Page 98 of Reap & Sow

“I am glad. Such profane artifacts as these threaten to bring ruin upon us all. I cannot thank you enough for your service, Commander. You saved my life.”

Eda could see no reason to hold her tongue. “You’re a spineless monster, and sooner or later everyone will see it.”

“An ominous foretelling, is it?” Fane’s eyes narrowed. “How like a witch.”

“Enough. Guildford, William: Escort the bishop to the keep. The rest of you, secure the Gateway. The girl says she needs to piss. I will take her.”

Eda looked at Tenelle sharply.

“Someone should accompany you, Commander. More of those creatures may yet come to her aid.”

“I shan’t go far, Guildford. I’d rather not have Miss Shaw stinking like a chamber pot when we bring her in.” Her tone invited no argument, and none was given. Tenelle sheathed her sword. She took a torch in one hand and Eda’s shirt in the other, hauling her down the tree-covered side path. Eda was nearly breathless with relief. She listened to me.

Once the Blades were out of sight, Eda was dragged off the gravel entirely. Through the flower beds and farther still, into a line of silvery birch trees. “We’ve passed more than one place for a private piss,” she remarked.

Tenelle spun Eda toward her. “You have your moment. Speak fast.”

She wet her lips. “Florian Fane is the one responsible for these fiends, Commander. He’s using his sacred rite as a front for gathering years. I know the Blades are the Faithhood’s armed right hand, but will you let that stop you turning the sword inward? Monsters can also hide in holy robes.”

“So you and the High Governor claim.”

“It’s your sworn duty, is it not? To protect the people of this city?”

Tenelle’s eyes flashed. “It is and I shall. I know a threat when I smell one, and the bishop stinks, but to accuse him at this juncture is fruitless. If you have nothing useful to suggest—”

“You’re right. His guilt must be proven beyond all doubt. We can do it if you’ll only let me help.”

“How?”

“The Clerics’ Conclave you mentioned. We expose him there, before the Patriarch himself.”

Three days.

Tenelle regarded her cooly. “I’m listening.”

Eda’s pulse tripped. “You know that Severin Lich has a Gateway, yes? If you destroy the one you found tonight, his will be the last in all of Blackbridge, maybe Wesland itself. Fane will be forced to use Lich’s mirror instead. In the mausoleum, Mr.—the demon Fane parlays with—said that he expects Fane to find him another. Fane needs a Gateway.” She took a breath, trying to organize her thoughts. “But what if Lich’s mirror were destroyed too?”

Tenelle’s eyes narrowed with hawkish interest. “Florian would face the demon’s wrath.”

“Yes. Eliminate Lich’s mirror first, and we could threaten Fane with the destruction of the other. He might be fearful enough of the demon’s anger to confess to whatever he’s charged with, right there at the Conclave.”

“And if he does not?”

“Then…the demon—Baelion, he’s called—will come to protect what’s his. I’m sure he will. His presence will be much harder for Fane to explain.”

Tenelle leaned back, scanning Eda’s face. “If it were so easy to seize Lich’s mirror, trust that I would have done so years ago. The undercity is difficult to navigate, and his more influential associates keep us from investigating lawfully. We’ve no proof of his Gateway, though it’s all but common knowledge.”

Eda steeled herself. She tried not to ruminate on yet another bargain looping around her throat like a collar. “I know ways through the undercity. And I think I know where Lich keeps his mirror.” She thought of a tapestry swaying in a draft: a unicorn striding through a green forest. “I’ll find it myself. I’ve a demon who will help me.”

“The same demon that slaughtered my men, I suppose?” Her lip curled. “I would see that vile cur destroyed, along with all his fiendish kin.”

She winced. “Your men did attack him first.”

Tenelle’s silence was hard. “And in return for this aid, I assume, you want your freedom.”

“For this, I need my freedom.”

Their stare was weighted, taking measure of the other.