A Reaper at the Gates

  But the instant I enter the village, I know something is off. The caravan is empty, the wagon doors creaking in the storm. A thin layer of snow has already settled on the bodies of the soldiers guarding the caravans. Among them, I find no Mask. No Tribal casualties. The village is silent when it should be in an uproar.

  Trap.

  I know it instantly, as sure as I'd know my own mother's face. Is this Keris's work? Did she learn about Laia's raids?

  I pull my hood up, draw on a scarf, and drop into a crouch, observing the tracks in the snow. They are faint--brushed away. But I catch sight of a familiar boot print: Laia's.

  These tracks aren't here out of carelessness. I was meant to know that Laia went into the village. And that she didn't come out. Which means the trap wasn't set for her.

  It was set for me.

  IV: The Blood Shrike

  "Curse you!" I keep an iron grip around Laia of Serra, but she resists me with all her strength. She refuses to drop her invisibility, and I feel as if I'm grappling with an angry, camouflaged fish. I curse myself for not knocking her out the moment I grabbed her.

  She lands a nasty kick to my ankle before elbowing me in the gut. My hold on her weakens, and she's out of my hands. I lunge toward the sound of her boot scraping the floor, savagely satisfied at the huff of her breath leaving her lungs as I tackle her. Finally, she flickers into being, and before she can play her little disappearing trick again, I twist her hands back and truss her tighter than a festival-day goat. Still panting, I shove her into a chair.

  She looks at the other occupant of the cabin--Mamie Rila, bound and barely conscious--and snarls through her gag. She kicks out like a mule, her boot connecting beneath my knee. I grimace at the pain. Don't backhand her, Shrike.

  Even as she fights, a fey part of my mind trills at the life within her. She has healed. She is strong. The fact should irk me.

  But the magic I used on Laia binds us together, a tie that runs deeper than I'd like. I feel relief at her vigor, as if I'd learned that my little sister Livia is healthy.

  Which she won't be for much longer, if this plan doesn't work. Fear lances through me, followed by a harsh stab of memory. The throne room. Emperor Marcus. My mother's throat: cut. My sister Hannah's throat: cut. My father's throat: cut. All because of me.

  I will not see Livia die too. I need to carry out Marcus's orders and bring down Commandant Keris Veturia. If I don't return to Antium from this mission with something I can use against her, Marcus will take his rage out on his empress--Livia. He has done so before.

  But the Commandant appears unassailable. The low-class Plebeians and Mercator traders support her because she quelled the Scholar revolution. The most powerful families in the Empire, the Illustrians, fear her and Gens Veturia. She's too wily to allow an assassin close, and even if I did take her out, her allies would rise up in revolt.

  Which means I must first weaken her status among the Gens. I must show them that she is still human.

  And to do that, I need Elias Veturius. The son who is supposed to be dead, who Keris claimed was dead, but who is, I recently learned, very much alive. Presenting him as evidence of Keris's failure is the first step toward convincing her allies that she's not as strong as she appears.

  "The more you fight me," I say to Laia, "the tighter your bonds will get." I yank on the ropes. When she winces, I feel an unpleasant twinge deep within. A side effect of healing her?

  It will destroy you if you're not careful. The Nightbringer's words about my healing magic echo in my mind. Is this what he meant? That the ties to those I healed are unbreakable?

  I cannot dwell on it now. Captain Avitas Harper and Captain Dex Atrius enter the cottage we've requisitioned. Harper gives me a nod, but Dex's attention flits to Mamie, his jaw tight.

  "Dex," I say. "It's time."

  He doesn't look away from Mamie. Unsurprising. Months ago, when we were hunting down Elias, Dex interrogated Mamie and other members of Tribe Saif on my orders. His guilt has plagued him since.

  "Atrius!" I snap. Dex's head jerks up. "Get into position."

  He shakes himself and disappears. Harper waits patiently for orders, unruffled by Laia's muffled curses and Mamie's moans of pain.

  "Check the perimeter," I tell him. "Make sure none of the villagers wandered back." I didn't spend weeks setting up this ambush so a curious Plebe could ruin it.

