Page 161 of Death of the Glass Angel
Armor clanked as Avalon joined them, dressed in full steel. “Have you seen Brand?”
Talon shoved off the banister. “With his mother, when they entered.”
“He’s gone.”
“Why does that worry you?” Dinu asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t know.” She admitted. “But it does. I just don’t trust anyone from that family. And Brand’s. . .changed, since last we met.”
“I’ll look for him.” Talon offered. If Brand had left. . .
Heras was alone.
“Head downstairs,” Avalon ordered. “I’ll take this level.”
She strode off, cape trailing behind her. Nodding at Dinu, Talon trotted down the hall, heading for the Royal Chief’s private box.
Janus’ viewing room was heavily guarded—the girl would be safe during the show. Eyes flicking over her door and soldiers, Talon ensured all was calm before moving on.
A hand caught his elbow and spun him around. Valkyrie stepped from a dark corner, red bangs hanging low over her eyes. “Where are you going?”
“Val.” Talon stepped back. “Why are you lurking here instead of sitting with Paulus?”
“Because I can’t watch everything from there.”
“I’m-” Talon cut off.
He glimpsed someone in his peripheral vision and turned to see a white-haired man rounding the corner. Black robes trailed after him, and a peculiar card was clutched between two fingers of his extended hand.
Golden scales stood out against a black background. The Goddess’ Judgment. One of Felsin’s fortune-telling cards.
“Talon?” Valkyrie asked.
“Find Brand,” Talon ordered. “Search the lower levels.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.” Talon barked, running after Alfaris.
Smoke rose from the stage, and gasps rose from the crowds. Alfaris stood in the middle of the hall, card held up. With a flick of his wrist, it vanished into a million particles of light, like a star had exploded.
The floor heaved beneath Talon’s feet as fire erupted, catching the opera house in an unchecked blaze. The ceiling shook, cracks streaking along the stone.
Panic rose in his throat like bile as he lost his footing and the end of his coat caught alight. Catching his balance, he looked up to see Alfaris walking away.
Choking on the suddenly thick smoke, Talon rose and trudged after Alfaris, avoiding the deepening cracks in the floor and the spreading fire. Screams rose from below.
Creaking metal sounded above Talon’s head as a jagged sheet of bronze broke away from the ceiling and tumbled toward him.
Bronze? This entire theatre was made of gray stone. Where had. . .
Reflective water shot across the carpeted halls, white tendrils dancing beneath it like phantom hands. They broke from the water to catch the sheet of metal before it landed on Talon and tossed it aside.
Talon stepped back as the bronze sheet crumpled against the wall. That thing was here.
“Talon.” Gemellus hauled him up. “Are you alright?”
“Why are you here? Where’s Janus?”
