“Least you know what the risks are,” Han said, half to himself. “I don’t feel as bad asking you, because you’d be going into it with open eyes.”

“Hunts Alone,” Dancer said. “Don’t let her throw her life away.”

Cat gave Dancer a look to shut him up. Then she slid off the edge of the bed and onto her knees. “I, Cat Tyburn, swear to you, Cuffs Alister,” she said. “I pledge my loyalty, my blades and weapons to your use, and place myself under your protection. I’ll do what you say. Your enemies are my enemies. I won’t do no side work. I promise to bring all takings to you and to accept my gang share from your hands as you see fit.” And she smiled her radiant, dangerous smile.

C H A P T E R  T H I R T Y - T W O

SHIFTING
ALLIANCES

Abelard’s crew trickled into the dean’s meeting room, clustering on the other side of the table from Han, eying him with mistrust. Micah sighed and rolled his eyes, as if expecting little out of this session, but underneath the boredom, Han could smell a visceral fear. Nobody seemed eager to go anywhere with Han Alister at this particular time.

Except Abelard and Gryphon. And maybe Fiona. Her expression of cool appraisal told him that she hadn’t given up winning him to her cause.

The Demon King amulet hung around Han’s neck. Alongside it hung a Demonai talisman carved from rowan and oak. This bit of bagged flash was supposed to protect him from possession. He and Dancer hadn’t been able to test it, of course, because, despite Mordra’s seminar, neither of them knew how to go about possessing someone.

Han’s amulet was packed with power. Crow had mentioned stealing power from someone else, but Dancer had uncovered a charm that allowed him to donate power to Han by linking their amulets together.

“It’s all right,” Dancer had said, grinning. “I didn’t have any big magical plans anyway.”

As soon as Han had entered the room, Micah’s eyes fixed on the serpent amulet. He stared at it, then looked up and met Han’s eyes. Probably wondering if Cat had made a try for it yet. Micah had probably hoped Han would have to come before the dean without it.

“Now that we’re all here, we’ll begin,” Dean Abelard said. “When Alister joined our study group, I told you that he had been successful in traveling to Aediion. This afternoon he will share his expertise with us. Hopefully you have arrived with fully charged amulets.” She nodded to Han. “The floor is yours.”