  As Laia of Serra follows Harper's progress out the door, I pull out a dirk and pare my nails. The girl's dark clothes fit her closely, hugging those irritating curves in a way that makes me conscious of every awkwardly jutting bone in my body. I've taken her pack, along with a well-worn dagger I recognize with a jolt. It's Elias's. His grandfather Quin gave it to him as a sixteenth year-fall gift.

  And Elias, apparently, gave it to Laia.

  She hisses against the gag as her gaze darts between me and Mamie. Her defiance reminds me of Hannah. I wonder briefly if, in another life, the Scholar and I could have been friends.

  "If you promise not to scream," I tell her, "I'll take off your gag."

  She considers before nodding once. The moment I pull off the gag, she lashes out.

  "What have you done to her?" Her seat thumps as she strains toward a now unconscious Mamie Rila. "She needs medicine. What kind of monster--"

  The crack that echoes through the cottage when I slap her into silence surprises even me. As does the nausea that almost doubles me over. What the skies? I grab the table for support but straighten before Laia can see.

  She juts out her chin as she lifts her head. Blood drips from her nose. Surprise fills those golden, catlike eyes, followed by a healthy dose of fear. About time.

  "Watch your tone." I keep my voice low and flat. "Or the gag goes back in."

  "What do you want from me?"

  "Just your company."

  Her eyes narrow, and she finally notices the manacles attached to a chair in the corner.

  "I'm working alone," she says. "Do with me what you wish."

  "You're a gnat." I go back to paring my nails, stifling a smile when I see how the words irritate her. "At best, a mosquito. Don't presume to tell me what to do. The only reason you haven't been crushed by the Empire is that I haven't allowed it."

  Lies, of course. She's raided six caravans in two months, freeing hundreds of prisoners in the process. Skies know how long she'd have continued if I hadn't received the note.

  It arrived two weeks ago. I didn't recognize the handwriting, and whoever--or whatever--delivered it avoided detection by an entire bleeding garrison of Masks.

  THE RAIDS. IT IS THE GIRL.

  I've kept the raids quiet. We already have trouble with the Tribes, who are enraged at the Martial legions deployed in their desert. In the west, the Karkaun Barbarians have conquered the Wildmen clans and now heckle our outposts near Tiborum. Meanwhile, a Karkaun warlock by the name of Grimarr has rallied his clans, and they lurk in the south, raiding our port cities.

  Marcus has only recently secured the loyalty of the Illustrian Gens. If they learn that a Scholar rebel roams the countryside wreaking havoc, they'll grow restive. If they learn it's the same girl Marcus was supposed to have killed in the Fourth Trial, they'll smell blood in the water.

  Another Illustrian coup is the last thing I need. Especially now that Livia's fate is tied to Marcus's.

  Once I got the note, connecting Laia to the raids was easy enough. The reports out of Kauf Prison matched the reports about the raids. A girl who appears one moment, disappears the next. A Scholar risen from the dead, wreaking vengeance on the Empire.

  It was not a ghost, but a girl. A girl and one uniquely talented accomplice.

  We stare at each other, she and I. Laia of Serra is all passion. Feeling. Everything she thinks is written on her face. I wonder if she understands what duty even is.

  "If I'm a gnat," she says, "then why--" Understanding flashes across her face. "You're not here for me. But if you're using me as bait--"

  "Then it
will work effectively. I know my quarry well, Laia of Serra. He'll be here in less than a quarter hour. If I'm wrong . . ." I twirl my dirk on my fingertip. Laia pales.

  "He died." She seems to believe her own lie. "In Kauf Prison. He's not coming."

  "Oh, he'll come." Skies, I hate her as I say it. He will come for her. He always will. As he never will for me.

  I banish the thought--weakness, Shrike--and kneel in front of her, knife in hand, running it along the K the Commandant carved into her. The scar is old now. She might see it as a flaw against that glowing skin. But it makes her look stronger. Resilient. And I hate her for that too.

  But not for much longer. For I cannot let Laia of Serra walk free. Not when bringing Marcus her head could buy his favor--and thus more life for my little sister.

  I think briefly of the Cook and her interest in Laia. The Commandant's former slave will be angry when she learns the girl is dead. But the old woman disappeared months ago. She might be dead herself.

  Laia must see murder in my eyes, because her face goes ashen and she shies back. Nausea lashes through me again. My vision flashes white, and I lean into the wooden armrest of her chair, the knife tipping forward, into the skin over her heart--

  "Enough, Helene."

