“If it isn’t too much trouble,” Skye said.
“It is far from ideal, but I can hardly throw you out,” she replied. “You know where to find the guest rooms. Try not to advertise your presence. I will send a message to Gustus in the morning. It normally takes months to earn a response from him. Expect an interview by the afternoon. I hope you know what you’re doing, Skylark.”
Skye kissed her mother on the cheek. “So do I.”
CHAPTER
18
THE SILVER LINING
Late the following morning, Cole, Jace, and Skye climbed out of a hired coach and onto a shabby street corner. They all wore new clothes that had been dropped by the townhouse late that morning, and Skye carried a written invitation. She looked prim in a white blouse and tweed skirt. Cole and Jace wore buttoned shirts, pressed trousers, and brown leather shoes.
Skye led the way to an alley between a run-down pawnshop and a moneylender. Iron grates guarded the windows of both businesses. The cobblestone roadway was knobby enough that Cole worried about turning an ankle.
As they reached the entrance of the alley, a pair of tough guys detached from the wall to bar the way. One of them wore a flat cap and had a pronounced underbite. The other had a wide scar that curved from below one ear to his upper lip.
“Nice folks don’t go this way,” said the guy with the underbite. He kept both hands in his pockets.
“None of us are nice,” Skye replied.
The thugs parted to let them pass. Cole hurried after Skye, keeping his eyes on the uneven cobblestones.
The first stretch of the alley curved. When it straightened, Cole saw that it ran onward for an unrealistic distance, shrinking to nothing before an end came into view. Merriston was a large city, but Cole didn’t think it was big enough to contain this alley.
“No way,” Jace said.
“Illusion,” Skye replied. “If we go too far, we’ll step through false ground and into a pit filled with spikes. Or something equally delightful.”
Cole noticed Jace slowed his pace, keeping Skye and Cole a little ahead of him. He hadn’t survived so many Sky Raider missions by being stupid.
The rough walls of the alley, constructed from fitted stone blocks, soared unusually high on both sides, with no doors or windows. Ivy spilled down from the top in some places. Skye held her invitation in one hand, glancing at it as they walked.
“Do you have a map on there?” Cole asked.
“No map,” she said. “But as we approached the alley, the card told me what to say when those thugs asked for the password. Mother suggested I keep it handy.”
“What are we looking for?” Cole asked.
“This leads to a service entrance,” Skye said. “I bet sections of these walls are false. There must be many hidden defenses. We’ve already passed a few scrubbers. We’re almost certainly being watched.”
Cole decided not to talk too much if they might be overheard. Most of this mission would be played by ear. The Silver Lining was only open in the evenings, and through the night. Since the confidence lounge was currently closed, the workers were either sleeping, relaxing, studying, or doing behind-the-scenes chores. Cole, Jace, and Skye would poke their noses into as many places as possible in the hope of coming across Dalton.
Cole could barely believe he was about to see his best friend. Dalton would be so surprised. Cole wondered how he would have felt if Dalton had just shown up one day to rescue him from the Sky Raiders. It was too mind-blowing to really imagine.
Skye stopped. “See?” She held up the invitation. All it had on it was an arrow pointing left. “This just appeared.”
Turning left, Skye experimentally pushed a hand through the wall. They passed through the seeming into a dim, narrow stairwell that descended to an iron door. Cole noticed that the arrow vanished from the invitation and a quote appeared: “Nobody else deserves me.”
A string dangled from a small hole in the door. Skye tugged it, and a bell clanged. A moment later, a peephole slid open. “Why should we let you in?” a man asked.
“Nobody else deserves me,” Skye replied.
The door opened. They passed a few armed guards and reached a second iron door. A guard there tapped an elaborate rhythm on the door with a small hammer. It opened, and they kept going.
They walked up a staircase and into a lovely courtyard. Flamingos waded in a dark, shallow pond. Trees with deeply grooved bark grew in fancifully contorted shapes. Dressed in togas, lovely women and handsome men roamed winding paths, softly playing a variety of instruments. The area smelled of moss and damp grass.
A woman with metallic golden skin and vibrant orange eyes approached them. “Skye Ryland?” she asked.
“Yes,” Skye replied, showing the invitation. “Along with my two young friends.”
“Please follow me,” the woman said. They crossed the courtyard to a heavy wooden door and entered a grand hall full of large portraits. Cole saw a few people walking around, all dressed in gray robes. One was about his age.
None were Dalton.
They walked through an insubstantial fireplace full of blazing logs and into another hallway. After passing several doors, the woman showed them through a mirror at the end of the hall.
Cole found himself in a spacious office. The entire back wall was the side of an enormous aquarium where three white narwhals swam, horns shining like silver. At a desk before the aquarium sat a plump man, bald on top, but with long gray hair dangling along the edges. He seemed like a regular human except for his eyes—bulbous mounds with tiny holes at the peaks. They swiveled like a chameleon’s.
The man rose as they entered. “Skye Ryland,” he said, opening his arms wide and smiling. “I never expected to see you here.”
“Hello, Gustus,” she said. “This is Cole and Jace.”
