Page 138 of Death of the Glass Angel
“Gem.” Des’ brow creased in thought. “The phantoms—what are they?”
“I don’t know,” Gemellus admitted. “Nobody truly does. They appear and disappear at a whim. Who can blame the Altanese for seeing ghosts?”
“I think they were manipulated. Controlled.” She looked up at her tutor. “Heras is guilty. I saw her army in Alfaris’ visions—the clockwork men and their jittering movements. That’s what the ruins were, no? An attempt to make such a force.”
“Alfaris’ visions come true. Always.” Gemellus asserted. “She’ll get her army. But what does she want it for?”
Talon sighed, closing his eyes.
“And. . . and because of this. . .” Des waved her uninjured arm angrily. “I’m supposed to lie down and let her kill me?”
“You would jeopardize Thuatia’s position greatly if you harmed her now.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Talon interrupted. “That’s why songbirds exist.”
Des’ anger faltered. “What do you mean?”
“I have a bad feeling.” Talon glanced at Gemellus. “That Castelmar wanted to get caught. Heras is having him take the fall.”
“We agree on that,” Gemellus said.
“So I’m going to kill her,” Talon said. “For a hundred years, we’ve kept the peace, silencing anyone who would threaten the alliance. If diplomacy fails us,” He looked at her gravely, “blades will serve in its stead.”
The remainder of the group emerged from the tomb before Des could respond. Talon rose and stepped away from her as Avalon jogged to her side, blonde braid swishing behind her.
“Lady Janus.” She asked. “May we speak?”
* * *
Cold autumn air washed over Des, the ensuing shivers reminding her she was alive. Drinking in the fresh air, she watched Avalon pace angrily before their little gathering.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Avalon said, awed. “I would be a fool to discredit their ritual.”
“Oh, don’t tell me you believe that nonsense.” Paulus picked at his nails idly.
“How can you not? You saw what happened.”
“You discredit evokers, implying they couldn’t conjure such a simple show.”
Dinu shrugged. “The Altanese are satisfied with their answer, and now they have a name to hunt down.”
Avalon halted. “Do you know anything about this Castelmar? You would have been studying at Valeria during his time there, no?”
“He was the only Altanese student. Some of the Sigillites liked to pick on him, but I didn’t really talk to people.”
A smile flickered across Des’s face. No wonder Janus felt comfortable around Dinu.
“I’m more interested in Thuatia’s court mage,” Paulus said. “And why he vanished into the shadows during the show, only to conveniently arrive with a captive.”
A defensive edge lined Des’ voice. “Are you accusing him of something?”
“Not at all.” Paulus lowered his hand and stared at her with sharp green eyes. “Merely wondering aloud.”
“If you won’t accept her word.” Felsin strode between them. “Accept mine. Everyone absent was fighting for their lives.”
Avalon resumed pacing. “Nobody is safe until we have a lead on this evoker.”
