“And?”
“It’s drawing people in.”
Before he could continue, the doors of the hall opened once more, and a familiar woman strode in, flanked by two other Reviled. She carried a beauty that rivaled even that of the most beautiful blooms, with skin the deep hue of a dahlia’s petals and long braids of raven hair tied back with golden fabric.
“Wilhelm,” I addressed the leader of the Reviled. “I take it you’ve heard the news.”
Her powerful frame moved with grace as she strode to meet us. “Better yet, I’ve seen pictures. As much as it brings me pleasure to see the Cradle reduced to such a state, I’m also gravely concerned about the ramifications. There are still countless Reviled artifacts within the vaults of the Church’s libraries. Centuries of our history threatened.”
The man to her left stepped forward, turning over a flat crystal surface to display the images. A curtain of darkness billowed from the open doors of the Cradle, pouring out onto the streets outside.
The sight alone made the weight pressing on my chest deepen.
“Our contacts have had to vacate their posts as this thing spreads,” Wilhelm continued. “They reported hearing a voice call out to them from within. Beckoning them inside.”
“A voice?” Kaine repeated. “Someone trapped inside?”
Wilhelm shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“What of those already within the Cradle? Have there been any messages relayed?”
“Nothing,” Wilhelm replied. “It’s dead silent.”
“Cirian…” His name crossed my lips, even before I could conjure it.
“What’s more, our contacts witnessed Bastien Gallant enter the Cradle last night, before this thing appeared. So, now we know there’s a Reviled more than likely caught up in whatever befouled magic has taken hold of that place.”
My pulse spiked, the ache in my chest spreading outward like the pulsating darkness on the screen.
Kaine let out a heavy sigh beside me.
“You’re going to ask us to check it out, aren’t you?”
Wilhelm chuckled. “Always so direct, Kaine. That’s why you’re my favorite.”
“You can keep your flattery,” he replied, nudging his shoulder into mine. “Are you alright, Azzy? You look like you’re going to be sick.”
“What are you proposing?” I asked Wilhelm, ignoring Kaine’s jibes.
“Kaine wasn’t far off. I would ask your Urchins to go and investigate this event. I would send my own team, but you have to imagine the optics of a full-on Reviled invasion may cause more harm than good if we were to be discovered.”
“And I reckon you’ll want us to swipe an artifact or two while we’re there?” Kaine added.
Wilhelm’s smile turned sly. “Should you happen across one in particular, yes. I’d also ask that you extract Bastian as well, if possible.”
“Tell me what it is that you seek.”
“An abacus,” Wilhelm replied, shifting her sights back to me. “An ancient artifact from the time of the Magi-King. Rumor has it that it’s still being held in the Church’s vaults. If you should happen to stumble across it while you’re there, I would be eternally grateful to see it return to the possession of my people.”
Her words carried the expectation of someone to whom I owed a great deal. Wilhelm knew that I would not refuse her if she asked directly. Which I assumed was why she came in person.
“Me and a few of the lads ought to be able to handle this,” Kaine muttered, already reaching for his communication artifact.
“No,” I said, loud enough that Wilhelm’s smile faded.
“No?”
“You’ve asked that my Urchins go, but I cannot allow this.”