“Splendid boys, no doubt,” he said without a trace of sincerity. “The last time I saw you, I believe you were chased out of a party I attended.”
“Good memory,” Skye said.
“I understand you’re looking for work?” he asked, coming around to stand in front of his desk.
“That’s right,” Skye said.
“Imagine my surprise when Lady Madeline contacted me this morning,” he said. “I used to drop hints about you coming to work for me. Those advances never drew any interest.”
“Many choices are determined by timing,” Skye said.
Gustus leaned back against his desk. “Interesting thought. Why reach out to me now? Common knowledge has you involved with revolutionaries.”
“I’ve lived a little,” Skye said. “Learned some hard lessons. I want something stable. I want to work on my enchanting. I could be useful here. My abilities have increased.”
Gustus wagged a finger at her. “That I believe. I’m not concerned about your talent. I’m more interested in your motives. I’d hate for your dear mother to suffer another blow. You’ll get eaten alive if you think you can use a position here to help the resistance. Absolutely skeletonized.”
“I didn’t come to you when I was involved with those people,” Skye said.
“Those people?” Gustus chuckled. “Am I to believe you’ve severed all ties, burned all bridges?”
“I’ve made some big changes in my life,” Skye said. “I’d be a fool to come here with an agenda.”
“It was foolish to come here at all,” Gustus said. “When I told Alderman Campos about the message from your mother, he almost posted guardsmen here to arrest you. We debated the issue for the better part of an hour. In the end, he became more interested in watching you. Not in the hope you’ll prove you’ve mended your ways. He decided this move is so preposterous, it must be motivated by a tremendous need. A need none of us can guess. What game are you playing, Skye?”
“He can watch all he likes,” Skye said. “So can you. All you’ll s
ee is a first-class illusionist practicing her trade.”
Gustus rubbed a hand over his bald scalp. “Yes, yes, I suppose . . . I can’t fathom what you would expect to gain. Neither can Campos. It’s a recipe for curiosity. Up until this moment, you’ve practiced your spycraft with such aplomb. You had disappeared. You were truly unseen. And now you surface here. A neutral observer would call it a massive blunder.”
“Unless I’m serious,” Skye said. “Unless I have no hidden motives.”
“Wouldn’t that be amusing?” Gustus said. “What about these boys?” His bulging eyes swiveled to regard Cole and Jace. “Are they talented?”
“No,” Skye said. “They’re my servants. I’m fond of them. We’re a package deal.”
“Which of you is Cole?” Gustus asked enthusiastically.
“I am,” Cole said, on his guard even more because of the friendly attitude.
“What is she up to?” Gustus asked chummily.
“She wants a job here,” Cole said.
“What has she been doing?”
“Not much,” Cole said.
“What do you do for her?”
“I help out,” Cole said. “I serve her meals. I get the door.”
Gustus walked over to Cole and crouched forward, his chameleon eyes twitching out of sync with each other. “There is a hint of shaping ability about you,” he said. “Something . . . odd. I don’t recognize it.”
“Neither do I,” Cole said truthfully.
Gustus turned to Jace. “Tell me why Skye is really here, and I will make you rich beyond your wildest imaginings.”
“I’ve worked for some wealthy people,” Jace said. “And I have a good imagination.”
“I’ll give you enough to live comfortably for the rest of your days. She can’t punish you here. Tell me what I want to know and you’re set for life.”
“Really?” Jace asked.
“Yes.”
Jace shrugged. “Easiest money I’ve ever made. She’s here for a job.”
Gustus stared at him shrewdly. “You profess there is no other motive?”
“Yes.”
“Give it five years. If Skye remains true, I’ll owe you. Fair?”
“It was a big promise for such an easy question,” Jace said. “I can wait.”
“Or you can visit me privately,” Gustus said. “If you have good information, my offer still stands. It’s up to you.” He went to Skye. “Your servants are not useless. Neither boy was completely forthright with me, that much was plain, but I’m not sure what they’re hiding. Not bad for young ones.”
“You see deception wherever you look,” Skye said.
“As long as I look at people,” Gustus replied. “Surely you grasp why some might question your motives. If you had been imprisoned and then made this offer, I’d be more inclined to believe you, though less eager to grant the request.”
“Does this mean I get the job?” Skye asked.
“Of course I’ll hire you,” Gustus said. “You’re plenty qualified, and I’m infinitely curious to learn what this is really about.” He licked his lips, eyes stretching. “It’s hard to resist a good intrigue.”
“Before I agree,” Skye said, “I want to see where I’ll be working, know how I’ll be compensated, and meet some of my fellow enchanters. I take it you provide accommodations?”
“The staff all live here,” Gustus said. “We’re a tight-knit family.”
“When can I start?” Skye asked.
“I’d prefer immediately,” Gustus said.
“Not today,” Skye said. “I have to say some good-byes and set some affairs in order. Tomorrow could work, if I like the accommodations and your terms.”
“Take care what affairs you manage,” Gustus said. “Many eyes will be watching.”
“And the boys?” Skye asked.
Gustus went and stood between Jace and Cole. “You two want to live and work here?”
