Chapter 40

The wind had finally taken a break from its usual beating. Moonlight glared over the frozen river, and a thick plane of glass covered the torrential flow beneath. While the tracks were wide and sturdy, able to hold a multi-ton steam engine, it only took one false step to send one over the edge.

Vanya didn't bother hiding her reaction when she saw me coming.

"Oh—Camilla. I . . . wasn't expecting you."

I stopped far enough to ensure I was not a threat, but close enough we could speak without shouting. "I know."

Her mouth hung open for at least another second before shutting again. She was exactly as I'd remembered—her lithe figure cloaked in a navy fur coat. Though her black hair was shorter, ending near her chin. The cut only exaggerated her graceful neck and beautiful face.

"Is everything alright?" she asked. "Nico usually—"

"Whatever you need to say to him, you can say to me."

She winced at the harsh edge of my tone. "I only wished to find out what happened last night. Rumor has spread through the city that the Attanos were lurking the streets, looking for something while there was a shootout at the station."

"Like you don't know already." I nearly laughed. "You mean to tell me that your father, the High Overseer, the man who is over the inspector himself, wasn't aware that the Watch held a descendant hostage in order to bait the Attanos across the river?"

Her confusion only triggered my irritation.

I sucked a long breath to tame my freshened temper. "Don't act so surprised, Vanya. My train is destroyed. This city's way of life is now at risk because the men in power prioritize control over compassion. Nico put your father where he is now, and he has done nothing with his position!"

"Our cabinet is overrun, Camilla," she hissed. "Nico did a fine job of pissing off the leadership of the Isle when he declared war—"

I shook my head. "He declared change. That is not the same."

Her eyes shut briefly, and she released a long breath that fogged in front of her lips. "It is the same to those who see change as the enemy, who see it as the opposite of progress."

"Do you know what the Nine has planned next?" I asked her point-blank.

Vanya blinked several times before replying. "Let me make this clear, Camilla. The Niners do not trust me or my father. They have threatened my life in very unspecific terms, and the High Overseer will do their bidding if it keeps me safe. We did not bargain for the people here to turn to the Niners in support, but after Nicolai was framed for killing you and your family, for spreading his family's monopoly, we became severely outnumbered."

"So why are you here, Vanya?" I asked. "Why did you want to meet with my husband if you are of no help to him?"

"Because I am supporting his cause in other, quieter ways—how women frequently launch their campaigns. Wars are not only fought in the cabinet rooms and the battlefield. Sometimes they are fought over tea. Sometimes movements are started at birthday parties and social dances. Sometimes, Camilla, ideas are spread in the quiet whispers of sisterhoods."

She took a step forward, her chin raised slightly. "If you think I am sitting idle across the river because a few big men pointed their guns in my face and told me to be quiet, you forget who gave Nicolai the names to kill. He might have done the deed, but I was the bullet in his gun. You underestimate me? Good. That means the Niners do as well. And when they realize I fooled them all again, it will be far too late."

A thrill rolled a shiver down my spine, and a smile crept across my lips. "I knew there was something I liked about you, Vanya."

She smirked. "Tell me what you need, and I'll see it done."

Inhaling a long breath, my gaze fell where the sunrise was peaking over the horizon. She'd need to leave soon if she wanted to remain under the cloak of night. "You're hosting the gala next week, correct?"

"Yes, but—"

"Don't," I said simply. "Make up a reason for the Overseer's mansion to be an inhospitable venue for the party and instead, throw the responsibility on the Firenzes. They've hosted events before. They love showing off to potential investors. Get the party moved and we'll take the rest from there."

"Do you need inside their wares?" she asked.

I shrugged, not eager to give her too much to work with. "They have something that could be dangerous to the descendants. Secret codes. Science able to control magic. If we don't stop them now, we might not get another chance."

"What makes you so sure they'll have the event?" she asked. "Why would they care? The Firenzes would let the party be canceled before they'd let anyone inside their home."

Dawn crept closer. I took a step back to wrap up the conversation. "I have it on good terms that they have very important meetings scheduled. If they're important enough, they won't want to miss them."

She glanced at the horizon and bit her lip before nodding. "I can sabotage my party, I suppose. I'll bring it up at the next meeting and ask Firenze specifically. Hopefully, he'll be too flattered to be suspicious."

Having said all I needed, I nodded once. "Send word when you can. I'll inform Nico of our plans." I turned my back on her.

"I hope you aren't upset with him, Camilla, that he meets with me in secret."

My steps paused, turning half a step to look at her. "You were never a secret between us, Vanya. I'm not upset with him."

She offered a tight smile. "Upset with me then? I can tell you are uncomfortable. He must have told you."

"Told me what?"

"I..." She tucked her hair behind her ear nervously. "I proposed to him."

That wasn't what I'd expected her to say at all. Her confession shocked me, must have shown on my face from the way her face morphed. "Weeks after your funeral, I offered to peacefully unite our sides through a marriage. He refused, of course."

I scoffed. "Because I was still alive."

"No. He told me it was because I wasn't you. I understand what he meant now." She paused to let her words sink in. "There is nothing that man wouldn't do for you, Camilla. You are truly the center of his world." Pulling her hood over her head, she sighed. "I suppose I'll see you in a few days, then. Don't forget your mask."

Vanya winked, then turned on the small heel of her boot to walk quietly back down the viaduct to her side of the city as I returned to mine, feeling the weight of the night lift some with the approach of a new day.

There was nothing Nico wouldn't do for me—that was a truth everyone in this city was coming to understand.

And that terrified me above all else.