“You’d need a lot of gear,” he said in a whisper-thin voice. “It’s not just the guards. Rottentooth has everything money can buy around that place—screamerwire, scare charms, you name it. A good alchemist could get us past most of it, but …” He shrugged and lowered his head farther. “It’d cost.”

“My client is prepared to pay any reasonable expenses,” Kit said. “For quite a broad definition of reasonable.”

That had Sarah sitting up and paying attention. The prospect of working with a large budget was always attractive. Gyre grinned to himself, imagining Lynnia’s reaction.

“And you?” Yora said, looking back to Kit. “Would you be coming with us on this operation?”

“Of course,” Kit said. “Whatever danger’s involved, I’m happy to share it. Halfmask can attest that I can take care of myself.”

“She can certainly fight,” Gyre said. Even if she gets a little reckless.

Yora looked around the table. Ibb shrugged.

“You know my opinion,” he said. “Provided we get paid as promised.”

“Halfmask.” Yora got to her feet. “Could I speak to you in private?”

*

They stepped aside from the others, to the far end of the cavern. Yora toyed with her golden hair, curling it through her fingers. She glanced back at Kit, then turned to Gyre.

“Do you trust her?” she said.

“She’s not telling us everything, that’s obvious.” He hesitated. “She’s no friend of Raskos’, though. She and I fought our way through a couple dozen Auxies.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s not a trap.”

“Raskos doesn’t have the imagination for this elaborate a trap.”

Yora’s lip quirked. “Probably not.” She paused. “You know she can’t be Doomseeker.”

“She might have some … connection.” His scar itched, and his finger tapped idly on his mask. “It’s more than I’ve found in three years.”

“I don’t like it,” Yora said. “We don’t know what she’s after, who her client is …”

“But we need the money.” Gyre was careful not to sound too eager, but he knew it was a trump card. “With fifty thousand …”

“I know, plague it.” Yora shook her head. “You think we should do it.”

“I think it’ll be dangerous,” Gyre said. “But the payoff is worth it.”

“Be honest with me. Worth it for the crew and the tunnelborn? Or just to get you closer to a myth?”

Gyre was silent for a while. Finally, he shrugged uncomfortably. “Why not both?”

Yora stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. At last she nodded sharply.

“Then we do it,” she said.

Chapter 7

“I suppose he’d prefer to ride,” Varo said. “Everything’s easier from the back of a warbird.”

“Should I help, do you think?” Maya said.

“I doubt he’d appreciate it.”