My heart skips. An attack on Nantanna? Some “surprise” for Ketai Hanno tomorrow? I didn’t know about any of this, but the King smiles down at me as though it was all my doing.
He snatches up his glass of sake and holds it high. “The Hannos’ ragtag army stand no chance against the might of our court! Let us continue to show them how foolish they were to ever turn against us!” The guests cheer, lifting their own glasses, and the King finishes, triumphant, “Let us remind them whose sides the gods are on! Now she is once more at full strength, let me present to you—Lei-zhi, my returned Paper Girl. Our Moonchosen!”
The crowd erupts.
I want to tear myself from the King’s grip, scream that none of it’s true. But what demon would believe me over their King? All this time, I thought I’d been waiting for an execution. But the King’s speech intensifies my dread. Because if he isn’t planning to kill me as a traitor, what does he want me here for? Surely my symbolism as a good-luck charm and anti-rebel icon isn’t enough.
No one betrays the Demon King of Ikhara and escapes unpunished.
The music swells back up, and the guests rise with it, hurrying to congratulate the King. The sake girls reappear, this time with a sparkling kind, the pop and fizz of bottles punctuating the excitement.
Naja turns her cold silver eyes on me. Her smile is victorious.
Our contact breaks as a councilor bumps into me in their rush to get to the King. Smirking, Naja turns to toast with a nearby court member, while I stand trembling from head to toe, trying not to vomit.
The King is to use me as a puppet in the palace from now on, and Ang-Khen’s capital, Nantanna, has been destroyed, marking the King’s first win against the Hannos and their allies.
What a night for good news.
Suddenly, I can’t stand to be here anymore, listening to the King’s gloating and his court members’ ingratiating praise. I stumble in a random direction. The hall is charged, its atmosphere fever pitch. I’m bumped this way and that, addressed by demons with words I block out, too on edge, too close to unraveling—and I won’t unravel, not in front of them.
I expect someone to stop me. For Naja or one of the guards to drag me back to the King’s side. But it seems I’ve been forgotten in the euphoria, or—more likely—the court isn’t worried about me escaping. They know I won’t do anything with the enchanted bracelet threatening someone I love.
“Sparkling sake, Mistress?” One of the demon girls proffers a tray of crystal glasses. The instant she recognizes me, she shrinks back. “I—I mean, M-Moonchosen…”
I stop. Not because I’m considering taking one—because, past the girl’s glitter-dusted shoulder, I’ve spotted the only demon in this room I can trust.
I stride forward and grab Mistress Azami’s arm. “We need to talk,” I hiss.
The dog-woman’s expression doesn’t change, though a warning flashes in her eyes. “Lei-zhi. How wonderful to see you. I’m glad you returned to us.”
She grimaces in apology at the demon she was talking to before leading me to a quiet spot near the wall. She plucks a half empty glass from the closest table and hands it to me.
“I don’t want it,” I snap, pushing it away.
“You’ll contain your emotions better with something to hold,” she says sternly. “Didn’t Mistress Eira or Madam Himura teach you girls that?”
“Probably. But Shifu Caen also taught me how to turn anything into a weapon, and right now all I can think about is smashing this glass and slicing it across the King’s throat.”
There’s a glint of something approving in her flint-colored eyes.
“What the King said—” I start.
“Oh, that didn’t fool any of us,” Mistress Azami cuts in. “At least, none of us with half a brain. I know where your loyalties lie, Lei. None of us who are working with Ketai will doubt it. Still,” she mutters, “it wasn’t a bad move on their part. Unseat you from an emblem of the rebellion to a symbol of repentance. Spread rumors through the clans’ spies you’ve changed allegiances. Reassert his own power within the court. The King might be a monster, but he isn’t an idiot—and when it comes to kiasu, he’s a master.” She takes a sip of her drink, her furrow deepening. “This could change things. Ketai won’t be happy the King landed the first blow.” She huffs. “At least try to look happy. You’ve just helped your beloved King take down one of his opposition’s greatest strongholds, after all.”
“I don’t want any part in his games,” I snarl.
“You have no choice, Lei. We must all play along. No matter how much it pains us to.”
I hide my scowl in my glass. Though I want the alcohol—more badly than ever before—I don’t let a drop touch my lips. I can’t lose an ounce of focus. “Mistress Azami, I need to know how the others are doing. If you have any information at all. Kenzo, Lill, the other Paper Girls…”
“Everyone is alive and safe. You don’t need to worry about them.”
“But—where are they?”
“Lill and Kenzo are with me, and are being well looked after by my girls.” The dog-woman softens slightly, something affectionate entering her tone; the same fondness I heard from her before with Zelle. “Your young maid is a sweet girl. No harm will come to her while she’s under my roof, I promise. She asks about you often.”
Tears blur my eyes.
“As for the remaining Paper Girls,” Mistress Azami goes on, “they are being held in Paper House. They’re being left to their own resources for the most part, which is much better than the alternatives. My allies help when they can—mostly to bring food, or medical supplies. And yes,” she says quickly when I begin to interrupt, “I’ve thought about freeing them, but it’d be too suspicious, especially after we freed Kenzo from the Lunar Lake prison. The King knows there are those that work against him within the court. He’s out for blood. I’m not scared to die, but I have too much work before I do.” She doesn’t laugh; she’s entirely serious. “For now, the girls are safe enough at Paper House. Blue was quite badly injured at the Moon Ball, but I’m told she’s making a good recovery.”
My relief flowers. Kenzo, Lill, and the Paper Girls. Alive and well. It’s more than I dared hope.
“Mistress Eira will be looking after the girls,” I say. “I’m glad.”
Mistress Azami’s jaw stiffens. She looks as though she’s about to say something, but I go on before she can speak.
“I want to help—with the rebellion. What can I do?”
“Oh, Lei, you’ve already done enough.”
“No. I haven’t.” I move closer. “If you won’t help me, I’ll just have to do my best on my own—and it could put all of us in danger if I make a wrong move. Isn’t there something… some way you and the other allies communicate?”