I was seated between Glym and Wynn, listening. A film of sweat covered my collarbones. I had promised to grant this audience, but I was desperate to be back on the streets, gathering information. I needed to know if the report was true. And I needed to see Danica. She was still our best and only link to Senshield, and we couldn’t stop looking for the core.
A soothsayer came forward and pleaded for food. Wynn promised that the Pearl Queen would help her. Another petitioner asked me if his cell could be relocated, as there was a new scanner in his area and they didn’t like having to get so close to it every day.
‘I know I’m a sensor, not at risk,’ he said, making me tense, ‘but I can’t stand walking past it. We all hate it. The lower orders can’t even go out.’
I said I would consider moving the cell to a neighbouring district. Others asked if I could do the same for theirs.
I imagined how much worse it would get if the fourth order really could be detected.
The final person to come forward was Halfpenny, mime-lord of II-5. Like the Swan Knight and Jack Hickathrift, he had been the mollisher of a grey marketeer and had come to power when his superior had died in the Rose Ring. He was heavily tattooed, with eyebrows he dyed marigold. We had exchanged a handful of words in the past.
‘Underqueen. The Glym Lord came to one of my cells last night and asked for volunteers for an assignment – an assignment in which you were involved,’ he said. ‘One summoner went with him. I wish to know where he is now.’
Glym glanced at me.
‘I’m afraid he won’t be coming back. I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘He was killed by paratroopers.’
Whispers. Paratroopers. A military word, not one that had been heard often in this citadel.
Halfpenny folded his fleshy arms. ‘What happened?’ When I didn’t answer immediately, he said with an air of real disappointment, ‘You said you’d be different from Hector. We shouldn’t have secrets here. I want to know exactly what you did.’
This was the first time anyone had challenged me in public. He had the right to do it, but I bridled. ‘I can’t reveal the nature of all of our assignments, Halfpenny. We’re moving against an empire, a militarised empire. If anyone were to betray our plans—’
‘First you let the Jacobite walk free,’ he continued, to resentful muttering from the audience, ‘and now you’ve baited them into attacking us, at a time when we’re already under serious threat from Senshield. Why were there paratroopers in the capital, if not because of you?’
‘Listen to this. You’d think the Underqueen was on trial,’ Wynn cut in. ‘She doesn’t have to justify herself to you. You were happy enough to do as Haymarket Hector demanded without question, but now Paige is Underqueen, you whimper and whine. Take your disrespect elsewhere.’
At this, several voyants began to murmur agreements. Others, however, were clearly ruffled by the sight of a vile augur speaking with impunity at the side of the Underqueen.
‘I did my best to change things under Hector,’ was all Halfpenny said. ‘In my section, at least.’
Wynn snorted.
‘Binder wouldn’t have risked our lives,’ someone called from the corner. ‘And you betrayed him. Who’s to say you won’t turn your back on us, too?’
Silence ruled in the basement of the Mill, broken only by a gasp. I waited several moments before rising from my seat.
‘This syndicate,’ I said, ‘is a monarchy. Its leaders’ power is passed not from parents to children, but between Underlords and Underqueens. Ours is an authority based not on the blood of our families, but the blood we spill on the ashes in the Rose Ring. That blood is our promise. It was my promise that with my crown, I would only ever do what I thought was best for my people – and I promise you now that I would shed blood again for any of you. And I expect to, before this is over.’ I paused. ‘This audience is finished.’
My nape was burning as I left the basement. Halfpenny had been reasonable enough, considering I’d broken his nose during the scrimmage.
The other high commanders – except for Minty, who was at Grub Street – were waiting for me in the surveillance room. I could tell from their faces that they had news for me. Quietly, I locked the door behind Wynn and took my seat, trying to tamp down the rising consternation.
‘Paige,’ Maria said, ‘it seems the report was accurate.’
Those few words punctured what was left of my confidence.
‘How do you know?’ I said.
Tom sighed. ‘A whisperer was taken this morning. I knew him. His aura was yellower than a lemon.’
Shock washed over me. I hadn’t wanted to accept it, but now I had no choice. The four most populous orders of clairvoyance were visible, their years of walking the streets at an end. That left a fraction of us who could roam London without fear of detection.
And all because I had gone into the warehouse without ensuring that our information was reliable.
‘Vance used my aura to improve Senshield.’ I kept my voice low. ‘We need to focus on damage control.’
They were all silent, watching me.
If I told the syndicate the truth, many of them might blame me for our new vulnerability. If I lied, and they found out anyway, their reaction would be much worse. Either way, I needed them to believe as I did: that revolution was crucial to our survival. If we were to endure with four of the orders in this much danger, that belief would be vital.
‘I have to speak to the Unnatural Assembly about this,’ I said. ‘To warn them.’ I hesitated. ‘I should . . . tell them the truth about how Scion did it. I don’t want to rule with lies.’
‘I wouldna do that, Underqueen,’ Tom murmured.
‘They have to know that they can trust me. If I lie to them—’
‘You won’t be lying,’ he stressed. ‘You’ll be leaving something out, for the sake of harmony.’
‘Perhaps you should take the rest of the night to consider this, Underqueen. It will be difficult to bring the Assembly together during curfew, in any case,’ Glym said. ‘It would be prudent to wait until sunrise.’
He had a point. I would only put them in more danger if I forced them outside now.
‘I want them all at St Dunstan-in-the-East at five A.M., before Weaver can make any early announcements,’ I conceded. ‘I’ll tell them myself that the fourth order is in danger, and I’ll hold a vote on what we should do next: go into hiding, or stay on the streets. Whatever the outcome of that vote, I’ll have to ask the Ranthen to sanction it.’
‘Never mind a vote. Those of us who are detectable must hide,’ the Pearl Queen said. Maria gritted her teeth. ‘Well, what else is there to do? Senshield is intruding farther and farther into our lives by the day. Personally, I have no desire to be pounced upon by Vigiles if I stray too close to a letter box. Let us not put pride over sense.’
‘This is the Mime Order’s decision to make. Together.’ I sounded much calmer than I felt. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. Be there at five, not a second later.’
They murmured their goodnights and went their different ways; Maria patted my arm as she left. I took the stairs to the ground floor, wearing a mask of unconcern, and walked straight into Nick, as I headed for the doors. My muscles felt so spring-loaded with tension that I flinched away from him.