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‘If it’s only a single general and his underlings we have to worry about, then I’m not too concerned,’ said Mevox. ‘Problem is, you Vanguardians like to send reinforcements.’

‘Indeed,’ said Jostomere.

Soon, more Rainlords began to arrive, and Octavia decided to move the conversation upstairs. Mariana still hadn’t set Marcos down or left her daughters alone, wanting the girls to hear everything that was discussed.

Mariana knew that Zeff was well-loved among the other Rainlords, but even so, she was still a bit surprised by everyone’s readiness to support her. Only House Blackburn and House Stroud did not have representatives here today, but among the other eight family heads, none even humored the notion of handing Mariana and her children over to the Vanguard. At first, Mariana thought they were just holding back while in her presence, but more and more, she became convinced that was not the case.

“I can’t believe they had the gall to attack you in your own home,” a lumbering man was saying. He was the largest person in the room by a head and had the bulk of two men put together. Salvador Delaguna was his name, and just like his reaper, he was prone to ‘listening to his passions’ as Octavia had once put it. “We should go to Rheinhal this very moment and demand they return Zeff to us.”

‘Sounds good to me,’ said Mevox.

Abel Sebolt shook his head. “We all care for Zeff, but let’s not be rash,” he said. The Lord of House Sebolt reminded Mariana of Zeff in many ways. They had the same kind of naturally cold expression, though Abel was slimmer. “We are still immensely outnumbered, you realize.”

“So were our ancestors,” said Joana Cortes.

“Hear hear!” said Salvador.

As they talked, Mariana noticed a maid enter the room and rush to Octavia’s side, whispering in her ear. After a moment, Octavia nodded and whispered something back. The maid exited, and Octavia stood to address everyone.

“I’ve just received word from Asad Najir. Apparently, Axiolis is with him.”

That caught everyone’s attention.

“Zeff?” said Mariana.

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‘The Vanguard sent seven servants to our house,’ said Shenado. ‘They claimed they only wanted to “escort” us safely to Lagemoor, but when we refused to go with them, they attacked us. One of Mariana’s sons was fatally wounded in the battle. Another is missing. As is Zeff.’

Mevox drifted closer to Mariana and her children, poking his head forward curiously. ‘Why were they tryin’ to escort you to Lagemoor?’

‘We’re not sure,’ said Shenado. ‘They mentioned something about wanting to find Gema, Mariana’s oldest daughter, but that might have been just another lie. Not that it matters much, because we don’t know where Gema is. Even if we were of a mind to turn her over to them, we wouldn’t be able to.’

“Are you of a mind to do that?” said Octavia.

“No,” said Mariana.

‘Damn right,’ said Mevox. He turned to Jostomere, who’d thus far remained silent. ‘What’re you thinkin’? Your family works for the Vanguard, too. I suspect you’ve got a more difficult decision to make than the rest of us here do.’

‘That is true.’ Jostomere’s burning eyes fell upon Marcos’ body. ‘But this is plainly unacceptable. And if it can happen to the Elroys, it can happen to the Zabats. You can expect our full support.’

‘Ours as well,’ said Lonogren. ‘Which already puts us at five of ten.’

‘Six, actually,’ said Shenado. ‘House Cortes is guaranteed to help. Joana is Zeff’s sister.’

‘Ah, that’s right,’ said Lonogren, nodding.

‘We can ask the Intarians for help, too,’ said Wendy. ‘They might turn us down, but there are thirty more families there. At least a few will agree to help, I’m sure.’

‘Worth asking,’ said Mevox. ‘Where was Zeff’s last known location?’

“Rheinhal,” said Mariana. “He was ordered there by General Lawrence.”

Octavia’s brow twitched. “Xavier Lawrence, you mean?”

Mariana nodded.

Octavia pursed her lips. “The Blue Bear, huh? I didn’t realize he was the one they had stationed in Sair.”

‘Do you know him personally?’ asked Shenado.

“Not well,” said Octavia. “We crossed paths ages ago. Very polite, as I recall. A real gentleman. His reaper, less so. I haven’t heard his name in years. Thought he might have been killed.”

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Octavia showed them into a vast, windowless chamber with a high ceiling. Beds sat on either side of the room, each one neatly made. Octavia had her housekeepers show Mariana’s own staff to different rooms on the same floor. Ramira and Emiliana didn’t leave their mother’s side, but Emiliana was eyeing one of the beds as if it might be holding all the secrets of the universe. Mariana certainly understood the impulse. The fatigue was weighing on her, and her clothes were still smote and ragged from earlier.

She’d been struggling to think of what to tell her girls. Before she could even get started, however, Wendy phased through the ceiling and floated down toward everyone.

‘Our other guests have begun to arrive,’ the reaper said.

“What other guests?” said Mariana.

“I called an emergency meeting,” said Octavia. “We will be needing a plan of action, of course.”

Three more reapers descended from the ceiling after Wendy. Mariana recognized all of them. Lonogren, Jostomere, and Mevox. Each one belonged to a different Rainlord family--House Merlo, House Zabat, and House Delaguna, respectively. Their servants were all the heads of their houses.

‘So what’s all this then?’ said Mevox. He stood out a little from the other reapers in that his fox fur had a faint luster to it.

“If you would please wait upstairs with your partners,” said Octavia, “Mariana and I will be with you in a mome--”

‘Nah,’ said Mevox. ‘I wanna know what’s goin’ on right now.’

‘We know the Elroys were attacked,’ said Lonogren. ‘We would like to hear the full details from Mariana and Shenado. I am sure we can all agree that this is a matter of great urgency.’

“We should at least wait until everyone has gathered,” said Octavia.

‘Hell with that,’ said Mevox. ‘No need to wait for their slow asses. Talk to us, Mariana. We’re here to help.’

Octavia looked at the Lady Elroy with sympathy. “We’ve an impatient lot here, it seems.”

Mariana took a haggard breath. She only wanted to talk to her daughters, but she supposed there was still plenty of time for that. Regardless, Shenado was gracious enough to speak up for her.