“Just a goddamn second.” Kir shifted his weight as if to step forward, thought better of it when

Christophe’s cold attention settled on him. “How do we know he won’t vanish again?”

“I have no intention of vanishing,” Christophe informed him. “If you want to find me, you need

look no further than wherever Dru is. Her quarters are not kept secret as Anna’s are, her Guard not

given class waivers as Anna’s are, her person in jeopardy”—here he elegantly tilted his head, and

Anna’s lip curled for a fraction of a second before her face smoothed—“and while she’s in class,

she’s in with the general population rather than being given tutors like Anna was. What, precisely, is

going on here? Be so kind as to enlighten me, Kir.”

“I am the head of the Order!” Anna surged forward, petticoats rustling, and pushed past the matched

djamphir. “This is Reynard! He’s a traitor! He’s Sergej’s son!”

God, she really hates him. I concentrated on beating back the dizziness threatening to swallow me.

“He’s also within the Codes to request a full Trial, Milady.” Bruce’s tone was deceptively mild.

“Council meeting, then. We’ll vote.”

Bruce straightened, drawing himself up. His chin lifted a little. “It’s not a voting issue. But if you

wish to call a meeting, by all means do so. We’ll have to wait until Milady Dru is able to attend or

designates a proxy, though.”

I had the idea I should protest this, but Leon shook his head. Just a little.

I just wanted to see Graves. I got the idea he would help me sort this out. Or at least if he was here I

could let go of consciousness and know that things would be okay when I woke up.

If I had to, I would beg him to just lie on the bed next to me and breathe. So I could know things

were all right.

The realization hit me then.

He’d probably left, the way I’d been wanting to. He probably got tired of all this, of me, and left me

behind. I’d promised not to leave without him, but he hadn’t promised.

“She’s not fit to be on the Council.” Anna’s teeth were clenched so tight the words had a hard time

getting out. Red sparks danced in the back of her pupils, spinning. “Bruce, you cannot—”

“I can and I will. She’s svetocha; she has a right. Remember? Your own words will come back to

haunt you, Milady. I think you’d best be quiet. Especially since I intend to inquire fully into

Christophe’s accusations. I did not sign a directive to put Milady Anderson into the general population.”

“Traitors,” she hissed. “All of you. Traitors.”

“You bandy that word about so frequently.” Christophe leaned forward, all his weight on the balls