‘And that’s what will happen to Marcus?’ said Violet.
The Elder Steward nodded. ‘If Marcus turns, it is unlikely that anyone here can stop him.’
Violet felt cold, remembering the Shadow Stone deep in the vault, its darkness so strong she hadn’t even been able to go near it. An ancient terror, one of Sarcean’s greatest weapons, they led his army of shadows on their nightmare steeds. She could feel how much those Shadow Kings wanted to be free to command their armies once again, a legion of shadows that the world had thought had been put to rest.
‘But the wards. The wards on the Hall are magic,’ said Violet. ‘They’ve kept out shadow armies before. In the old world. The Undying Star, that’s what this place was called. He can’t get inside the Hall.’
‘The wards open for any of Steward blood,’ said the Elder Steward, the truth of it in her eyes. ‘That will include Marcus.’
Inside the Hall. She saw Emery look at Beatrix with real fear, and even full Stewards blanch at the idea of facing an enemy that they couldn’t keep out and couldn’t fight.
The Elder Steward raised her voice to be heard over the murmurs. ‘That is Simon’s path to power. He learned of the Cup in one of his excavations. And he learned he could be master of shadows. He is the Dark King’s descendant. His bloodline is strong enough to make shadows obey him. And if he takes command of a shadow, he will use it to annihilate anything that stands in his way. He will breach our walls, take the Shadow Stone, and release the Shadow Kings. And they will clear a path for their true lord and master, the Dark King, who seeks to return dark magic to the world and rule with it forever from his pale throne. That is why we must put our differences aside and focus with one mind on Marcus.’ There were nods in the hall, agreement forming at her words.
Cyprian pushed forward to speak. ‘How close is he?’ The Elder Steward was silent, but Cyprian was already shaking his head and answering for himself. ‘He’s strong. He’ll survive. He won’t turn.’
‘Cyprian—’ Justice began.
He was the wrong person to speak. Cyprian rounded on him. ‘You were supposed to be his shieldmate. How could you have let Simon’s men near him?’ The perfect novitiate faced down the perfect Steward. ‘How close are you?’
Justice looked like he’d been slapped; Cyprian’s words had shocked him breathless. They don’t talk about this openly, Violet realised. Stewards never spoke of their shadow selves, perhaps not even to their shieldmates in forbidden whispers late at night. Am I showing any signs? Do you think I’m changing? These were private matters, painfully exposed.
‘Or were you just going to kill him to stop it? It’s all lies, isn’t it? The strength of Stewards, their great destined power … It’s lies to hide what you all have to do. If you cared about my brother at all, you’d never have let him drink from that cup,’ Cyprian said.
Violet was stepping between them, taking Cyprian by the shoulder to hold him back. ‘Cyprian—’ But Justice’s voice cut across hers.
‘Marcus chose.’
Justice didn’t try to lie or avoid it. He met Cyprian head on.
‘The heroes are dead. The old powers are gone. There’s only us. A handful of us.’ Behind him, the vast hall with its cracked stone and faded colours seemed to prove his words, ancient and all but empty. ‘We’re all that’s left, and we’re not enough. What would you do, if there was no one else to hold back the dark? Would you drink from a cup that tarnished you, in order to be able to fight?’
‘It’s the Dark King’s bargain.’ Cyprian’s hands were fists. ‘He’s inside this Hall. He’s inside you. You’ve all corrupted yourselves.’
‘We pay a terrible price,’ said Justice. ‘We do it because we must. It’s the only way we can fight.’
‘You could have fought without it. Any of you could.’ Cyprian’s jaw was set. ‘Maybe you wouldn’t have been as strong. But you would have stayed Stewards.’ He looked around at the Stewards bitterly. ‘That’s my choice. I’ll never drink from the Cup.’
Violet found her way to the training yard.
Inside the great hall, Jannick had begun talking of preparations for an attack, while the Elder Steward moved between small knots of novitiates and janissaries like an almoner, offering comfort and wisdom. Violet had looked around for Will, but he had vanished.
The training yard was now empty of Stewards, as if to say, The time for training is over. The time for battle has come.