Bellusdeo, however, didnt appear concerned. Enough of the wall was missing that she could probably go Dragon for a few minutes and jump out; the fall wasnt likely to harm her in her Dragon form. Going Dragon was technically illegal, and even if Kaylin was certain there would be dispensation granted for the actand she wasBellusdeo hesitated.
They were saved by the beat of franticand familiarwings. Kaylin!
Clint had come. And if Clint was here, so were other Aerians. He shouted her name again, the tenor of the two syllables laced with fear so visceral it was painful. Kaylin shouted back, Were here, Clint. Were alive. Were all right. Theres no floor, though, so were not sure how to get out.
Youre alive?
She rolled her eyes and lifted her voice again. No, I was lying. Im dead and Im here to haunt you and pull at your flight feathers for the rest of your natural existence!
There was a pause and then a harsh bark of laughter; not just Clints, either.
Glad you think its funny, Clint. Now can you fly your butt in here and carry us out?
* * *
Kaylin Neya, Private, and a Hawk of long standing even if she hadnt technically been on the payroll as a Hawk for much of that tenure, loved her job. It was a defining responsibility, and it actually helped people. Or at least hindered frauds like the ones on Elani street. But at the end of a long day at work, what she usually wanted was to go home, eatwhen there was food in the houseand curl up in bed.
The workday had ended, and shed gone home for the last time. She just hadnt realized it.
From the cobbled stones of the street, she looked up at the very impressive hole in the wall of the building that had previously contained that home. She also looked at the debris on the streets and at the radius of its scatter. Clint was breathing heavily by the time hed landed with Kaylin, because shed insisted he take Bellusdeo out first.
Kaylin?
She glanced up at Clint. His wings were high; they werent extended, but they made clear he was ready to fight if necessary. The skies were alive with Hawks. At this time of night, the Halls werent exactly fully staffed; someone had sent out almost everyone they could get their hands on with short notice. Shed always loved to watch Aerians fly.
Kaylin.
She looked at Clint again. Sorry, she said. Im a little distracted. She lifted the small creature cupped in her palms. He was warm, and he was the only thing, at the moment, that seemed to be providing any heat. Her clothing, or the clothing shed been wearingand at least she hadnt stripped it off and settled into bed before the bomb had come sailing through the damn windowwas covered in small shards of silvered glass and splinters. It was now the only clothing she had. That and whatever shed shoved into the bottom of her locker in the Halls.
Kaylin, Clint said again. This time, he accompanied the words with action: he lifted her in his arms. She wanted to tell him she was fine, she really didbut she was cold, and she was trying very hard to think like a Hawk and not like an upset civilian. Clint turned to Bellusdeo. Theres an escort just above your head. The two to your left and right in the sky will be flying at window height; the third will fly down to shield you if theres any perceived danger. Were under orders to get you both back to the Halls of Law immediately.
Whose orders? Bellusdeo asked. If she was shaken at all by what had happened, it didnt show; Kaylin envied her the composure. She also felt more ashamed of her own lack.
The Lord of Hawks, Clint replied. But expect there to be an Imperial Dragon or two at the Halls by the time you get there.
* * *
Clint had been slightly optimisticor pessimistic, depending on your viewpoint; there were no Imperial Dragons waiting for them at the office. The office, however, was fully staffed, mostly by Barrani Hawks. Caitlin was still at her desk, because Caitlin had been working long hours for the past several weeks; the Exchequer investigation had caused a second shift replete with its attendant paperwork and bureaucracy.
Marcus, eyes pretty much red, fur standing up everywhere it was visible, and claws fully extended, was at his desk. His lips were drawn up over his teeth; all he needed was foam or spittle and hed look entirely rabid. Teela and Tain intercepted Kaylin as she made her way to said desk, her hands still cupping the only thing, besides Bellusdeo and the clothing on their backs, that shed managed to save.
Marcus, however, didnt appear to notice what she held in her hands. Given his fury, she was hoping hed at least recognize her. The good thing about the Barraniand good was entirely subjectivewas that when they were seething in fury, their eyes shifted color. To blue. To midnight-blue, which in this light looked suspiciously like black. She knew this because Teelas and Tains eyes were that color. But they hadnt suddenly sprouted claws and they werent bristling with weapons; they looked decidedly less friendly, that was all.
