Page 23 of Serpent and Shadow

I nodded slowly. I agreed with Forsooth’s take, more than Blackstone’s.

“Will they go after him?” I asked. “They must know where he is by now. Even if they don’t, from what you say, Malefic won’t be hiding it.”

Forsooth didn’t answer me, but continued to stare into the fire. I frowned as I watched him, confused by his silence, but I didn’t ask him again.

Some of my puzzlement must have showed on my face.

“I have a mind-link with Professor Blackstone,” Forsooth explained. “He is an Oracle, as you may or may not know––”

I flinched. Blackstone was an Oracle?

“––which makes some things much easier,” Forsooth continued without a pause. “We’ve found it saves us a great deal of time in situations where there is very little time to spare. And his ability to protect his conversations via the seer arts is unparalleled.”

He took a sip of tea, his eyes slightly unfocused.

“Corvid is readying to send Morag to look at the Black Tower, so he can get a sense of whether and how the chimaeras might have changed. By looking at that, we should have a fairly good idea of where most of Dark Cathedral is conducting their business.”

He gave me another look.

“You should know also, we’ve been in communication with your cousin since I last saw you, and he informed us that the King is still determined to bring Malefic and the others in. I’m sure there are others in G.O.R.E. and the Central Magical Authority who are more squeamish about taking that step, but Valor believes the Praecuri might be persuaded.”

Forsooth gave me a searching look.

“Do you think that is a good idea?” he asked frankly. “For the Praecuri to go to the Black Tower? Valor wished to know of your preference before he attempts to exert pressure on his own leadership. His assessment is that it is better to at least try to breach the Bones Estate, and attempt to arrest Malefic before he grows any more in strength and influence. We can also wait a few moments, if you need to think about it. Morag is leaving for the Black Tower now, and while that bird is very fast… even faster than many drakai… it will take her some time to travel there, assess the structure, and return. If you agree, Corvid would then share that information with Praecuri if you decided he should go ahead––”

“Yes,” I said, cutting him off without thought. “I don’t need to think. Tell Valor to try and persuade them. I want them to go.”

Forsooth’s gaze cleared, and he nodded. “Good. And I agree. I will tell Corvid to sent a drakai to Saladin, the leader of the Praecuri, as soon as Morag returns. It is better if that information comes from us than your cousin.”

I didn’t dig into his precise meaning, but I got the gist.

They wouldn’t trust the information if they thought it came from me. Valor, being family, might be suspect solely due to our blood connection.

I found myself wondering about the exact relationship between Forsooth and Covid Blackstone, instead. As much as he’d mentioned it dismissively, a mind-link wasn’t a common or casual thing between Magicals. It required a great deal of trust between both participants, if only because they would have access to some of your most private thoughts.

I could see how it would save time, as Forsooth said, but that seemed like a pretty minor benefit given the risks. Was it a wartime thing? Were we at war now?

“I understand your desire to connect with him, given where he is,” Forsooth said next, his voice grave. “But be careful, Leda.”

I nodded, but the gesture was basically meaningless.

I didn’t even know what being careful meant anymore. I also wasn’t entirely sure how well I could keep Bones out if he really wanted to get in. Then again, that wasn’t particularly likely, was it? Bones hadn’t seemed eager to connect with me at all.

Forsooth wouldn’t know that, of course.

I hadn’t told him everything.

I told him Bones forced me out of his magic, but not what he actually said.

“Were all of your things moved over correctly from Valarian?” Forsooth asked next, his voice still polite. “If I need to contact you, I mean, should I assume this is your full-time residence now?”

I hesitated, then nodded without looking over.

“Yes,” I said, not wanting to tell him they’d forgotten my cat.

They’d brought her food and bowls, her two fluffy beds, her box of toys, and her litter pad, which worked to vanish her leavings with some kind of spell, but they’d forgotten the maddening creature that went with all of those things.

I’d go over there after I’d taken a shower, and look for Wraith. She probably hid from them somewhere in the apartment, or else Jolie or Miranda had her in one of their rooms. I just hoped I could keep my eyes open long enough to walk over and back in the snow. I knew I should probably try to talk to Miranda tonight, too, if I went all the way over there, but I honestly wasn’t sure I could handle it, depending on how she reacted.