Page 146 of The Bone Season

To distract myself, I combed my hair as best I could, then gave it a trim. It had grown a fair amount. I favoured a bob, but now I kept it long enough to pull into a bun. A stray curl in my eyes could be fatal here.

Gail soon came back for the scissors. I reluctantly handed them over.

Warden took me to the feast himself. I chafed at having to be escorted such a short way, but I knew he was doing it for my sake. The new moon had darkened the city, giving plenty of cover for ambushes.

‘You must be nervous,’ I said.

‘How so?’

‘Nashira is probably about to question me. I could tell her anything.’ I kept my voice low. ‘Even if I have no proof, I think she might be interested.’

Warden looked straight ahead. His eyes were a little greener than usual.

The stars twinkled above the city, making me feel even smaller beside him. When we reached the Residence of the Suzerain, Warden turned to me.

‘Terebell will escort you back to Magdalen.’ His voice was quiet. ‘Do whatever you think best, Paige.’

The gates opened. I stepped inside, shooting him a last glance over my shoulder.

The Residence of the Suzerain seemed even darker and more ominous than it had on the night of the oration. I wondered how many humans had passed through its halls. Alsafi and Suhail flanked me all the way. Even though I had passed my second test, I still wore pink.

‘You will treat the blood-sovereign with respect,’ Alsafi said to me. ‘None of your usual impertinence, 40.’

Suhail gave me a shove. I clenched my jaw, knowing better than to retort.

They led me to an intimate dining hall, lit by candles and a fire. Their flickering light cast odd shadows on the ribbed plaster vaulting overhead. The walls were panelled up to a point, becoming pale stone.

A long table ran down the middle of the room. At the head of this polished table, seated in an upholstered chair, was the Suzerain.

Nashira Sargas sat like a carving, gloved hands folded in front of her. She wore her usual black, her livery collar reflecting the amber glow.

‘Good evening, 40.’

I nodded.

‘Suhail,’ Nashira said, ‘wait for the others. Alsafi, stay here.’

‘Yes, blood-sovereign.’ Suhail lowered his head to my level. ‘I do hope Arcturus will return to take you back to Magdalen in good time,’ he breathed in my ear. ‘If not, I would be happy to walk you there myself.’

‘Terebell is taking me,’ I said quietly.

‘How unsurprising.’

Another odd remark. I squirrelled it away in the mental box of clues.

He stalked back through the doorway, while Alsafi stood guard by the door. I was left in the sinister chamber, facing the woman who wanted me dead.

‘Sit,’ she said.

I thought about taking the chair at the farthest end of the table – a good twelve feet away – but she indicated the one on her left side, opposite the fireplace. I lowered myself into it, my mouth already dry.

Nashira watched me with intensity. Her eyes were green as burning absinthe.

‘I suppose you must be frightened,’ she said.

I should be. It was her name that was whispered in the shadows, her command that ended lives. Two of her angels drifted nearby, never too far from her aura.

Tell me who you were,I wanted to say to them.Tell me how to cheat my fate.

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