Midnight

Quentin’s answer to my question was to shove me along the narrow corridor. He’d been given the job of getting the gargoyle back to his cell, and I’d never seen the Marksman look so pleased.

Just as we reached the door, I tripped over an uneven gap in the floor and pitched forward, landing on one knee. Fighting the grotesques had used up whatever remained of my reserves, and left me running on empty. Quentin waited while I regained my feet. He tapped the edge of his knife impatiently against his thigh.

His expression was enough to kindle the fire inside me, but I pushed it down and made my face smile back. ‘Oh, come on, surely you know the reason? Unless he doesn’t share important things like that with you.’

Quentin secured the lock on the cell door and looked down his nose at me, as though I were a piece of dirt he was preparing to flick off his shirt. ‘Your trial is scheduled first thing Monday morning, which means you’ll be spending the next two days in this cell. You may as well get comfortable.’

Chatting with Quentin Marks was the last thing I wanted to do, but he was also the only source of information I had right now. I pressed against the bars. ‘This is totally illegal, you know.’

Quentin seemed surprised, and then he laughed. ‘What, do you think your family would actually file a missing persons report on you, a shadow creature, and get the gadje authorities involved? Even a dumb beast like you knows better than that.’

‘Why not kill me now? It sounds like it’d be a whole lot easier.’

‘Oh believe me, it’s tempting, but Augustine was right. Once you’re convicted, we’ll be able to rid the Roma world of all shadowen, beginning with you.’ Quentin sheathed his knife. ‘I can wait a few days more.’

I leaned against the wall. My joints were beginning to feel stiff, and it hurt to move my fingers. ‘I’m flattered you’re going to so much trouble.’

‘There are other perks,’ he replied with a shrug.

The cold in my chest spread to my skin. ‘What perks?’

‘You mean, besides the satisfaction of seeing you get what you deserve?’ Quentin’s smile widened. ‘Well, that should be obvious, demon. Once you’re gone and Josephine and I are married, it’s only a matter of time before the Romany clan becomes mine.’ He took the lantern from its hook on the wall and called back over his shoulder as he walked out. ‘Have a good night, Sebastian.’

Tears threatened again, but I closed my eyes and forced them away.

7. Josephine

Hugo ushered us into the Dandelion Inn, which was richly decorated with antique furniture, lace curtains in the windows, and doilies covering every surface. Two women met us in the cozy parlor of the Corsis’ bed and breakfast. Both were middle-aged, short in stature, and beaming brightly despite the earliness of the hour.

‘Hugo,’ said the first one, who appeared to be the older of the two. I watched, amused, as she hugged him fondly and planted a kiss on his cheek. ‘It’s been far too long.’

The second woman took his hand, patting it affectionately. ‘Your ride down was pleasant, I take it?’

‘Not unless you call a grotie attack pleasant,’ he replied, ‘but we took care of it.’ His features relaxed a bit as he turned to us. ‘These are my cousins, Paizi and her sister Ferka. They own this bed and breakfast.’

‘And keep things running smoothly around here,’ added Paizi.

‘That too,’ Hugo agreed. He gestured to me. ‘This is Josephine Romany, of the Romany clan, and her friend Katie, a diddikoi.’

‘Please accept our thanks for allowing us to stay with you,’ I said, shifting into a more formal interaction, one I was used to using as daughter of a bandoleer. ‘God’s blessings on this place.’

‘Hugo told us about your guardian and the trial when he called,’ said Paizi solemnly.

Ferka nodded. ‘You know how Gypsy news usually travels, but this was the first we’ve heard of it. I had no idea there were any guardians left in our kumpania. Present company excepted, of course.’ She smiled at Ezzie, who nodded in return. ‘Surely, he is innocent.’

‘He is,’ I replied, without hesitation.

‘We’ll hear more later,’ said Paizi gently, picking up my bag. ‘First, you must rest. We’ll show you to your rooms. Breakfast is served at seven. That should give you time to settle in.’

‘Thank you,’ I replied, grateful not to have to relive the kris yet again.

The sisters ushered us up the stairs and down a long hallway. The hardwood floors creaked underneath the rugs as we walked. We were quickly assigned rooms; Katie and I were given the one near the communal bathroom. Just as I was closing the door, I heard Hugo’s voice from the top of the stairs.

