Sanctuary than all Roxane’s water demons. The flashes of lightning were almost
constant now, and a strong scent of ozone hung in the air. Puddles dotted the
great courtyard; doors on the ground floor were open as Beysib servants tried to
sweep water outside.
Lalo stopped short, gazing around in consternation, and Gilla gave him a look
that said “I told you so!”
“The nursery was in the basement. I don’t know where they’ve moved the children
now.”
“At least the Palace is still here,” said Wedemir.
Gilla snorted, grabbed a fish-eyed female who was hurrying past with a mop and
pail and began to question her. Her limited command of the language was no
problem-as soon as Gilla mentioned children the maid paled and pointed upward,
then slid from Gilla’s grasp.
Upstairs, they found there was no need to ask directions. As they toiled up a
staircase that had been well-known to Lalo in the days when he used the roof
garden as a portrait studio, they could hear shrieks, punctuated by rolling
thunder and the despairing murmur of female voices.
Gilla threw open the door to the sitting room and stood a moment, surveying the
scene. Then she waded into the room and began smacking bottoms. Lalo stared, but
he supposed that even these children would hold no terrors for someone who had
managed to escape from Roxane.
There was a short, stunned silence. Then Gilla sat down between the two storm
children and pulled them into her capacious lap. Gyskouras took a deep breath
and began to hiccup fiercely, but Arton was still crying great, storm-colored