Page 216 of The Bone Season

‘I well recall those early days, when Queen Victoria agreed to oversee the end of her monarchy, and dear Henry invited us to be the custodians of Earth. He entrusted us with this realm and its empire, but we knew we must begin afresh. We wished to build a new empire upon new foundations. An empire that united all humankind.’

More applause.

‘For many years, we have been the hidden guardians of this world,’ Nashira said. ‘Tonight, we wished to reveal ourselves to the many of you who have carried out our bidding, making our dream possible. You have spread the message of the anchor far and wide. Now we rule over nine countries. In the years to come, we will knit more into our fold.’

As she spoke, I remembered the rattle of gunfire, the blood on the streets.

‘Like the former university,’ Nashira said, ‘our city is a place of learning, curiosity, and respectful exchange of ideas.’ (I almost choked on my drink.) ‘The Bone Seasons allow well-meaning clairvoyants to receive the best possible quality of life. It saves them from delinquency and pain, and protects them from their worst instincts, allowing them to contribute to Scion. Their unnaturalness is an affliction, preying even on the innocent. Many are beyond our help – but some can be saved, and this is their house of correction.’

I walked out from beneath the gallery, so I stood under Liss and Nell.

‘Let us celebrate two centuries of progress, and look forward to far more,’ Nashira said. ‘We are honoured to be friends to humankind. You are inventive, enterprising and benevolent. Forced to flee our world, we found kindness in this one.’

She really was trying to puff these people. From their gracious smiles, it was working.

‘In return for your hospitality, we bring the wisdom and temperance of immortality. We have not only provided a compassionate means of culling the unnatural population of your countries, but prevented thousands of attacks by our enemies, the Emim. They are drawn to us – like moths to a flame, as the saying goes.’

I hated that she kept using our sayings. It was an unconvincing attempt to sound human.

Still, the emissaries were lapping it up. Tjäder remained wary, and Bell had retreated to the back of the hall, but otherwise, they were transfixed by the Suzerain. Her eyes were their own beacons in the gloom.

‘We must not be complacent,’ she said. ‘The Emim took our home, and they now covet our new one. In the years to come, one city will no longer be enough to protect everyone. There have been sightings in France, the Balkans, and most recently, the forests of Sweden.’

I wondered if that was true.

‘Within the next two years, we mean to establish Sheol II and Tuonela III,’ Nashira said. ‘Our system has been tried and tested. With your help – and your cities – we hope that our alliance will hold stronger than ever.’

The more I listened, the more I realised the vulnerability of the Rephs. Even if they controlled Scion, they had no home of their own. This appeal to the emissaries’ consciences was rooted in genuine need.

‘At the strike of ten, we will present a masque to celebrate our shared history, written by our talented and loyal servant, Beltrame,’ Nashira said. ‘But first, I wish to introduce my fellow blood-sovereign, Gomeisa Sargas.’

The Reph on her left took a step forward. He was as tall and pale as Nashira, with the golden hair of their family, worn long, some of it drawn away from his face. His thin lips tilted down at the corners.

He seemed older than the other Rephs – something about his bearing, his dreamscape. Then again, Warden had said they were ageless.

Perhaps it was power I was feeling. Gomeisa cast a very long shadow in the æther. No wonder Liss feared him. I tried to catch a glimpse of her, but she was hidden by her silks.

‘Good evening,’ Gomeisa said. ‘To the humans of this city, I apologise for my long absence. I spend much of my time at my residence in London, where I am chief advisor to the Grand Inquisitor.’

His voice was soft, but it carried. It seemed to ring both in the hall and my head.

Gomeisa could have been the stranger in London. He probably lived near Westminster, but he must walk in the citadel sometimes.

‘As the Suzerain has said, a new age is dawning – an age of greater collaboration between human and Rephaite. One day, all humans will know of us, and celebrate those who were first to embrace us, including all of you,’ he said. ‘Tonight, we renew our promise to protect and guide you, just as you gave us succour after our tragedy. We celebrate the end of the old world, where ignorance and chaos reigned – but if we are to look to the future, we must first remember the past.’

The amaurotics had been snuffing the candles. Nell had taken care of both chandeliers. Now the only light that remained was on the stage.

Gomeisa looked towards the bell jar. I saw his eyes flare a little brighter, and the barest nod of satisfaction. He looked back out at all of us.

‘Let the masque begin.’

AMARANTH

The three Rephs took their leave of the stage. In their place, the Overseer bounded out, wearing a red cloak that covered him from the neck down.

‘Welcome, one and all,’ he called. He must be wearing a microphone. ‘Welcome to our crowning glory, the Guildhall. Beltrame is my name. I am the Overseer, humble writer of this masque. A particular welcome to those of you who have joined us from abroad.’

Above, Liss and Nell swung to opposite sides of the hall, into the gallery.

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