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Her white-knuckle grip loosened. “That’s a waste of a question since the answer is pretty disappointing.”
“That’s fine.”
She pressed a hand over Luka’s ear. Jarek couldn’t tell if the placement was intentional. “A man I worked for was Reatian. Part, anyway. He usually only used it when he was pissed. I picked up a few things, mostly insults.”
“At you?”
“No. He was a decent man.” Her colors grayed like an early morning mist. “How much do you know about my time in Reave?”
“Is that your question in return?”
She pressed her lips and shook her head.
Jarek leaned back in the saddle. “You’re right. That was disappointing.” He lifted a hand to signal her turn, but she didn’t take it. “Go on.”
“I’m thinking,” she said. “I’ve got two, and I can’t pick.”
“That’s all you have?”
Lilith’s eyes tore into him like jagged amethyst. “Within the confines of the rules, yes.”
Jarek’s pulse quickened. Maybe she’d look less terrifying if I do something to appease her.
“I’ll ask another, and you can ask both,” he said. She shrugged and looked forward. “How familiar are you with the Viceroy’s power over Reave?”
“Perex?” Lilith crinkled her nose. “This sounds like another waste. Isn’t your ‘associate’ familiar with the area?”
Familiar, yes, but Lilith played a key role in the changes going on now. Rumors of conflict within the limits of the city had been brewing since her departure. Jarek was looking forward to speaking with Kyer when he returned to see if he learned just how extensive it was. In the meantime, she may be able to provide a little insight.
“I want your perspective,” he said.
She bobbed her head once. “I didn’t spend enough time in the upper levels to get involved in their politics. It’s nice up there, closer to the palace. But Perex lets the lower sections of the city practically run themselves. His members of the Swarm don’t enforce crime or provide more than the basics for their people, if they consider them their people.”
Interesting. “The products of Dabria, you mean?”
“Products…” She scoffed. “Yes and no. There are shades from all the Flares in the lower city, mostly Dusks, yes, but they’re usually fodder for ghostsoil first. A lot of it depends on luck, blood, and how well they behave. I know they’re complacent, letting it happen because for most of them, that’s all they know, but I know many aren’t happy with their situation. They certainly have the means to do something about it,” she continued her thought, but her voice fell, uncertain, “even if the Dawns have more.” She glanced at him sidelong, running a hand through Luka’s hair. “Which would you like first? Curious or accusatory?”
Jarek jerked his stare away now that she was watching him. “I’ll let you get your bite in first.”
“Were the kills you made at the border necessary?”
His chest tightened, even if her tone wasn’t as harsh as it could’ve been. “I thought you might’ve picked up on that…” Jarek wasn’t sure how to answer. With the truth, but it sounded like making excuses.
“Well?” she mocked. “Go on.”
He scratched his jaw. “It was one man, a, uh, Escardian. Their drugs make them resistant to the Serpent’s influence for mind play, so I made a choice.”
“Makes sense.” She snickered quietly. “What did you say? Scardan?”
“Es-card-dian.”
“A blessed soul, right?” Lilith clicked her tongue. “Showing your age there. Most of Eocera refers to them as shards now.”
Jarek inspected her numb colors, not worried a bit about the teasing. “I was expecting that revelation to hurt more.”
“I can’t judge for making a decision like that.”
“Your entire purpose for existing is passing judgment for decisions like that.”
