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“The king is dead, long live the king,” they said, in a reverent mumble. An endless buzzing litany, like a hive of bees collecting honey.
The altar was dressed up in red bows and white floral wreaths. The central altar usually always had a picture of the king, but this too had been replaced by a picture of Nigel, smiling behind the rosy candles and a large black coffin with detailed engraving, surrounded by gifts.
“Shit, is this a funeral?” April asked.
“A memorial, maybe. They couldn’t have his body, but the people won’t know that.”
“Maybe we should show them that the coffin is empty?”
“We’re not here for that,” I frowned. A small part of me was touched by the ceremonial display, for the founder of the covenant. It felt heavy and pressing, though maybe it was the thick incense or smell of elixir, which reminded me a little of Camina’s venom cigar from the strip. Or the organ pipes playing a slow, dreary dirge that hummed and resonated off the stained glass windows.
It would be easy to let my emotions swell, and get caught up in feelings of power and respect and gratitude. If it weren’t so damn crowded; a constant reminder that the citadel wasn’t built to accommodate this many people.
We surged around the external wall, filled with private alcoves and rooms for prayer and study, stumbling to keep up with the crowd. April’s eyes started to panic as we got closer to the center altar and the line of curates offering the sacrament.
“Follow my lead,” I whispered. When it was my turn, I knelt on the padded banister and waited for the curate to hold the chalice up to my lips. But it worked differently in the citadel, or maybe Nigel had changed the service for expediency. Each curate had a silver tray of small rice wafers, each dosed with one drop of elixir.
I saw April scoot in beside me and reach for a wafer, but I slapped her hand away. I kept my chin down and opened my mouth, until I felt the curate place it on my tongue. I shut my mouth, feeling it dissolve.
“Um thanks,” April mumbled beside me. The curate paused to stare at her, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Our spots were immediately filled by the people behind us, and we were ushered toward the nearest exit. I looked back over my shoulder, but I didn’t see Marcus. What if he was captured, taken? I blinked against the light, exiting the renewal center with elixir rushing through my veins. Suddenly the crowds pressed in around me, each trying to shuffle in a different direction. But I didn’t know which way to go next. When someone grabbed my elbow, I spun around, twisting his wrist to the side.
“Ow,” Zane said, rubbing his arm. He appeared out of nowhere, and I was disturbed he’d been able to sneak up on me at all. He looked about as I’d last seen him; dark skin, well-trimmed beard. His clothes were functional but slightly upscale. Comfortable but not cheap. I realized I didn’t actually know him that well, nor what he did for the citadel.
“Sorry,” I whispered. “I’m just anxious. Where’s Marcus?”
“Helping with the ceremony, he couldn’t get out of it. Apparently they needed all hands and then some. This is your scientist?” he asked.
“April,” she said, holding out her hand. Zane looked at it skeptically for a moment.
“So you’re smartandcute,” he grinned.
“She’s more of a tinkerer. Like you but without the resources.” I dangled my wrist to show off her craftsmanship.
“Anyway, we’ve got a lot to discuss. Come on, you don’t need to go to renewal, do you? Confess your sins? Be absolved?”
“I better wait till I’m finished,” I said. “Something tells me I’ll have a lot to apologize for tomorrow. If we survive that long.”
“That’s the spirit,” Zane said, though this time a flicker of worry crossed his face. We kept our heads low, heading away from the renewal center as everyone else was starting to progress toward it. Soon the streets were so packed it was like wading upriver.
“This was dumb,” April said. “We’re going in the wrong direction.”
“Only because Nigel moved the date of the ceremony. Nobody knew until last night. We’re not sure exactly what changed.”
“He was waiting until he had Damien. Out there, a lost prince was too big a threat. But now that he’s captured, he can confirm his own power.”
“But that was… days ago,” April said.
I tried to remember how long it had been since Denvato. More than a few days, but less than a week, I was pretty sure. And how long before that, since I’d killed king Richard? Another week maybe.
“That’s two weeks, since the last renewal ceremony, right?”
“The last one was canceled,” Zane said. “Nearly caused a riot, but Nigel said it wouldn’t be right to celebrate the covenant with its founder missing. He used to attend most of the ceremonies you know. Richard, I mean. Sometimes, once a year. Offering himself to his congregation.”
“He did that in Algrave, when I was chosen.”
I felt light on my face, so bright I squinted against it. The morning sun’s rays had crept above the walls and refracted off the shimmering glass around me, casting splinters of light that unfolded with hidden colors. The buildings in this area were more modern, and I had a feeling I’d been here before but couldn’t place us exactly. We’d gone around and behind the palace, into a series of upscale shops and office buildings made of glass and stone. A few more blocks and we’d be at the back ramparts, looking over the thick forests behind the citadel.
“It’ll be guarded,” Zane said, pushing a door open for us. “But not by soldiers. The king kept his sensitive research from prying eyes. He didn’t want soldiers around, so he set it up with passwords. I doubt Nigel even knows how to access everything in the citadel. Normally you’d need an eye scanner and voice activation, but I already hacked through that with a backdoor access. Which leaves the door code and electronic bolts. There’s motion sensors on the halls, but it’s a black box inside, completely separate system. I can blind the cameras for 15 seconds, but longer than that and it’ll be flagged and guards will come to check it out. So, we’re going to have to run. Ready?”
