Errant, Volume Three by L. K. Fleet

Author:L. K. Fleet
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Etymon Press

Even in the comfort of her wagon, Charm slept lightly. All it took to rouse her was the sound of Aspen’s voice whispering her name. The nest of pillows and blankets toppled and scattered as Charm sat up. Blue moonlight filtered through the curtains. She groped for a light globe with one hand.

“Aspen?” Charm spoke quietly and gripped the tiny mirror pendant between her fingers. Its silvered surface was uninterrupted black. “I can’t see you.”

“It’s dark in my cell.”

It would be. Aspen said the word “cell” so casually. Charm’s hand landed on the glass of the light globe and its magic warmed to life at her touch, casting a soft white glow into the wagon. “I miss you,” she said.

“I miss you too,” Aspen said. “I don’t know how long the guard will sleep, so I have to talk fast.”

What came spilling out was a bizarre story she’d drawn out of her guards—Charm felt a flutter of pride, thinking of Aspen sneakily eliciting information from strangers—about how Aspen had killed the founder of the Scale, and had come back for the contents of his mysterious, locked vault.

“Is there really a vault? Does it have treasure in it?” Charm asked.

“There’s a vault. No treasure. It’s impossible to get in without Integrity’s seal, anyway. That’s not important—I think some of the Scale members aren’t fully loyal to Pike. Maybe we can convince them not to fight us. And speaking of, we need to talk about the house’s grounds and floor plan—”

“Strength drew us a map,” Charm said. “High exterior walls along the street, courtyard in front of the main door, extensive training grounds behind the house, three stories within the house plus a couple of turrets at the corners, discreet servants’ entrance—”

“My cell is in the basement,” Aspen interrupted. “And I think Pike either keeps the key on his person or in his study, which is at the top of the northwest tower. It will be risky to retrieve it.”

“I can do it.”

“His study is only accessible by a narrow spiral staircase. And if he’s there, you shouldn’t confront him. He’s a very dangerous man, Charm.”

“I can do it,” Charm repeated. “You don’t think I’ve ever picked a very dangerous man’s pocket before? I can get into that vault, too.”

“Charm. We have enough to worry about.”

“I wish I could see your face,” Charm said. “I know I will soon, but I wish I could see you right now. You know if you keep touching the mirror shard, the connection stays open even if we’re not speaking? You could just hold it.”

“I’d like to,” Aspen said, sounding pained. “But I can’t let them catch me with this. They’ll take it. Good night, Charm.”

“Good night, Aspen,” she said, and couldn’t tell if Aspen heard her. She touched the light globe again to darken it and then sat back in her bed, which was cold even with all the blankets piled on top.

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