They stopped so Faxon could change horses. Before they parted ways, Valek asked Cahil how long he planned to be in town.

“I don’t know. It depends on Bruns.”

“Will you be using your headquarters?” Valek asked.

“When we can. Why?”

“We’ll check in from time to time for updates.”

“All right.” Cahil frowned. “What happens if you’re caught?”

“I suggest you and your crew leave before they have a chance to question us.” Valek kept his voice flat, but his heart thudded against his chest at the thought of Yelena being Bruns’s prisoner.

“And go where?” Cahil asked.

“South, to Booruby,” Yelena said.

Cahil opened his mouth but then pressed his lips together. He gestured for his group to follow him. Yelena and Valek found an empty alley and switched back into their nondescript Sitian clothes before heading to the Unity Fountain.

“We need to keep our disguises on while we’re in public,” he said.

“What about lodging?”

He gave her a sidelong glance.

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Her tone implied she was far from amused.

“It’s secure.” Or at least, it was.

“That’s not the point. I’ve tolerated all the others, but having an Ixian safe house inside the Citadel is...”

Valek waited for her to find the words. Although smart was the word he’d use.

Instead she sighed. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m no longer the Liaison. Why should I care if Ixia is spying on Sitia?”

“Because you want peace between the two countries. Although I think having safe houses helps keep the peace.”

“We’re not going to argue about this again.”

“I wouldn’t call it an argument. More of a discussion.”

She ignored his comment. “Why didn’t you tell Onora to meet us there, then?”

“It’s better if we take a more circuitous route, just in case anyone follows us from the gate.”

“But the guards—”

“There are still assassins and bounty hunters after you. They’re not going to raise the alarm because they want their money.”

They reached the Unity Fountain. Eleven waterspouts ringed the huge jade sphere that was the heart of the fountain. Large holes had been carved into the twenty-foot diameter sphere and another smaller sphere, which was nestled inside could be seen through the openings. The holes in the second showed a third and then a fourth. A total of eleven spheres had been chiseled from this stone. One for each of the Sitian clans.

A few people milled about, and a couple kids dashed through the sprays of water, shrieking with delight. Yelena dismounted and removed her cloak. The sun was at its highest point. Sweat dampened her collar. She walked toward the fountain. Valek hurried to catch up with her.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“It’s good luck to drink the water.”

“But bad luck to wash off your makeup.”

“Good point.” She returned for her water skin and filled it with fountain water.

Valek did the same. They could use the luck. The mist from the waterspouts cooled his brow. Glancing around, he searched for Onora. She should have beaten them here. He considered using his magic to locate her. Would it work in the crowded Citadel? And, more importantly, would it alert another magician that he was here?

The sphere chuckled. “Broad daylight. I can’t believe you didn’t notice me.”

Onora hopped down from her perch in one of the outer holes. Her tunic was wet from the spray.

“Wow. You weren’t kidding. She’s really good at blending in,” Yelena said to him with a touch of awe.

“I take it you had no trouble at the gate?” Valek asked Onora.

“I kept expecting people to give me odd looks or to point to me and alert the guards. ‘Look at that strange Ixian girl standing by the wall!’ But no one did.” Onora shrugged. “And here I thought my ability to go undetected was due to my mad assassin skills.”

Valek kept a straight face. Nice to see her relaxed and joking. “Anyone follow you here?”

“No. But you have an admirer,” Onora said.

“The brown-haired boy?” He’d noticed him when they first arrived.

“Yup. Friend of yours?” she asked Yelena.

“Perhaps he’s one of Fisk’s.”

“But would he recognize us?” Valek asked. If a kid could spot them, then they were in trouble.

“Fisk’s been training them,” Yelena said. “Besides, if they’re on the lookout for a couple on horseback, we fit the description.”

A good point. “Let’s get the horses stabled and see if our friend follows us. Onora, we’ll meet you at the Ninth Street stables.”

They took a circuitous route to the stables located near the market and the safe house. The boy kept his distance, but also kept them in sight. At the stable, Yelena asked the groom not to get Kiki’s face wet, remembering the horse wore makeup as well.

“She hates that and will kick you,” she said.

“Thank you for the warning,” the young woman said. “Where would you like me to deliver your bags?”

“I’ll take them,” Valek said. “We’re not far.”

When the groom removed Kiki’s saddle, the horse looked at Valek.