They were in the attic of the church, a windowless, claustrophobic space stuffed with forgotten boxes of holiday ornaments and stacks of unused prayer books. Linen and bedding that hadn’t been disturbed in decades had been hauled out to deal with the influx of refugees, disturbing the dust of decades and leaving the air thick and choking. With the number of people now in Mrs. Felda’s care, it was about the only place left they could talk without being overheard.

“It had to be done,” Raesinia said. “We need the Leatherbacks. And they agreed to help!”

“Ionkovo can walk through walls,” Marcus said. “And that monster from Willowbrook shrugged off musket balls like they were champagne corks. Either one of them could come back at any time!”

“If they do, what makes you think I’d be safe here?”

“I’ve organized watches,” Marcus muttered, but the question clearly cut him to the quick. He could see as well as Raesinia that a few half-starved refugees standing guard with cudgels were not going to do much to stop the Penitent Damned. He and Lieutenant Uhlan were the only proper soldiers in the place, and they had only one musket between them and a couple of pistols.

“But you’re right,” Marcus went on, rallying. “Our only hope is keeping it absolutely quiet that we’re here at all. And going out to talk to people isn’t going to help!”

Now it was Raesinia’s turn to wince, but she had an answer ready. “Word is going to get out about Mrs. Felda’s sooner or later. If the Leatherbacks are operating again, then nobody will immediately associate it with us.”

“So you’re using them as cover?”

“I’m helping people.”

“It’s not part of our mission,” Marcus said. “Janus ordered me to take care of you, not to defend the city.”

“Would you shut up about your orders?” Raesinia said. “I don’t answer to Janus, and I can’t stand by and watch.” She shook her head. “Besides, if we can get a good map of the Patriot Guards’ defenses, that will help when the Army of the East gets here. It’ll save lives.”

“If he’d wanted me to make maps, he would have said so,” Marcus said, but that was weak, and they both knew it. They’d had no contact with Giforte or the flik-flik team, and had no idea if the line linking them to Janus’ army was still in operation.

Raesinia let out a long breath. “Look, it’s done. We’ll have them come here from now on. Will you at least talk to them? Cora and I can handle setting up safe houses for the refugees, but if we are going to be of any use to Janus, you’re the one who knows what kind of information we should be looking for.”