Page 57 of The Bone Season

‘What did he ask you?’

‘I’d tell you if I could, but there’s a code of honour among some augurs and soothsayers. We don’t share our querents’ futures,’ she said. ‘I hate Gomeisa, but I’ll not lower myself for him.’

‘I understand. Were you his only human?’

‘I was the same as you, with a keeper that had never chosen anyone before. When I refused the test, Nashira gave me a yellow tunic. Gomeisa was so disgusted, he branded me himself and threw me straight out here. I didn’t get a second or third chance.’

‘I tried to refuse, too. Now I have a target on my back, and Seb is dead.’

‘They’ll use other amaurotics in the tests. Maybe performers, too. A few of us could disappear before this round is over,’ Liss said. ‘But I don’t want to think about that. Let’s have something to eat.’

She reached over to the wooden box where she kept her valuables, taking out a pot of instant coffee, two cans of beans, and three eggs.

‘I’ve been saving the coffee for a while. It’s the last of what Nita got for me,’ she said. ‘Cyril stole the eggs from Oriel. He owed me. I think we should have a late breakfast, the three of us.’

‘Don’t waste it on us, Liss. We can get food at our residences.’

‘Not straight away. And coffee is nicer with company.’ Liss smiled at me. ‘Besides, there are new amaurotics to help us, and Scion will have sent food to restock the kitchens. We can afford to eat like queens.’

‘May a king join the banquet?’

Julian was sitting up. Our voices must have woken him.

‘Of course.’ Liss gave him a nod. ‘How are you feeling, Julian?’

‘Better.’ He touched his nose. ‘Thanks for the aspirin, Paige. Sorry for dozing off after that story. I can hardly keep my eyes open.’

‘You’re grand,’ I said. ‘I’m not feeling especially awake myself.’

‘That’s why we need coffee,’ Liss said. ‘Is Aludra not letting you sleep, Julian?’

‘Not much,’ he said, his voice still thick. ‘She made us train with those batons until noon. We’re allowed to ignore the curfew within the residences.’

‘Where does she keep you?’

‘An old wine cellar under the hall. She says we can only have our own rooms once we’ve all learned to spool. Ella and Felix don’t have a clue, so we’re sleeping on the floor for a while.’

‘If it gets too much, you can join us out here,’ Liss said. ‘Being a performer is tough, but it’s easier than patrolling Gallows Wood.’

I wrapped myself in the blanket. ‘Have you seen a Buzzer?’

‘From a distance, when they’ve got into the city. I’ve always found a place to hide.’

The water roiled and steamed. Liss poured it into three mugs and mixed it with the granules. I took a grateful sip. My last coffee had been snatched between errands on the day I was arrested.

‘I’ll keep at it for now,’ Julian concluded. ‘I might as well sharpen my spirit combat. I’ve let myself get rusty over the last few years.’

Liss nodded once.

‘Some people do find it harder out here,’ she said. ‘I used to share this place with a friend, but she couldn’t bear the shame of being a performer. After a bad winter, she convinced her keeper to give her one more chance. She’s been a bone-grubber ever since.’

‘Bone-grubber?’

‘Our name for the red-jackets.’ A flicker of sorrow crossed her face. ‘Stay at Trinity for now. You’ll be fed if Aludra approves of your progress.’

‘So far, she thinks we’re all useless.’

‘If it helps,’ I said, ‘I managed to knock her over during the test.’

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