Page 72 of The Devouring Time

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“Very well,” I say.

“Sterling.” Adrian grabs my wrist, as if to physically restrain me. “This could be dangerous. These people might be on our side for the moment, but they don’t care about you.”

Helen nods her agreement. “Think carefully. Mary will use you like a tool and throw you away if you get broken.”

Mary meets my gaze. “I’m not going to lie to you. I think the Swarm are dangerous. The Timekeepers, too—how many people have they reduced to puppets, content to go where they’re told or stand where they’re left? It’s worth a little risk to stop them, don’t you think?”

“Of course you’d say that—it’s not your neck on the chopping block.” Helen all but bares her teeth in a snarl at her former friend.

“If it was, I’d go through with it,” Mary says. “You know I would.”

Helen seems ready to argue…but then deflates a little. “Yes. Because you’re a fanatic who’s lost all sense.”

“It’s my decision.” The strength in my own voice surprises me. After so much fear and doubt and uncertainty, I’ve found something that, to me at least, feels straightforward. “Miss King⁠—”

“Mary, please.”

“Mary is right. The Swarm, the Timekeepers—whatever they want, they’re wrecking lives to get it. And even if they weren’t…I can’t live with these shadows over my memory. With never knowing what happened to me, to Bianca.” My throat feels thick and swallowing doesn’t help. “My mind has already broken once. Maybe this will break me again. But I think it’s worth the risk.”

Mary gives me a feral grin. “I like you, Ster. You’ve got grit.”

I’m not thrilled with the nickname, but it’s a step up from her trying to murder me, so I let it go. “I don’t know about that, but I can’t just hide my head in the sand. What do I need to do?”

“For right now? Relax.” She gives Helen a smug look. “I need to reach out to our acolyte who knows hypnotism. He’s got a real knack for it—he’s put me under a few times to help me remember my dreams. In the meantime, we can put you up here. Free room and board.”

“No, thank you,” Helen says.

“I wasn’t including you, but sure, you can stay too.”

“I said no.”

“Come and go as you like, Hellion.” Mary meets my eyes again. “But I do have to insist on Ster staying. I don’t want him wandering the streets while the Timekeepers are running amuck in Widdershins.”

“She has a point.” I’d far rather go back to the hotel with Adrian, but needs must. “Myers probably isn’t very happy with me right now. Or any of us, after what happened at the warehouse.”

Adrian doesn’t look pleased at all, but after a moment’s hesitation, he nods. “You’re not wrong. I’ll go to the hotel and get our things from our room.”

“Dorset can go with you. You two can grab dinner for us while you’re at it.” Mary glances at Helen. “Are you going home?”

“Apparently not,” Helen grates out, “since I’m not leaving Sterling here alone with you.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll have someone get your rooms prepared.”

She leaves us alone at the table. Helen fetches the whiskey and pours us all another measure without asking. “You can’t trust her, Sterling.”

“I don’t. But I do trust that our goals align for the moment.”

“Just remember it’s only for the moment.” She gulps down most of her drink. “She’s trying to resurrect a god. If she thinks you’re in her way, she’ll toss you aside in an instant.”

Adrian watches her, his own drink untouched. “You sound as if you’re speaking from experience.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Fair enough.”

Before long, the silent driver who I assume is Dorset comes in, beckons to Adrian, and leaves again. Almost as soon as the front door closes behind them, a cheerful young man bustles in. “Hello! I’m Brother Thurston. I’ve got two nice rooms made up for you, one for the lady and one for the gents, but if you find anything lacking just let me know!”