—And with a snap it was gone. I whirled, going tense. I’ve seen Luna’s curse triggering enough times to recognise it. Something was coming for Anne and I tried to watch in every direction at once, expecting danger any moment.
Seconds ticked by and nothing happened. Luna was trying to get to her feet. “Luna,” I called. “
Luna wasn’t in any state to argue. I was vaguely aware of people trying to talk to us but I didn’t care; I needed to get Anne and Luna somewhere safe. Somehow we got out of the duelling hall and into the corridor, me leading while Variam brought up the rear. My shoulders itched as we hurried down the hall. I didn’t know what was coming, but it was going to be bad.
Nothing came. We made it back to Anne and Luna’s room without anything happening.
I shut the door and locked it as Luna collapsed on the bed. Anne was sitting leaning against the wall, eyes closed, and she actually looked more drained than Luna. “Variam,” I said. “Will they be okay?”
“They’ll be fine.” But Variam was frowning. “Isn’t it dangerous getting close to—”
“Yes,” I said. I was still trying to make sense of it. Luna and her bed and her clothes glowed with silver mist, but Anne had nothing. The only way that could make sense was if the curse had already activated . . . but if it had, why wasn’t anything happening?
“Be okay,” Anne said drowsily. “Just a little while.”
Now that Anne and Luna were out of danger I was torn between wanting to stay with them to make sure they were safe, and wanting to find Natasha and kill her. Wanting to keep them safe won. “What about Luna?” I asked Anne.
“It’s weird,” Anne said. She still sounded half-asleep. “What you said last night? Now
Something about the words gave me a chill, but it was hard to concentrate with Luna like this. “Is Luna going to be okay?”
“What? Oh.” Anne shook herself and seemed to come awake. “Yes. She just needs a rest.”
I looked over at Luna. She was sprawled on her bed with one hand resting on the pillow and she seemed to have fallen asleep. As I looked into the short-term future I began to calm down a little. It was hard to see far but I couldn’t see anything catastrophic happening to anyone just yet.
“Um,” Anne said. She sounded a little embarrassed. “I’m going to need something to eat.”
“I’ll get you something,” I said. “Don’t leave this room.” I glanced at Variam. “Stay with them.”
Variam nodded.
* * *
It took a little while to find the kitchens and talk the staff into getting me something. I kept getting distracted by thoughts of what Natasha had done, and every time I did I felt a wave of white-hot rage. I wanted to go after her but knew that in my current state it would be a really bad idea. From the noise and the lack of crowds I could tell that the tournament was still going on, and that pissed me off even more.
I got back to Anne and Luna’s room and had just set down the tray to knock on the door when I stopped. The door was open.
I pushed the door open with my left hand, my right slipping inside my coat. Luna was alone in the room, sprawled on the bed right where I’d left her, the silver mist of her curse twining lazily around her body as she slept. Anne and Variam were gone.
I scanned the immediate futures but couldn’t find anything. With the mansion’s wards I couldn’t see far enough to find out where they were. I leant back out into the corridor and saw a girl peeking out of a room two doors down. “Hey,” I said. “Where did the apprentices in this room go?”
“I don’t know . . .”
As I looked at the girl I recognised her. She was the same one I’d seen Anne talking to two days ago. “What’s your name?”
“Celia.” The girl came hesitantly out of her room, drawing a little closer. She was small, with blond hair and glasses. “Is Anne okay?”
“Where did she go?”
“They took her away.”
“Who?”
“Two mages. They said they were from the Council?”
“Where did they take her?”
“I don’t know. Variam went with her, he was shouting . . .”
My phone rang. I took one glance at who it was, then pointed to Luna and Anne’s room. “I need you to help my apprentice. Stay in that room and keep an eye on her. Don’t go near her, just make sure she’s not left alone. Okay?”
Celia hesitated. “Okay.”
As Celia disappeared into the room I took out my phone, hit the Talk button, and started walking. “Talisid, can you explain to me why two mages who sound a hell of a lot like Council Keepers just took Anne away for questioning?”
“You’ve heard, then.” Talisid sounded troubled.
“No, I just like making lucky guesses. Of course I’ve heard.” I reached an intersection and stopped to think. The Keepers would have taken over a room for interrogation. It wouldn’t be in the bedroom wing, it would be somewhere quieter . . . I picked a direction and started walking again. “What the hell are they thinking?”
“I’ve been on the phone to the department. Apparently they’ve received some new information linking Anne Walker to the disappearances.”