Chapter 43 #2
“Supposedly seeds,” he confirmed. “I’d say it’s a safe bet whatever they’re planting is responsible for the tainted drugs on Lyra.”
“That would make sense. We know it’s not the ink in those shipments that’s tied to the murders,” Emmeline said with a furtive glance at Desmond who—to his credit—only nodded in agreement. “Though the culprit still has to be getting their ink from somewhere.”
“Stole it, most likely,” Desmond reminded them. “I did come up missing a few vials after the break in.”
“Right,” Emmeline agreed. “I hadn’t thought about what else could be smuggled in those crates.”
“Does that mean there’s a whole group involved in this?” Nico asked, gently rubbing Myrella’s shoulders as she sat in wide-eyed shock.
“It’s possible, but I think there would be more people missing if there were,” Roremar affirmed.
“My best guess is that whoever’s pushing the drug problem is relying on these seeds, so they’re the ones moving them and distributing them.
But I’d bet the person responsible for the murders is capitalizing on the seeds already being here.
” He blew out a rough breath, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. “For whatever they’re capable of. ”
“Seeds could mean it’s related to incense or oils for readings,” Myrella said.
“Multiple of the women visited Viperous Vices before they died.” Emmeline bit her lip as the theory contorted before her. “If we can figure out what the seeds are, we can trace the products.”
“I went through the records of all the victims’ purchases while you were sleeping,” Roremar said, digging through the mess of blankets on the chaise and pulling out a file.
Emmeline shuffled across the room to sit beside him, eyes immediately going to the items he’d circled in bright red ink. “They’ve all purchased mint?”
“It’s one of the few things all orders included. We dismissed it because it seemed unrelated to readings.”
“It’s not a common source. And they didn’t buy it in oil or incense form,” she agreed.
“You think the seeds were in the soil itself?” Desmond asked.
“About the only thing I can come up with.” Roremar dragged a hand through his hair, pursing his lips in thought. Emmeline watched the flex of his fingers as he placed his palm back on his knee, pinkie absently brushing hers. Tingles erupted through her body at the touch.
“I can go speak to the shopkeeper at Viperous Vices if you need me to,” Myrella offered.
Nico immediately frowned. “Don’t like that idea.”
She shoved his shoulder. “I don’t have an Anphrosia Fate tie. It’s safer than Emmeline going, and I know you can’t today.”
Nico opened his mouth to argue, but Roremar said, “Thanks, Myrella, but I wrote to her already asking about what’s been in their recent shipments.
I doubt they’re even in yet. Hopefully they’ll be able to get records to us later.
I wrote to Darcy, too, to see if his men can grab some mint from the shop while they’re stationed there today. ”
The reminder of other people outside these walls had Emmeline’s throat constricting. The Remembrance Revels were in a week. One week to put together these pieces and catch a killer or else not only would Lyra still be at risk, but she wouldn’t get her transfer to Valyn.
“Did the Snake Charmer say anything else?” Desmond asked.
Roremar’s head drooped. “He guessed this is about revenge.”
“Against the women?” Nico asked.
But Emmeline, knowing how the man worked, shook her head, fingers curling around the papers. “Anphrosia. He thinks someone is after the Fate of Cruelty and Adoration. And something made these women the perfect choice.”
“Perfect sacrifices,” Roremar corrected.
“Coming back to the cult theory?” Emmeline asked.
Roremar sighed. “Not sure we ever really left it.” He paused, tensing. “The Snake Charmer said something else. Asked me to tell you he hopes you find the Averian.”
Shock jolted through her. “The Averian,” she whispered.
“Who is that?” Roremar asked, the others quietly watching.
“It’s…” Emmeline bit her lip, but Roremar’s soothing words and coaxing hands came back to her from last night, the memories pushing her to trust him.
“It’s a name I overheard recently when following a source.
With all this, I haven’t been able to learn much more.
He was the second-in-command of the traders on the continent. ”
And the Snake Charmer knew she was looking for him.
Understanding dawned in Roremar’s eyes. “Do you think he’s saying he’s related to this?”
Emmeline shook her head, mind spinning. “No,” she forced out. “He doesn’t give away information for free, and that wasn’t what we paid for.” Roremar’s jaw ticked at the reminder of her payment. “I think it’s a message from him. That he’s always watching.”
Her skin felt slimy.
She’d thought she’d gotten away when she was seventeen, but he’d found her.
No matter where she ran, the Snake Charmer always watched.
She’d never told him about her family, but the serpent had beady eyes everywhere.
She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d surmised something about her past—if he held secrets no one else did.
The thought of returning to ask him about it had panic digging hooks into her lungs. A hand braced her spine, and she found steel eyes, centered herself in them.
A sharp ding rang out, another echoing across the isle from the Academy’s bell tower, and Emmeline flinched.
“Rore,” Nico said, nodding at the clock on the wall.
“By the Fates,” Roremar muttered as his brother stood and gathered his things, saying goodbye to Myrella. “We have to go now. We’re already late.”
“Go?” Emmeline’s skin chilled as his warmth disappeared. “Go where? Roremar, the Remembrance Revels are in a week. We can’t take breaks.”
“I know, but this one is nonnegotiable. Falliare knows where I’ll be.”
“Which is?” Emmeline pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
Roremar paused, studying her. She knew the panic was still plain on her features, but she didn’t hide it.
“Actually,” he said, “would you like to come with us?”