Page 93 of The Falconer

‘It doesn’t matter. What do the symbols look like?’

I lean forward to get a better look. ‘Complicated swirls. I don’t really know how to describe the symbols they make. There’s a star-shaped engraving next to the marker that indicates north, but the others are more obscure.’

‘I suggest you take a good look and then cover the device again so no one disturbs it. You’ll have to draw the symbols from memory.’

I look up in surprise. ‘Can’t we come back?’

‘No.’ He holds up his hand to forestall my inevitable question. ‘Kam, for once just take my word for it. Can you remember the symbols as they are now and draw them later?’

I hesitate. ‘I’m adequate at drafting, but I’ve never done so from memory.’

‘Wonderful.’ Kiaran rises to his feet. ‘Then this is the perfect opportunity for you to try.’

Chapter 31

The echo of the electric charge lingers as I sketch the symbols. I swear I can still feel the heat beneath my skin, flowing through my veins. It sharpens my memory, which only grows stronger with each passing moment.

I keep drawing feverishly, obsessively. The charcoal scratches across the paper as if something beyond me is in control of it. My hand can barely keep up with the pace of my mind.

Someone grasps my shoulder and I flinch. The charcoal on the paper smears.

‘Steady,’ Kiaran says. ‘You’re shaking.’

‘I’m fine,’ I lie.

Rays of low afternoon light shine through the drawing room window and settle on the paper while I sketch. My fingers are stained black with charcoal and my hand is cramping, but I can’t stop. The energy continues to pound inside me, symbol after symbol. I sketch a smaller swirl. The charcoal is so bulky compared to my memory of the delicate lines etched onto the metal, and I’m not nearly as adept at drawing something so intricate.

‘Can’t she activate the bloody contraption before midwinter?’ Gavin asks. ‘Avoid the battle completely?’

Gavin came here under the pretence of elevenhours and has been drinking tea like he does whisky ever since I explained what will happen on midwinter. Of course, he already had a vague idea of it from his visions, though he still hasn’t told me how clear the premonition has become.

He shifts in his chair and recrosses his legs, one knee bouncing rapidly. His blasted teacup is empty again. I try to ignore him and focus on my drawing.

‘No,’ Kiaran says. ‘We can’t.’

‘Could you try to be any less vague?’

‘If we could avoid it, Seer, we wouldn’t be here,’ Kiaran says. ‘And I’d imagine you’d be hiding in a hovel somewhere like the rest of your kind.’

‘Well, ifyourkind weren’t such—’

‘Gentlemen!’ I think my head will explode. ‘I can’t concentrate with you squabbling. At least Derrick is being polite.’ I glance over at the pixie, who is perched on the windowsill. ‘Make sure you stay that way.’

‘I didn’t say anything!’

‘You were considering it. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you glaring at Kiaran the whole time.’

Derrick grumbles to himself and finally says, ‘I suppose I understand whyheis here.’ He indicates Kiaran with a faint nod. ‘But tell me, must the Seer be included in our little-end-of-the-world meeting?’

I begin another swirl, part of a new symbol that runs around the southward edge of the seal. I exhale with relief. Almost done.

‘Gavin is here,’ I say, ‘because he’s involved in this. I could have died the other night without his aid.’

A flash of guilt crosses Derrick’s face. ‘Ah. Aye.’

‘Thank you for defending my honour,’ Gavin says to me. He places his empty cup on the table. ‘Where’s your butler? I’m out of tea.’

‘For heaven’s sake,’ I say, ‘will you please sip the tea so I don’t have to pour you another cup every five minutes?’

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