“A deal is a deal,” Katalin replied. Rohan heard movement on the other side of the blades, and then there was light. Rohan resisted the urge to blink against it, absorbing the sight of what lay beyond the blades: another room lined with yet more mirrors.
Only one woman was reflected in them. The Omega was gone.
“Hello, Duchess,” Rohan said.
“What deal?” Toby demanded. “What deal did you strike withthat monster?”
“Your moment will come,” Zella told Toby. “But this isn’t it.”
Rohan read between those lines. “I take it that would make thismymoment?”
“You came here to offer a bargain to the Gilded Blade, did you not?”the duchess replied. “It might not have been plan A, but I’ve never known you to have only one.”
Rohan assessed the ever-evolving lay of the land—Katalin, gone; Zella, seemingly in league with the enemy and ready to deal; Toby, a wild card to the end.
“Don’t be shy, Rohan. It doesn’t suit you. We both know you didn’t waltz in here without a few cards up your sleeves. Make us an offer.”
“Us,” Toby gritted out. “You and the Omega. You betrayed my mother.”
Zella didn’t even try to argue the point.
“I came here,” Rohan said, “to make it known that I would be willing to fully pledge my loyalty as Proprietor, without reservation or tricks, should Savannah become the next Watcher.”
Rohan would have preferred rescuing Savannah, eliminating the Gilded Blade, and cutting his leash altogether, but that was neither here nor there now, and from the moment he’d read those letters between the first Proprietor andhisAscendant, Rohan had known that there might be another way. The man who’d founded the Mercy had decreed that Proprietors could have no earthly connection to explain away the fact thathenever married, never begat an heir—because for him, there was only everher.
“You think you’ve found a loophole,” Zella observed.
“Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re not. Even setting aside the first Proprietor, you wouldn’t be the only one to take advantage of certain… exceptions.”
Rohan considered that, then considered her. His once-rival. “Was it ever really you?” he asked. “Breaking into the Mercy, earning your spot as a member. Or was it always the Blade?” No response. “Were you ever really my competition? Did you want the Proprietorship? Or was it all an act, all part of some grand plan?”
“I want,” Zella said, “and have always wanted, to break out of my glass castle and be something more than a guiding hand. I have always believed that, in this day and age, those of us in the web should be able to aspire to more than mere proximity to power.”
“What kind of deal did you make with Katalin Aquila Reyes?” Rohan asked.
Zella didn’t bat an eye at the name. Rohan had no idea if she’d known it before he’d said it or not.
“I would suggest you ask me a different question, Rohan. Ask me about Savannah.”
Rohan didn’t ask a damn thing. He refused to show weakness.Do your worst, Duchess—or your best.
“Savannah will not win,” Zella said simply. “She still lives—for now. But shewill not win, Rohan. As things stand, I can promise you that she will not come through the Crucible alive.”
“You’re lying,” Rohan said immediately. “Savannah Grayson doesn’t know how to lose.”
Clever winter girl.
Clever, brutal, merciless winter girl.
“Some games,” Zella said, “you have to lose to win. Tell me, Rohan, would Savannah die for Avery Grambs? For Eve?”
Rohan said nothing. Hethoughtnothing, let absolutely nothing show on his face.
“Savannah will not come through the Crucible alive.” The duchess gave Rohan a moment. “Look at me, Rohan. Am I lying?”
“No.” If Rohan knew one thing, it was how to read people, and he’d spent a great deal of time learning to readher. The duchesswas not lying. “You are, however, leaving off a word.”
