“Where did you get that?” Mordra demanded, leaning forward, pressing her black-tipped fingers into the tabletop. “Although I’ve seen descriptions and images of it, most scholars believe that it was destroyed at the time of the Breaking.”

“Though others say it was kept in the Armory of the Gifted Kings,” Gryphon added, obviously waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Han nodded. “It has been hidden with the armory for a thousand years. That’s where I got it from.”

“You stole that from us!” Micah hissed. “The armory is ours.”

“Please,” Han said, rolling his eyes. He looked down the table, at each of the council members. “If the Bayars have known where the armory is, then why haven’t they shared it with all of you? Especially now?”

“That is a good question,” Abelard said, enjoying this turn in the conversation.

“They’ve tried to pin all those murders on me because they know I hold the armory,” Han said. “They wanted it for themselves.” He paused. “If you know where the armory is, Micah, then why don’t you take us there?”

Han could tell Micah was furious, caught between several different lies.

“My father knows where it is,” he said at last.

“Then where is your father?” Han said, looking around. “Didn’t he call this meeting?”

Micah half rose from his seat. “You know where he is,” he said. “Tell me where they are, Alister.”

“I can’t help you,” Han said, with a twinge of guilt. “Here’s the important thing: I have control of the armory, and I intend to use it to free the queen and the city.”

“I suppose you are going to do this single-handedly,” Abelard muttered.

“I have a plan, but I’ll need everyone’s help,” Han said. “Both the clans and the gifted.”

“So—you will take us to the armory,” Mordra said, grinning.

“No.” Han shook his head. “I’m going to use the armory to force you and the clans to play well together. The clans have already agreed. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll hand the keys to the armory to them to do with as they want. Melt it down, maybe, I don’t care. The truth is, you need each other if we’re going to get rid of Montaigne’s army.”

“We could force you to tell us where it is,” Abelard said.

“That’s right!” Mander shrilled. “You’d better tell us or we’ll force you.”

“Ask Micah here how well that works,” Han said, pulling back his sleeves.

Everyone stared at Han’s charred and blistered wrists.

“Blood of the Demon,” Mordra whispered.

Han faced Micah again. “You know the truth—that I know where the armory is. You know how I found out. You claim you want to see the queen rescued. If you do, you’d better back me up. That’s the trade. Take or leave.”