Page 28 of Songs of Vice
“It was an intimate heist.” Sai’s voice grew as sharp as a blade and understanding dawned on the others as they cleared their throats. “We mean to get it back.”
Ishir snapped the twig he held. “From the Seelie palace?”
“Yes.”
Orman puffed out a breath.
“But that’s not the entire job.”
Luz chuckled. “Of course it isn’t.”
“King Carrington of the Seelie court will also have the Memoria Globe on display during the blood moon gala. We’re going to grab it as well.”
Luz considered that for a moment, offering Sai an appreciative look, before they burst into a laugh. “And how are we to do that?”
“You think it impossible?”
Luz’s braid slipped over their shoulder. “To clarify so we’re all discussing the same thing here, you’re talking about breaking into one of the most highly warded buildings in the world, on a night when it’s flooded with fae, to snatch a small jewel that Prince Lennox could have stashed anywhere in their palace—but has almost certainly stowed away in some impossible-to-open safe of some sort. And if that wasn’t enough, we’re also taking the Memoria Globe while it’s on display, right out from under one of the most powerful magic users alive?”
Sai ran his tongue over his teeth. “Yeah. That about covers it. What do we need to do to pull it off?”
Luz scoffed and dropped back to the branch. “I have my connections within the Seelie court. I could see if I can get details on where the Prince might stow a precious, stolen jewel.”
Orman frowned. “How deep are the wards around the palace?”
“Deep,” Luz said. “They stretch out to the river that runs around their border.”
Orman whistled. “Will be difficult to get a reading.”
“I can take you with me when I make contact. There’s a low part that doesn’t stretch as far. Could your magic break through?”
Orman chewed on the edge of his lip. “Maybe. I’m willing to try.”
Sai nodded at him. “Good, you can hopefully get the layout of the building. We need to know the location of the ballroom, what potential spaces they may display the globe at, the private residences, any safes, the holding cells, and all potential exits.”
“Got it.”
“We also need to know any metals the palace may contain for Elisa. Are you able to perceive that?”
Orman sucked in air over his teeth. “That’s a mite bit trickier, Sai.”
“Do your best.”
Orman nodded.
“Elisa, can you make another one of those gowns with metal imbedded?” Sai asked.
Elisa brushed her curls over her shoulder, revealing the long creamy expanse of her neck and the splay of freckles that decorated her shoulders. “Of course. Do you know what type of metal?”
“As many varieties as possible.”
I crossed my arms. “If we don’t have the right type?”
“We will.”
I shot him an unamused look. We were speaking about Elisa’s well-being, and I wouldn’t risk that for anything. If she didn’t have the right metal available, it would take far longer to form keys and escape tricky situations. We’d had less to go on before, though. “How do we get past the wards?”
“Right. They’re designed to keep unauthorized fae out. I had a plan, but after the trace of magic I left here tonight,”—his eyes darted to Orman who squeezed the back of his neck—“we’ll need to go with our second plan.”