  His voice is as harsh as one of the Commandant's lashes. He's come in through the back door, as I suspected he would. Helene. Of course he'd use my name.

  I think of my father. You are all that holds back the darkness. I think of Livia, covering up the bruises on her throat with layer upon layer of powder so the court does not think her weak. I turn.

  "Elias Veturius." My blood goes cold when I see that, despite the fact that I set the ambush, he has managed to surprise me. For instead of coming alone, Elias has taken Dex prisoner, binding his arms and holding a knife to his throat. Dex's masked face is frozen in a grimace of rage. Dex, you idiot. I glare at him in silent rebuke. I wonder if he even tried to fight back.

  "Kill Dex if you wish," I say. "If he was fool enough to get caught, I won't miss him."

  The torchlight reflects briefly in Elias's face. He looks at Mamie--at her broken body and sagging form--and his eyes sharpen in rage. My throat goes dry at the depth of his emotion as he shifts his attention back to me. I see a hundred thoughts written in the set of his jaw, in his shoulders, in the way he holds his weapon. I know his language--I've spoken it since the age of six. Stand firm, Shrike.

  "Dex is your ally," he says. "You're short on those these days, I hear. I think you'll miss him very much. Release Laia."

  I am reminded of the Third Trial. Of Demetrius's death by his hand. Leander's. Elias has changed. There's a darkness to him, one that wasn't there before.

  You and me both, old friend.

  I haul Laia up from the chair and slam her against the wall, putting my knife to her throat. This time, I am prepared for the wave of sick, and I grit my teeth as it washes over me.

  "The difference between us, Veturius," I say, "is that I don't care if my ally dies. Drop your weapons. You'll see manacles in the corner. Put them on. Sit down. Shut up. If you do, Mamie lives and I agree not to pursue your band of caravan-raiding criminals or the prisoners they freed. Refuse, and I will hunt them down and kill them myself."

  "I--I thought you were decent," Laia whispers. "Not good but . . ." She glances down at my blade and then at Mamie. "But not this."

  That's because you're a fool. Elias wavers, and I dig the knife in deeper.

  The door opens behind me. Harper, daggers drawn, brings a wave of cold with him. Elias ignores him, his attention fixed on me.

  "Let Laia go too," he says. "And you have a deal."

  "Elias," Laia gasps. "No--the Waiting--" I hiss at her, and she falls silent. I don't have time for this. The longer I waver, the more likely Elias is to think of a way to escape. I made sure he'd know Laia entered the village; I should have expected him to catch Dex. You idiot, Shrike. You underestimated him.

  Laia tries to speak, but I dig my blade into her throat, purposefully drawing blood. She trembles, her breaths shallow. My head pounds. The pain stokes my rage, and the part of me born from the blood of my dead parents roars, claws unsheathed.

  "I know her song, Veturius," I say. Dex and Avitas won't understand my meaning. But Elias will. "I can stay here all night. All day. As long as it takes. I can make her hurt."

  And heal her. I do not say it, but he sees my vicious intent. And hurt her again, and heal her. Until you are driven mad by it.

  "Helene." Elias's rage fades, replaced by surprise. Disappointment. But he has no right to be disappointed in me. "You won't kill us."

  He doesn't sound quite sure. You used to know me, I think. But you don't know me anymore. I don't know me anymore.

  "There are worse things than death," I say. "Shall we learn about them together?"

  His temper rises. Tread carefully, Blood Shrike. The Mask still lives within Elias Veturius, beneath whatever else he's become. I can push him. But I can only push him so far.

  "I'll release Mamie." I offer the carrot before I brandish the stick. "A gesture of good faith. Avitas will leave her someplace your Tribal friends will find her."

  It is only when Elias looks at Harper that I remember he does not know Avitas is his half brother. I consider whether the knowledge can be used against Elias but decide to hold my tongue. The secret is Harper's, not mine. I nod to him, and my second carries Mamie from the cabin.

  "Let Laia go too," Elias says. "And I'll do as you ask."

  "She comes with us," I say. "I know your tricks, Veturius. They won't work. You can't win this if you want her to live. Drop your weapons. Get those manacles on. I won't ask again."

