‘Aye, they’re considered very rare,’ Jak answers, ‘but we don’t really know much about them or how many there might be out there, or even if some magick worker might be able to create them.’
‘But the number they can take at any one time is low. Five at most,’ I argue. ‘And there were more than five who came through into the pits.’
Jak picks up his cup and stares into it. ‘There’s something we aren’t considering. The Harbinger. She can open the Breach whenever and wherever she wants. Even to the Light. I’m not even sure she’s encumbered by the Underhill’s wards, though she’d never admit it.’
‘You think Fiana has…a Harbinger?’ I ask.
Jak shrugs. ‘The bitch wanted Lia for the Harbinger within her. Who’s to say she didn’t find a way to create another such being? One that she could control?’
We’re all silent for a moment, ruminating on that awful prospect. The Harbinger’s gifts are more powerful and terrible than most can imagine. But she’s on our side. What if Fiana did have her own somehow?
I give myself a shake.
‘Better minds than ours have probably already thought of that,’ I mutter, hoping that’s true. ‘The fae who brought the humans from the Light to the pits were well-known there. They have a deal to use the pits as a stopover. I also heard them speaking about a bigger raid. I think we can work out where they’ll be and when.’
‘In the Light Realm, you mean?’ Jak asks.
I nod.
‘Still not worth it,’ Morgan growls. ‘Not as an Underhill spy, nor as herfriend.
‘Perhaps not,’ I answer stiffly. ‘But what’s done is done. I put Bryn in harm’s way but I also did what I could to save her. I also give my life to her in return.’
Morgan snorts. ‘As if she would want it.’
‘It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t want it. It’s still hers. It’s the least that I can do.’
‘And your vow? Your mission? What of that?’ Jak asks.
‘Second to her now.’
I stand.
Jak follows. ‘We should try to find out more about her.’
‘What else is there?’ Morgan rumbles. ‘She’s Kismet. Fate has a direct hand in her destiny. We already know this.’
Jak rolls his eyes. ‘And why does Fate not punish us? According to her, we three are the only ones ever to avoid Fate’s sting.’
‘I’ve never hurt her,’ Morgan scoffs. ‘I don’t know about you two.’
‘Haven’t you?’ Jak asks, one brow arching. ‘Not even once?’
‘No,’ he says quietly, his gaze unfocusing. ‘Yes. The sandals I put on her just after The Barrack. I made them too tight. Her feet were red raw when I took them off her. I suppose there have been other times…’ His cheeks pinken slightly. ‘During bed play.’
Jak clears his throat. ‘And did you feel Fate’s penance?’
Morgan shakes his head. ‘No, I suppose I didn’t.’
‘Neither have I.’ He looks at me. ‘And you, Locke?’
‘I…’ I wrack my brain and I remember striking her once. ‘At The Barrack. Before we even knew her. During the…examination Bere had me do to see if she was fertile. I slapped her hand.’ I look at Jak. ‘And, no, I wasn’t punished for it.’
‘Why?’ Jak asks. ‘Why us and no one else? Why does sheneedussometimes? Why is she stronger afterward? Travelling the Breach made her sick at first. She told me she heard things, felt sadness and loss. There have been three times including the cave that we know of when she had a need for the carnal. There are texts about the Mount. The gods there.’
‘You think she’s a god?’
Jak shakes his head. ‘I don’t think anything and I won’t until I’ve found out more. We’ll have to ask her if there were any times she feltlike thatin the pits.’ He looks vaguely ill. ‘Anyway, after those times with us she was stronger. She noticed it herself.’
