Page 3 of Revels on an Angel’s Grave

“You were looking for Mystique ink, right?” Alana asked as they wove through the crowd, every friendly smile prodding at Emmeline like a threat. Tears welled in her eyes with each inch of exposure. “The best stationary shops are in the Fourth District, but I’m sure we can find something closer.”

Emmeline’s magic pounded faster as the bell over Valyn Temple Academy rang. The air tightened in her lungs, the shards of glass she’d become in the seeing chamber digging deeper.

“Which district are we in now, again?”

The hum of voices and music pressed on her ears.

“The Second. I know the layout is a bit confusing at first. The inner ring of districts is one through five, the outer ring is six through twelve. Though, the twelfth isn’t very safe.” Alana’s nose wrinkled, and Emmeline tried to force a laugh, but her heart raced.

The Fates whispered incessantly in her ears, amplifying the noise on the crowded streets.

“Let’s go back to the manor,” she forced out. “You said there’s a dinner tonight, right?”

“Yes, it’s probably best if we go get ready,” Alana said, nodding back toward the First District as the bell chimed again.

Another dinner, another chance for her to be surrounded by numerous faces and names and titles she could barely remember.

But…Alana had said these were the Chancellor’s guests for the tournament. They were advisors who hoped to have a position on his council or District Governors who led in the capital. People who may be able to help her access information on the temple traders that could lead her to her sister, or maybe…

Her breath hitched, Fates laughing through her mind.

Maybe they’d even have information on Roremar. Maybe someone knew what had happened to him, where he’d been taken when he was removed from the Trade House.

When I go, tell the stars about me, Emmeline.

She wouldn’t. Not yet, not with such finality.

The bell in the Temple Academy chimed again as if calling to her.

She wanted to join it. She wanted to rage and scream at the Fates and Falliare and anyone else who had a hand in convicting Roremar and most importantly the Fate of Chaos and Revelry for using him to do unspeakable things.

But she couldn’t. She was finally in this city she’d worked for so long to get to. She was finally in the position to look for her sister. And Roremar had given himself up for her to get here.

So, she had to bottle up her rage; to compress it and use it as fuel to do what she must; use it to become the serpent who sank its teeth into its prey rather than hiding.

Go find her, Emmeline.

When I go, tell the stars about me.

If Emmeline had to attend these dinners to fulfill her vow to save Roremar and find her sister, she would. She’d familiarize herself with everyone in the Chancellor’s manor, parse out how they all fit together, who might have information to aid either of her goals.

Before they rounded the corner, Emmeline cast a parting glance over her shoulder at the stained-glass panther, and she swore, if it was the last thing she did, she’d get revenge on the Fate who had caused this mess.

With that promise sealed in the cavernous space her heart had become, she followed Alana back to the Chancellor’s manor and began her planning.

Roremar had called her his Huntress.

She’d hunt to the end of the realms to find him.

Chapter Two

Emmeline

“Am I to wear something specific?” Emmeline asked, fingers trailing over the assortment of gowns that had found their way into the dressing room off her bed chamber. Beautiful dresses with fine detailing, gemstones glittering in the moonlight from the tall window at the end of the room, and thick, rich fabrics, all in a range of pale blues and purples.

She hadn’t expected to find an entire wardrobe waiting for her when she arrived from Lyra. She wouldn’t need any of this when she moved to the Academy, but it was useful to borrow for these events.

“I don’t think it matters,” Alana said, stopping beside Emmeline and assessing the options. There truly were too many of them. “Only that it’s formal.”