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Theo’s mouth fell. I noticed a graze on his chin, a scrape on his neck.

“Run away with me,” I said, this time more forcefully. I took the lapelof his jacket with my good hand and clutched it tightly. “We’ll leave the city. We can go anywhere.”

But Theo’s face had taken on a look of panic, of confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“Please,” I said. I was twelve. I was thirteen and fourteen and fifteen. I’d only wanted to paint and dance and see what else life could be. “Please. Come with me.”

His hands dropped away. His confusion turned to alarm. “You’re not thinking clearly,” he said. “The Miners Union… if they find you, they’ll kill you. The House of Lords will keep us safe.”

But they hadn’t.

“These fuckingCrafterswill get what’s coming to them.” He spat the words through gritted teeth. His jaw shook. He looked around at the chaos, and a choked sob sprang free. “We can help,” he said with a nod, as though convincing himself. “We have to help, Nina. We can fight back. The House needs us.” Theo grabbed both sides of my face. Pain splintered down my neck. “You’re the most powerful Artisan I know, Nina Clarke. You canburythese fuckers.”

And I saw clearly the world divided in two: him on one side and me lost in the middle.

“Aunt Francis,” I said, the words springing from my lips half-formed, half-thought. “I need to see her. I need to know.”

“They’ve already started clearing away the bodies—”

“Please, Theo!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “At least let me see her one last time. Then we’ll—we’ll go to the House,” I said. “We’ll find your father.”

I watched his expression falter, then give way. “Wait here,” he told me. Then he wiped the blood from my cheek with his cuff and disappeared into the rainstorm of dust.

I watched him go.

Then I mustered all that was left of me, and dragged myself off the ground.

And I vanished.

RIGHT HONORABLE MASTER OF THE NATIONAL ARTISAN HOUSE

Lord G. Tanner

To

HONORABLE HEADMASTER OF THE NATIONAL ARTISAN SCHOOL

Professor H. Dumley

Professor,

My most sincere condolences in the wake of the attack on our national academy. It was with great sorrow I felt the ground shake seven nights afore. My sorrow only grew when the scale of destruction and loss of life was relayed.

I write this letter in hopes of bringing you comfort. The House of Lords meets today, wherein we shall condemn the rebels who sought to bring down the womb of our great state. War will be declared.

This calls to question the location of the earth Charmer, whose faculties will be sorely needed in the days to come. With the dust settled, I had hoped she would have appeared before us by now. Make no mistake, Professor. If she should not avail herself to her state, the renegades will surely take advantage where we cannot. I do not need to explain the implications of such an event.

Our police search as I write this letter, and should they find an individual harboring Miss Clarke, such a party will be penalized most severely.

This uprising shall soon come to pass, and with the Artisan school rebuilt from the rubble with the greatest minds at your disposal, I know your ministry shall reign once more.

Yours faithfully,

Lord Geoffry Tanner

CHAPTER 15NINA

THE TRENCH TRIBUNE