Chapter 25
Two Birds with One Stone
It’s just past midnight, and after a week of waiting and watching, my target finally arrives in Panah City. They travel directly to the Segnature Coven, where Prima Alicia is the only person to greet them. At this hour, that’s not surprising, and it works in my favor.
After waiting half an hour for them to become more comfortable with their surroundings, and possibly lower a bit of their guard, I quietly slip in through the same rear door I used the last time I was here and let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting in the ceremonial area.
Careful to keep my footsteps quiet, I cross the offering circle, slipping soundlessly through the hallway on the left that leads from the ceremonial hall to the living quarters for the Segnatori.
With my cloaking spell firmly in place, I quietly wander through the building, listening for any movement or conversation.
Subdued voices come from the left, and I carefully peer through the open doorway into the sparsely furnished room.
There’s a narrow bed against the opposite wall, a small wardrobe directly across from it, and a wooden table with a single chair just inside the door.
Prima Alicia is a few feet into the room, with her back to me.
Medium brown hair, no gray, about five feet, six inches tall, sturdy build.
From this angle, it’s difficult to judge her age.
She’s left-handed and unarmed. A low threat.
I turn my attention to the potential danger in the room.
They are female-presenting and right-handed.
About twenty-five to thirty years old. Brown skin, wavy brown hair left loose over her shoulders.
Wearing multiple weapons, definitely daggers, some throwing knives, all hidden within the heavy coven robes.
She’s positioned next to the bed and inconveniently shielded by Prima Alicia, who is explaining the coven’s daily routine and what will be expected over the next few days.
While their attention is on each other, I draw my daggers and edge my way into the room, quietly shutting the door. “Good evening, ladies.”
Both women turn my way. Prima Alicia frowns at my weapons and then at me. I incline my head in her direction and give her my most charming smile. “Prima Alicia.”
She returns the expression with a withering glare. So, not inclined to be friendly. “I am sorry. Have we met?”
I push off the door, keeping both women in my line of sight. I’m impressed with Prima Alicia’s calm demeanor. “Indirectly. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Zayd al-Qadir, formerly of the Onyx Guild.” I make a small bow.
Prima Alicia’s frown deepens with confusion. “I thought you were dead.”
Interesting that she’s heard of me. “To my own great relief, I’m quite alive. Though for the moment, it suits me to let people believe otherwise. But we’ll get to that in a minute.” I turn my attention to the other person present. “Good evening, Sister.”
She inclines her head and cocks an eyebrow. “If they believe you’re dead, you obviously aren’t here on behalf of the Brotherhood.”
“You’re correct. I’m not. But does anyone ever really leave the Brotherhood?” I wink and lean in conspiratorially. “I’m planning a bit of a… reorganization.”
Prima Alicia snorts derisively. “Reorganizations do not happen within the Brotherhood. Any attempt would result in someone killing you.” She dismisses the idea with a wave of her hand. “How is it that you know me? I am certain we have never met.”
“I observed a conversation you had with a former member of House Vitorio. Unfortunately for him, he met with an accident after that.” Her eyebrows rise the moment she puts the first pieces of the puzzle together.
“That was you, when Benedito Sousa was assassinated.” I watch her reaching for other memories as if they’re tangible objects, sifting through the tumbled mess until she calls up the right pieces.
“Cosimo Vitorio died a few months before that. And several others from House Vitorio have been assassinated.” She gives me a patronizing look.
“Is multiple murder your method of reorganization?”
“It’s always been the Shabah way, Prima. But we can discuss the specifics in a moment. Right now, I’d like to further acquaint myself with your newest coven member.” I turn to the Sister, who is watching our exchange with fascination.
She meets my gaze with a challenging expression. “What would you like to know?”
“Perhaps we can start with your name. I find it so much easier to discuss business after introductions are made.” This is a bold-faced lie.
It’s more practical to know as little unnecessary information as possible about a target.
They’re less likely to be seen as a person, increasing the odds of a successful mission.
Based on her expression, I can tell Prima Alicia knows this. She’s far too astute for my liking.
