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“That, and a few other things. Mòr would like to keep your coat, Lila.”
“Which coat? The purplecoat?”
“No, the gray one.”
“The one I had on when I got shot?” Lila asked. “Why? It’s ruined. Dr. McCrae probably had it tossed out days ago. You could tell her where I bought it, though.”
“Dr. McCrae still has it. Mòr asked her to keep it safe.”
“Safe? Why?”
“For the parlor cases.”
Lila’s eyes widened.
Kenna did not look away this time. “One day soon, that coat will hold a place of honor next to Maid Lilliard’s saddle.”
“What about Nico’s coat? Or Delilah’s? Will theirs have a place too?”
“My sister doesn’t just want your coat because you helped bring down Olivier. There’s a bigger picture here, one that you are a part of whether you want to be or not. This won’t be the last item my sister begs from you. It’s not even the first.”
“What was the first?”
“The guns you used at the warehouse two months ago. They’re in a box in her closet.”
Lila could scarcely imagine anyone keeping such a weapon, not after it had dealt so much death. Now the oracle wanted her bloody coat too? “Why didn’t your sister just cut off a few of the mercs’ heads and stick them on pikes while she was at it? I’m sure that would make a lovely parlor display.”
“This is making you uncomfortable.” Kenna nodded. “I thought blunt would be the best approach. I suppose I should have led with our reasons.”
“Which are?”
“Sometimes the only way to keep history from happening again is to see it. That is why the oracle children have always been the keepers of the relics. It’s not for entertainment or amusement, Lila. It’s so we can glimpse the future.”
“By remembering the past?”
“Exactly.”
“Why even ask me when you have them already?”
“Because we don’t have your permission. Think about it, will you?”
Lila rubbed her wound and tried to settle into a more comfortable position. “Is that all?”
“I didn’t mean to upset you. We want you to enjoy your time here. I know Dixon is helping you look for accommodations in the city, but we’d prefer it if you stayed. You could have a home here, not just a job.” Kenna crossed her legs. The toe of her boot made a slow series of circles. “Mòr, Connell, and I spoke last night. We have something else we’d like you to look into. Something we’re curious about, and something we know you’re curious about too.”
“The Red Phoenix Army?”
“We need to know who pulls their strings. We need to make sure they don’t wish the oracles harm. All we’ve found so far are rumors, nothing substantial.”
“I’m blind without my
spy network.”
“You didn’t tap any of your spies to find Camille.”
“That was different.”
“Maybe this can be different too. We’ll pay you for your trouble.” Kenna’s boot stopped moving. “No matter what you chose to do or not to do, you are a friend of the oracles, Lila. All of the oracles. We keep to the old ways. Every oracle is duty-bound to help you, no matter the city, no matter the country.”
