Page 41 of Fire to the Stars

But Madame Afi’s abductors remain at large. I can’t go anywhere that has Old Tongue speakers present—like the archives—until the Gendarmerie tell me it’s safe to do so.

I need a fail-safe. Something to ensure the delivery of Micah’s story to the archives once we rescue Madame Afi.

“Claire.”

Her attention remains on spoiling Lucy. “Hmm?”

“I need a favor.”

I set the notes aside, rewrap my journal in its protective skin, and hold it out to her. She stares at it, expression blank. Deliberate, probably. She knows this information is dangerous.

“I need you to hold on to this,” I say. “If something happens to me before this extortion scheme is resolved, thismustreach the slayer archives.”

She meets my stare, wariness in her own. Her fingers flex in Lucy’s fur, though she ultimately accepts the journal. “Isn’t that against standard procedure? I thought only slayers could submit records.”

“Not if I’m dead.”

I plant my empty hands on my knees. I haven’t been without that journal since the day I started it—the day Micah turned. It’s my duty to report all dragon encounters to the archives, but that’s my brother’s blood on those pages. Entrusting it to someone else feels like I’m refusing to take responsibility for what Idid.

“All right.” Claire tucks the journal deep inside her satchel. “I’ll keep it safe.”

“Just—”

This is the smart thing to do. Since I have a target on my back, Claire has better odds of delivering Micah’s story. She makes confounding choices at times, but she resents Diu’s curse more than anyone. If I die, that resentment will carry my journal to safe hands.

Claire places a hand on mine, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Just what, Abel?”

I look her dead in the eye. “Don’t read it.”

Her hand releases mine. I don’t blame her for her discomfort, given the experiments I mentioned. However, I’m not the manwho wrote that journal anymore, so she doesn’t need to fear me for sins I already learned to regret. Only when she nods do I relax.

Claire looks at the city outside. “I’ll find us proper lodging. Something in a safe area with a good view. We’ll want to stay inside as much as possible.”

“Sounds expensive.”

Pursed lips. No reply. She has some pickpocketing to do, then. And I have Madame Afi to rescue and a dragon to hunt.

“I need the funds to pay an info broker. It’ll speed up the search for Gérard,” I say. “And it might take a while to speak with the local marshal.”

Claire slips a hand down her bust and draws out a handful of coins. I glance away. She takes my hand and presses the warm coins into my palm. Since when has she had these? I thought we were broke again.

“That should cover a deposit.” She takes my chin between her fingertips and forces me to look at her. I’m about to push her hand away when she lets go. Her tone turns serious. “Let me help you lure the dragon. I can be the bait.”

First rule of dragon hunting: Consider the bait.

My brow furrows. “You read Hanna’s notes.”

“I got a glimpse while you were daydreaming. Hanna describes him as a ‘womanizer,’ doesn’t she?” She gestures to the papers scattered beside me on the bench. “I’m no slayer, but I do know how to hunt a man.”

With a sigh, I fold the notes and tuck them into the envelope. Hard to argue against that logic. “All right. If the conditions require your help, you can assist.”

There’s that self-satisfied smirk. I need to shut down any overconfidence before it starts.

“I have conditions. You’ll act where I can see you. You’ll back off when I tell you to. Lastly, you’ll take shelter in a fire cellar during the Ignition itself. Understood?”

Surprisingly, she nods. Full eye contact. No smirk. At least I can take solace in the fact that she’s taking this seriously. I suppose she would. Successfully slaying this dragon means we get a shot at hers next.

Before the birth of humankind, Noctu had created the silverwolves to test whether a species of powerful individuals could work together in harmony to survive. His test was so successful that to this day, we often hear silverwolves howling but scarcely ever see them.