chapter 8
Cinder and I separated and I lay low for the rest of the day. The next morning found me back in the Hollow.
We’ve got trouble, Variam told me telepathically.
Slow down, I said. What trouble and how?
And when you say we, do you mean trouble for us, or trouble for the Keepers? Luna added. Because one of those bothers me a lot more than the other.
Things had reached the point where I couldn’t risk meeting Variam face-to-face, and phone or internet communications were almost as bad. The only safe method left was the dreamstone, which was why I was sitting in my cottage in the dark, eyes closed as I concentrated. Maintaining a three-way link (so that Luna could take part in the conversation as well) was much harder than a two-way one, but at least I was getting plenty of dreamstone practice.
Okay, Variam said. So that attack yesterday that we got scrambled for? The one where we thought we’d driven them off? Turns out we didn’t drive them off, they withdrew. And they withdrew because they got what they wanted.
It was definitely Richard’s cabal? I asked.
They were using shroud spells, but yeah, we’re ninety-nine percent sure. They were using their big guns too. Vihaela was there, and from the sound of it so was Richard.
So last year Onyx steals something from the Southampton facility, and now Richard does? Luna said. Why do they even keep using that place?
It wasn’t supposed to be there at all, Variam said. It was being constructed in a shadow realm, and they were supposed to be transferring it directly to the Vault. There was some issue and they moved it to Southampton temporarily. Somehow Richard found out and hit the place first.
Okay, I said. You said at the beginning that this was something to do with Anne. What’s the link?
So, we haven’t been told any of this officially, Variam said. But when they found out about Anne and that jinn, it seems some of the high-ups green-lit a crash program to create some sort of anti-jinn weapon. They’ve been rushing construction on the prototype and they were moving it to the Vault for testing.
They want to use it on Anne? Luna asked.
What kind of weapon? I asked.
No one’s talking, Variam said. But they are seriously stirred up right now. The Council’s been in emergency session since last night and everyone’s on standby.
Right, I said. About that. The attack on Southampton might not be the only reason the Council’s in emergency session.
What do you mean?
Let’s just say you might be getting some orders soon about making me a priority target.
Alex? There was a warning note to Variam’s thoughts. What did you do?
You’re probably better off not knowing.
Oh, bloody hell. I could feel Variam sigh. Look, I’ve got to go, Landis is calling. I’ll check in when I hear anything.
Don’t, I said. It’s too risky for you to contact me. I’ll get in touch with you instead.
He’s right, Vari, Luna said.
Fine, but you’d better tell me what the hell you’ve been up to. Vari out.
I let the link to Variam and Luna dissolve and stood, wincing a little at the stiffness in my legs. Pulling back the curtains from the window, I blinked as the midmorning sun streamed into the cottage. Once I’d adjusted to the light, I slipped the dreamstone into my pocket and walked out into the warm air of the Hollow.
Hey, November, I said, closing the door behind me.
It is somewhat disturbing when you do that unannounced, November replied.
I started out along one of the grassy paths. Would have thought you’d be used to it.
You don’t use any kind of handshake protocol! How am I supposed to authenticate that it’s you? All I have to go on is . . .
. . . Tone of voice?
If you were using a voice, I could employ vocal recognition software.
Well, you’ll just have to recognise me the old-fashioned way.
But it’s so untidy!
I came out into Karyos’s clearing. The hamadryad was sitting cross-legged under her tree, chin resting in her hands. November was propped up in the grass, a webcam balanced on top of his case. “. . . which was why Levistus made the choice to install me there,” he was saying. His voice sounded slightly tinny through the speakers. “It was to do with trade-offs in location.”
“I don’t understand this ‘Heron Tower,’” Karyos said. “Why would he build it?”
“Um, he didn’t,” November said. “Its construction was financed by a property development company.”
“But why would they build something so tall?”
“Because . . . er . . . well, skyscraper development is correlated with land value, and the property values in the financial districts of central London are more than high enough. It’s really local ordinances that are the limiting factors.”
“But if they built something smaller, they’d be closer to the ground.”
“Er . . . well, yes, that’s true, but . . .”
“Hey, guys,” I said, walking out into the clearing. “How are you getting on?”
“The things your elemental tells me are so strange.” Karyos gazed thoughtfully at November. “I have so much to learn about your world.”
“I told you, I’m not an elemental,” November said, sounding slightly annoyed. “And as for your question, Mr. Verus—”
“You know, you can just call me Alex.”
“Yes, well, I’d find it much easier to adjust if I didn’t have to rely on this substandard equipment.”
“You wanted speakers, I got you speakers.”
“They’re Apple speakers!”
“Is that a problem?”
“Yes!”
“Do they not work?”
“It’s the principle of the thing. In Heron Tower I had a customised full-surround—”
“I know, you’ve told me,” I said, holding back a sigh. “Look, you’re just going to have to accept that living in freedom out on the wild frontier comes with some sacrifices. Which apparently include Apple speakers.”
“Those speaking machines are not made of apples,” Karyos pointed out. “I don’t understand why the elemental is concerned.”
“For the last time, I am not an elemental!”
“November?” I said. “I just heard something a little worrying from one of my contacts with the Council.” I relayed Variam’s story. “Do you know anything about that?”