Tanhe shifted his weight. He was a tall man, with deep brown skin and a narrow frame, and clearly uncomfortable with his height. His shoulders curled inward, ruining the lines of his fine linen jacket. “The two of you went to the harbor, didn’t you?”

I nodded, nerves jangling inside my head. And now that we were closer, LaLa’s worry tugged at my heart.

“What was on the ships?” Tanhe asked. “Did you see?”

Traitors.

But I couldn’t say that.

“Governments.” My voice sounded thin—wispy with smoke. “I saw the Twilight Senate, the Warrior Tribunal—all the others, except for the Silent Brothers and the Luminary Council.”

Mother had been there, though, wearing the same dress as when I’d last seen her. I wished I knew what that meant—if she’d been taken against her will, or if she was being treated well. . . .

Worry darkened Tanhe’s eyes. “I wonder if the explosions were meant to harm them in some way.”

“Perhaps,” I said slowly. “But no one knew who was coming.”

He nodded.

“It seems more likely that the explosions were meant to cause chaos among the people. There were thousands of us out there.” I didn’t know who would do that, though, or why. Then again, it wasn’t my job to find out. I had more important things to worry about, and surely High Magistrate Paorah and the Fire Ministry would make a thorough investigation. “My friend is still out there. I’m going to get someone to help me look for her, but if she arrives before we come down, please make sure she’s allowed in.”

He nodded. “Of course. It will be my honor.”

What a strange thing to say. I narrowed my eyes at him as I moved toward the grand stairs in the center of the lobby.

“All of my guests are like family,” he said. “Those on the third floor especially.”

Suspicion clawed at me, but I didn’t waste any more time. I took the stairs two at a time, climbing to the top floor.

Chenda stood in the doorway when I arrived, holding out LaLa’s tether for me. I took the worn leather—and LaLa—and stroked my little dragon’s head. Together again.

“Where is Gerel?” Worry twisted Chenda’s words into a sharp knot. “Is she hurt?”

“I’m not sure. We were separated during the stampede. What about—”

I didn’t have to finish the question. Hristo pushed past her, into the hall, and took in my torn dress, the bitter stench of explosives clinging to my hair and clothes, and the shortness of my breath.

“I should have gone to look for you.” With his good hand, he took my arm to steady me. Beyond him, Ilina watched us from the parlor, relief clear on her face. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I said, pulling LaLa closer to me. “It’s good you came back here. We’d never have found each other out there.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press.

“We have to go find Gerel,” I said. “I just came up here to get one of you.”