“If Skye does,” Cole said.
“I’d be your boss,” Gustus explained. “You’d take orders from some of my underlings. Not from her.”
“I want to make sure I like it here,” Jace said.
“Have a look around with Skye,” Gustus said. “Only fair. Incidentally, without enchanting talent, it’s very competitive to be even the lowest servant here. We only hire the sharpest people from the best families in Elloweer.”
“They won’t disappoint,” Skye promised.
“Make no mistake,” Gustus said, looking from Cole to Jace and back. “Skye is your ticket in here. Whether you stay is up to you. Follow orders, work hard, be courteous, and you’ll do fine.”
“Thank you,” Cole said, silently hoping they were almost done. It felt ridiculous to jump through all these hoops when he knew they didn’t actually plan on staying any longer than it took to find Dalton. Cole had waited a long time to see his friend again, and now that they were so close, every second of delay was torture.
Gustus returned to his desk and sat down. “Skye, have your look around, then return and speak with me. Leave the boys outside next time.” He waved one hand.
The woman with golden skin entered the room. “Yes, Gustus,” she said.
“Leona, escort these three around the grounds,” he said. “Show them where they would stay if they join us here. Introduce them as seems prudent. Then bring them back here.”
“As you will,” Leona said. She touched Skye’s elbow. “Come.”
They walked out of the mirror and back into the hall. Leona led the way.
“How did you know Gustus wanted you?” Cole asked Leona.
“A light flashed in the hall,” she said. “A simple seeming.”
They walked out through the fireplace, and Leona began a tour. They passed fountains of molten lava, tapestries that moved like television screens, and a pair of stone statues grunting and maneuvering in an endless wrestling match. Cole couldn’t really appreciate the impressive seemings or the beautiful grounds. He was watching for his friend.
The servants’ quarters were set up like dormitories. Senior servants had their own rooms. Younger servants were two or even four to a room.
Cole saw lots of people, young and old. None had slavemarks. None were Dalton.
They strolled through a cafeteria, then crossed a recreation area where clusters of people bowled wooden balls across a carefully manicured lawn. Cole couldn’t figure out the rules to the game. He didn’t spot his friend among them.
The quarters for enchanters were much nicer than the servants’ dormitories. Each enchanter had multiple rooms, elegantly furnished. The enchanters all wore gray robes and slippers. Leona introduced Skye to a few people. Everyone was generally cordial.
“You’ve now seen most of the areas where you would live,” Leona said as they exited the enchanters’ quarters to a verdant area filled with lush bushes and trees. “I can’t show you around the lounge itself—those secrets are only for those already employed here.”
“I’ve been to this confidence lounge many times,” Skye said.
“Not behind the walls,” Leona corrected. “Shall we return to Gustus?”
“What about slaves who enchant?” Skye said. “I understand the Silver Lining has some of the best.”
“True,” Leona said. “They have their own quarters that way.” She pointed toward a low stone building partly obscured by shrubs and trees. “There’s no reason for us to bother with them.”
“I’d enjoy a demonstration from some of them,” Skye said.
Leona eyed her warily. “We’ve seen enough. There will be plenty of time to meet everyone if you go under contract.”
Skye sighed. “All right. Lead on.”
As soon as Leona turned to lead the way, Skye grabbed her in a tight choke hold, one hand tight over her mouth. In a blink, they stood apa
rt, conversing quietly.
“What is going—” Cole began.
“Illusion,” Jace said. “Just stand here and look normal.”
After a long moment conversing, Skye and Leona wandered over to a bush. They both crouched down behind the bush, out of sight. Then Leona came out, golden skin shimmering.
“All right,” Leona said in Skye’s voice. “I’ll soon be a wanted criminal in Merriston as well. Mother will be so proud. We find Dalton now or never.”
“You knocked her out?” Jace asked.
“I can’t guarantee for how long,” Skye said, starting toward the low building.
“I thought this place was full of scrubbers,” Cole said, knots of worry tightening in his stomach.
“It is,” Skye said. “I’ll have to rebuild the illusion every time it washes away. I’m pretty fast with temporary stuff like this, but nobody is perfect. We don’t want people to catch sight of us when my disguise flickers.”
They reached a doorway into the low stone building. “Doorways are the most likely places to put scrubbers,” Skye said. “Make sure nobody is looking.”
Cole opened the door and saw a clear hallway. “We’re good.”
Skye stepped inside. For an instant her golden skin and orange eyes completely vanished. She was herself. After less than a second, the disguise was back in place.
They followed the hall to a common room. A couple of teenage guys in gray robes were playing billiards. A woman in gray robes sat reading. Cole still didn’t see Dalton.
The teens stopped playing when they noticed Skye. “Can we help you, Leona?” one of them asked, clearly uncomfortable to see her.
“I’m looking for Dalton,” Skye said in Leona’s voice.
“I think he’s in his room,” the other teen said.
“I don’t recall which is his,” Skye told them.
“Number twenty-three,” the first teen said, pointing down one of the halls that branched from the common area.
“Thank you,” Skye said, leading Cole and Jace in the suggested direction.