Of course, if the high magistrate wanted to know, anyone would tell him anything.

One glance over my shoulder—nothing but dust and darkness—and I pulled at the front door, ready to race up the stairs and make sure all my friends were accounted for.

The knob wouldn’t turn. Locked.

New fear spiked in my chest as I balled my fist and pounded on the door, trying not to think about what would happen if I couldn’t get in. Upstairs, LaLa whined; I didn’t hear it with my ears, but I felt it through our bond, which had only grown stronger since we’d rescued those dragons from the ruins.

“Go away!” a man shouted from the other side of the door. The owner. I recognized his voice; it sounded too deep for someone so wiry.

“I’m staying here. Please!” A wild note of terror edged my words, but I couldn’t stop it. “Tanhe, please!”

The lock clicked, and Tanhe peered out. At first, it looked like he didn’t remember me, but then his eyes caught on my scar; he hadn’t commented on it when we’d arrived five days ago, but he’d definitely been curious. Everyone was.

“Forgive me.” The door opened all the way, revealing the dark lobby. Everything held its breath, still and waiting for safety: the gold silk draped over the reception desk, the velvet covers over noorestones, even the sounds. A hush hung over the building, like everyone here was too afraid to even speak. “When we heard the explosions, I feared people would rush in and invade all the rooms, and our guests—you—would have nowhere safe to return to.”

I stepped inside, noting the sword clutched in Tanhe’s right hand, and the dagger still in its sheath. He had that backward, given the closer quarters. It didn’t inspire much confidence in his ability to protect his guests. Anyway, we were far enough away from the explosions that it was unlikely anyone would have come here seeking shelter, but no one knew if the explosions would continue, or if they’d spread farther throughout the city.

My boots tapped on the flame-blue tiles, crossing the lines of gold that swept into elaborate lala flowers. Days ago, coming to the Fire Rose had felt like a good omen—as much of a good omen as anything could be, with the god shadow swinging across the city every evening and our entire world falling apart. Now everything felt prickly. Dangerous. Nowhere was safe.

Tanhe quickly shut the door behind me, locking it. “You left with a friend, didn’t you?”

“I did.” I glanced at the vine-like staircase that grew in the center of the lobby, like a garden of iron bones. The steps were empty, at least on this level. “She didn’t get here before me?”

“I’m afraid not. There’s been no one.”

My heart sank. She should have arrived already. Gerel was stronger, faster. If she wasn’t here yet, she must be hurt.

I’d have to go back out and search for her.