Page 6 of The Rebel and the Rose (The City of Fantome #2)

She gestured to where Theo was sitting on the edge of the largest vat in the barn.

Tobias was like a miniature version of his cousin.

They shared the same silver hair and wide turquoise eyes.

Versini eyes. Same mischievous spirit too.

Mere days after her arrival at Halbracht, Tobias had used his charm to worm his way into Othilde’s affections, appointing himself as her prized apprentice.

He had even convinced her to help him make fireworks for the upcoming King’s Day celebrations, despite the elders’ law that expressly forbade them.

‘Frankly, the more of me around here, the better,’ said Theo as he leaned over the pool of Lightfire, using a long stick to pop the bubbles on top. ‘I think we might have put too much gunpowder in this batch.’

‘Careful!’ Sera lunged, grabbing the end of his shirt. ‘The last time you did that, the whole barrel exploded.’

‘Afraid I’ll absorb all this volatile magic?’ he teased. ‘Maybe I’ll give you a run for your money.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Because two walking infernos are better than one.’

‘Danger loves company.’

‘Can I have a go of the big knife?’ asked Tobias.

Othilde snorted. ‘When I am dead and buried under the trees.’

‘But I want—’

‘ Phwist! No talking when Othilde is chopping.’

Sera was looking for a way to make herself useful when Val stalked into the barn, looking livid. And damp. Her purple-tinted dark curls were plastered to the sides of her face and her travelling cloak was soaking wet. Even her nose ring was askew.

Her ankle boots squelched with each stomp. Glancing at Sera’s sling, she said, ‘Whatever happened to you today, there’s no way it was worse than what Bibi and I just endured.’

Theo hopped down from his perch. ‘Don’t tell me you drowned someone.’

‘Wish I did.’ Val shrugged off her travelling cloak, revealing a wrinkled blouse. ‘Bibi and I went to see Farrah Varnel.’

Another smuggler on their list. According to Othilde, Varnel was open-minded enough to be reasoned with, and ambitious enough to warrant a house call.

‘Waste of our time,’ Val huffed.

‘Did Varnel throw you in the river?’ asked Tobias.

‘Worse,’ she grumbled. ‘The minute she spied us at her gate, she charged like a bull. Said the Daggers would have our heads and hers too if we took another step. I guess they had already paid her a visit. When we tried to talk her around, she shouted for her farmhands.’ She stopped abruptly, inhaling through her nostrils like she was working up to the next part. ‘They threw manure at us.’

Sera flinched. ‘Oh, Val…’

Tobias burst into laughter.

Othilde flicked his ear.

Grabbing one of the large drying sheets from the rack, Sera threw it around Val’s shoulders. ‘I’m sorry, Val. The Daggers must have spooked her pretty badly.’

She should have known Ransom wouldn’t take any of this lying down. A part of Sera didn’t want him to, but now she regretted fanning the flames of his ire. Taunting him with that rose back at Aberville. If only she had known her friends were going to pay for it… In manure .

‘Save your pity for Bibi. She’s still trying to get the cow shit out of her dress. And the wagon is a complete mess. We jumped in the Hellerbend the minute we got back.’

‘You should go for another swim,’ crowed Tobias. ‘You’ve still got shit in your hair!’

Othilde clipped him again. ‘Next time, I will put soap in your mouth.’

‘You can hardly tell,’ said Theo, smoothly. ‘You still look good to me.’

Val always looked good. With her smooth brown skin scattered with freckles, high cheekbones and those large brown eyes, she was a study in beauty. Even when damp. And despairing.

‘Where is your better half?’ Val demanded now. ‘You’re not working nearly hard enough to cheer me up. I need the mutt.’

‘Pip’s up at the cabin,’ said Sera. ‘Go on up and change.’

‘There’s gin in the tall cupboard by the sink,’ added Theo. ‘That’ll take the edge off.’

Grumbling her thanks, Val stomped off.

‘Farrah Varnel should have flipped while she had the chance,’ said Theo, once the barn door had groaned shut. ‘Once we flood Fantome with Lightfire, Shade will lose its sway over the people there. Its value to the smugglers will plummet. Varnel will be destitute.’

‘Let’s see how the trial shipment goes first,’ said Sera, keeping a wary eye on that bubbling vat.

Best not get ahead of themselves just yet.

Today had been a loss, on more fronts than one.

Bibi and Val were hurt and humiliated, her magic was more volatile than ever, and despite her strongest efforts, she was thinking of Ransom. Again.

Ugh .

‘When is Paola due back?’

‘A week or so. She’s going to stick around and monitor the Lightfire shipment.’

‘That means a week of bad dinners,’ groused Tobias.

‘Which reminds me, you’re cooking tonight,’ said Theo, patting Sera on the back.

She rounded on him. ‘My shoulder’s dislocated!’

He smiled blandly. ‘ Was dislocated.’

‘I hate cooking.’

‘Remember our agreement? Total equality in the Order of Flames.’

‘ Fine .’ She stormed off, tossing a parting threat over her shoulder. ‘But we’re having beets.’