Fyn frowned, his gaze sliding over the blackness above the rooftops. ‘If someone was there, they’re gone now.’ He looked back at Annev. ‘Ready to do this?’
Annev took a long final look then nodded. Kenton stepped up to the side of Janak’s palace wall and pointed upward. ‘His study is on the third floor, and the window is less secure.’
‘Is the rod there?’
Kenton shrugged. ‘It would usually be underground in the treasure room, but Keyish thought Janak would move it – to keep a closer watch over it. His study seems the most likely place since that’s where he displays his favourite artifacts – plus a bunch of sentimental possessions.’
Annev frowned. ‘If we start on the third floor and the artifact is in the basement, we’ll have to cross three floors just to get to the treasure room.’
‘Four if you count the basement itself,’ Kenton said brightly, ‘but security is tighter lower down, and if it’s not there, we’d have to climb four storeys to search for it. Also, it will be easier to search the study first since only a handful of those items are magical. If we start in the basement, we’ll have a lot to sift through.’
‘I agree. We should start on the third floor … but Janak is smart. If he’s expecting us, he won’t make it easy to find the rod.’
‘Is he expecting us?’ Fyn asked, looking around. ‘Seems like most folks are taking the night off for Regaleus – even the city guard is slacking off. He might have gambled we’d wait till the celebrations have finished.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘What I said.’ Fyn shrugged. ‘I mean, would you force your entire household guard to miss Regaleus on the off-chance some thieves might break into your home the second night in a row?’
‘He has a point,’ Kenton said.
Annev was pleased Fyn had spoken up. ‘So maybe the guards will be light tonight. If they’re light enough, Janak will want to keep the rod on his person.’
‘So we should start in the study.’ Kenton ran his fingers over the joints between the well-mortared stones and found a grip on the wall where there appeared to be none.
Annev also approached the wall. ‘It’s our best option.’
‘Great,’ Fyn said, clapping his hands together and rubbing his palms. ‘Let’s get climbing.’ He laid his hands on the outline of one of the massive stone blocks forming the foundation of Janak’s palace and, with a bit of effort, they all began to climb.
Three blocks away, the Regaleus celebration continued uninterrupted. As the people danced, the firelight flickered, casting long shadows and concealing the movements of a dark figure in fluttering robes.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Kenton tucked his glass-cutting tool into his belt and tapped the edges of the cut he’d just made. As he did, he pulled on the tar-covered knob and a small piece popped out of the larger window-pane.
‘Huh,’ the scar-faced avatar grunted. ‘This is easier than training class.’
‘Stay focused,’ Annev whispered.
Kenton huffed at the rebuke and reached through the glass, careful not to disturb the heavy velvet curtain, then flicked open the latch securing the tall balcony doors.
‘Janak’s study takes up most of this floor,’ he whispered, easing the door open onto the balcony. ‘The hallway beyond that curtain should run around the study. If Janak’s up here, there may be guards patrolling the halls and stairwells.’ He paused. ‘There may also be a guardroom on the floor above us.’
Annev and Fyn looked at each other, their eyebrows raised, then back at Kenton.
‘There’s definitely a guardroom on the first floor,’ Kenton said defensively, ‘so this way was still safer.’ He glanced at Annev. ‘Who’s first?’
Annev looked at Fyn. ‘Do you feel like neutralising a guard?’
Fyn grinned. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’
Annev and Kenton stepped out of the way and the Master of Arms padded across the balcony to the open glass door. He paused at the velvet curtain, took a deep breath, and slipped three fingers behind the drapes. Two counts later, he pulled the curtain back and slipped inside.
Annev and Kenton waited on the semicircular balcony in tense silence, alternately keeping their eyes on the distant bonfire, the shadowed rooftops of the lower terraces and the stiff velvet drapes.
‘Did you really sleep with Myjun?’
The question flew from Annev’s lips before he had the sense to silence it. Kenton turned, and Annev felt doubly stupid for asking just before entering Janak’s keep. There was nothing he could do if Kenton said yes – he wasn’t going to push the boy off the roof, even if he wanted to – which meant he was forcing an uncomfortable conversation when they might have to rely on each other to survive. Annev was profoundly relieved when Kenton met his eyes and shook his head.
‘I just wanted to get under your skin. We liked each other – we even kissed … and a little more than that – but then I was injured.’
Annev nodded, grateful for the truth. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, and he mostly meant it.
‘Sure,’ Kenton said, his eyes roaming back to the curtain just as Fyn’s head popped out from behind it.
‘Clear,’ he whispered then ducked inside again.
Annev waited for Kenton to step towards the door, but the avatar didn’t move. Instead, he studied the stone tiles beneath their feet.
‘I’m sorry I teased you about Myjun – and about falling in with Fyn once I got my title.’ He looked up. ‘No hard feelings?’
Annev shrugged. ‘We’re both paired up with him now.’
A strange smile tugged at the corner of Kenton’s mouth. ‘I guess we are.’ He rubbed at the corner of his scar nearest his eye. ‘We’re good, then?’
‘We’re good.’
They approached the curtain together; Kenton drew back the drapes, and they stepped into the dimly lit hallway.
Fyn was a few feet away, the phoenix lantern clutched in his right hand, its narrow beam illuminating the colourful plush carpets. Annev’s eyes followed the intricate patterns woven into the equally colourful tapestries hanging from the walls, captivated by the rich reds, deep blues and bright yellows. It took him a moment to see the dead man sprawled at the edge of the pool of light.
Like the sober guards standing watch at the bonfire, this one wore a black uniform trimmed in blue. His head was tilted back, blood oozing from the two dark red lines around his throat.
Annev swore beneath his breath, realising he should have been more specific when sending Fyn to ambush the guard. He’d thought their conversation about maintaining stealth was clear, but if Fyn had understood Annev’s intentions, he had disregarded them.
Great, he thought. Now I’m responsible for another death … and we have a body to get rid of.