“Let me talk to my team,” Nyx said. “We have a few choices. They’ll want some say in it.”

Safiyah smiled, like a cat with a roach. “That is a fine line, honey sweet, but I suspect there is only one woman making all the decisions.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Nyx said.

“I’m sure,” Safiyah said.

“Remember what happened the last time we took on an addict,” Eshe said.

Nyx knew very well what happened the last time she took on an addict. Eshe wasn’t present to torture and kill her, but Nyx was. She resented him just a little for bringing it up.

“Thanks for that, Eshe,” she said.

“Listen, even if she is an enemy… you always said known enemies were better than unknown ones. So why not keep her close?” Eshe said.

“You put up a filter to deter bugs. You don’t invite them in to sleep with you on the off chance you can swat them later.”

“She’s a magician who knows the territory. And Nasheenian,” Ahmed said. “I trust a Nasheenian magician—even a First Family—far more than any Chenjan.”

“But she could use that against us,” Nyx said.

“She could just as easily use it against us if we don’t take her along,” Ahmed said.

“Kage, you have anything to say about this?” Nyx asked.

Kage had her gun resting across her thighs. She seemed to be contemplating the floor. She raised her head. “I did not think this was for voting.”

“It’s not,” Nyx said. “But I want your opinion.”

“If we do not go over soon, we will run out of money. And food. We will die here. Or die working here. It’s just logic. We must take the magician’s offer.”

“And it doesn’t concern you at all that she picked you out as some key piece of whatever plan she has for getting us over.”

“No. It means you need me to get over the Wall, too.”

That was a motive Nyx could understand. “All right. We ditch the Chenjan and take the magician’s offer. But if it all goes to fuck, I’m blaming Kage.”

Kage stiffened.

“It’s a joke,” Nyx said.

“Not sure it’s the best time for jokes,” Ahmed said. He stood. “I’m getting a drink. Anyone coming?”

Nyx was, for the first time in a long time, tired of drinking. She just wanted to sleep. “I’m staying in. We’ll have shit to do tomorrow.”

“I’ll go,” Eshe said.

Nyx figured Eshe was due for a drink.

“Anybody else?” Ahmed said.

Isabet turned her back to them and curled up in her burnous. Khatijah shook her head.

Kage uncurled from her seat. “Can I go tell the magician we will accept her offer?” Kage asked.

“Sure,” Nyx said.