“We were at the governor’s ball when the governor received a message and gathered a few officers for a conference in his study. I presume this was in response to whatever action you carried out tonight. I manufactured an excuse to slip away so I could see what was in the study, and Verity likewise went snooping—quite independently from my activities, I assure you. I had no idea of her efforts on behalf of the cause.”

Alec leaned forward. “What did it matter to you?”

Henry paused, considering for a moment, then he grinned and said, “I’m as much a rebel as any of you. Have you heard of the Masked Bandits?”

There were gasps around the table, and Alec turned to me. “That’s why you wanted to help them at the fort? You knew who he was? And you said nothing?”

“I’m very good at keeping secrets,” I said.

“You were the ones who helped that night?” Henry asked, his composure slipping a little. “I knew someone must have created a diversion. Verity, that’s how you knew about the boat? Were you there?”

I started to respond, but Alec held up a hand, signaling for silence. “So you’re one of the Masked Bandits,” he said to Henry, sounding skeptical.

“I lead the Masked Bandits.” Henry gestured around the room at the various bits of machinery. “Who do you think’s been funding your merry band of Mechanics all along? But this is hardly the time to argue about who’s more revolutionary than whom. I’ve gone to quite a bit of risk to ensure that you people succeed, and I won’t have you throw it away over petty prejudices. Verity and I saw the governor’s order to search this entire area and take the machines.” He pulled the blotter page from his pocket, unfolded it, waved his hand over it to make the letters glow, then threw it on the table. The Mechanics shied away from the magic, even as they tried to read the message.

“This time, the raid is real,” I added, giving Alec a frosty glare.

“Now, do you want my help getting your machines out of the city or not?” Henry said. “I’ve got my entire gang ready to come at a moment’s notice.”

“They know where we are?” Colin asked, rising from his seat.

“The exact location would have to come when I tell them they’re needed.”

“How do you think you can get the machines out of here?”

“I can magically make them silent. I can use glamour to make people not see them. I can entrance soldiers so they’ll do nothing as we go past.”