Page 18 of The Space Between Stars

“I’m… I’m sorry.”

“That’s the way we all go.” Pinto shrugged. “Which is why I have another dear alchemist friend. We brunch together every other ten-day.”

Attilatia doubted there was a single person of affluence in all of greater Seraphinden whom Pinto hadn’t invited to tea. “Do you have another distortion engineer somewhere in your pocket too?”

“No, Atti. You are the one and only.” The grooves in his forehead deepened as his black eyes widened. “Let’s talk about this wine.”

“It was gifted to me.” There was no need to go into details. “But it makes me nervous. I wonder if it’s been tainted somehow.”

Of course, Pinto made his own assumptions. “That wouldn’t be very romantic of him, would it?”

Preservation help her. “Well. I’m nearly sure the problem is that I’m not very romantic. And I’m overthinking.” She sat beside him.

“You could just toss it,” he suggested, shooing away a number of throw pillows.

“But wine is Creation’s apology for social obligations.”

“So you just want us to test a tiny bit so you can drink the rest, should the results return negative?”

“Naturally. Wouldn’t want to insult the Fates.” She’d spent so long without having an amicable conversion with anyone that wasn’t Dex. It was such a relief to just…

“I like this version of you, Atti.”

The heat from her cheeks was answer enough; she did too.

“Consider it done,” Pinto said. “It’s a busy time. I could have it back to you in about a ten-day, if you aren’t in a hurry?”

“No,” she said, deciding not to tell him that her quarry wouldn’t be returning for a couple months.

Silence settled neatly between them, multiplying invisibly until he squinted at her. “You know this wine isn’t poisoned, Atti?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“I’ll test it anyway, to put you at ease. Is there something more bothering you?”

“The Ratka.” She said it knowing the Shadewalker’s mark was a topic Pinto wished to steer clear of.

His mouth pulled into a line. “Please tell me you haven’t been putting any more energy into the Ratka.”

“No. Well. Yes. But I’ve been discreet.”

Pinto swore under his breath.

Attilatia realized she’d been rolling the bead of her bracelet between her fingers and released it. Pinto was proving to be observant. Better to not draw attention to it. “It’s important, Pinto. If Dexe and I are to survive—”

“If you want to survive, you’ll keep out of the Shadewalker’s business.” He put his face in his hands. “Listen… I’ll see if I can arrange for someone to give you some information. You just have to promise me that afterwards you won’t keep looking for answers. You have to believe me when I say there are things moving beyond Nelfinden borders that you simply cannot control.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’ll believe that when I understand it for myself.”

“We will see.” He stared at the drawn curtains. “Today is your off-day, yes?” She nodded. “Let’s plan for next ten-day. And don’t you even think on the subject until then. Understood?”

“Thank you.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “And I expect you’ll be leaving now?”

Attilatia shifted. Was he asking her to? Or was he just assuming she would now that she had what she’d come for? “Ahm...”

She had no plans for the day; she hadn’t been able to get access to the ruxechorin she needed to continue her usual experimentation. With nothing to do, the company of someone who did not resent her might be welcome. But she was hardly accustomed to invitations without manipulation behind them.