The central arena of the Crimson Veil sat in the lower heart of the Bone City, a wide circular floor of black glass surrounded by rising tiers of the same material. By the time we arrived the tiers were already filling with disciples and ranking members of the Veil. No clan colours showed anywhere. The only banners were deep crimson cloth marked with a simple open hand.
Lady Sable waited at the edge of the floor in full formal robes. Yara and Nyra stood a short distance behind her, identical in posture and expression. When she saw us she gave a single nod and gestured toward the centre of the arena.
"Only you," she said to me. "The others may observe from the first tier."
Elizabeth touched my arm once, brief and certain, then led the rest of the circle to the places reserved for them. I stepped onto the black glass alone.
