Chapter 19: The Empty Cradles

"The nursery wing is in the east tower," Bastian said, already running. "There's one door and one key."

"And she has the key."

"Yes."

Merrick took the stairs three at a time.

I ran behind them with my hand pressed under my belly, and I did not slow down.

The east tower smelled of old wax and cold stone.

At the top of the spiral stair stood an iron door, painted white, with a brass lock the size of my fist.

It was shut.

Bastian put his shoulder to it, and it did not give.

"Honoria!" he roared.

"Hush, darling," her voice answered, from the other side. "You'll wake the babies."

There were no babies in that wing.

I did not understand what she meant.

"Where's Eileen?" I shouted.

"Here!" Eileen's voice came muffled and high. "She grabbed me in the crush, she has a knife..."

A sharp sound, a muffled cry.

"The girl is quite safe," Honoria said pleasantly. "For the moment. I think we shall have a talk."

Bastian stepped back from the door and looked at me.

"No," I said.

"Ellie..."

"I'm not letting her talk you out of a sentence. Let me."

I put my palm flat on the white paint.

"Honoria, it's me."

"I know, dear."

"What do you want?"

"Open the door, Aunt," Bastian said, "and I will let you leave the Hall alive."

"You? You will let me?" She laughed, a warm, low, motherly sound. "Bastian, I held you the night your mother died. You owe me everything."

"I owe you nothing."

"The Houses chose forever, my darling. Do you know what that cost? Two hundred years, I have kept this Court alive and eternal."

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