I trailed my finger along the black letters until, at last, I found something of note. A description of a male pyre, unbroken, put to the Central Market from Southern Lykke at an exorbitant price. Seller anonymous.

The bastard Braun Tower was trying to sell my pyre out from under me.

I continued reading, my mind latching on to one fact in particular, one which would serve my purposes quite well if I was quick enough to capitalize on it. The paper stated that the unbroken pyre was still in transit and would arrive at market in a few days time, though bidding was to begin immediately.

I drummed on my lips as I thought it through. He had not yet arrived at market, and bidding was open and could not possibly close before he arrived to be inspected by his potential master. And, by all truth, the pyre was promised to me and fully mine. Placing him under my possession while he was in transit was not stealing, it was justice. I would be righting a wrong. Doing Hallen a favor and restoring his good name before the eyes of God.

I would have showed Vincent the paper if reading were something he wished to learn, but he had no desire for such things. Words did not lure him as they did humans. The moon told him all the stories he needed to know.

So instead of looking for Vincent, I made my way to the gardens. The paid humans under Rosemary’s diligent supervision made themselves scarce as I approached. She was glad to see me, but her presentation was demure. One never knew with Rosemary whether she would spin you until you wept or stare in silence.

I took her slim wrist and pulled, hoping she would come with me on our adventure. She waved her hand at her employees, dismissing them for the day, and locked arms with me.

There, one accomplice down, one to go.

Governess June was having her tea by the bay window in the study, reading a book she ought to have used for teaching me. “Oh, Aurelie, it’s you. I was wondering if we would have a lesson today or if you had other plans—”

I had brought her coat up for her and held it out.

“I see. Other plans indeed. And I…am a part of them.”

I shook the coat, for she was taking too long figuring it out.

She sighed, slipping her arms into place and starting the buttons. “It is to storm tonight, Aurelie. And the temperature will drop so sharply. And it will be dark soon. Surely, we cannot be going very far?”

I led the way, pulling on my own coat as we headed out the door.