He shrugged. "I had to find a way to get him to let us go. It can be no worse than other things I've done in my life."
"It could be more dangerous."
"It probably is. Sinan always gets his price in any bargain."
And his price might very well be Kadar's blood. She stared blindly out at the sea. "You're such a fool."
"The better to keep you entertained." He was silent for a moment. "There's something you should know. Sinan will try to use you."
"He doesn't need me to make you do his bidding. You're all too willing."
"He'll still use you, if I can't prevent it. It's his nature to bend everyone to his will, and I don't bend. It's a battle that's waged between us for years. It's better if he believes you mean nothing to me." His lips twisted. "If I can fool him. It may not be possible. I've only known one man more clever."
"Who?" she asked curiously.
He shrugged. "Nasim. He was . . ." He searched for the right word. "Linked to Sinan."
She frowned. "I've never heard you speak of him."
"Because he doesn't matter. That was a long time ago." He switched back to the previous subject. "I think Sinan realized what you were to me all those years ago. He'll be pleased with Balkir for delivering you into his hands."
"He won't use me. I won't permit it."
"I hope you're right. I suppose it's foolish to ask you not to interfere?"
"Why should I interfere? You're the one who was idiot enough to promise to do his will. I wish only that Haroun and I are freed so that we may return to Montdhu. Be sure that is part of any bargain you make."
"I'll try. I can only promise that you'll both survive." He took her elbow. "Have you had enough air? I think we'd better go back to your cabin. That sailor aft has been eyeing you and edging closer for the past few moments. I don't want to be forced to toss him overboard."
She hadn't been aware of anything but their conversation, but Kadar had noticed. Kadar always knew everything that was going on around him. Sinan wasn't the only one who was uncanny. "I suppose I'm ready."
"Astonishing," Kadar murmured as he guided her back to the cabin. "Knowing how displeased you are with me, I thought surely you'd want to see me put to the trouble of ridding us of him."
"Sinan will give you enough trouble when we reach Maysef. He needs no help from me."
Sinan . . .
After Kadar had taken Selene back to her cabin, he returned to the rail to stare out at the sea. Selene's last remark had stirred the uneasiness that had been growing in him during these weeks on board the Dark Star.
Something was not as it should be. When he had spoken to the sailors casually of Sinan, they had frozen and then made excuses to bolt away from him.
And Balkir's slip of the tongue on the night of their departure. He had scarcely noticed it at the time, but it had evidently stuck in his memory.
Nas--Sinan.
Nasim?
The familiar chill swept over him at the unwelcome possibility.
But possibilities must be faced before they became realities that caught you by surprise.
He turned on his heel and strode to where Balkir stood at the front of the ship.
"There's something you should know," Kadar murmured as he helped Selene down the gangplank at Hafir. "It wasn't Sinan who sent the Dark Star."
"What?" she asked, startled. "But it had to--"
"Sinan is dead. He died years ago."