  Elias shoves Dex away, cutting his bonds as he does so, and then levels a punch that drops him to his knees. Dex doesn't hit back. Fool!

  "That's for interrogating my family," Elias says. "Don't think I didn't know about it."

  "Bring the horses round," I bark at Dex. He rises, dignified and straight-backed, as if there isn't blood drenching his armor. After he leaves the cottage, Elias drops his scims.

  "You will let Laia down," he says. "You will not gag me. And you'll keep your bleeding distance, Blood Shrike."

  It shouldn't hurt, him calling me by my title. After all, I am not Helene Aquilla anymore.

  But when I saw him last, I was still Helene. Minutes ago, when he first saw me, he said my name.

  I drop Laia, and she takes great gulps of air, color returning to her face. My hand is wet--a trickle of blood from her neck. A droplet, really. Nothing compared to the torrents that poured out of my mother, my sister, my father, as they died.

  You are all that holds back the darkness.

  I say the words in my mind. I remind myself why I am here. And whatever little feeling was left in me, I set to flame.

  V: Laia

  "Check Veturius," the Blood Shrike says to Avitas Harper when he returns without Mamie. "Make sure those manacles are secure."

  The Shrike drags me to the door of the cabin, as far from Elias as she can get. The three of us in this room together feels strange and full of portent. But that feeling fades when the Shrike pushes her blade deeper into my skin.

  We need to get the hells out of here. I would rather not wait around to see if the Shrike will make good on her threat to torture me. By now, Afya and Darin must be out of their minds with worry.

  Dex appears at the back door. "The horses are gone, Shrike."

  Enraged, the Blood Shrike looks at Elias, who shrugs. "You didn't think I'd just leave them be, did you?"

  "Go find more," the Shrike says to Dex. "And bring a ghost wagon round. Harper, how long could it possibly take to make sure those bleeding chains are intact?"

  Experimentally, I test my bonds, but the Shrike feels it and twists my arms savagely.

  Elias sits sprawled in his chair with practiced ease, observing his former best friend. I'm not fooled by the boredom on his face. His gold-brown skin grows paler with every moment that
passes, until he looks ill. The Waiting Place pulls at him--and its pull grows more insistent. I've seen it before. If he stays away too long, he will suffer.

  "You're using me to get to my mother," Elias says. "She'll see it coming a mile away."

  "Don't make me rethink that gag." The Shrike flushes beneath her mask. "Harper, go with Dex. I want that wagon now."

  "What do you think Keris Veturia is doing right now?" Elias says as Harper disappears.

  "You don't even live in the bleeding Empire anymore." The Blood Shrike tightens her hold on me. "So shut it."

  "I don't have to live in the Empire to know how the Commandant thinks. You want her dead, right? She must know it. Which means she also knows that if you kill her, you risk civil war with her allies. So while you're out here wasting your time with me, she's back in the capital, plotting skies know what."

  The Shrike frowns. She has listened to Elias's advice--and offered her own to him--her whole life. What if he's right? I can practically hear her thinking it. Elias catches my eye--he's looking for an opening just like I am.

  "Find my grandfather," Elias says. "If you want to take her down, you need to understand how she thinks. Quin knows Keris better than anyone else alive."

  "Quin's left the Empire," the Shrike says.

  "If my grandfather has left the Empire," Elias says, "then cats can fly. Wherever Keris is, he'll be close by, waiting for her to make a mistake. He's not stupid enough to use one of his own estates. And he won't be alone. He has many men still loyal--"

  "It doesn't matter." The Blood Shrike waves away Elias's advice. "Keris and that creature she keeps around--"

  My stomach plunges. The Nightbringer. She means the Nightbringer.

  "--are up to something," the Shrike says. "I need to destroy her before she destroys the Empire. I spent weeks hunting Quin Veturius. I don't have the time to do it again."

  Elias shifts in his seat--he is preparing to make his move. The Shrike's loosened her grip on me, and I squeeze my hands together, bending, pulling, doing anything I can to wriggle out of the binding without giving it away. My slick palms grease the rope. It is not enough.

  "You want to destroy her." Elias's manacles clink. Something flashes near his hands. Lock picks? How the hells did he sneak them past Avitas? "Just remember that she'll do things you're not willing to. She will find your weakness and exploit it. It's what she does best."