Page 58 of Embrace the Serpent

A round man in copper robes marched in front of them, crowing something about having captured them.

I backed out of the banquet hall, then ducked into the courtyard and hurried through the gates. In an alcove set in the stone wall, shielded from view, I brought out Grimney. “Are you all right?”

He moved sluggishly, but he nodded.

I kissed his forehead and cradled him, waiting. Not twenty minutes later, a lantern-jawed guard marched by, and I stepped in line with him. He startled at the sight of me, and quickly came the feeling of warm milk trickling down my skin.

Once we were down a side street, he spoke. “They were moved recently. I saw where they were holding them—”

“I know where they are.” I told him about the banquet hall, about the illusion failing.

His brows pinched together. “More guards are coming, straight from the Imperial City. Along with one they call the Interrogator.”

“What shall we do?”

He paced. “Without illusions, without my abilities... Two guards per huntsman might be decent odds, with a big enough distraction... But without my abilities, it’s a risk. They’re looking for you. And if you’re captured, we’ll never find another jewelsmith of your caliber.”

I tried not to take it as praise, but my cheeks heated.

A poor man passed us, offering us copper scraps for a few coins. The Serpent King shook his head, and the man went on. But the thing about copper is that it has a bunch of peculiar properties, in addition to turning pale turquoise-green when exposed to the elements.A big enough distraction... “I have an idea.”

Not a half hour later, we were prepared. I was without an illusion—as we figured it would be dangerous to risk someone seeing my face change as I entered the hall—but I was not undisguised. We had bought an apron to go over my outfit, and I’d put my hair up in a tight bun that matched the maids scurrying in and out of the Copper Manor. The Serpent King had smudged dirt on my cheekbones and chin, which altered my looks enough to make it difficult to recognize me. I hoped.

“Do you remember the signal?” the Serpent King asked, wearing his Imperial Guard illusion.

“How could I forget it?” I said, already dreading the moment I’d have to speak the words. “I don’t understandhowit’s a signal.”

He scratched his neck. “It’s just one of those things. A phrase among friends. They’ll understand, and it’ll get them to move.”

“It’s just a bit mean.”

He let out a surprised laugh, and then his eyes darkened. “Well, we are monsters.”

I twisted the edge of my apron, flustered.

“It’s time, I think,” he said, not unkindly.

I nodded. “Please, take care of him.”

Grimney waved goodbye dejectedly from the sash around the Serpent King’s waist.

“I will.” He reached out and caught my wrist. “Be safe.”

I took a deep breath and strode back into the courtyard. Dressed like a maid, I was near invisible, and I slipped into the manor with ease.

A girl hurried down the hall, clutching a flagon of wine, and I followed her into the banquet hall. My skin prickled with unease amongst all this lead. It was busier than it had been. The huntsmen hadn’t moved, nor had the guards.

More people filled in. Servants, tidying. The Lord and Lady Copper were adjusting the decorations along the massive banquet table. A half dozen of their children—judging by the uniformity of their copper-colored clothing—milled about, munching on tiny little appetizers, waiting to take their seats. A handful of other nobles strolled around the room with drinks in hand. Despite their surroundings, some people wore jewels. One man’s eyes flickered, the color changing from green to brown, as the jewel between his eyes struggled against the dampening effect of the lead.

It wasn’t a perfect seal. Even if they had used pure lead brick for the walls, the mortar was a weak point. The interior of the fireplace would have been made with firesafe brick, rather than lead. The weakest points of all were the arched windows that opened to the courtyard, letting in the red-gold light of sunset.

There was a sense of expectation that was palpable in how everyone angled themselves toward the door, how glances darted to the entrance.

The Interrogator, probably. Better to make our move before they arrived.

My heart thudded, and I headed for the fireplace. I made sure no one was looking and dug out fistfuls of copper scraps.

Through the arched window, I met the Serpent King’s disguised eyes. He nodded.