Smoke reaches the council corridor before the second fire bell finishes. Everyone moves at once. That is the problem. Guards turn toward the records wing. Two council aides run for the north stairs. Someone shouts that the outer patrol needs reinforcement.

The first thing I do is stop everyone from using the same antidote. Sera has three vials lined up when I reach the treatment table.

"Those are Grant's doses," I say.

"They're the only counter-agent already prepared."

"And they were calculated for his weight, his expo

Ironveil's senior patrol captain wants to close the north road. I tell him no. He looks at Councilor Breck before he looks back at me. Old habit.

Breck says, "She's running the route plan."

New habit.

The captain's mouth tightens. "If Kellan crosses into Silve