“Sorry, I was distracted,” I said. “I’m trying to figure out whether you’re lying or just delusional.”
“Neither is the case.”
“As of this moment, you are possibly the only person in this country that the Council has more reason to hate than me. So please do explain to me why they would have the slightest interest in an alliance.”
“They have an interest in an alliance,” Richard said, “because otherwise, they have perhaps a week before your lover effectively destroys this country.”
I stared.
“I am inviting you to this meeting for two reasons,” Richard said. “Firstly, because I believe you can contribute in ways that neither my cabal or the Council can fully match. And secondly, because this whole mess is entirely your fault. By freeing Anne’s jinn, you have triggered a threat that has the potential to cause more destruction than any war in recorded history.”
It took me a long time to come up with an answer. “I don’t believe you,” I said at last.
“Then listen and I will explain,” Richard said. “But make no mistake. You caused this. And I fully expect you to clean it up.”
* * *
—
Richard kept talking. For the most part, I listened. Once he was done, he left. I watched the gate close behind him, then once the last wisps of darkness had disappeared, I turned and walked slowly back to Karyos and Luna.
“So that is your old master,” Karyos said thoughtfully, looking over my shoulder.
“What happened?” Luna demanded.
“He invited me to a meeting,” I said absently. My thoughts were far away. The spear was still pushing me to strike at Karyos, but all of a sudden that seemed a very small concern.
“Yeah, screw that,” Luna said. “How are we going to find Vari?”
I hesitated for a long moment. “I think . . . we might have a bigger problem.”
Luna opened her mouth angrily, but before she could speak, I cut in. As I kept speaking the anger faded from her face, her eyes widening. Karyos watched me, her expression unreadable. Above us, the sun of the Hollow sank through the multicoloured sky, evening fading slowly into dusk.
About the Author
Benedict Jacka is half Australian, half Armenian, and grew up in London. He's worked as a teacher, bouncer, and civil servant, and spends his spare time skating and playing tabletop games. He's the author of the Alex Verus series, including Fallen, Marked, Bound, Burned, and Veiled.
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