Sarto was climbing a ladder next to hers. Even a month ago, the very idea of trusting him would have seemed insane to her. And anyway, if she were some romantic heroine and this were the sort of story that would turn out well, it would be her lover Bryce offering to go into danger at her sidenot a man who until recently she would have been perfectly happy to see skewered on a pike.
Pfah, she said, and climbed out onto the roof.
Thick smoke crawled out of the broad square opening in the center of the roof. Ominous, it billowed up twenty feet and then was torn to ribbons by the worlds-edge hurricanes. The smoke made an undulating tapestry behind Margit, her soldiers, and their hostages.
The elevator platform had been raised six feet. It was closely ringed by council troops whose weapons were aimed at Margit and her people. Venera recognized Garth Diamandis, Moss, and little Samson Odess among the captives. All had gun muzzles pressed against their cheeks.
A young woman in a uniform stood next to Margit. With Garths face hovering just behind her own, Venera could be in no doubt as to who she was; she had the same high cheekbones and gray eyes as her father.
Her gaze was fixed on Margit, her face expressionless.
Come closer, Venera, called Margit. She held a pistol and had propped her elbow on her hip, aiming it casually upward. Dont be shy.
Venera cursed under her breath. Margit had managed to corral all of her friendsno, not all. Where was Eilen? She glanced around the roof, not seeing her among the other newly freed Lirisians. Maybe she was downstairs fighting the fires; that was probably it
Her eye was drawn despite herself to a huddled figure lying on the roof. Freed of life, Eilen was difficult to recognize; her clothes were no longer clothes but some odd drapes of cloth covering a shape whose limbs werent bent in any human pose. She stared straight up, her face a blank under the burnt wound in her forehead.
Oh no Venera ran to her and knelt. She reached out, hesitated, then looked up at Margit.
Smoke roiled behind the former botanist of Liris. She smiled triumphantly. Always wanted an excuse to do that, she said. And Id love an excuse to do the same to these. Her pistol waved at the prisoners behind her. But thats not going to happen, is it? Because youre going to She seemed to lose the thread of what she was saying, staring off into the distance for a few seconds. Then, starting, she looked at Venera again and said, Going to give me the key to Candesce.
Venera glanced behind her. None of the army staff who knew about the key were here. Neither was Guinevera nor Pamela Anseratte. There was no one to prevent her from making such a deal.
Margit barked a surprised laugh. Is this your solution? You thought to do a trade, did you? Jacoby Sarto had stepped into view, paces behind Venera. Margit was sneering at him with undisguised contempt.
That man-shaped thing might have been valuable once, but not anymore. Its not worth the least of these fools. She flipped up the pistol and fired; instantly hundreds of weapons rose across the roof, hammers cocking, men straining. Veneras heart was thudding painfully in her chest; she raised a hand, lowered it slowly. Gratefully, she saw the council soldiers obey her gesture and relax slightly.
She ventured a look behind her. Jacoby Sarto was staring down at a hole in the rooftop, right between his feet. His face was dark with anger, but his shoulders were slumped in defeat. He had nothing now, and he knew it.
Your choice is clear, oh would-be queen of Candesce, shouted Margit over the shuddering of the wind. You can keep your trophy, and maybe even use it again if you can evade us. Maybe these soldiers will follow you all the way to Candesce, though I doubt it. But go ahead: all you have to do is give the order and theyll fire. Ill be deadand so will your friends. But you can walk away with your trinket.
Or, she said with relish, you can hand it to me now. Then Ill let your friends gowell, all save one, maybe. I need some guarantee that you wont have us shot on our way up to the docks. But I promise Ill let the last one go when we get there. Sacrus keeps its promises.
Venera played for time. And whos going to use the key when you get to Candesce? Not you.
Margit shrugged. They are wise, those that made me and healed me after you Her brows knit as though she were trying to remember something. You Those that made meyes, those ones, not this one and his former cronies, she nodded to Sarto. No, Sacrus underwent a change of government some weeks ago. People with a far better understanding of what the key represents, and who we might bargain with using it are in charge now. Their glory shall extend beyond merely cowing the principalities with some show of force from the Sun of Suns. The bargain theyve struck the forces theyve struck it with well, suffice it to say, Virga itself will be our toy when theyre done.
An ugly suspicion was forming in Veneras mind. Do these forces have a name? MaybeArtificial Nature?