Gabriel glanced at his chronicler. His jailer. He realized Jean-Fran?ois was illustrating another page – an image of Dior. Frockcoat, vest, fine features and pale eyes.
‘You have the gift,’ he commented, grudging.
‘Merci,’ the vampire murmured, continuing to draw.
‘Can you see him in my eyes? Or in my head?’
‘I am of the Blood Chastain,’ Jean-Fran?ois replied, not looking up. ‘Our dominion is over the beasts of earth and sky. Not the mind. You know this, Silversaint.’
‘I know it’s not for nothing that Margot names herself Empress of Wolves and Men. But the blood is fickle. Ancien coldbloods can display … other gifts.’
‘I believe you are attempting to unlock my secrets, de León. But I am master of keys here, not you. It had been seventeen years since you entered San Michon. More than a decade since you’d roamed the roads of the empire. Who was Astrid Rennier to you now?’
Silence rang out in reply, the scratching of the vampire’s pen and the song of the mountain wind the only sounds. And when Gabriel finally answered, he ignored the question, marching on with his tale instead.
‘“So this leech you’re hunting,” Chloe said. “Where is it?”
‘“Elidaen. Somewhere near Augustin.”
‘“You’re heading north, then.” She raised her eyes heavenwards. “Thank God.”
‘I took a swig from my vodka, wincing at the burn. “Thank him for what?”
‘Little Chloe nodded to her comrades gathered in their booth. The priest had his head bowed in prayer. The ashen-haired boy was smoking what looked to be a traproot cigarelle, staring at me like something he’d found on the bottom of his boot.
‘“We’re travelling that way too,” Chloe said. “We can share the road.”
‘“Ohhhh,” I breathed, taking another drink. “Won’t that be lovely?”
‘Chloe frowned, uncertain at my tone. “There’s safety in numbers. Ossway is rough country, believe me. And some of the feet following us don’t belong to mortal men.”
‘“Only some?”
‘Chloe fell silent as the taverne lass returned, plonking my room key down in front of me, along with a bowl of steaming mushroom ragout and a slab of potato bread. Eyeing the spudloaf with contempt, I began shovelling down the rest.
‘“Anything else, adii?” the lass asked.
‘I took another swig to wash down my ambitious mouthful. “More vodka.”
‘The lass eyed me with clear scepticism. “Are you certain?”
‘“Terribly certain, mademoiselle.”
‘The girl glanced at Chloe and then shrugged, spinning on her heel. I smiled as I felt the room spin in her wake, pushed my bottle across to Chloe. “Drink?”
‘The sister was looking at me strangely. Pretty green eyes roaming my face, the sword on the table in front of me, the needle holes in the breast of my greatcoat where a sevenstar had once been stitched. She sat silently as I finished my meal. I even stuffed the potato bread down in the end. And finally, she spoke.
‘“Are you well, Gabriel?”
‘“I’m fucking marvellous, S?ur Sauvage.” I thumped the empty vodka bottle down. “But forget me. Last I saw, you were holed up in the San Michon Library, eleven years and a thousand miles ago. The hell are you doing down here in Sūdhaem?”
‘Chloe glanced around the taverne, wary of the few curious eyes still on us. She pulled her chair closer, speaking in conspiratorial tones. “God’s work.”
‘I looked at the gear she was wearing, the companions she travelled with. “I wasn’t aware Sisters of the Sorority were permitted to leave San Michon unaccompanied by silversaints? Let alone dressed like a common sellsword?”
‘“It’s … complicated.” Chloe lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’ll not speak of it here. But things changed a great deal around the monastery after you and Astrid—”
‘She caught herself, looking up into my scowl.
‘“Go on,” I told her. “After we what?”
‘Chloe combed one mousy curl off her freckled cheek. She spoke slow, choosing her words with utmost care. “You and Azzie didn’t deserve what they did to you. I was sick with it every day afterwards, and I’m sorry that—”
‘“So sorry you didn’t even come to tell us goodbye?”
‘“You know I wanted to. Don’t be a bastard, Gabriel.”
‘“In life, always do what you love.”
‘Chloe frowned then. “You’re drunk.”
‘“You’re perceptive.”
‘The lass returned with my second bottle, and I gave her a dramatic bow, apparently charming enough for her to muster a smile in return. My arm didn’t hurt at all any more.
‘“Merci, chérie,” I sighed, breaking the wax. “Your blood’s worth smoking.”
‘“Perhaps I should leave you to it.” Chloe eyed me up and down as I took a fresh swallow. “We can talk more in the morn when you’ve a clear head.”
‘“… Talk about what?”
‘“About the road we’re to share. When you wish t—”
‘“I don’t think we’ll be sharing roads anytime soon, mon amie.”
‘“You said you were travelling north?”
‘“Oui.” I toasted her with my new bottle. “But I plan to float, not walk.”
‘Chloe’s frown deepened. “Gabe, this is no jest. The roads through Sūdhaem and Ossway are thick with the Dead. I’ve need of a sword like yours.”
‘“Have you now?”
‘The sister turned her stare to the blade on the table before us, speckled with mud and blood. “It’s not through chance alone that I find the Ashdrinker again tonight. Nor blind luck to be reunited with her master after all these years.” She looked up at me, fire in her eyes. “This is Almighty God’s will. And blessed are we who share in his divine providence.”
‘“Well, huzzah and hurrah,” I nodded, swallowing another burning mouthful.
‘Chloe glanced around the room again. Leaning forward, she lowered her voice, barely audible above the taverne’s hubbub. “Gabe, I’ve done it. I’ve found it.”
‘“Congratulations, S?ur.” There were three Chloe’s in front of me now, and I directed my query at the middle one. “But … what’s it?”
‘“The answer.” She reached out her little hand and grasped my own. “The weapon we need to win this war, and finally put an end to this endless night.”
‘“A weapon?”
‘She nodded. “One no coldblood under heaven can withstand.”
‘I felt my brow furrow. “Is it a blade?”
‘“No.”
‘“Some work of chymistrie, then?”
‘Chloe squeezed my hand again, her voice brimming with fervour. “It’s the Grail, Gabriel. I’m talking about the bloody Grail.”
‘I looked Chloe Sauvage in her big, pretty eyes.