Page 195 of Revels on an Angel’s Grave

“Not yet. But I reminded him how much he stands to benefit if I win. When we left the party, he was escorting the Chancellor to a private incense den, his treat.”

“And where’s Rore?”

“Back to the cell with his guard.”

Eavesdropping, Rian scoffed. “What a joke.”

“Keeping up appearances,” Perry said, twisting his cigar between his fingers. “And our darling?”

“She’s decoding the scroll,” Lola answered, masking her sadness a bit but not enough that Desmond couldn’t hear it.

Perry nodded and dropped his voice. “By the way, I stopped by the Archives today and checked out one of private sectors. There’s some information on Points of Constellation. I didn’t have much time to dig, but it could be worth it.”

“I can go tomorrow,” Lola said. “I told Emmeline I’d look into some stuff for her.”

“Not alone this time,” Desmond warned.

Lola nodded solemnly, not bothering to fight back.

Desmond clapped Perry on the shoulder. “Let us know what you learn from your father.”

Lola nodded at Perry, then pulled Desmond into a quieter corner where they had plenty of room to draw their grievances.

She was quiet for a while, sketching whatever came to mind, but after a couple drinks, she blinked those unique, Lola-blue eyes up at him. “Thanks for this, Des.”

He clinked his glass to hers. “Grief can feel empty, Lols, but you’re never alone. When you want me, I’m here.”

Chapter Sixty-Three

Emmeline

Emmeline spent her limited free time in the days following their meeting with Valyrie in her dressing chamber compiling theories. Why was Dryvius killing? What had Anphrosia done to make him target her Fate ties? What did Serchus know to make him the key?

Was Dryvius planning to kill again?

Who was he?

All they knew was he was out there, somewhere. He could be anyone, and based on the note he’d left Roremar and his attack on Emmeline, he was enjoying toying with them.

Lola and Myrella had gone to the Archives today to look into the Fate Bound Seekers and Points of Constellation, but Emmeline stayed at the manor to put everyone at ease.

With them gone, she found a rare moment of self-appointed privacy rather than being locked in her suite. Even Graves and Eston were patrolling the wing, so she could pretend she wasn’t constantly watched.

Seated in front of her evidence wall, Emmeline curled her fingers around her notes. She had to focus on the trial tomorrow. After Valyrie had revealed the truth about Dryvius and Nico, Emmeline showed the Angel the scroll. Valyrie hadn’t seemed surprised to see it.

She’d confirmed Emmeline’s and Myrella’s theories about the first and second trials. The duel was to strip the potential Fates of humanity, and the second was a bonding, to build an understanding of each competitor’s deeper nature and decipher their magic. But the third…

“Fear,” Valyrie had said. “They each gave me a fear when we became bound. I wanted to use those fears in determining their eternity, but first they had to conquer them.”

Problem was, Rocarri could interpret conquering your fear any number of ways while crafting his own trial. And if he was trying to create his own Fate…

She was pacing circles around her suite when a knock sounded at the door. She stiffened, knowing the Fate of Chaos and Revelry was in the city somewhere. Would Dryvius try to throw her off with pleasantries?

Silently, scroll still pinched between her fingers, Emmeline rose and slid a dagger behind her back. She crept toward the door, placing the scroll on the table beside it. She cracked the door an inch, shoulders unwinding when she saw a familiar face.

“Cyren,” she exhaled, fingers still tight on the weapon behind her back.

“Emmeline.” They tapped a leather file sticking out of their satchel. “May I come in?”