Page 40 of Harbinger

“It’s also missing,” Patron Calix adds, as though stealing the weapon might be a worse crime.

“Seriously?” I blurt out, and my brother kicks me under the table.

“Are you accusing my family of stealing a ceremonial dagger? Really?” Broderic scoffs, but he shoots me a sideways glance.

“What would we need it for? Tilling the soil?” I ask, and Broderic kicks me again. Harder this time.

Patron Calix leans forward. “It is covered in jewels.”

“And?” Broderic asks, his eyebrows shooting up.

He hasn’t figured it out yet, but I have. Because it’s always there, lingering under the surface. We might as well hang a sign around our necks.

We’re poor.

“Talk to your family,” I spit back at Patron Calix. “Your initiate Dimitri tried to kill me with it.” I turn a furious glare to Bishop. “Tell him.”

But Bishop’s face remains a stony mask as Calix snarls, “No one in my family would—”

“How dare you,” my brother cuts him off, pounding on the table like he’s finally taken offense. Nice of him to catch up. “You’re accusing my family of killing our king for some bloody jewels, you—you—”

“Gentlemen,” Queen Selestina interjects. “There has been enough ugliness tonight. We are equals here. Let’s act like it.”

Next to her, the patrons of Leontia and Velesont share a meaningful look, but they don’t say anything.

“I’m merely pointing out the obvious.” Patron Calix swivels his attention to the queen. “The Stars tried to warn us.” He jabs a bony finger in my direction. “We’ve seen an increase in raids on our southern border. You’ve seen the reports. The Stars marked her as a harbinger to warn us war is coming.”

“They marked her as a Ravenell,” Bishop corrects.

For a moment, Patron Calix hesitates, like he’s unsure whether or not to risk contradicting him despite the fact that Bishop is half his age.

“Yes, well, Ravenell or not,” the queen says, “Bishop is right. Order Icaros would not have stolen the dagger.”

I bite my lip. Not a thief. She didn’t say anything about murderer.

“But they cursed her, my queen. No one has been marked by Ravenell in more than five hundred years.” He shakes his head, glancing at the others for support. “We all know the history. And now the king is dead?”

The others begin to murmur, and Broderic shifts nervously in his seat.

But Queen Selestina raises a hand to silence the room. “It’s not for us to question the Stars.”

“Of course you’re right, Your Majesty.” Patron Velesont inclines his gray head, already attempting to slither into her good graces. I guess you don’t get to his advanced age without knowing exactly whose ass to kiss.

“Why now?” asks Patron Leontia, her brown hair still plaited into a long silky braid like she came straight from bed. She spares a sympathetic glance at me, ever the healer. “I’m not saying it isn’t strange, mind you. But for all of this to happen in one night seems … convenient.”

Honestly, I agree with her.

I’m not about to say that out loud.

“The only explanation is that it’s a sign of the return of—” Patron Velesont starts.

“It’s hardly the only explanation.” Bishop cuts him off. “And I’ll remind you, not all of us are patrons.”

He means me. I’m not a patron. I sit up a little straighter, wondering what Patron Velesont was about to let slip.

“It could be someone from the Lost Continent,” Broderic suggests. “Maybe they heard the rumors that Antares plans to build settlements.”

“If that’s the case,” Patron Calix says with a sneer, “it is an act of war. And that still makes her a harbinger.” He flicks a finger at me again, and my control slips.