> “The country has survived another war. As the nation’s blood was shed, I kept us quiet so that we could be in the best position to build higher when the chaos subsided. I also used these years to delve further into the identities of our enemies. The skull in my office is a constant reminder of what they are capable of. But I am ready to take the fight to them, and I leave soon to make my final sojourn to the Old World before it is time to move on once again.”
>
> - Lady Melanie Fitzjames, Duchess of Montagu
>
> Boston, Massachusetts, May 1, 1865
“Those are my conditions,” I said, a few days later, sitting somewhat nervously in my Seat. Beatrice was standing awkwardly behind me, and the mother-daughter duo was in their usual Seats across from us.
“I see,” said Dalia, who, for once, was not dressed to the nines, and instead was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants, but still managed to look absolutely spectacular. “You know, normally, it is better negotiating practice to specify your demands before you already do all of things you are promising.”
“And normally,” I said, “you are not within a finger’s snap of losing your Chair. But yet here we are … umm … were.”
“Again, your timing is off. But I recognize the effort you have displayed in service of the Guild these past three months, and I am gracious and thankful for it. So I will agree to your terms. You will have what you need to restore Emma’s hand. Lucca will aid you with this. And we have asked Kildare to help study the Compendium and our library for more information about Curtana, so that you may better wield it in the future.”
The blade had been waiting for me in my apartment when I had come home from the “hospital,” polished and buffed, so that all evidence of the duel was long gone. Of the two things Dalia had taken from me, I was surprised that it was the Relic had been easily returned.
“And, finally,” said Dalia, “as to the matter of your locket, I’m afraid we are at somewhat of a loss.”
“You lost it?” I asked.
“No,” said Ty. “We took it upon ourselves to study it, to analyze it, to figure out how this simple trinket ended up holding the long-lost gold token. Yes, we know that’s where your token was hiding. And what we found is that it’s anything but ordinary.”
“What do you mean?”
“At first blush, it appears to be made of silver, an item you could purchase at the kiosk at the mall,” said Dalia. “But it is not. From what we can tell, given our limited amount of time, is that it is a rare alchemic alloy. Which one, we’re not sure. But what we do know is that it is most likely hundreds of years old, and that it was most likely crafted, in part, with molten lava from the fires of Vesuvius.”
“Why are you at a loss, then?” I asked. “Sounds like you figured it out.”
“Because,” said Dalia, “although the volcano is still active today, the metal in your locket…”
“…is from the eruption that destroyed Pompeii,” said Ty.
“OK,” I said. “So someone dug out some solid volcanic leftover from the ruins of Pompeii to make it? Not seeing why this is such a big deal.”
“No,” said Ty. “You’re not getting it. Whoever made your locket was at Vesuvius on the day the volcano erupted. While everyone died a horrific death, they scooped up the lava while it was still hot, and from that, they crafted it.”
“I … see,” I said. “So you want to know why my mom had a 2000-year-old locket made by someone who appears to be a sociopath? I have no idea, why don’t you ask her? Oh, that’s right. She’s dead.”
“I’m sorry,” said Dalia. “We didn’t realize.”
“Yeah. Umm, so, this is awkward,” said Ty. “But did she leave any notes or a diary or something?”
“No,” I said. “I mean, I don’t know. She died a few months before I went to college. And … I was so glad to get out of that apartment, I didn’t exactly care about whatever crap my mom left in her desk. I assumed our landlord eventually sold it. But again, why do you care?”
“The gold token for the Third Seat of the Breuckelen Table was lost to the Guild over 200 years ago,” said Dalia. “It was stolen from Rita van Asch, our sixth chair. She was headed to Europe, to deliver it to the heir of the prior holder, when her ship was boarded, the token taken, by the same people that stole the Compendium. We would like to know what transpired during the in-between, just as I’m sure you would like to know why your mom had it.”
“Another errand you want me to run?” I said. “Haven’t I done enough for you? When do I get to chart my own course?”
“It is not a demand,” said Dalia. “But a mere request. One that I thought aligned with your interests. We will be busy with organizing the Gauntlet, so whether you would like to pursue this after that is over is up to you.”
“Fine,” I said. “But what, I’m just supposed to walk around the Pompeii ruins looking for a long-lost scroll or a 2000-year-old metallurgist perfectly preserved in the solid lava stone?”
“Our ranks are at your disposal,” said Dalia. “We have one of the finest blacksmiths in the world. One of the foremost scholars of ancient texts, and a world-class tracker-”
“-who probably won’t ever speak to me again.” I interjected.
“So loose his lips, then,” said the Chair. “Or drop my name. Whatever you need to do. I want our members to get along and work together. If there’s anything you’ve shown us since joining our ranks, is that when we collaborate, we become more than the sum of our parts. When we go off to our little corners and shut out the world, we stagnate. I will not have that.”
“A sentiment I fully agree with,” said Beatrice.
