He was different than he had been at Casildo’s. This time instead of a hint of sadness in his eyes, it was pure murder. Rage darkened his countenance now. The last time I had seen him like this, he’d been in my room, talking about the emperor.
Now someone had stolen his sister, and he was here to make them pay.
“Durab, Tishk. Round up the city guards. I want the bazaar turned inside out. The perpetrators cannot be far. Someone in Basral will know something.”
“Yes, sir,” Durab said, his fist curling around the pommel of his scimitar.
“And remember,” Maz said smoothly, staring at the two guards. “My sister was taken during your watch.” His mouth twisted into a sneer. “Don’t disappoint me again. Find who took her.” That same muscle ticked in his jaw, his eyes blazing.
Durab and Tishk raised their chins, shame painted on their features. They nodded once and left us, their footsteps burning holes in the red earth.
Leaving Anam, Mazin, and me standing together in the bazaar.
“Thank you for saving Anam,” Mazin said quietly. “My own guards failed where you succeeded. We owe you a great debt.”
“It was nothing,” I said, unsure of who he was now. He was soserious. So stoic. Like a shadow had passed over him and never quite left.
“It was something to me.” He inclined his head, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt a sense of unease steal over me, his expression still too murderous while he watched me.
“My brother is right. You were amazing. You should have seen her, Maz. Well, not that I could.” She made a face. “But I heard her. She fought off the thieves and rescued me.”
“Did you manage to get a look at them?” His gaze was probing and I stood a little straighter under his attention.
“I’m afraid not,” I said, shaking my head with false disappointment. “It was dark, and I was more focused on helping Anam.”
“Their age? Any identifying scars or features? Were they short or tall? How were they dressed?”
“Brother! Stop pestering her when she’s just saved me. We should be giving her a proper thank-you, not interrogating her. Come, Sanaya.” She linked her arm in mine, walking to the tanga that waited for her with the other carriages at the edge of the bazaar.
“Forgive me,” Mazin said, his voice low, stepping alongside me and matching my pace. I closed my eyes and savored the rumble of that voice and the way it vibrated through me.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” My voice was bright, tinny, false. But then everything about him had been false too.
“Have lunch at the palace with us.”
I whirled my head to face him, my breath stolen at his commanding words. They had seemed almost rushed, a last-minute invitation, but his face was serious, his mouth set.
“Anam’s right,” he continued, tilting his head. “We should be giving you a proper thank-you. Let us honor you for what you’ve done today.”
Anam let go of my arm and clapped her hands together. “That’s perfect. Let’s meet tomorrow at the palace.”
“I would love that.”
“Then it’s settled,” he said, placing a hand on the small of my back.Despite the layers and beading I felt the heat from his palm as if it were on bare skin. I shivered.
If he noticed the movement, he didn’t react. He still watched me with that same inscrutable stare.
What happened to you?I wanted to ask. Where had the boy I’d known gone?
He never existed. He was never real.
He withdrew his hand and helped Anam into the carriage.
“Can we give you a ride anywhere?”
I blinked at him, realizing he held his hand out and was offering to assist me into the tanga. I shrunk back. As much as I needed to spend more time with him, to sow the seeds of my own revenge, I needed to gather myself. If I were shivering from his touch I didn’t know what I’d do sitting beside him in a carriage ride.
And with Basral soldiers scouring the city for my pickpockets, I had other things to take care of.
