“You must demonstrate that you are powerful enough to risk supporting. And too powerful to oppose,” Crow said. “Trust me—the assembly will fall into line, as will the queen.”

Crow is used to wizards running things, Han thought. He’s not used to taking into account the clans and the queen. And he doesn’t know Raisa at all.

“Even if I wanted to destroy them, I wouldn’t know how,” Han said. “The Council House is loaded with wards against magic. Else it would have been destroyed long ago.”

“You underestimate yourself,” Crow said. “You just need better weapons.” He paused, as if weighing whether to continue. “And I know where they are.”

Han’s mind stopped racing like a mouse in a maze, and focused on Crow. “What? What are you talking about?”

“First, I need to know that you’re willing to do whatever is necessary to win,” Crow said.

“Look,” Han exploded. “I’m not making a trade for a pig in a sack. Quit talking in riddles, or I’m gone.”

Crow finally gave. “I happen to have a few weapons put away,” he said, folding his arms and broadening his stance, as if anticipating a challenge.

“Weapons?” Han repeated. “What weapons?”

“Have you ever heard of the Armory of the Gifted Kings?” Crow asked.

Han stared at him. “Everybody’s looking for it—the Bayars, Dean Abelard, maybe even the clans.”

“Really. They all know it exists?” Crow frowned. “The Bayars, I would have expected, but…”

“Well, it’s more a legend than anything else,” Han said. “Some don’t believe it still exists. Are you saying you know where it is?”

Crow shrugged. “Who was the last of the gifted kings?” he said, straightening the Waterlow stoles he’d taken to wearing since the big reveal.

“Where is it?” Han asked, his heart accelerating. “Where’s the armory?” He’d learned on the streets that sometimes only a massive show of strength could force his enemies to give. And right now he couldn’t think of any other way out of the thicket he was in.

“Hold on,” Crow said, raising both hands as if to ward Han off. “There’s a price.”

“What do you mean, there’s a price?” Han said. “If I win, the Bayars lose, and that’s what you want, right?”

“I want to talk to Lucas,” Crow said.

“Lucas?” Han shook his head. He hadn’t seen Lucius since he and Dancer had confronted him weeks ago.

“That’s my price,” Crow said. “As you would say, take or leave.”

“But—how would that work?” Han said. “You only exist in Aediion.”

“There is a way,” Crow said, his brilliant blue eyes fixed on Han. “You know as well as I do there’s a way.”

And then it came to him—what Crow was suggesting.

“No,” Han said, backing away. “I’m not going to let you possess me again. That’s off the table.”