Rule nodded. “Let’s go.”
They started off at a quick jog. Lily couldn’t go any faster in the damned skirt. Rule had no trouble controlling Li Po one-handed. “I don’t see Gan.”
“She’s on the other side of the tower. About all I can see of her is that remarkably green hat.”
“You can see her? She’s not dashtu?”
“I can see her in dashtu now. Not clearly, but she’s not invisible. It’s something to do with the translator charm Grandmother made me.”
“She did what?” She shook her head. “Never mind. Obviously there’s stuff you haven’t told me yet. It’s full moon. You okay?” That was shorthand for, Are you keeping it together?
“More distractible than I’d like, but well enough. Any sign of our large green friend?”
Meaning Reno. And it was beginning to really worry her that the dragon hadn’t arrived yet. “No. On the upside, the spawn haven’t shown up, either.”
“Ah Wen said they left strict orders not to be disturbed. They are preparing for the ritual that will not take place.”
“Ah Wen?”
“The leader of the Kanas. We’ve been chatting.”
“Which one is he?”
“The older gentleman with the white cloth tied over his eyes.” He gave a nod at an old guy sitting on the ground nearby as they jogged between two of the Kanas, all of whom were staring. “I’m guessing the government area has been emptied of people as part of the prep for the ritual. But where are the guards? I didn’t expect my distraction to be this effective.”
“Your distraction did most of the work. I helped. This”—she jabbed a thumb at their prisoner as they stopped next to the tower—“is the Fist commander. First Fist Li Po. He sent his second into the city to help with those big beasties you rounded up. The Fists,” she reminded him when he looked baffled, “don’t have sergeants. My best guess is that the remaining Fists are in their quarters in the Justice Hall, waiting for someone to send for them.”
“In that case . . .” Rule spun Li Po around and cold-cocked him.
The man fell like a toppled tree, out cold before he hit the ground. Several of the watching Kanas gasped.
A laugh bubbled up in her, fizzy with delight as he reached for her and she for him. They didn’t kiss. Just held on to each other, held on tight, hands touching, clutching, cherishing, and let the world take care of itself for a moment. Just for a moment.
Something tugged at her shenyi. “Lily Yu! Lily Yu! You can hug me now!”
She cursed, laughed, let go of Rule to bend and hug Gan, who hugged her back. Then she unfastened her sash, pulled off the shenyi, and untied her skirt. As she let it fall, Ah Hai arrived at a trot and began gathering the discarded garments, looking scandalized.
Rule said tersely, “Here they come.”
She jolted and looked around.
He might have been referring to the Fists they’d left on the ground by the bathhouse. They’d gotten up, but weren’t actually doing anything yet, however, so he probably meant the three figures approaching from the Justice Court. Grandmother, Cynna, and a single Fist were headed their way. The Fist had his sword out but pointed at the ground.
Rule raised his voice. “Quickly!”
Grandmother stopped, spoke to the guard, and started to run. So did Cynna, which had to hurt with her broken arm. So did the guard, but he ran in a different direction.
Gan shot out of the circle of Kanas, racing toward Grandmother and Cynna. “I did it! I found the gate!”
“So you did,” Grandmother said. “I am pleased with you, Gan. They placed it in that tower, I perceive.”
“Uh-huh. I think they tried to hide it, but I found it anyway. It’s a permanent gate, too, like I said. Did Lily Yu tell you that?”
“She did. You must show me where the crossing place is.”
Gan raced back to stand in a spot that looked like every other spot. It was about twenty feet from the tower. “Here! It’s right here! I crossed to make sure it’s safe.”
“You did very well. Thank you, Gan.” Grandmother stopped inside the circle of Kanas, looking around at people who were frankly gawking at her. She spoke in Chinese. “A very nice circle. Very tidy. It will get you all killed. You must sit much closer together, up near to the tower. Do not block the door. Rule, see that they don’t. Lily, remove the magic cage. I will build the ward.”
With that, she ignored her own orders to march up to Lily. She stopped and looked up at the sky. Whatever she saw made her hum thoughtfully. Then she pulled her granddaughter into a firm hug. She stroked Lily’s hair once with great tenderness, then held her at arms’ length and studied her. “You are well.”
Lily smiled. “I am now.”
? ? ?
THE technique Cynna had devised to defeat a sidhe artifact was simple enough. The magic cage drew on her own magic for power. It wouldn’t allow her to use any magic that went beyond her skin. Therefore, she’d cast a spell that operated entirely on her. She’d actually discussed the spell in question with Alice. The no-pain spell was the opposite of a healing spell since it did a great job of eliminating pain, but completely stopped healing. It was a power hog, too. Set up on a loop, it was self-feeding, drawing on Cynna’s magic until she stopped it.
Useless as a healing spell. Perfect for their needs now.
“Here,” Cynna said, handing Lily her weapon, then pulled the two clips of ammo out of her sling. “I’ve already got the spell running. First time my arm hasn’t hurt since I got here.”
“Just a sec,” Lily told her. “No pockets.” She went to Ah Hai, who’d found a place in the circle already, and got the white sash back from her. She tied it around her waist and stuck the gun in it, then took the clips from Cynna. She needed to swap out the partly spent clip in the weapon for a fresh one. She had no idea how many rounds were left. But later, she thought. After she and Cynna got rid of the magic cage. She wedged the clips in the sash and made sure it was snug. Not as secure as she’d like, but it would do for now.
Cynna folded herself to the ground, sitting cross-legged. “I’m ready.”
Lily took a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
She sat cross-legged in front of her friend and took Cynna’s hand—the one not attached to a broken arm—in both of hers.
Grandmother was standing stock-still next to the tower. She had announced that the ward could be built to include the crossing spot.