Of course, she could only think something as inane as this because they werent angry at her. Even furious, however, Teela noted that she was carrying something small in her hands. What is that? A glass dragon?
Bellusdeo snorted smoke.
Kaylin, however, understood the question. No, she said quietly. Its alive.
Teelas eyes lightened to a more familiar blue; Tains, however, didnt budge. What is it, and where did you find it at a time like this?
It hatched from a very large egg.
An egg? The one in your apartment?
Remembering that Teela had not only seen the egg but by all reports burned her hand when trying to touch it, Kaylin chose a nod as the safest bet. When Teelas stare wandered into glare territory, she added more words.
Its a I dont know what it is. Bellusdeo thinks its a familiar.
The silence was like a knife: long and sharp.
Tain turned to Teela. Please tell me I did not hear what she just said.
Teela was staring at Kaylins hands. I think, Teela told her, well need to hear the longer version of that answer. She glanced at Marcuss desk. It will, unfortunately, have to wait.
* * *
Taking a deep breath, Kaylin headed to Marcuss desk. She couldnt really stand at attention, and the usual at-ease posture wasnt going to work, either, unless she wanted to drop the sleeping dragon on the ground. Marcus actually looked at her hands. He didnt, however, ask her what she was carrying. More important, he didnt tell her to get rid of it. He left his chair and she saw deep scores in both the armrests. She winced. Marcus had to replace his desk on a relatively frequent basis. He seldom had to replace his chair.
He walked around the desk toward Kaylin, who instantly lifted her chin to expose her throat. His mood was bad enough that he even reached for it, although he lowered his hands before he touched skin. Did you destroy your apartment? he asked in a rumbling growl of a voice.
No, sir.
Then why are you exposing your throat?
Because youre in the worst mood I think Ive ever seen you in? She thought it massively unfair that she was the one whod almost been killed and everyone was more than happy to vent their rage and fury at that fact on her. Kaylin, still aware that no one had yet denied her the promotion she desperately wanted, kept that one on the right side of her mouth. He was in a bad enough mood that he didnt wait for an answer, which was good, because she was too tired to come up with one. She was also still very coldexcept for her hands.
As if she could hear the thought from across the office, Caitlin appeared with a blanket. She wrapped it around Kaylins shoulders and knotted two corners just under her chin. She also paused to look at the small, translucent creature in Kaylins hands. He is adorable, dear, she said.
Bellusdeo, silent and unassailed by Marcus in a fury, snorted.
Ill get you something warm to drink. The Hawklord should be down Ah, there he is.
* * *
The entire office was like a living catalog of racial foul moods. The Hawklords eyes were as dark as Teelas, and his wings were high, the arches poised as if to strike. Private, he said in a much friendlier voice than the Sergeant had used. Youre alive.
Yes, sir.
He looked at her hands. If the item you are carrying is not essential, I suggest you set it down somewhere safe.
She swallowed. Its essential.
I see. Perhaps, at a later point in time, you can tell me where, in the regulations, carrying glass is considered essential for performance of your duties.
Yes, sir.
What happened?
We went home to change for the etiquette lessons. While we were there She took a deep breath, held it, and continued. While we were there, something was thrown or shot into the apartment through the window.
The window was open?
No, sir. The shutters were closed, but theyre really warped, so theyre only tied shut. Sometimes they pop loose
He lifted a hand. Continue.
I think an Arcane bomb landed in the room.
His brows rose. Impossible.
She swallowed. Sir
Clint cleared his throat; shed forgotten he was even there. Its not impossible, sir.
You have a damage report?
We have Hawks working with a portable mirror now, but I did see the building.
And?
Its sustained severe structural damage. Very little remains of the walls, floor, or ceiling in the room in which the suspected bomb exploded.
And you, Private, were somehow not in the room when it did explode?
I was.
He looked over her head to Bellusdeo, who was standing and looking vaguely regal. Although Dragons were not Barrani, and therefore lacked some of their innate grace and cold beauty, they certainly werent mortal. They could, on the other hand, hide it better when they chose to do so. We were both in the room.
