Emily jumped. She’d nearly drifted off.
“Emily.” Frieda touched Emily’s hand, again. “Should we leave?”
“Not yet,” Emily said. She didn’t want to leave Caleb – and she knew he wouldn’t leave, not until his family was safe. And she knew neither Sienna nor General Pollack would turn their backs on their city. “I promised I’d stay until Casper was buried.”
“And I promised I’d stay with you.” Frieda squeezed Emily’s hand. “And I think you’d better go to bed.”
“Thanks.” Emily yawned, covering her mouth hastily. First Harriman, now Caleb and Frieda. “Why does everyone want me to get some rest?”
“Because you need it,” Frieda said. She helped Emily to her feet. “And because tomorrow might be a better day.”
Emily shook her head. She knew that wasn’t going to be true.
Chapter Twenty-One
EMILY COULD HEAR SIENNA’S VOICE ECHOING up the stairs as she dressed and then led Frieda down to breakfast. Marian was in trouble, judging by the racket. It sounded as though Caleb hadn’t managed to find her last night…Emily searched her memory, but she couldn’t recall hearing Caleb coming back to the house. Had he spent all night looking for his sister? She hoped he’d managed to get some rest too.
“You’re nowhere near old enough to be wandering the streets in the dark.” Sienna was glaring at her daughter as Emily entered, her anger matched by her obvious fear for Marian’s safety. “And the streets are very unsafe…”
“I didn’t go out of Sorcerers Row,” Marian snapped back. She looked, just for a moment, like a younger version of her mother. “Mother, I was perfectly safe!”
“Fifty people were killed last night – and that’s just the ones we know about,” Sienna said. “I can’t even guess at how many were injured or raped or…”
She slammed her hand down on the table. “I gave you specific instructions to stay in the house. Why didn’t you listen to me?”
“I was safe,” Marian insisted. “I’m not a child!”
“You are a child,” Sienna said. “You are too young to learn magic, too young to get married, too young to be on the streets on your own! And you are too young to decide for yourself what orders can be safely ignored, and…”
Marian glared at her mother, then switched her glare to Emily. “I…”
Her face flushed, brightly. She’d been so angry that she hadn’t even noticed Emily and Frieda entering the room. Abruptly, she pushed past them and stormed out, her footsteps echoing as she stomped up the stairs. Sienna moved to follow her, then stopped herself. Emily did her best to avoid the older woman’s eyes, wishing she’d thought to stay in her bedroom. She’d never enjoyed being told off in front of the entire class, and it had to be a good deal worse in one’s home.
“I apologize for my daughter, Emily,” Sienna said, finally. She sounded as though she was trying to keep her temper in check. “Rest assured, she will be suitably punished.”
“She’s under a lot of stress,” Emily said, trying to be kind. Marian had lost a brother. “I…”
“Her conduct is inexcusable,” Sienna said. “Caleb had to spend hours looking for her.”
Her face darkened as she motioned for Emily and Frieda to sit. Karan entered a moment later, carrying two plates of scrambled eggs and bread. She looked weepy, suggesting Sienna had already told her off for letting her younger sister leave the house. Emily didn’t blame Sienna for being angry, but…she shook her head, inwardly. At least Sienna gave a damn about her children. Emily’s mother hadn’t cared about anything but the next bottle of cheap wine.
“The Guild Council has decided that there will be a meeting at noon,” Sienna said, as Emily tucked into the food. “Apparently, Clerk Harriman will be presenting his findings. I’ve taken the liberty of arranging places for us.”
“Thank you,” Emily said.
“Karan, Croce and Marian will remain here,” Sienna added. She looked older, just for a second. “The mob burnt down Vesperian’s mansion last night.”
“I heard,” Emily said. “Was anyone hurt?”
“No.” Sienna sat down, resting her fingers on the table. “The servants managed to get out before the blaze consumed them.”
There was a pause. “He didn’t even own it,” she added. “The poor bastard who did own it will now have to rebuild the mansion or surrender the land back to the council. I don’t know if he can afford to rebuild it.”
Caleb entered the room before Emily could think of a reply. She looked up and frowned in concern. Caleb looked…tired, dark rings clearly visible around his eyes. He held himself as if the only thing keeping him upright was sheer force of will; his clothes looked as if he’d slept in them. Emily opened her mouth to tell him to go back to bed, then reminded herself – sharply – that she wasn’t his mother. Sienna would tell him to get some rest if necessary.
“Get a drink, then a shower,” Sienna ordered, curtly. She glanced at the clock. “We’ll be leaving in an hour.”
Emily met Caleb’s eyes. “Are you all right?”
“I only had a couple of hours to sleep,” Caleb said. “I’ll be fine. The little brat led me quite a dance.”
“I’ll show you how to use the tracking spell.” Sienna rose, looking regretful. “And I also need to…discuss…matters with her.”
Caleb nodded. “Did father come home?”
“He’s still with the City Guard.” Sienna sounded as though she couldn’t care less, but Emily caught a hint of worry in her eyes. General Pollack was a brave man, yet he had no magic to protect himself. A dozen rioters could beat him to death if they wished. “I dare say we won’t be seeing much of him until the crisis is over.”
Her eyes moved to Karan. “See to it that neither of your siblings leave the house until we return. And if they won’t stay still, use magic.”