She hauled on the reins, and the bird rounded with a squawk. A whistle brought it up to a trot, its long, loping gait quickly reducing Tanax’s protests to distant shouts. At the tunnel entrance, she passed a troop of Auxiliaries and caught sight of Beq and Varo among them. None of them had time to do more than gape before she was past.

If we’re going to bring Raskos down, Maya thought, leaning over the bird’s long neck, we’ll do it properly.

Chapter 14

Gyre

Fortunately, Nevin had not yet returned to pick up his gear.

The thief had assembled his equipment on the roof of the warehouse opposite Raskos’. Each building was surrounded by a strip of gravel, which made the distance between the two at least ten meters, but it was still the closest convenient spot. Behind a concealing bank of chimneys, the crew had stashed wooden crates full of alchemicals from Lynnia’s workshop. There was also a small arcana contraption, something like a wagon wheel made of iridescent unmetal and colorful, faceted crystals.

“What’s that for?” Kit said, watching as Gyre sorted through the stuff.

“I thought you’d gone over the plan,” Gyre said.

“The broad strokes,” Kit said with an unrepentant grin. “So what’s that thing?”

“It melts screamerwire,” Gyre said. Sarah had explained its basic use, though she’d been light on details. “Once we get to the trapdoor, we activate it and then hope none of the stuff starts a fire.”

“Exciting.”

“It’s the easiest way in.” Screamerwire was ugly stuff, as thin and easy to break as a cobweb. True to its name, if it was torn, it would shriek loud enough to deafen anyone nearby. Fortunately for would-be thieves, it was rare and fantastically expensive. But Raskos can afford the best. “That’s step two, though.”

“Right,” Kit said, glancing around the chimney at the gap between two buildings. “That first step is a long one.”

“It’s all here,” Gyre said, finishing his checks. “Your eyes ready?”

“Clear as day,” Kit said, pupils huge with the effect of nighteye.

“Keep the neutralizer handy. We don’t know what it’ll look like inside.” Gyre picked up the grapple ball, carefully touching only the metal stick, and shouldered the coil of wire-thin alchemical line. “Let’s go.”

*

Getting into Raskos’ private storehouse was never going to be easy. They’d seen at least two dozen uniformed Auxie guards, on top of the various alchemical and arcana protections. But Raskos’ paranoia worked to their benefit, too. Only a handful of senior officers were allowed inside the building, which meant that if Gyre’s crew got that far unnoticed, they’d be relatively safe.