“So you’re French, then?”
The man looked at Phoenix, a mild expression on his face. “French? I suppose I am.”
Phoenix couldn’t tell if this was an artful evasion or simply an odd sense of humor. Or both. “Were you born here?”
His chuckle sounded more like a rumble. “No.”
Raya tried a question. “How long have you been exploring the caves?”
He looked at the ceiling as he considered his answer. “A long time. Maybe even a very long time.”
Bored of the twenty questions game, Phoenix peered closer. Surely there would be a telltale sign.
The man noticed Phoenix’s careful study. He genially patted his clothing. “Is my shirt unbuttoned, friend?”
His ironic emphasis on the last word set off warning bells.
Then he stood, unfolding like a mountain on legs, and came within arm’s reach of Phoenix. “You ask a lot of questions.”
Phoenix shrugged and tried to look nonchalant. “You reminded me of someone, that’s all.”
“Do I?” The rumble in his voice deepened.
“An old friend.” He tried to edge backward without drawing attention to the fact that he was edging backward.
With one heavy step, the man closed the distance. “I don’t think I’m your friend.”
Raya quietly positioned her wand to point in his direction.
The man looked at her briefly before returning his gaze to Phoenix. “That won’t help you,ma chérie.”
She lowered it. “How do you—”
He removed his headlamp and held it in his hand. The light blazed, then elongated to form a column of fire. The straps twisted around themselves into a handle, which he gripped tightly as he raised the flaming sword to Phoenix’s neck. The crackling edge emitted a hissing sound. “You have one chance to explain.”
“It would be a lot easier if you didn’t hold a sword to my neck, Justinian—ow!” Phoenix winced as the angel brought it even closer.
“I should send you to oblivion right now. Then I wouldn’t have to look at your ugly face again for a very long time.”
Raya stood up and slowly approached. “What did he do to you?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t get into this right now—” Phoenix had to stop talking when Justinian brought the hissing blade another fraction of an inch closer.
“Thisrois decons—”
“That’s ‘king of idiots,’” said Phoenix, for Raya’s benefit.
“Shut up, I’m talking to the lady.” Justinian repositioned the sword with its tip at Phoenix’s throat.
“Oh, a lady! I like that.” Raya slipped closer to Justinian and smiled.
Justinian returned the smile while keeping the sword in place. “My apologies, madame. I did not mean to frighten you. Thisbeauf—”
“Uneducated rube,” said Phoenix.
Justinian shot him a warning glare. “Thisbeaufstarted a riot that tore down priceless statues at Notre Dame.”
“In my defense, they were already very angry. I just suggested they hold a demonstration and demand their rights.”