The visitor smirks, perhaps aware of that fact as well, giving me more information about her than she’d like. “I’m Sister Solène, formerly chief librarian at the University of Hap.” She tucks her hands into the folds of her robe. Is it nerves, or is she reaching for a weapon?
“Hap is so… Hapian, isn’t it?” There’s no way this woman is from Hap.
I twirl a dagger and gesture to her with it.
“From your accent, I’d say you’re recently from Secours, but not originally.
You’ve been there for many years though.
However, your use of contractions gives you away, and your accent hints at native Bostonian.
From Earth.” She visibly pales. “So definitely not native to Amagi. What brings you to Amal? Are you running from something or were you sent?”
She watches my blades whirl in my hands, visibly losing some of her confidence.
Her gaze flicks to the door. Definitely not a professional spy.
But maybe sent here for that purpose anyway.
She’s assessing me just as carefully, searching for tells.
Does she think I would really announce my intent accidentally?
“Why is that important?” She gets some credit for mostly controlling her reactions. Her voice remains steady, not betraying her obvious unease, though she edges across the room, trying to maneuver closer to the door.
“Purely my own curiosity getting the better of me.” There’s no need to mention Kenji.
I flash her a cheeky grin. “Should I answer for you?” She motions for me to go on.
“I believe you’re exiled here as punishment for a poor choice of allegiance.
Possibly to limit the damage you can do to your house, now that Cosimo Vitorio is dead.
” The flash of anger and fear confirms my suspicions.
Her eyes telegraph her intent before her hands move from the folds of her robe and she crouches into a fighting stance.
Lamp light glints off the twin daggers gripped tightly in her fists.
Without acknowledging Sister Solène’s aggression, I address Prima Alicia, gesturing with one of my knives toward the far corner of the room, where she’ll be out of the way but still in my line of sight.
“Prima, please move over there for your own safety. I don’t want you to get injured by a stray blade.
There’s a lot to discuss after my business with Sister Solène is concluded.
” I settle into a ready stance, weight balanced on the balls of my feet, and wait.
Prima Alicia leaps for the exit, and I throw a warning dagger in her direction. I intentionally miss, but it’s close enough to make the fabric of her cowl flutter. The blade buries itself in the wall with a satisfying thunk, making her freeze.
I shake my head, but my eyes never leave Sister Solène.
“Prima, carefully hand me the dagger. Don’t touch the blade.
I’d hate for you to cut yourself.” Rage pours from her as she yanks the blade from the wall and carefully places it in my hand, hilt first. I wave her to the corner again, and she reluctantly goes as requested.
Now I can focus my full attention on the adversary in front of me.
“Sister Solène, do you really think that drawing blades against me is a good idea?”
She snarls and lunges, aiming for my chest. “Why do you care? You’re going to kill me anyway, aren’t you?
” I sidestep her attack easily and slice a clean line into her forearm.
With a gasp, she drops her knife but springs for the door, wrenching it open as blood wells from the gash.
She flees into the hall, and I make no move to follow.
Instead, I grin at Prima Alicia and count down on my fingers.
“Three, two, one.” There’s an audible thud on the flagstone floor in the hall.
As Prima Alicia moves to leave, I point a dagger at her chest and step toward her.
“If you’re as smart as you think you are, you’ll stay put. ” She blanches and backs away.
I sheath my blades and grin exuberantly at her as I walk into the hall and assess the crumpled form of Sister Solène.
Stepping over her, I check her pulse. There’s a feeble beat, so I grab her by the arm and drag her back into the small room.
Once we’re safely inside, I kick the door closed and let go of her, allowing her head to crack against the flagstones before turning my attention to Prima Alicia.
I gesture for her to take a seat at the small table.
She complies, unable to take her eyes from the prone body on the floor. “What is wrong with her?”
“Poison.” I can’t help the swell of pride.
“One of my special blends.” I wave at Solène.
“The twitching’s a side effect of the elamore.
She’ll be with us until the dusk root takes full effect and paralyzes her lungs.
Then the spasms will stop.” I consider that.
“Well, everything will stop. I can’t have her yelling. ”