‘This is my business, Ezzie.’

‘No more than it is mine,’ she answered. ‘I will return before dawn.’

Hugo’s heavy sigh echoed down the hall. ‘Alright. It’s not like I can stop you, anyway. But you need to watch yourself. I’ve had a really bad feeling since we got here, and you’re not exactly inconspicuous. Not here.’

‘I appreciate your concern,’ Ezzie answered.

‘Just be careful, okay?’

‘It is not I who must be careful, Gypsy.’

I shut the door to our room before Hugo reached the top of the stairs. I turned and nearly tripped over Katie’s suitcase. She’d unpacked – or rather, she’d dumped most of her things onto the floor.

I reached the bed and fell back into the mound of pillows as Katie explored the room. She touched every piece of furniture and peered out of the windows multiple times.

Katie bounced on the bed next to me. ‘Oh my gosh! We totally need to come here for a real girls’ trip. After we spring Sebastian from Gypsy jail, or whatever, I mean. This place is amazing. I mean, do you see that dresser in the corner? It’s got to be a hundred years old.’

‘Probably,’ I replied, kicking off my shoes.

‘And this chandelier is to die for. I need one for my room, like right now.’ Katie pulled her phone out and snapped a few pictures as she continued to prattle away about the room décor.

She was still a little unnerved, and I couldn’t blame her, but at least Katie was talking more like herself again. It was nice to have something else to focus on besides my own worry. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and unzipped my bag, only half-listening to Katie’s chatter as I unpacked. I took off my jewelry, hesitating as I held the dandelion pendant in my hand.

I became suddenly aware that it had gotten quiet. I turned around. Katie had taken my place on the bed, propped up against the pillows. She looked from me to my necklace, and her brows rose expectantly.

‘Sorry. What were you saying?’

She motioned me over. ‘I asked how you felt about Sebastian.’

‘What?’

Katie took the pendant out of my hands. She turned it over in her palm and held it up to the soft light of the chandelier. ‘You’ve told me a bunch of crazy stuff that doesn’t make sense, but one thing’s pretty obvious, and it’s the one thing you’ve totally left out.’

‘He’s my guardian.’ I watched the way the light refracted off the glass, illuminating the yellow dandelion petals inside the pendant. ‘He’s my friend.’

‘And?’

I kept my eyes on the necklace. ‘And … I don’t know.’

‘Come on, Josie. After everything you’ve done to get down here – sneaking around your dad, missing your performances, not to mention dealing with those freaking nightmares from hell at the gas station. I mean, you’re taking a pretty big risk here, aren’t you?’

I nodded. ‘Yeah.’

‘So, why is it so hard to tell me how you feel about Sebastian?’

I took the pendant and set it on the nightstand. The flower darkened and seemed to lose its life. I touched it with my finger. Even the glass had grown cold. A deep, aching loss curled through me.

‘I grew up hearing tales of guardians and their charges from our legends,’ I said. ‘But they were just stories before I met him. I didn’t know it was going to be like this.’

Katie leaned forward. ‘What do you mean?’

I pulled my legs up to my chest and rested my chin on my knee. ‘In a way, it feels like I’ve known Sebastian forever. I guess that scared me at first. It was like he could see past the image I’d created of myself, in a way no one had before. Maybe that’s why I avoided him in the beginning. And then, afterwards, I didn’t know what to do with everything that had happened.’

‘You mean the … gargoyle thing?’

I closed my eyes, so I wouldn’t have to look at Katie’s half-believing, questioning expression. Immediately, my mind conjured up an image of Sebastian – the firelight glinting off his fierce teeth as he spoke, his silver eyes gleaming. ‘Yes and no.’

‘So it’s really that bad.’ I heard the doubt in Katie’s voice.

‘No, that’s not what I meant. It wasn’t his change I couldn’t deal with. It was my guilt. Maybe it wasn’t directly my fault, but I was convinced I’d ruined his life by somehow making it happen.’ I pressed the heel of my hand against my chest, trying to ease the hurt. ‘I still feel like that, sometimes. But I’m learning to deal with it.’

‘Go on,’ Katie pressed. Not demanding, but insistent.

