Silence. Seconds ticked. I’ll make you a deal, I said. You get me in and make sure I get access to Levistus’s files, and I’ll get you out and do my best to keep you unharmed. Then once we get away, you’re a free agent. You can keep working with me, or I can set you up on your own. Your choice.
Once you have what you want, you’ll have no reason to keep your end of the bargain. November’s voice was bitter. There’ll be nothing to stop you doing as you like.
The way Levistus likes to get rid of his agents once they’ve outlived their use? Yeah, he tried to do that to me as well. I don’t know what Levistus’s files say, but I’ve spent most of my life working with magical creatures. They’re my friends and allies. Can’t prove it to you, but it’s the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.
Silence again. I watched the futures waver. The pattern was different from a human, but very much recognisable. Interesting. He really did have free will.
I suppose I don’t have much choice, November said at last. Very well.
Great, welcome to the team! So, I’m guessing just cutting the power won’t disable the security?
Of course not, November said irritably. What idiot would expect a security system to be run solely off mains? But it will disable the heat sensors and the primary motion detectors, which will be necessary once you get past the door. The door has an access code and a standard lock. I can supply the code; the part involving manipulating chunks of metal I would hope you can take care of yourself.
Sounds good. All ready?
Would it make any difference if I said no?
Not really. I took out my phone and redialled. “Cinder? Go time.”
Through the phone, I heard the sound of Cinder’s heavy footsteps. There was the creak of a door, followed by a rustle of movement and a new voice. “Oi, mate. What are you doing?”
“Maintenance,” Cinder said briefly.
“Not down here you’re—”
There was a soggy thud and a grunt, followed by the sound of something heavy falling to the floor. “Ready?” Cinder asked.
“Do it.”
I heard a series of clicks through the phone, and with a clunk and a sighing sound the machinery around me slowed and stopped. The fluorescent lights in the ceiling winked out, and the fans that had been spinning with a whum-whum-whum began to slow down. A red light on the backup power panel that I’d just deactivated began to blink angrily.
Through the futures, I could tell that Richard had started his attack on the Council. Now it was a race.
I left the power building and crossed the roof to the data centre, stepping over pipes and railings. Warm air whipped at me, the winds fickle and strong. I could sense Starbreeze somewhere out there, riding the winds, but couldn’t spare the attention to look more closely. The data centre was tall and intimidating, blacked-out windows showing nothing of what was inside. Okay, I’m at the door, I told November. Hit me.
The door code is Alpha-seven-six-Xray-five-nine-Tango-Charlie—
Slow down, I said, typing into the keyboard. Did they deliberately make it this obnoxious just to mess with diviners?
Yes. Code continues: Romeo-zero-Romeo-Victor-eight-five-zero-Sierra-six-two.
I hate the Council. The system had been programmed with a random element in the false results too, enough to screw up my normal techniques. The panel beeped. Working on the padlock.
I suggest you hurry. Local radio traffic has increased significantly.
Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing to do with us.
My phone rang.
You were saying? November asked.
I’d supplied an accurate (if disposable) number when I’d signed in. I hit the Answer button, put the phone on speaker, laid it down, and took out my picks. “Hello?”
“Hello?” an angry English voice said through the speaker. “Is this Radu?”
“Speaking,” I said cheerfully. “How can I help you today, sir?”
“You can get this fucking power back online!”
“And who would I be talking to?”
“You’d be talking to the divisional head of Heron Tower Salesforce.”
The padlock on the door was a good-quality one of thick steel. I threaded my pick and wrench through the keyhole. “Very happy to meet you, sir. Sorry for the inconvenience, we had to do a shutdown.”
“You were only supposed to be working on the photocopiers! You’ve cut the power to the whole goddamn building!”
“Well, sir, photocopiers are a very serious matter. Do you know how many office fires every year are caused by faulty photocopying equipment?”
“Listen to me, you little shit. I know the directors of your company on a first-name basis. If you give me any more of this Health and Safety crap, or if you do anything other than get the power online right now, I am going to make personally sure you never work for EDF again and that the Home Office deports you back to whatever shithole country you crawled out of!”
“I’m very sorry to hear you feel that way, sir,” I said. “If you’d like to make a complaint, we have an automated customer service number on our website.”
“You can TAKE your customer service number and—”
The padlock came open with a click. “Just a second, sir, I’m getting some interference. You’ll have to call me back.” I hung up and tapped Block This Caller. Have they called the police yet?
No, but apparently there are people en route to the basement.
“Incoming, Cinder,” I said through the phone, then tucked it away and pulled open the door. Cold air rushed out: the corridor beyond was dark in contrast to the bright sunlight outside.
I must warn you that while some of the physical triggers have been disabled, the magical ones have not. November’s thoughts were tense. Please do not use any magic strong enough to register on magesight while inside the building. The wards are extremely sensitive.
Not planning to. I started down the corridor.
The door to the server room was blocked by a laser grid. I didn’t need November’s help this time: a brief search found a control panel, and this alarm code wasn’t as hard as the one on the door. As I did, I heard a scuffle of movement through the phone. A couple of indistinct voices were calling something; I couldn’t quite make out the words but it didn’t sound friendly. There was a thump and a thud. “Hey!” someone yelled. “What are you—?”
Thump. Thud.
“Are you punching out everyone who comes into the basement?” I asked Cinder.
“You wanted the power off, didn’t you?” Cinder said. “Wait one.”