Page 55 of With Wing And Claw

‘I know when to make myself scarce,’ he said, stepping back. ‘Give Naxi a pat on the head from me.’

The next moment, he was gone without a trace, faded back to wherever he and the rest of the Alliance were living these days. She couldn’t be bothered to consider that half-relevant question.

Agenor’s letter burned in her hand as she flung the door shut, broke the wax seal, and unfolded the parchment before she’d even reached her desk. She dropped into the chair, rushing her gaze along his familiar, messy handwriting.

Thys,

Very glad to hear from you. I hope you’re doing well, or as well as can be expected; from Inga’s letters, it sounds like matters are at least under control at the moment. Please let me know if you need my thoughts or advice on anything. I’ll be happy to help.

Then, because I’m sure you can do without more elaborate well-wishes, let me get straight to your questions—

No, I was never informed about the details of Echion’s treason, either. I have wondered about it in the past, and my best explanation is that his actions must have somehow reflected poorly on Achlys and Melinoë in an embarrassing way. They did not deal well with humiliation. If your father made them appear weak, ignorant, or otherwise imperfect, their silence would not be unexpected.

As to your second question, I’m not sure if anyone would know more. The usual sources – Ophion and Deiras in particular – are dead. The only exception I can think of is Silas; last time I checked, those who bargained with him still had their marks, which suggests he’s alive. His disappearance just before Echion’s death suggests he was involved in the situation, too. That said, finding him might be a challenge after all this time.

If you’d like for me to ask around, let me know. There have been theories about him hiding with other magical peoples; if that’s the case, the Alliancemight know more.

I’m sorry I can’t be of more assistance at the moment. I’ll keep an eye out as I’m working through the paperwork I took from the Crimson Court last week and write if I find anything of relevance.

All the best,

A.

She stared at the words until her eyes began to ache, trying to make sense of the feeling stirring inside her – that feeling that should have been disappointment, and yet …

Yet it wasn’t.

Thoughts were unfolding in her mind, prodded back to life bysomethingAgenor had written. Shreds of memories. Words, sights, events that she had buried deep and forgotten, clawing their way back to the surface now with sudden vehemence.

Thys, darling, there will be some changes soon …

Her father’s voice.

That deep, soothing timbre.

She fell back into the couch. The letter dropped from her hand and swirled to the floor; her paralysed fingers barely noticed.

She’d forgotten what he even sounded like, her father, the memory of his voice drowned out by the dying screams that had followed her in her dreams for years. But now he was back, and with him came flashes of a conversation so old that even remembering it made her feel small again …I need you to keep a secret for me. Can you do that, Thys?

She’d been holding a doll when he’d pulled her aside. How was it possible that she still remembered, that she could still feel the soft, worn fabric against her fingers?

You and your mother are going on a little trip tomorrow, he’d said, the memory clear as day all of a sudden – his hands on her frail shoulders, tired lines around his eyes which she only now understood must have meant something.Don’t tell anyone. It’s … a surprise. But if anything happens – if you get lost, or if you run into someone you don’t trust – I need you to go to Ilithia andfind—

‘Uncle Silas,’ she whispered, finishing the sentence, and sunlight flooded back into her mind.

Silas.

Good gods,Silas.

Her mother’s … cousin, wasn’t he? Out of nowhere, images of glistening bargain marks shot by before her mind’s eye, of a laugh as loud as bursting fireworks, of large hands lifting her off her feet and tossing her up and up into the air until she cried with joy. Silas, who had vanished – yes, now she remembered, even though no one had mentioned it to her much those days …

To Ilithia?

The island had once been inhabited by the now-extinct line of Castor Thenes, its soil so barren that no one else had bothered to claim it after the death of the last thenessa. Barely an hour’s flight away from the court – she could have managed that distance even on her half-grown wings at twelve summers old, couldn’t she?

Why hadn’t she?

I’m so sorry, Thysandra, the Mother had tutted as she sobbed and snivelled in those thin, pale arms.He made some terrible choices, your father. I don’t think he ever had your best interests at heart – really, he could easily have killed you with his foolishness …