In the kitchens, the servants they’d bound were still there, huddled together in a corner. Winter left Sothe to cut them free and went around to the stables, where she commandeered a horse and tackle. She rode back through the lines, the guns abruptly silenced as the news rippled out from the hotel. It outpaced her, racing through the embattled city faster than fire, spreading on the wind in shouts and joyous exclamations. The details were lost as it went, as usual, but the gist remained: the fighting was over. Winter heard men from the Army of the East crowing over their triumph, or cursing that their commanders had called a halt before final victory. Even the latter, though, seemed relieved that the prospect of a confusing, drawn-out battle in darkness had been averted, and already the camps were taking on an air of celebration in spite of the best efforts of suspicious officers.

The Silver Eagle building was abuzz with activity when she reined in outside, slipped out of the saddle, and left the horse with an astonished aide. Girls’ Own soldiers stood on guard by the doors, but they were talking excitedly to one another rather than watching the street, and Winter had to cough before they recognized her.

“Sir!” one ranker said, and offered an astonished salute, while the other hurriedly opened the door.

“Is the general here?”

“Yes, sir,” the woman said. “And Captain Giforte wants to speak with you.”

Abby had, in fact, sighted Winter already, and was on her way across the floor, threading past the rows of wounded. She looked mad enough to chew lead shot, and Winter took an involuntary step backward.

“Hello,” Abby growled, “sir. Would you come with me, please?”

“I need to see Janus,” Winter said.

“He’s been asking for you.” Winter hurried after Abby as she stalked away. In a low voice, the captain said, “When you asked me to put together a team for a special operation, you didn’t tell me you would be going along.”

“I figured you’d object,” Winter said.

“Damn right I’d object,” Abby said. “You are the colonel of this regiment, not a goddamned ranker. You’re not supposed to go sneaking through tunnels behind enemy lines.”

“Sorry. It’s hard to explain.”

“You’re going to have to explain it to Janus,” Abby said.

This was actually something of a relief, since Janus would at least understand the reason she’d had to go along. I’m the one who carries the Infernivore. I couldn’t send people up against the Penitent Damned and stay behind. The demon seemed more active than usual, stirring around in the back of her mind, like a twitching muscle she couldn’t actually pin down to a spot on her body. Maybe getting something to eat got it excited.