized spiders skittered behind heaps of trash. All, I hoped, part of the magical illusion. I kept my hand close to my switchblade just in case.
“You always take me to the fanciest places, Yelena. You really spoil me.”
“Anyone who can use ne’er-do-well in a sentence deserves every comfort.”
Janco grunted, but I wasn’t sure if it was over the joke or because of the magic. He stopped, turned to his right, held up his hands and walked through a brick wall, disappearing. I followed, bracing for impact even though I knew it was illusion.
We entered an alcove. Remembering the series of knocks Leif had used during our previous visit, I rapped on the door. If they’d changed the pattern, we might be in trouble.
A small peephole opened. “Kinda early for a visit,” a young girl said.
“It’s never too early to lend a helping hand,” I replied.
The peephole shut with a bang.
“Talk about paranoid,” Janco whispered.
Nothing happened. I resisted the urge to pound on the door with the sides of my fists. Then a metallic snap sounded and the door swung wide.
A girl no older than thirteen gestured us into a foyer. “Lovely Yelena, you honor us with your visit.” She tucked her long brown hair behind her ears. “Master Fisk has been expecting you.”
And probably wondering why we didn’t come sooner. I scanned the three rooms that branched off the foyer. On the right, the rows of bunk beds for the helpers were empty, and so was the classroom on the left. The enticing aroma of sweet cakes floated from the kitchen located straight ahead.
“Is Fisk in his office?”
“No. This is our busiest time of day and everyone is at the market helping shoppers. However, I sent Cricket to fetch him. Come and have breakfast while you wait. Amberle’s making sweet cakes.”
Another delay. I clasped my hands together to keep from shouting at the girl that we didn’t have time to eat. With my fingernails biting into my skin, I said, “We have another person outside with our horses.”
“Then I will direct him to the stable.”
Interesting that she already knew his gender.
“You have a stable in here?” Janco asked, glancing around with a sharp gaze. Probably marking all the exits.
“Not exactly. It’s on the other side of our building and is part of the White Rose Inn. However, we have an...arrangement with the proprietor of the White Rose, and there’s a convenient door into our headquarters from the stable.”
“I’d better go instead. Ari’s not gonna trust you.” Janco asked for directions.
“Tell the stable boy Hilly sent you.”
Janco nodded and left. I followed Hilly to the kitchen. It opened up into an expansive kitchen with rows of long wooden tables to the left of the hearth. Amberle waved hello with her spatula.
Hilly gestured to a table, grabbed a plate, filled it from the stack of sweet cakes next to Amberle and set it front of me. The nausea caused by the odors in the alley transformed into ravenous hunger. I thanked her and dug in as if I hadn’t seen food in days. Somewhat true. Cold road rations didn’t count as real food, and my appetite had been nonexistent between my worry for Leif and the morning sickness the medic had warned me about.
Once I stopped shoveling sweet cakes and took a breath, I realized that in spite of my concern for my brother, I must ensure the baby remained healthy by eating regularly and getting enough sleep.
By the time I’d finished my meal, Janco and Ari arrived in the kitchen from another direction.
“This place is huge.” Janco straddled a bench opposite me.
Ari sat next to me. The wood bowed under his weight and I tipped toward him.
“The horses?” I asked Ari.
“Fine.”
Hilly served them and sat down next to Janco. While they ate, I asked her why only a few remained in the building.
“Oh, there are others,” she said. Her brown eyes sparkled. “Headquarters is never empty. I’m told it’s like a hive with bees flying in and out all day.”
Janco paused. “And if you upset the hive, will you get stung?”
She grinned, showing her teeth. “Oh, yes. Many times.”
“Nice.” He scratched his ear. “But not many people can find this place. There’s magic all around the outside, but thank fate the inside is clean.”
“These are...uncertain times, Master Janco.”
He preened. “Master Janco. Did you hear that, Ari?”
Ari and I ignored him. Instead, I studied the girl. Hilly knew his name, and she was here instead of working the busy market.
“You’re one of Fisk’s information collectors. Aren’t you?” I asked.
Hilly smoothed her skirt. “I just answer the door.”
“Ha.” Janco stabbed a forkful of sweet cakes at her. “Don’t try the innocent act, kitty cat. I invented that act ages ago.”
“Too bad you never could pull it off,” Ari mumbled.
“Zip it, Ari.” And then to Hilly, “I spotted you hiding in the shadows the night we were arrested and again when we left the Citadel a few nights ago.”
She gazed at him. “You’re lying.”
“Navy blue tunic and p
ants, scuffed black boots and the handle of your dagger is patterned with stars.”
Her mouth gaped for a second, before she pressed her lips together in annoyance—a typical reaction after dealing with Janco.
“Don’t worry about it, kitty cat. You’re good—not as good as me, but no one’s perfect.” He flourished the fork before sticking it in his mouth.
“That ego is going to get you killed someday,” Ari chided.
“Pish.” Janco faced Hilly. “After we were hauled away by the Citadel’s guards, did you return to Fisk or did you wait to see if anyone else watched the spectacle?”
“What would you have done?” she asked.
“Patience isn’t my thing, but a smart spy would stick around and see who the other curious cats are.”
Ah, clever. He phrased it in a way to prod her ego into giving us information.
“I may have seen another...cat slinking away,” she said.
“Oh? Do you know who this cat belongs to?”
“It depends.”
Janco leaned forward. “Depends on what?”
“On how many coins you’re going to give me for the intel.”
“Gotcha,” Ari said.
I laughed at Janco’s sour expression. “How about two silvers for the name?” I asked.
“Six, and I’ll tell you who also watched you leave to find your brother.”
“Three.”
“Five.”
“Four.”
“Deal.” She held out her hand.
I placed four silver coins in her palm.
“The cat returned to a well-dressed man wearing a necklace with a large red jewel. The man was staying in the Council’s guest quarters. He stepped from the back entrance to talk to the cat.”
“Can you describe him?”
“It would be better for you to see him. I can tell you where to find him.”
“For a few more coins?” Janco asked.
“Of course. Feeding everyone in the guild isn’t cheap,” she snapped.
“Well, if it wasn’t for Yelena, you wouldn’t even have a guild,” he shot back.
I held up my hands. “I’m happy to pay. That’s the whole point—to provide services in exchange for payment.” I gestured, indicating the room. “So those without homes and families have food and shelter.” Smiling, I added, “I’d no idea it would expand into a guild, and, for that, you have Fisk to thank.” I handed her two more silvers.