“Ms. Stallard, why are you here?” asked Dalia, glaring at her. “Come to throw your name into the Gauntlet hat?”
“Pass,” said Beatrice. “I mean, I would obviously win, but I highly doubt you want me in the Seat next to you. Besides, too many meetings. I have a business to run.”
“Don’t be so sure,” said Ty. “What’s the saying? Keep your friends close…”
“And that’s my cue to head back to the library! It’s been a pleasure, ladies.”
Beatrice slowly backed away from the Table before nearly sprinting out the door, leaving me alone once again with the two women I perhaps feared the most.
“Was there something else, Ms. Jacobs?” asked Dalia.
“Yes,” I said. “What will you do with the Dragon’s blood? Are you really going to create a Philosopher’s Stone?”
“That,” said Dalia, “is above your pay grade.”
Stolen novel; please report.
“Is it?” I asked. “I’m the one who got the vial back for you. I think I deserve to know what you’re planning.”
The mother-daughter duo exchanged a look before both nodding.
“One day, we will,” said Dalia. “Dragon’s blood is the major key to the Stone, but it will take time to search out the other ingredients and work out the intricacies from the pages of the Compendium, as Ty said. And months of study before I feel confident enough to try. Until then, we will use a tiny sliver to help with Emma’s hand. It will be an excellent test of the sample’s purity.”
“And then once you actually make the Stone?” I asked. “You prolong your own life, rule over the Guild for another 80 years?”
“No,” said Dalia. “I can’t think that far ahead. This little takeover attempt by J.P., it was just a shot across the bow. The VAC is coming for all of us. And we need to be ready. We need to be able to protect ourselves. One Gauntlet is bad enough, and I will not see our ranks depleted.”
“So that means…” I said.
“The Elixir of Life,” said Dalia. “I will perfect it. We may all die in the months to come, but they will not have our deaths.”
* * *
“She’s lying,” I said to Beatrice, after we were many blocks clear from headquarters.
“About what?”
“Maybe everything?” I said. “At least about the gold token.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“I saw what happened, remember? Rita hid the token in the bank downtown. For a rainy day. This whole pirate tale is bullshit.”
“So what if it is? Does that change anything? It sounds like she’s actually going to help you,” said Beatrice.
“If she’s lying about this, then maybe she’s lying about my locket, too. And this Pompeii story is just a ruse to get me to do what they want.”
“Jen,” said Beatrice, grabbing my arm. “Enough. I know these past few months have been brutal, but you can’t keep waiting for someone to screw you over. You’ve proven you can handle anything that’s thrown at you. And if this ends up being a complete and total scam, you’ll find a way to deal with it too.”
“Thanks,” I said, trying not to tear up. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am,” said Beatrice, smiling. “Now, who’s up for a girls’ weekend upstate? I booked us rooms at this amazing mansion-turned-spa and Svetlana agreed to babysit Jack-Jack so-”
The color suddenly drained from Beatrice’s cheeks, and I turned around to see what could have caused it, only to come face-to-face with Jade, standing nonchalantly across the street.
“Ladies,” said the redhead. “Fancy running into the two of you here.”
“I don’t understand,” I said. “How did you get out of my office?”
“You want answers? You’ll have to catch me first,” she said with an impish grin.
“This isn’t a game!” I said, but she was gone. I looked over at Beatrice, but she was gone too. Without any ink left on my arms, there was no way I would ever find-
Wait.
Something round was in my pocket that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
I quickly reached my hand inside, withdrew a lilac-shaded candy, and seconds later, I was a speeding blur once more.
“Where is she headed?” I asked in my head, as I weaved my way through the standstill traffic on Fifth Avenue, hoping that the message would get through to Beatrice, even in our sped-up states.
“Outside Grand Central,” said Beatrice. “I’m … we’re already here. Upper level.”
I blazed down the streets, my heart pounding, until I reached the Park Avenue Viaduct that traversed the Terminal. Another second passed, and I rounded the bend on the south side to find Beatrice and Jade, who were staring at each other in the middle of a dozen frozen cars.
“Ah, here’s our third,” said Jade. “No Relic this time?”
“I left it at home,” I said. “You’re welcome to come with me to get it.”
“I’ve been to your apartment,” she said. “Been you in your apartment. And I don’t care to go back.”
“What do you want?” I asked. “And what did you to do to me those two missing weeks?”
“Now, now,” said Jade. “You haven’t caught me yet so-”
A faint purple glow rippled through Beatrice, and even though we were already moving at incredible speed, somehow she blinked herself behind Jade before the latter could react and drew the Medoblad against her throat.
“My friend asked you a question,” she said.
“Actually, it was two questions,” said Jade. “But fair enough. You got me. I’ll talk. At least until you come back down to earth.”
“Drop the blade,” I said.
“OK, but I’m not chasing after her again if she splits,” said Beatrice.
“She won’t.”