You are unharmed?
Yes.
Did you shield yourself?
Bellusdeos brow rose a fraction. I did not.
Can you explain how you are both alive?
Not definitively, but I have some suspicion.
And that?
The necessary item in Private Neyas hands.
Every set of eyes in the office that were close enough to Kaylin now turned their attention to what she was carrying. The Hawklords eyes were already losing the sapphire edge of their blue. Tain and Marcus still looked enraged, however.
Private, explain.
When we had the problem with the magical surges a few weeks ago, the midwives had some problems with some of the deliveries.
Yes. I read the reports. It was hard to tell from his tone of voice whether or not he was being sarcastic.
This came from one of those problems. She lifted her hands, extending her arms to enable her commander to get a closer look. The translucent dragon lifted its wings and then raised its delicate head, elongating its neck in the process.
Kaylin hurriedly drew her arms back in, because she wasnt entirely certain what the little creature would doand biting the Hawklords nose appeared to be a distinct possibility.
Isee. To Bellusdeo he said, How did this small dragon preserve your lives?
He is not a Dragon, she replied as she approached Kaylins side. But I believe he is a familiar.
* * *
The Hawklord and the Sergeant exchanged a glance. Kaylin was willing to bet a large amount of moneyand given her finances, large was relativethat the Sergeant, at least, had never heard the term.
What is a familiar? Score. His fur was slowly sinking, but his ears would probably be standing on end for an hour.
Theoretically? Bellusdeo asked.
It doesnt look very theoretical to me.
A familiar is theoretically the companion of a Sorcerer.
Marcus glanced at the Hawklord again. On the other hand, Kaylin was pretty sure he knew that word. He growled. Kaylin winced. The small creature spread its wings.
Sergeant, Bellusdeo said in an entirely different tone of voice, I suggest you approachand speakrespectfully. If we are correct, the small creature in front of you absorbed the brunt of the magical explosion and converted some of that power into a protective barrier.
What? Something with a brain that size?
The creature opened its little mouth and tried to roar. It squeaked.
I think he might be hungry, Kaylin said.
Marcuss eyes had actually cooled to a more workable burnt-orange by this point. Irritation and fury clearly couldnt occupy the same turf in his mind for long. The creature squeaked again, and Marcus covered his eyes, briefly, with his pads. I-do-not-believe-I-am-having-this-day, he said. Private!
She stiffened. Sir!
Do you know why the office is so crowded tonight?
No, sir.
Because we are about to move into three important areas with the aid of the Wolves. Do you know why we havent left yet?
No, sir.
Because your apartment exploded.
Sir
We are under orders to secure Lady Bellusdeo until representatives of the Dragon Court arrive.
And me? she asked, feeling a little of the cold recede. Since shes safe and I dont have anywhere else to be, can I go with Teela and Tain?
Absolutely not, a new voice said. A familiar new voice, and not one she particularly wanted to hear in her own office. I believe the Private and Lady Bellusdeo are otherwise occupied this evening.
Standing in the doors that served as either entrance or exit was the familiar and detestable Lord Diarmat. In his Dragon armor.
* * *
Caitlin returned to the office with a steaming mug of what Kaylin privately suspected was milk filched from the mess hall. She had to maneuver herself and the milk around Lord Diarmats stiff body, because he didnt appear to notice her.
Lord Diarmat, Bellusdeo said sweetly. She bowed.
Lady Bellusdeo, he replied far less sweetly. He did, however, also bow. You are to return, with escort, to the Palace.
Oh?
The Emperor is concerned; he feels it likely that you were the target of the attempted assassination.
Kaylin was relieved for just as long as it took her to remember that even if Bellusdeo werent here, she would still have no privacy because she didnt have a home.
However, since Private Neya is also somewhat unusual, he considers it not impossible that she was the target and you would merely have been collateral damage. The Imperial Dragon turned to the Hawklord. Lord Grammayre.
Lord Diarmat. The Hawklord bowed; the Dragon didnt. Kaylin watched, memorizing the details of the Hawklords bow and hating the fact that it was necessary. You are prepared?