‘The bond we have doesn’t scare me anymore. That stopped the moment he came to live at the Circe. It’s the only thing that feels right, honestly. I can sense his emotions. I understand the way he thinks. I know when he’s near.’ My gaze drifted back to the pendant. ‘He’s become closer to me than anyone else in the world. We’re connected in a way I can’t really put into words.’

‘Well, whatever you want to call it, it’s obvious Sebastian loves you,’ said Katie. A slow smile spread over Katie’s features, lighting up her eyes. ‘And now you feel the same way about him, don’t you?’

I stood up quickly. The action made my head pound. I crossed the room and opened the closet door. Inside were several stacks of plush bath towels. I grabbed a pastel yellow one from the top of the pile.

‘Look Katie, I can’t think about that, okay? You know the seriousness of my relationship with Quentin. This guardian and charge thing has put a giant strain on us, and I can’t mess that up.’

‘Yeah, why not?’ she asked.

My eyes widened. ‘Excuse me?’

Katie held her hands up defensively. ‘Hey, you know I’ve been totally supportive of you and Quentin, and yeah, pretty much jealous, too. I mean, hello … the guy’s basically perfection on a platter.’

‘Aren’t you dating Mitchell?’

‘We aren’t exclusive, and nothing says I can’t enjoy the scenery, right?’ Katie shrugged. ‘Anyway, that’s beside the point. We’re talking about you right now. So the question boils down to this: hotness and charm factor aside, is Quentin really the guy you want?’

‘It’s complicated.’

‘I swear, Josie, I’m going to jump out of this window right now. It’s not complicated, it’s simple facts. Do you love Quentin?’

‘Yes,’ I said slowly. ‘Or, at least, some part of me does. Quentin and I are … I don’t know what we are right now. It’s been so difficult lately. He’s been part of my life for so long, and he loves me. It’s always been understood we’d get married. It’s something I accepted a long time ago.’ I twisted my fingers in my lap and looked away from her. ‘It’s our way, Katie. I’m not going to try and explain that to you, I just hope you understand.’

‘I do,’ she said. ‘But don’t you—’

‘Look, I know I owe Quentin the truth. I just don’t know what that is, yet.’

Katie frowned. ‘Okay, maybe it is a little complicated.’

‘None of that matters now,’ I said. ‘What matters is getting Sebastian out of this trial, one way or another.’

Katie nodded with a yawn. ‘Alright, fair enough. Lucky for you, I’m too tired to think straight anymore.’ She curled up with one of the oversized pillows. ‘I’ve gotta take a power nap, or I won’t survive tomorrow.’

‘Then I’ll leave you to it,’ I said with a smile, glad to be done with the conversation, at least for now. I plugged in my phone and set an alarm. ‘I’m going to take a shower.’

*

Katie was sprawled sideways on the bed when I returned, snoring loudly. I tiptoed across the groaning floorboards as best I could. As I placed my old clothes in my bag, my fingers brushed against the small book I’d hidden inside.

I retrieved it and quietly stepped outside. There was a tiny nook at the end of the narrow hallway arranged as a reading area. All the bedroom doors were closed, and the predawn silence permeated the upstairs. I settled into the chair, gathered my legs underneath me, and opened Markus Corsi’s book.

The pages crackled as I picked a place, somewhere in the middle. I stared hard at the flowing, handwritten script. Ezzie had said that only Gypsies could read these kinds of books. Some words I could make out, but most were in a Roma dialect I’d never seen before. How could this book be useful if I couldn’t even read a full sentence? I narrowed my eyes, desperately willing the words to make sense.

‘Josephine.’

I jumped so hard I nearly toppled my seat.

‘Ms Lucian!’

She stood a few paces away, leaning against the wall. She wore a long jacket, despite the warm summer night, and her hair fell loose around her face. It was impossible to tell how old she was. At least Hugo’s age, definitely, but something about her seemed older – her eyes, and the way fine lines appeared around her forehead and mouth when she frowned – like she was doing at that very moment.

‘Josephine, why are you not sleeping?’

I set my feet on the floor. ‘I could ask you the same thing.’

A hint of a smirk danced across her lips. Her gaze traveled to the book in my hands. Emotion flickered briefly behind her hazel eyes – a sort of calloused pain. She’d said little of her past when she brought Sebastian and I to her home under the bridge, and I didn’t know her well enough to pry. Not too much, anyway.

‘I have been out,’ she finally replied.

‘Where?’

