Page 132 of Alchemised
The room went briefly out of focus, and Helena felt as if she’d been kicked in the stomach.
Crowther’s features were just visible enough that she could see his cheeks stretch as he smiled. “As to why I believe in the legitimacy of Kaine’s offer, it is because I know he is not loyal or concerned with our cause that I believe him earnest in this. The Ferrons have spent the last century digging into their family lineage and convincing themselves of some imaginary right to rule that was usurped by the Holdfasts. They were not looking for someone else to serve when Morrough appeared; they thought he was a means to an end, an outsider with the resources to challenge and undermine the Principate for them. But now Morrough holds too much of an advantage. Ferron is making the gamble that he can sabotage the Undying by aiding us until the scales even.”
“Because if the Undying and the Eternal Flame destroy each other, then—”
“Who better to rule the ashes than the family whose steel can rebuild this city?”
Helena straightened, starting to see the strategy. “So he’ll betray us eventually, but not until we’re more of a threat to the Undying.”
“Yes.”
She nodded slowly, ignoring the sick knot in her stomach.
“He won’t ever be loyal, but I expect he’ll be an excellent spy if for no other reason than his vanity. He’s already done more for us in a day than the Resistance has accomplished in the last year.”
“What do you mean?”
Crowther flicked two fingers; they were so long they reminded Helena of harvestman spiders. “When he made his offer and set his terms, as proof of his—sincerity, he told us how to kill the liches and Undying without fire.”
“The lumithium,” Helena said, remembering Luc’s words, the “rumour” they’d heard about.
“Yes. The vulnerability of the ‘talismans,’ as he calls them, was Ferron’s sample of the information he could offer. It’s likely to be a very beneficial arrangement for us in the immediate future.”
And when it wasn’t? What would happen to her then?
“However … I have no interest in accepting Ferron’s crumbs. We will take advantage of this.”
Helena leaned forward. “How?”
Crowther raised his eyebrows, an odd smile playing at his lips. “Because he made a mistake when he asked for you.”
Helena’s heart stuttered.
“He wanted us to believe the reason for his spying was his mother. When I wouldn’t let him get away with that lie, he was forced to improvise, and he did so by inventing an excuse of wanting you. Quite the misstep, I’d say.”
Her hand clenched, and she could feel the punctures in her palm begin to bleed, sticking to the inside of her glove. “Why?”
Crowther leaned forward, his thin features emerging from the shadows.
“It’s an odd request, don’t you think? Why would Kaine Ferron, the iron guild heir, want Helena Marino?”
She shook her head.
“He could have asked for anything, cited a crisis of conscience, demanded a mountain of gold, but instead, he wants … you? It’s an irrational choice.” Crowther drummed his fingers thoughtfully. “A sign of some kind of subconscious obsession perhaps.”
His eyes flicked over Helena appraisingly. “An obsession is a weakness, and a weakness is an opportunity for us. As we established, you’ll go to Ferron twice a week and bring his missives safely back to me, and during those visits, you will do anything he wants.”
“I know.”
“You will also make a study of him. It is your job now to notice everything. Discover his weaknesses, his secret desires. Make use of that allegedly clever mind of yours. Let him think he has all the power and gradually make him begin craving things he can’t demand from you. Whatever passing interest prompted this, I want you to turn it into an obsession that consumes him.”
She stared at him, incredulous. “I don’t have any idea of how to do that.”
“Well, then it’s fortunate that you have an advantage over him.”
Helena stared at Crowther, at a loss.
“Ferron was already gone when your vivimancy was discovered. He doesn’t know what you are. With your abilities, you can make him feel however you want him to feel about you. Enthral him.”
