His hood jerked up and down once, and a modicum of relief flooded through me. “Can you hold yourself together while I finish this? After, I’ll think of something.”
He didn’t respond.
“Marc!” I clenched his shoulder. “Answer me.”
Slowly, he turned his head so that I could see one eye. It was coated with a thin layer of blood, the vessels breaking under pressure and reforming in an instant. I wanted to recoil away from that gaze, but I didn’t let myself.
“You chose,” he said, his voice thick with animosity. “Do not squander what you have gained.”
His words were a punch to the gut, driving away my breath. Was this always to be my destiny? Hurting those who mattered most with my failed efforts to make the right choices? “I’m sorry.”
“Get on with it.”
I turned numbly back to the half-bloods, only a lifetime of practice allowing me to wipe away all traces of what I was feeling. Tips and his crew were watching us with interest, aware that something had occurred during their discussions, but uncertain what.
“What is your decision?” I asked, finding it hard to care with my cousin rapidly losing his mind behind me.
Tips didn’t hesitate. “We’re with you.” He gestured at his crew. “All of us.” They nodded in agreement. “But as for the rest of the half-bloods… That will take time. They aren’t the most trusting these days.”
My relief at his words felt small and inconsequential. “Until we know more about my father’s plans, we dare not act,” I said. “We’ve got time. Best we keep this between us until we think of a strategy.”
Tips nodded. “Now that we’ve got that settled, you should make yourself scarce. Our cooperation means nothing if we don’t make quota.”
“Until then.” I nodded at the half-bloods, and a few of them bowed awkwardly. Tips did not. He, at least, would take our equality seriously. And frankly, I had bigger concerns.
“Get him out of here,” Vincent said quietly. “And think of a solution.”
“I will,” I muttered. Marc was already facing down the tunnel, but the air was thick with magic that coiled unguided, brushing against me, the walls, the ceiling. I touched the manacle on my left wrist, ignoring the stab of pain while I cursed the steely handicap. Was the punishment worth taking them off? I might end up with more than just the two in my wrists. What good would I be to anyone then?
“Let’s go.” Marc’s voice sounded strange and unfamiliar. Angry. Dangerous.
I’d be punished for taking the manacles off, but if I left them on, there was a real chance I might not get out of these tunnels alive.
12
Cécile
“You’re out late.”
I jumped, my mother’s voice acidic in my ears. She stood next to the roaring fire, face cast in shadows, a glass of brandy in her hand. “Feeling a bit dramatic this evening?” I asked, hanging my cloak on a hook. “Besides, aren’t you supposed to be dining with Julian?”
She took a sip of her drink. “He was otherwise occupied.”
“At least he’s recovered from your announcement,” I said, flopping into a chair. “I was more than a little concerned he’d quit the company for spite.”
“Quitting isn’t an option for him.”
There was enough venom in her voice to make me re-evaluate the severity of the situation. I’d long known that Julian was enamored with her, but surely the emotions were not reciprocated? He was the same age as my brother. “Did he say something to you?”
She took another swift drink. “He said a good many things.”
I grimaced, knowing that if he’d repeated what he’d said to me to her, she would not have taken it well.
“Enough of Julian.” Setting down her glass, she drifted across the carpets, coming to a stop in front of me. “Where were you this evening?”
“Here and there.” She had never cared where I was before, other than to suggest I spend more time entertaining subscribers after performances.
“Here and there,” she parroted my words back, and I knew I was in trouble. “Perhaps I need to be more specific, Cécile. Why were you in Pigalle?”
I gaped at her, my mind scrambling for a lie even as it raced for a possible explanation of how she knew.
“Don’t bother trying to squirm your way out of it, my dear,” she snapped. “Your brother was here, which would have been a shock in and of itself, but he insisted on giving me an earful about letting you run wild through the slums. What could possibly even interest you in that trash heap they call a quarter?”
I had no good answer. There was nothing in Pigalle that should appeal to a girl like the one I was supposed to be. But if I didn’t give her an answer, she’d go hunting for one, and the absolute last thing I needed was Fred telling her the whole truth because he was angry with me. “I…”
“You…?” Her cheeks were flushed with alcohol and anger. Why, tonight of all nights, did she have to start taking an interest in where I spent my time?
“I was getting my fortune told.” The words came out in a tangled rush. “Some of the girls were talking about it, and I wanted to see what my future held.”
She straightened, her head tilting slightly as though considering whether I might possibly be so foolish as to lie. “No one can see the future.”
“I know,” I blurted out, getting to my feet because I couldn’t sit still. “It was all nonsense. I’m sorry I went. It won’t happen again.” I wanted to go upstairs to my room, to hide and let this day be over, but she stepped into my path.
“These next few weeks are going to be very important for you, you know.”
Important, yes, but not in the ways she imagined.
“I need you to understand that I’m setting you up so that you will have a grand future.” Her eyes delved deeply into mine, but I wasn’t sure what they were looking for. “I need you to be ready to take over my role, my place, my position.”
“You’re being dramatic.” Did she really mean to retire? “It isn’t as though you are dying.”
Something flicked across her gaze, but was gone again in an instant. “Of course not. But the young inherit. That is how it has always been, and it is how it will always be. I need…” She broke off, then huffed out a breath of air. “I need you to go to your room. And every night you aren’t performing, I expect you to be back in this house before dark. Am I clear, or must I go over the terms of your continued presence in Trianon once again?”
“Perfectly clear.” Agreeing with her was easier than arguing. She was never at home at night anyway, so it would be easy to sneak out when and if I needed to. Twisting past her, I trotted toward the stairs.
“You’ll be accompanying Julian and me to the castle in the morning to meet with Lady Marie and the rest of the ladies who will be performing in the masque. I want you dressed in your finest and on your best behavior.”
“But…” I’d had every intention of going back to Pigalle in the morning to speak with La Voisin.