She groaned at the thought. It was too early to imagine herself as Stasion Elsor performing in an arena, let alone in a palace. “Do they celebrate every night?”
“Believe it or not, some people actually come to the tournament just for the parties.”
“Doesn’t it get tiresome, all that …” She waved her hand, as if the whole thing could be summed up with a single gesture. In truth, Lila had only been to one ball in her entire life, and that night had started with a demon’s mask and a glorious new coat, and ended with both covered in a prince’s blood and the stony remains of a foreign queen.
Alucard shrugged, offering her some kind of pastry. “I can think of less pleasant ways to pass a night.”
She took the bread-thing and nibbled on the corner. “I keep forgetting you’re a part of that world.”
His look cooled. “I’m not.”
The breakfast was reviving; her vision started to focus, and as it did, her attention narrowed on the paper in his hands. It was a copy of the bracket, the eighteen victors now paired off into nine new sets. She’d been so tired, she hadn’t even checked.
“What does the field look like today?”
“Well, I have the luxury of going up against one of my oldest friends, not to mention the best wind magician I’ve ever met—”
“Jinnar?” asked Lila, suddenly interested. That would be quite a match.
Alucard nodded grimly, “And you’ve only got to face …” He trailed his finger across the page. “…Ver-as-Is.”
“What do you know about him?” she asked.
Alucard’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry, have you mistaken me for a comrade? The last time I checked we were on opposite sides of the bracket.”
“Come on, Captain. If I die in this, you’ll have to find yourself a new thief.”
The words were out before she remembered she’d already lost her place aboard the Night Spire. She tried a second time. “My witty banter is one of a kind. You know you’ll miss it when I’m gone.” Again, it was the wrong thing to say, and a heavy silence settled in its wake. “Fine,” she said, exasperated. “Two more questions, two more answers, in exchange for whatever you know.”
Alucard’s lips quirked. He folded the roster and set it aside, lacing his fingers with exaggerated patience. “When did you first come to our London?”
“Four months ago,” she said. “I needed a change of scenery.” She meant to stop there, but the words kept coming. “I got pulled into something I didn’t expect, and once it started, I wanted to see it through. And then it was over, and I was here, and I had a chance to start fresh. Not every past is worth holding onto.”
That got a look of interest, and she expected him to continue down his line of inquiry, but instead he changed directions.
“What were you running from, the night you joined my crew?”
Lila frowned, her gaze escaping down to the cup of black tea. “Who said I was running?” she murmured. Alucard raised a brow, patient as a cat. She took a long, scalding sip, let it burn all the way down before she spoke. “Look, everyone talks about the unknown like it’s some big scary thing, but it’s the familiar that’s always bothered me. It’s heavy, builds up around you like rocks, until it’s walls and a ceiling and a cell.”
“Is that why you were so determined to take Stasion’s spot?” he asked icily. “Because my company had become a burden?”
Lila set her cup down. Swallowed the urge to apologize. “You had your two questions, Captain. It’s my turn.”
Alucard cleared his throat. “Very well. Ver-as-Is. Obviously Faroan, and not a nice fellow, from what I’ve heard. An earth mage with a temper. You two should get along splendidly. It’s the second round, so you’re allowed to use a second element, if you’re able.”
Lila rapped her fingers on the table. “Water.”
“Fire and water? That’s an unusual pairing. Most dual magicians pick adjacent elements. Fire and water are on opposite sides of the spectrum.”
“What can I say, I’ve always been contrary.” She winked her good eye. “And I had such a good teacher.”
“Flatterer,” he muttered.
“Arse.”
He touched his breast, as if offended. “You’re up this afternoon,” he said, pushing to his feet, “and I’m up soon.” He didn’t seem thrilled.
“Are you worried?” she asked. “About your match?”
Alucard took up his tea cup. “Jinnar’s the best at what he does. But he only does one thing.”
“And you’re a man of many talents.”
Alucard finished his drink and set the cup back on the table. “I’ve been told.” He shrugged on his coat. “See you on the other side.”
*
The stadium was packed.
Jinnar’s banner flew, sunset purple on a silver ground, Alucard’s silver on midnight blue.
Two Arnesians.
Two favorites.
Two friends.