The carriage that came for them was expensive. Black lacquer with silver trim. Two horses that cost more than most people earned in a year.
"House Roe doesn't do anything halfway," Lyra murmured as they climbed in.
The driver didn't speak. Didn't even look at them. Just cracked the reins and set off toward the noble quarter.
Inside, the carriage was lined with velvet. Small oil lamps provided soft light. Kael adjusted his collar for the tenth time.
"Stop fidgeting," Lyra said. "You look fine."
"I look like I'm playing dress-up."
"Everyone at these events is playing dress-up. That's the point." She smoothed her own dress. "Just remember—we're Lord and Lady Thorne from the eastern provinces. We deal in rare textiles. We're wealthy but not noble. Interested in expanding our business connections."
"And if someone asks specific questions about textiles?"
"Then I'll handle it. You just stand there and look intimidating."
"I can do that."
The carriage wound through the noble quarter. Past mansions Kael remembered from his childhood, when his father would bring him to social events. Everything looked the same, but he was different now.
He touched the walking stick that concealed Soulrender. The sword was quiet tonight, almost dormant. Like it was waiting for something.
They arrived at House Roe's estate as the sun finished setting. The mansion was massive, three stories of white stone with towers at each corner. Gardens spread in all directions, perfectly maintained.
Guards checked their invitation at the gate. Examined their papers. Looked at them with the suspicious eyes of men paid to notice threats.
"You're cleared," one finally said. "Weapons must be peace-bonded."
Kael showed them the walking stick. They tied a silk cord around it—symbolic more than anything. If he wanted to draw Soulrender, a piece of silk wouldn't stop him.
More guards at the mansion entrance. More checks. House Roe took security seriously.
Finally, they were allowed inside.
The entrance hall took Kael's breath away. Marble floors so polished they reflected like mirrors. A chandelier with a thousand crystals. Paintings that belonged in museums. Wealth on a scale that made Julian's stolen fortune look like pocket change.
"This way, please," a servant said. Young woman in a black dress. She led them through corridors lined with more art, more expensive furnishings.
They entered a large reception room. Maybe fifty people already there, all dressed in their finest. Nobles, merchants, a few Kael couldn't categorize. Everyone holding wine glasses. Everyone talking in that particular way rich people talked—lots of words, very little said.
"Lord and Lady Thorne," the servant announced.
A few heads turned. Most ignored them. New money wasn't interesting to old money.
"Wine?" Another servant appeared with a tray.
Lyra took a glass. Kael declined. He needed his wits sharp tonight.
"Let's circulate," Lyra said quietly. "See who's here. Gather information."
They moved through the room. Lyra was good at this—smiling, making small talk, extracting information without seeming to ask questions. Kael stayed beside her, playing the strong silent type.
He recognized some faces. Nobles who'd attended his father's funeral. Merchants who'd once dealt with House Voss. None of them recognized him, or if they did, they didn't show it.
"Lord Thorne," someone said behind him.
Kael turned. An older man with silver hair and sharp eyes. Expensive clothes but worn comfortably. Someone used to wealth.
"Have we met?" Kael asked carefully.
"Not formally. But I knew your father."
Kael's blood went cold. "I think you have me confused with—"
"Aldric Voss was a good man. Honest. Rare quality in the Merchants' Guild." The man sipped his wine. "I was sorry to hear about his death. And the rest of your family."
"You're mistaken," Kael said, his hand moving toward his walking stick. "My name is—"
"Relax, boy. I'm not going to announce it." The man gestured to a quiet corner. "Walk with me."
Kael looked at Lyra. She gave a slight nod. He followed the man away from the crowd.
"Who are you?" Kael asked once they were alone.
"Marcus Roe. Head of House Roe." He studied Kael. "You look like your father. Same eyes. Same stubborn jaw. The disguise is good, but not good enough for someone who knew Aldric well."
"If you know who I am, why invite me?"
"Because House Roe values interesting people. And you, Kael Voss, are very interesting." Marcus gestured around the room. "Everyone here has something to offer. Information. Artifacts. Services. House Roe facilitates trades. We're... neutral brokers, you might say."
"And what do you want from me?"
"Want? Nothing. Yet." Marcus smiled. "But I have information that might interest you. About your sword. About what it really is."
Kael tensed. "How do you know about—"
"We know about everything, eventually. That's our business." Marcus set his wine glass on a nearby table. "The blade you carry. Soulrender. It's not just a cursed weapon. It's a prison."
"A prison for what?"
"For something called the Devourer. An ancient entity that feeds on souls. Your ancestors trapped it in that blade centuries ago. Thought they could control it, use its power. They were wrong."
"I already know the sword is dangerous."
"But do you know that it's getting stronger? That with every soul it consumes, the Devourer grows closer to breaking free?" Marcus leaned in. "And when it does, it won't just consume you. It'll consume everything. This city. This kingdom. Perhaps the world."
Kael's hand was on his walking stick now, gripping it tight. "Why tell me this?"
"Because House Roe has a vested interest in the world not ending." Marcus straightened. "And because we have something that might help you. An artifact. Ancient. Designed to suppress cursed weapons."
"What kind of artifact?"
"Come to the auction. You'll see." Marcus started to walk away, then paused. "Oh, and Kael? Your cousin Julian is still alive. He's been buying information from us. Specifically, information about how to kill someone bonded to a cursed blade."
"Where is he?"
"That information isn't free." Marcus smiled. "But perhaps we can make a trade. After you see what we're auctioning."
He disappeared back into the crowd, leaving Kael standing alone with more questions than answers.
Lyra appeared at his elbow. "What was that about?"
"Trouble," Kael said. "He knows who I am. Knows about the sword. And he says Julian's been here, buying information about how to kill me."
"So it's a trap."
"Maybe. Or maybe it's an opportunity." Kael looked around the room full of wealthy, powerful people. "Either way, we're here now. Might as well see what they're selling."
A bell chimed. The crowd began moving toward a set of double doors.
"The auction's starting," Lyra said. "You ready?"
Kael thought about Marcus's words. About the Devourer. About Julian still out there, planning his death.
"No," he admitted. "But let's go anyway."
They followed the crowd through the doors into an auction hall that looked more like a theater. Tiered seating. A stage at the front. And on that stage, draped in cloth, at least a dozen items waiting to be revealed.
Whatever House Roe was selling, it was valuable enough to attract the richest people in the capital.
And one of those items might be the key to controlling—or destroying—Soulrender.
Kael took a seat, Lyra beside him, and waited for the show to begin.
* * *
END OF CHAPTER 31