Beatrice withdrew the Relic and stepped away, but Jade thankfully remained in place.
“Thank you,” she said. “No reason this can’t be civil.”
“I think we’re way past that,” I said. “You used me!”
“As if you didn’t do the same to me,” said Jade. “Wearing me around the city like a masquerade costume. Adopting me as an entire separate persona. Heck, you even got the new ‘you’ a passport. It’s quite rude. Well, not that last part. That came in handy.”
“You almost killed me, and I thought you had killed Emma! Why?”
“That was my painting,” she said. “And you, your friend, the ones who had infiltrated the museum, you had no right to it.”
“What do you mean, it was your painting?” I asked. “That painting is from the Renaissance.”
“I know,” said Jade. “And I was the one who made it. I slew the dragon and took its blood. And, knowing that others sought the fruits of my labors and that I would need those fruits one day, I painted myself facing down those who thought themselves my betters.”
“But the box we found … it was too small to fit-”
“That’s what’s got you hung up? The painting’s canvas is made of chrysomallos. It was hidden inside, where no one could retrieve it. Not even those thieves.”
“Not true,” I said. “They had unlocked the box, they were moving it out of the museum.”
Jade smiled.
“That’s so cute,” she said. “Do you think it was a coincidence that the painting, after being lost for so long, was conveniently sitting there, out in the open, almost as if someone had left it there for you to find?”
“What … what are you talking about?” I asked.
“I’m sure you must have noticed,” said Jade, “your particularly restless nights up in Boston. Did you not put two and two together after my sojourn?”
“So, the empty box, the fire in the lab, that was you? But, I saw the emails. The museum was trying to-”
“You’ll find my words can be very persuasive,” said Jade. “If they need to be. The staff did as they were told, although, of course, they remember none of it. And with the lab completely decimated, there was nothing left for them to discover, anyway.”
My head started spinning, as I began to question everything that had happened to me up in Boston and all the weeks before, when I had been trapped under the glamour.
“Well done, by the way,” said Jade. “I’ll admit, I was a bit conflicted. That painting had a special meaning to me. I poured so much of myself into it, it’s like it held a piece of me, but at the end of the day, I’m glad it was destroyed.”
I felt my lips move to rebut her erroneous presumption, but forced myself to stop. Even though she had been able to track our mission in Boston, to take control of my sleeping body, to know exactly the right moment to intervene, somehow she was blind to the fact that Emma had extracted the Dragon’s blood from the portrait wherever she had escaped to. And given the lengths that Jade had gone to secure its supposed incineration, this was a secret that she must never be allowed to learn.
“Why didn’t you try to save it?” I asked. “If you’re as old as you say, and you’ve waited this long to get the painting back, it would have been super easy to just take it, in that moment.”
“You’re forgetting a few things, Jen. There was the matter of the raging hellfire. Even I am not sure whether my stone would have survived its heat. And if I had somehow reclaimed the portrait, I didn’t have the means at the time to safeguard it. You were a pliable host, but it wasn’t until I had that particularly productive meeting in the forest with your friend that I was able to recover my complete freedom. And because, when you have lived as long as I have, you understand the importance of redundancies.”
“There is another painting,” I said, all the pieces finally clicking together. “And you took my body to go make sure its hiding place was secure.”
“Clever girl,” said Jade. “So now you know. And now I can be on my way.”
“You haven’t told us anything,” I said. “Just a bunch of bragging about how smart you are. And that doesn’t rectify what you did to both of us.”
“You tried to control me,” said Beatrice. “I remember our meeting now. In Central Park. I had to obey. And it was the same the second time. I didn’t want to tell you my formula, but you-”
“Don’t talk to me about control or being used. Do you know what I am? What they did to me? I was one of the most powerful women in the world. I had command of alchemy beyond your comprehension. But in the end, all I wanted was to be left alone. And they wouldn’t let me. So now they will pay.”
“Who?” I asked.
“You will know them soon enough, said Jade. “And when you meet them, I want you to give them a message. Tell them…”
She paused and her body began to glow with a green shimmer.
“…Kora Sotero is coming for them.”
The glow expanded into a blinding flash, forcing me to shield my eyes. And when I opened them again, Jade—no—Kora was gone.
“That was…” I said.
“…unexpected,” said Beatrice. “I hope not to run into her for a long while. What now?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I feel like after all Kora just told us, I need to take my own advice, to stop being led around by others.”
“But…”
“But even though it’s what Dalia wants me to do, it seems like everything is telling me to uncover the truth about my locket, about my mom.”
“So you’re Italy bound, then? After the Gauntlet?” asked Beatrice.
“It would seem so,” I said. “But there are so many unanswered questions. And one I haven’t trusted to anyone, except you.”
I pulled up my shirt to the spot where Emma had stabbed me with White Hilt. Weeks after the fight, where there should have been a green glowing scar, was … nothing at all.
“How am I still alive?”