Valyn bit back a retort. He couldn’t help Kaden, but he could use the time to prepare for the coming storm. Pivoting on his stomach, he scanned the room. Pyrre’s disappearance worried him. The woman seemed to be on his side, but according to Kaden she’d already murdered one monk just for slowing things down. With any luck, the flashbangs had knocked her out a window, but luck didn’t seem to be in much supply, and Valyn didn’t like the idea of the Skullsworn prowling around where he couldn’t keep an eye on her.

But then, what’s to like?

Gwenna was gesturing toward him furiously, evidently confused by the delay. Annick held her position like a statue while Talal and Laith had split up, moving to opposite walls. Stand by. . . . Valyn signed. Blowing the floor was a way out, but a risky one. As long as the Flea was still trying to negotiate, there was still a chance they’d all walk away without violence. As long as he stayed on the ’Kent-kissing roof.

“I’m not ordering my people to disarm,” Valyn said. “That’s something else you taught me. But I don’t mind talking. You keep your people up there. I’ll keep my people down here. Very civilized.”

“Works for me,” the Flea replied.

“Now,” Tan murmured to Kaden, “when the bird has flown from sight, fill your mind with the sky and step through the gate.”

Valyn risked a glance over his shoulder to see Kaden’s eyes, only a foot away but somehow impossibly distant, bright as coals from the forge, cold as the stars. His brother nodded once, then rose to his feet, disappearing into the smoke. It was only a step to the wall and then he was gone.

“Did it work?” Valyn hissed at the other monk. “Did he make it?”

“I will know when I reach the other side,” Tan replied, then closed his own eyes, evidently in preparation.

Across the room Triste was stirring. Valyn still hadn’t figured out how to handle her. He tried to run through the options. She was small, light enough to carry, but that would slow him down considerably. They could leave her to the Flea, use her as a diversion. She raised her head slowly, eyes baffled and full of fear. Valyn was about to motion to her to stay low, to keep quiet, when a pair of black boots hit the floor behind her.

“Company!” Laith shouted. “North window!”

Triste turned, screamed, then lunged to her feet, plunging through the smoke directly toward Valyn and Tan. She passed by coughing, flailing, close enough that Valyn was able to put out a hand, to feel the cloth of her borrowed uniform pass between his fingers. Then, suddenly, she was gone.

The gate, Valyn realized, ice in his stomach. She went through the gate, and with none of Kaden’s preparation.