Page 86 of The Tainted Cup

“Are the Hazas responsible for your banishment to Daretana, ma’am?” I asked.

Her smile grew to a grin. “That’s not entirely true.”

“Did theykillyour previous assistant?”

To my surprise, her grin didn’t flicker one jot. “That’s not entirely true, either.”

“What’s not? That it was the Hazas, or that your assistant was killed?”

“Focus, Din. We are here to figure out how this calamity happened and who is responsible. Follow that thread, and that threadalone,and we shall have victory.” Then she cocked her head, knelt, and felt the fretvine floor. “Vashta is coming back. I can feel her stride in the very wood…And I think Miljin and Strovi are with her. Come. Let us pretend to be professional, you and I, for hell and the gentry await.”

—

“HERE,” SAID VASHTAcoldly, “is what I have been able to salvage. First, Fayazi Haza does not wish to be in the room withyouanymore, Immunis. To have made such an attack on her character during such a period of grief is beyond toleration. Is that clear?”

Ana shrugged. “That is clear if not welcome, ma’am.”

“Secondly…Fayazi Haza will permit an inspection of her halls.Purelyto identify the circumstances of her father’s death. We shall pry no more in their affairs than that. This inspection must take place today, immediately. Which means we must postpone interviewing your colleagues about their involvement at this…thisparty.”

“That is all well,” said Ana. “We’ll get to them soon enough.”

“Lastly, however…Fayazi is not comfortable with a large presence from the Iudex. So she has only agreed to open her halls to one officer.” Vashta’s eyes moved to my face. “That would be you, Signum.”

I stared at her, then at Miljin, who looked disgusted, then Strovi, who looked alarmed.

“Me?” I asked. “Justme? At thehalls of the Hazas,ma’am?”

“That is indeed the case,” said Vashta.

“It does not feel,” sniffed Ana, “that the Hazas should be dictating who can or cannot investigate a murder, even if it did take place in their fancy house.”

“We’re lucky to send anyone at all!” Vashta snapped. “Though there are ways I can obligate the Hazas to open their doors, that would take time—and the quakes grow ever stronger. Wemustgetthis resolved quickly. My understanding is that Kol here was your only assistance in Daretana, correct? Then he should suffice once again. Fayazi is even willing to take him in the Haza carriage.”

Ana’s initial fury now changed to concern. She pivoted her head to me, like she could hear the beat of my heart, and thought for a moment. “I will consent to this,” she said, “but I would like a moment to talk it over with Din and Miljin.”

“As you wish,” said Vashta. We bowed to her, and she departed.

Strovi looked back at me as he departed. He seemed so shaken it was as if it were he who’d been condemned to this task, rather than I. “Go safely, Kol,” he said. “The halls are a dangerous place. Not all who walk in return.” Then he followed Vashta out.

—

“WHY…WHY’S SHEasking for me?” I said. “I mean, out of everyone in Talagray…”

“Seems likely they want you there so they can push you around, yeah?” said Miljin. He turned to Ana. “Someone young. New. Pretty. Suspect she thinks the boy’ll be putty in her hands.” He spat on the floor. “I’d normally begrudge you for fooling about with Aristan’s body, boy, but given what’s coming now, I’ve naught but pity.”

“But what in hell would Fayazi get out of pushing Din around?” said Ana. “The boy knows fuck-all of anything important!”

“I am standing,” I said tersely, “right here.”

Ana ignored me, drumming her fingers on the sides of her legs. “The more I consider it, the more I think Fayazi wants to find the killer before us.”

“You think she seeks vengeance?” asked Miljin.

“Not quite. I suspect Jolgalganknowssomething about the Hazas and Blas. Something to make her go to a lot of trouble to kill the two men in such a symbolic fashion. Something I think the Hazas are desperate to keep secret. And then there are the murders of Aristan and Suberek…” She fell silent, her face grave. “Thatis what Fayaziwill try to weasel out of you, Din. She wants you to give her something that will help her find the killer first and make this all go away before we can dig any further.”

“How’s she going to do that?” I asked. “Will her bodyguards hold a blade to my throat?”

“Oh, no,” she said. She blew a strand of bone-white hair out of her face. “Rather, Din, I’m much more concerned that Fayazi Haza might try to fuck you.”