Read The Black Key for Free Online Page B

touch of arrogance, a dash of indifference for my mother’s wishes.” I can imagine the gleam of mischief in his blue eyes. “I’ll let you know which train to get on tomorrow. I’m sure there will be a new group of servants coming in—everyone is going crazy preparing for the Auction. I’ll send out word that we’re expecting you.”
    â€œThank you, Garnet,” I say fervently.
    â€œDon’t mention it. Hey, is Raven there?”
    â€œThought you’d never ask,” she says, stepping forward with a grin.
    â€œBusiness before pleasure, always. Do you have time to talk?”
    Raven laughs. “I’m not the one with the crazy wife and the overbearing mother. I’ve got all the time in the world.”
    â€œYes, but you’ve got Sil, and she isn’t exactly a bucket of rainbows, is she? Kidding, Sil!” he says quickly before Sil can retort.
    Raven takes the arcana to the front porch. I say good night to Sil and the girls and head to the barn to break the news to Ash.
    H E’S BY THE GOAT PEN, ONE OF THEM NUZZLING HIS HAND searching for an extra treat, when I enter.
    For a moment, I just stand and watch him, the strength of his shoulders, the curve of his arms, the gentleness in his touch as he rubs a black-and-white-spotted goat behind the ears. I breathe in the calm before I break it.
    â€œAsh?” I say timidly.
    He turns around and lets out a strangled yelp when he sees my new face. “What— Violet ?”
    â€œIt’s me,” I say, stepping forward. He comes closer, inspecting my eyes and nose and hair with a little bit of wonder and a lot of confusion.
    â€œThe Auguries?” he asks. I nod. “Why?”
    I explain what Lucien told me about the danger Hazel is in, and how Garnet is going to hire me to work in the palace. I see his face turn from incredulous to downright stormy.
    â€œYou’re serious,” he says. “You’re leaving the White Rose. You’re abandoning your own plan and going into the Jewel, into the heart of danger.”
    I swallow. “Yes.”
    â€œFine.” He turns and climbs up the hayloft ladder, tossing a few things he keeps up there down, an extra shirt, his pocket watch, the photograph of his family that he took from Madame Curio’s companion house. Then he climbs back down the ladder. “I’m coming with you.”
    â€œWhat? No, Ash, you can’t.”
    â€œAnd you can?”
    â€œI don’t look like me! I don’t have a million Regimentals trying to find and execute me. Garnet will look after me. I’ll be safe.”
    â€œGarnet has his own role in this revolution,” Ash says. “He can’t put everything on hold just to watch over you.” He starts shoving the items into a small satchel. “Everyone in the whole damned city has a role in this revolution, except me.”
    He throws the bag over his shoulder and glares.
    â€œSo when do we leave?” he asks.
    I wait for a few moments, until his breathing has calmed slightly. Then I step forward and place a hand on his cheek.
    â€œAsh, you can’t ,” I say. “You’d never make it past the Bank.”
    â€œStop trying to keep me safe all the time, when you clearly don’t show the same consideration for yourself.” The chickens cluck nervously as he begins to pace around the barn. “You’re always telling me to stay here, be patient, be protected, but what if that’s not what I want? What if I want to do more, no matter the risk? And you feel like you can just waltz off to the Jewel because Hazel is in danger and expect everyone to understand. Well, I don’t , Violet. I don’t understand.”
    â€œShe is in danger,” I say.
    â€œWe’re all in danger!” Ash shouts, and Turnip whinnies, shaking her mane. He runs his hand down her long neck to calm her. “Don’t you even see the hypocrisy here?