I could practically hear Jember roll his eyes with his sigh, and when I looked at him again he swallowed three pills with water then pointed at his boot. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

CHAPTER 28

The archbishop’s horse, which was kept in a private stable at the edge of the good part of town, was almost too easy to borrow—because Jember had gone to see it before, the stable hand let him right in. I sat behind Jember, leaning forward, trusting more than seeing where we were going. The face masks we’d adapted out of welding helmets caught all the flying salt and sand. I should’ve really waited until we’d arrived to put my sweater on, because sweat was gathering on every inch of me, the hot wind flying past doing nothing to soothe me.

But the thought of seeing Magnus kept me from minding too much.

Jember expertly stopped a few yards from the door, and I slid off the giant animal, holding the heavy amulet still so it wouldn’t slap against my chest.

“Thanks, Jember,” I said, taking off my mask and handing it up to him.

He took it from me, but didn’t remove his, so his voice was slightly muted when he said, “I suppose it’s too late to tell you not to do anything stupid.” The horse looked antsy, stomping and shaking its head, as if telling me not to go inside. I stepped back from its hooves a bit more. How could Jember even control it without reins?

This was it. I only had a minute, maybe less, to convince him to stay and help me. I didn’t think my plan would work without him. I chewed my lip. I knew it wouldn’t. “Why don’t you come in and help me? There’s no way the Evil Eye can beat us if we work together.”

He hesitated. Shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Just come in for a minute, then. The horse must need water and rest after that long ride.”

He held up a waterskin, and I could practically hear his eyes narrow as he said, “What are you after, girl?”

This was never going to work if he suspected me. “Nothing.”

Great answer, Andi. Not suspicious at all.

Jember sighed. “It’s hot out here, Andi. This is good-bye.”

I rushed in front of the horse and held its thick neck. “Please come in. Just for a minute.”

He reached down and shoved my hands away. “Stop acting like a child before I beat the whining out of you.”

“Is this really how we’re going to part ways?” I blurted. “After fourteen years of having no one but each other? You have to say something other than threats and ‘good-bye.’”

“What do you want me to say?”