AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Benito looked quickly at Harlo, trying to hide an expression of dismay. “Of course,” Harlo said smoothly. “We may learn a great deal.”
But Madeleine wasn’t fooled. “What? What’s wrong?”
Harlo hesitated, then nodded at Benito. “The young woman apparently did not want to be questioned,” Benito said. “Before they could even get her inside the guardhouse, she had ingested a fatal poison.”
It was a moment before Madeleine could make sense of the words. “She—what? Shekilledherself?”
“So it appears.”
“Because she didn’t want to explain why—explain why—”
“There could be many reasons she did not want to face an interrogation,” Harlo said. “She may have been a criminal wanted for other infractions. Or perhaps she is simply unstable, and she planned suicide no matter what the outcome of tonight’s events. Sadly, we will never know.”
“No—I suppose not. Well, I admit I am disappointed,” Madeleine said. She hoped she sounded composed, but in truth this news was almost as upsetting as the attack itself. She found herself wondering how Jayla would interpret this information, but she thought she could guess.Someone would rather die than reveal who sent her to kill you. That means she is a fanatic. That means everyone else who tried to kill you is a fanatic. That means they will try again.Aloud she said, “I really did hope for some answers.”
Benito gave her arm a comforting squeeze. “There may yet be some clues,” he said. “In her clothing, in whatever items she had on her body. We might be able to track down where she lived and who her friends are. Don’t lose heart.”
She smiled at him gratefully. “No, I won’t. Thank you.”
Harlo was looking over his shoulder, clearly receiving a signal from someone on his staff. “Ah, my dear, I am needed. I will talk to you again before the evening is over.”
“Of course,” she said, and kept the smile on her face as they turned to go. The minute they disappeared into the crowd, she felt the panic claw its way back up her throat. Dead! The attacker was dead! Who would be sent after her next? Someone stealthier, more determined, with a steadier hand . . . She looked around frantically for Tivol, desperate to seek comfort from his presence, take refuge against his shoulder. Three of his friends stood nearby, laughing immoderately at some private joke, but Tivol wasn’t with them. He wasn’t talking with the older men clustered near the wine buffet—he wasn’t paying exaggerated compliments to any of the pretty young women scattered around the wide room. Madeleine felt her breath shorten as her lungs refused to fill; she felt her hands curl with anxiety. Where was Tivol?
“Madeleine,” said a low voice behind her, and she turned practically into Reese’s arms. His face was a study of horror and worry. “Madeleine. I just got here five minutes ago and I heard—”
“Oh, Reese,” she said, and it was an effort to keep her voice level. Her need for solace was so great she had to fight the urge to fling herself into his arms. As it was, she instinctively extended her hands, and he took them in a reassuring grasp. “I can’t even tell you—”
“Should you be standing here? You look so pale,” he interrupted. “There are a couple of chairs over there. Let’s sit down.”
She would have protested, but he was already shepherding her to a row of plush seats set invitingly against the wall. He kept his hold on her hands as they dropped onto the padded cushions. Madeleine couldn’t keep herself from checking to make sure that Jayla had followed. She had.
“Tell me about it,” Reese demanded.
“It happened so quickly. We were outside, with the crowd, everyone pressing to get inside. And then this small creature—it was a woman, Reese! A woman!—she just slipped up beside me and struck at me with a knife—”
“Madeleine!” He brought her hands to his mouth, kissing her knuckles, but never letting his eyes waver from her face. “Are you hurt? Everyone said you weren’t, but—”
“No. The knife never touched me. Jayla—my guard, you remember the guard we hired—”
“Of course I remember.”
“She was right there. She stopped the attacker. It was so fast I almost didn’t realize what was happening.”
He kissed her knuckles again. She felt the strain in his arms, the tension in his hands, and she had the fanciful thought that he was forcibly restraining himself from sweeping her into a hard embrace. “If something had happened to you—”
She managed a woebegone smile. “I am so very glad it didn’t.”
“I hope your father gives abagof money to Jayla as a reward. If he doesn’t, I’ll do it.Twobags.”
Madeleine tried to assume a bantering tone. “Well, of course it’s herjobto protect me, and she does get paid for that.”
Reese glanced around with disfavor, as if he found the opulent room and the gaily dressed party-goers far from his taste. “I suppose you can’t go straight home. I suppose you have to stay and show everyone how calm and collected you are. An example of strength to all the women of the Council families.”
That actually made her laugh. “I don’t feel strong. But I do want to stay. I told Tivol that I wasn’t being brave, I was just feeling rage.”
Reese glanced around again. “And where is Tivol?”
“Here somewhere,” she said lightly. He turned back to her, his face creasing with anger, but she forestalled him before he could speak. “But I wasn’t even expecting to seeyouhere tonight! When did you get back to the city?”