‘That is my business, for now.’ She drew her jacket tighter. ‘It will be time for breakfast soon. You should think about getting some rest.’

‘You’re an original guardian,’ I said quickly. Esmeralda paused at my words, and I ploughed ahead before she could leave. ‘There were so many bedtime stories I heard as a child, so many legends passed down through our clan, about how the guardians fought against the Old Clans and helped us break free.’

‘Who I once was no longer matters, Josephine Romany.’ Her entire body tensed, and her face turned dark. ‘This is who I am now.’

I closed the book. ‘Do you … miss it?’

The fire in her eyes dwindled. Her hand drifted to her neck, to the small, faded tattoo. ‘With all that I am.’

8. Josephine

Breakfast was served in the parlor, precisely at seven, as promised. Paizi and Ferka made the rounds with cups and saucers as the Corsis gathered in the room. I sipped my tea, fighting exhaustion and a growing sense of apprehension. Beside me, Katie nibbled on a pastry.

‘Are you okay?’ I asked over the rim of my cup.

‘Am I supposed to be here?’ she whispered. ‘I mean, I feel like they’re about to go over some top-secret files or something, and I’m literally the only person in the room who isn’t a Gypsy. It’s seriously uncomfortable.’

I hid my smile. Katie was her old self again, freak-out and all. I felt selfish for thinking it, but I was glad to have her back. The Corsis may have been Roma, but they weren’t my clan.

‘If it makes you feel any better,’ I said, ‘I feel out of place, too.’

‘It does a tiny bit, yeah.’

Sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, illuminating tiny particles of dust in the air. James propped himself against the doorframe, as though he didn’t trust the structural integrity of the antique furniture. Kris and Vincent sat in two parlor chairs near the kitchen, heads bowed as they talked in low voices. Esmeralda had found a chair in a shadowy corner of the room. I wondered if gravitating towards dim-lit spaces was a habit left over from her days as a gargoyle.

Sebastian had a knack for it as well. During evening hours, it was sometimes almost impossible to spot him, unless he blinked. Or, on those rare occasions, when he gave me one of his full, unhindered grins that brightened his entire face. But even when I couldn’t see him, I always knew he was there.

The constant, heavy knot in my chest would never go away. Not until he was safe and near me again. I’d avoided dealing with my frustration and worry, but now that we were in Savannah, fear took root inside me. Real fear. Not only did I feel responsible for Sebastian’s acquittal, but now I also had Katie to think about. I stole a quick glance in her direction.

She was licking the frosting off a cinnamon roll and trying hard not to stare at everyone around her. Katie was more than capable of taking care of herself, but my world was way more complex than she knew.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from Quentin.

How was opening night?

Everyone was still busy eating and having their own conversations. I tapped out a quick reply.

Good crowd. Everything went fine.

I held my phone in my hand, debating. Then I added another text.

Spending the weekend at Katie’s.

Be back on Sunday. See you then?

I felt Katie’s shoulder press into mine. She looked at me with her brows raised questioningly. I tilted my phone so she could see, just as another text from Quentin came through.

I’m staying in Savannah.

Your father wants me here to represent the clan.

Just until he arrives for Gathering on Monday.

The remnants of breakfast turned sour on my tongue. Quentin was staying in Savannah. I hadn’t even considered this. I’d just assumed he would discharge his duty to escort Sebastian and Augustine to the city and then come back home.

I hurried to type out my next question.

How was the trip? Augustine?

Quentin’s response came in waves.

Uneventful.

He wasn’t allowed inside. He left pissed.

I’m staying in the Court of Shadows.

I glanced up at Katie. She was reading along, her brow furrowed deep in thought. I swallowed hard, and typed again.

Is Sebastian okay?

I stared nervously at the blank screen. Quentin had to know I’d ask. Sebastian had been my guardian for weeks, and Quentin had dealt with it, even if he was only doing so because of my father.

Haven’t seen him.

I blinked at his reply, unsure of what to believe. Quentin was a Marksman, which meant he’d have access to Sebastian, as well as the upcoming trial. He was convinced Sebastian was a killer. Would he really let him out of his sight?

As if reading my mind, Katie said, ‘Hey, you told me he’s totally not a fan of Sebastian’s. If I were Quentin, the last thing I’d want to do is hang around anywhere near him. Besides, don’t they have lots of Marksmen protecting this Court of Shadows place?’

