Page 107 of Claiming Glass

I let go of my sister’s hand and entered with the poise of a princess and the attitude of a thief.

“Tal’s in trouble. We’re going to save it.”

Five heads snapped in my direction. The women had seated themselves in the comfortable chairs spread across the room. Lana and Nataliya by the wine, Morovara and Popova opposite each other—the tension between them tangible—while Mariska, the highest ranking one here, squirmed between them.

“It’s polite to offer welcome,” Popova said as her grandson entered from the kitchen with a cup of tea for her. “Especially as I am here under false pretenses. Your message spoke of opportunities, not meaningless heroics.”

Morovara scoffed. “You would think anything that benefits othersmeaningless.”

“I was told there would be money to be had.” Nataliya smiled sharply. “And Svetlana Kirillovna never jokes about money.”

So perhaps the invites had been less direct than I had imagined, lacking the perfect plan I’d hoped Lumi and Dimitri could put together.

I cleared my throat. No one listened. Maybe it had been stupid to think I could do this. That anyone would hear me out. Dimitri had not.

“You’re not alone,” I heard whispered as Lumi’s hand found mine again.

“Will you ignore me as well?” she then said out loud, her voice cold as death.

All eyes snapped to us.

The reactions ranged from Morovara’s calm to Lana’s faint horror and Popova’s grief. Their feelings a distracting melody, the most surprising Nataliya’s notes of fascination.

“We all want something,” I said. “I want to honor my sister and what she tried to do for Tal. Moreover, I want to make tomorrow better. You are here because you control the dead, the rebels, have the funds and know how to take advantage of a business opportunity.” I turned to Mariska. “And to show that this is not a conspiracy against the Crown.

“Tomorrow night the dead will walk. You’ve all heard the rumors of the Goddess—only terror is coming.” I swallowed. “They have grown poison and gathered all the food usually sold at the festival. They’re animating corpses and amassing the Spirits. When ready, they’ll attack the living in every way they can and take Tal for their own.”

“Is that possible?” Mariska asked.

“With enough magic, for a little while, yes. It has happened before.” Morovara sounded tired. “Until the Spirits can move on, it will happen again.”

The emotions in the room shifted and I knew even Popova was listening behind her teacup.

“The priestesses following this twisted view of the Goddess will attack the royal wedding and anyone celebrating it,” Lumi continued. “There was a reason you agreed I should watch them, then halt them if possible. You know their offers of cooperation are lies.”

Popova clicked her tongue. “They asked that those loyal stay inside and don’t participate in the festivities.”

I let the magic seep into her, focusing on the notes of deception. “What are you hiding?”

She narrowed her eyes. “More than you’ll know in a lifetime, girl.”

“They’ve been paid off,” Lana said, and I could hear the smile behind her covered face. “No other way she would let an opportunity of unrest pass. The food has to go somewhere.”

Nataliya perked up. “The missing goods? They would fetch a good price. I heard the king has hidden them away though. That he is the reason prices have been increasing as he claimed it all for the nobles.”

“She’s supposed to give it to us to distribute,” Popova said, and this time I tasted only truth. “With it, we would be able to recruit. To rebuild Lowtown.”

“Dimi will never let it go.” Mariska shrank as all the eyes hit her. “We’re testing it for poison but there isn’t enough time.”

“Will he hold it and watch the people starve?”

“They’re animating the dead,” I said. “Bringing back a theocracy. Killed any free farmers who rejected their offers and abuse the dead. What makes you think they’ll keep their word to you?”

Their greed and doubt told me I had yet to convince them. But for once, my sister and I were on the same side.

“They manufactured the plague,” Lumi said. “Grew a poison and spread it through Tal. They only wish to rule the dead. You’re fools to follow now and think you can fight later—and I would know, because I was a fool as well. Any food they give you will be poisoned—removing the resistance and supplying them with fighters for the night. You would be the one killing Tal.”

“So, what do you propose we do? We cannot fight the dead,” Popova said, and I could feel the others’ agreement.

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