I kept my own voice equally uninflected. “You’ve had a message from the Countess?”

“No, but I did get a word of warning from our innkeeper, Henrik. Apparently, Larimont’s had a change in leadership. As of three weeks ago, the old city council’s been voted out. The new batch are die-hard Purifiers, and they’ve taken control with a vengeance.”

“‘Purifiers?’” I blinked. “That’s an ominous-sounding name. What are they trying to purify?”

“Why, all of society, of course…from everything unnatural.” Leander’s voice was laced with irony.

I didn’t have to ask whether magic was included. “So, they have an official name for the movement, now.” My fingers clenched around one knee as I fought to steady my breath and convince my irrational heartbeat that flaming torches and screams were long behind me. I was alone in the dark in the carriage with Leander. He was safe…and so was Dad. I’d been so careful in the inventions and shields that I’d created for our cottage before I left. Leander’s minions were on alert, too.

Dad wouldn’t be physically hurt again even if our local mayor was foolish enough to attack. Whether the Countess could be trusted with his affections, though…

“A name and a leader who’s taken full advantage.” Leander’s voice was as languid as ever, but his gaze was sharp. “Whether he believes the lines that he’s spouting or not, he’s used them to launch himself into power—to defend all of those poor innocents from monsters like us. In other words…” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Larimont used to be quite a cosmopolitan center, but according to Henrik at the inn, magic-workers are no longer welcome within its city limits. The council’s put up an actual barricade—along with a whole network of secret informers in the city itself—to make certain of it.”

“Where are we ever welcome, anyway?” I gave my head a restless shake. “The amount of effort it took to set up a simple delivery service after our town’s mayor put out the word to cut us off—”

“Oh, Mayor Hall would fit right in with the Purifiers of Larimont, no doubt. But at least he has a fatal weakness.” I raised my eyebrows in confusion, and Leander said, “You do hire the doleful Uriah for your deliveries, yes? He’s the only one willing to brave that sort of venture—and he just happens to be our own mayor’s older brother. So far, he seems to be keeping his activities safely secret, but I can only imagine what those family gatherings must be like.”

“Good lord.” I pondered that for an awe-struck moment. “He must be hiding so much behind that gloomy expression.”