I nodded. ‘Yes.’

‘It sounds to me like the only reason Quentin’s still there is because he’s following orders from your dad.’

‘Yeah,’ I said, pocketing my phone. ‘Maybe you’re right.’

I didn’t have a chance to think anymore about it. Just as I picked up a blueberry muffin, Hugo Corsi entered the parlor room, wearing the same jeans and t-shirt he’d had on when we arrived. It didn’t look as though he’d slept either. He poured himself a mug of coffee. We waited expectantly. Even Paizi and Ferka ceased their bustling over platters and saucers.

‘I went to the Court of Shadows this morning,’ Hugo said after several sips. ‘Our suspicions were correct. They’re keeping a real tight lid on the trial. No one I talked to knew anything about it. Until I ran into Donani Marks.’

‘The head of the Queen’s Marksmen guard,’ I said.

Hugo nodded and wiped his mouth against his sleeve. ‘Yeah, that’s him. After going ’round with him for a bit, he finally admitted the trial would happen first thing on Monday, before the monthly High Council meeting. Only Marksmen and Council members will be admitted.’

‘That’s ridiculous,’ growled James. ‘If the Council is holding a Kris Romani, then we can be there. High Court trials are open to any Gypsy who wants to attend. It’s the law.’

‘In Roma matters, perhaps,’ said Esmeralda from her shadowy corner. ‘But Sebastian is not Roma, and therefore those laws do not apply.’

‘That’s exactly what Donani said.’ Hugo scowled into his coffee. ‘But I wasn’t about to let it go at that. Shadow creature or not, Sebastian is my brother and I’m also his bandoleer. And as leader, it’s my right to see him.’

James rubbed his knuckles like he was ready for a fight. ‘And what did he say to that?’

‘That I’m allowed one visitation before the trial,’ Hugo replied. ‘So I’m going to see Sebastian today.’

At the mention of seeing him, my heart sped up. ‘I’m going with you.’

‘I thought you wished to keep your presence here a secret,’ said Esmeralda from the corner. Heads swiveled in her direction. ‘A public appearance in the Court of Shadows wouldn’t be prudent in that regard.’

‘I have to see my aunt. She needs to hear the truth.’

‘According to Donani, the Queen isn’t even here,’ said Hugo. ‘He said she’s been out of town for a few days but expects to return tomorrow evening, in preparation for the Summer Gathering.’

It was as though someone had set a heavy weight on my chest. I’d been counting on getting to the Queen, on putting an end to this whole thing before it even began. I’d convinced myself that I’d be able to rescue Sebastian. And now—

My phone vibrated again with another text. I peered at it quickly, and the weight in my chest doubled.

Love you Josie

I stared at the three words Quentin had said to me countless times before. They blurred in front of me. I heard Hugo say my name, but it sounded faint and far away.

‘Josephine.’

Quentin took my hands in his. His fingers were long and slender, scarred with years of Marksmen work. They were just about the only thing that wasn’t perfect about him, physically. He rubbed my knuckles gently as he spoke. ‘I’m sorry you had to go through this. I know you had a connection with the creature that you couldn’t control.’

‘He has a name,’ I replied.

Quentin nodded. ‘Of course he does. But that doesn’t make him human. I know you wanted him to be. So did your father. But shadowen will never be anything other than what they were created.’

I looked past Quentin to the gates of the Fairgrounds. Augustine stood outside the truck and trailer, waiting for him. I felt sick to my stomach.

‘Sebastian is innocent,’ I said.

‘I know what you believe,’ he replied, his voice smooth and gentle. ‘But the facts can’t be ignored. Karl’s death must be answered for. The gargoyle’s fate is out of our hands, Josie. It’s out of your hands. You have to accept that.’

‘And what if I can’t?’

‘My duty is to your father and this clan. I will ensure that the gargoyle arrives safely in Savannah and that he is given his chance for a fair trial with the High Council. You have a duty to this clan as well. Everyone looks to your family. The Romanys must present a unified front. Whatever your personal feelings for this gargoyle, are they really more important than the welfare of the entire clan?’

Quentin shouldered his bag and leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. I felt myself tense before I could stop the reaction. Quentin’s lips immediately tightened, and he pulled back, searching my face.