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“—and Mage Marsden, that is, the Lord Protector, said the accounts were frozen until a new Pythia was proclaimed—”
“Which I have been.”
“—but he hasn’t released the accounts yet.”
“Why does he even have them?” I asked, finally coming up with matching shoes. “That’s court business!”
“It’s supposed to be,” Rhea agreed. “But because of the unsettled state of affairs at the time of the Lady’s death, she left him the pass codes to give to her successor—”
“And instead, he decided to use them as blackmail, to get the court back where he wants it.”
“I—don’t know,” Rhea said, but she was frowning. Because yeah, that’s the way it looked.
“So test a theory,” I told her, jerking on the sneakers. “Ask him for them and see what he says.” She nodded. “In the meantime, surely the court has some money? It’s been running on something for the last three months!”
“Our main bills were automatically paid by an arrangement with the banks—electricity, water, that sort of thing—”
“And food?”
“We had accounts with local grocers—”
“And incidentals? There had to be some cash on hand!”
“Yes, there is. Was. Until it went up in—”
“Smoke, along with everything else.”
She nodded.
I closed my eyes. I wasn’t getting a headache so much as realizing that I already had one, a pounding, pulse-hammering explosion behind my eyes. “Then tell Casanova to give them rooms anyway. If he has a problem with that, he can take it up with me. Tell him he’
ll get his money as soon as we get ours.”
“Yes, Lady.”
“And call Jonas and explain what happened.” She grabbed a pad and pencil off the nightstand and started scribbling. “Tell him what Elias said, and have him send us whatever Tears he may have on hand. We’re best suited for guarding them.”
“I—yes. We are. But he may not agree after—”
“No, because that would be too easy,” I snarled.
Rhea was also looking a little overwhelmed and more than a little frazzled. Probably wondering how she was going to tick all the things off her list and also take care of all those kids. And it wasn’t like she was going to be getting much help from me, or the bachelor brigade.
“You must have had help with the kids in Britain, right?” I asked.
She nodded. “A daytime staff—cooks, housekeepers, tutors—”
“Nannies?” I asked hopefully.
But Rhea shook her head. “The acolytes and the older initiates were expected to help with the younger girls, and assist with their training. But—”
“But you ended up doing the lion’s share,” I guessed.
She nodded.
But that wouldn’t work here. I had only one acolyte, and I needed her for other things. Like training me.
“There’s a woman named Tami,” I told her. “Tamika Hodges. The front desk can put you in touch with her. She’s staying here at the hotel with some kids. Give her a call, and ask her to help you.”
