Chapter 25 #2
Prima Alicia stares in shock at the dying woman on the floor, and I lose my patience.
“Prima, please pay attention. This isn’t your first dead body, and we have things to discuss.
” I wait for her to look me in the eye. “Being a member of the coven grants unfettered access to otherwise inaccessible areas of Amagian society. I need that access. You’re going to help me. ”
Her gaze flicks back to the now still and glassy-eyed body of Solène, and she sits up straighter, skewering me with a glare. “I will not help you murder anyone else.”
I bark out a laugh. “You haven’t helped me murder anyone yet.
” If looks could kill, I would be dead. Painfully so.
“Seriously, Prima, why would I ask you to help me kill anyone? You’re not an assassin.
” I lean back in my chair. “I’ll be doing the killing.
You’ll help by confirming my story when I assume the identity of Sister Solène. ”
Prima Alicia snorts. “You are a man. How will you assume her identity? And you will be recognized by your former associates.”
“It’s true, I’d immediately be recognized should any of them see me.
Or hear me, for that matter. Luckily, I’m incredibly talented at cloaking spells, in addition to being intelligent.
Which is why, as of this moment, Sister Solène is serving a self-imposed penance of an indefinite length of time.
She’ll only be seen with her head and face covered.
” I’m quite pleased with my plan. “And she’s taken a vow of silence and will only communicate in writing.
Also, she prefers to work and eat alone as a reminder of her poor choice of friends in Hap. ”
“It seems that you have things planned out. Why do you need me?” Prima Alicia tries to put up a brave front, but I can see her facade crumbling.
“You’re the facilitator. You’ll explain this story to the coven members and anyone else who needs to hear it.
You’ll also be an alibi if needed.” The various emotions playing across Prima Alicia’s face give me great satisfaction.
“When I need entry to certain areas where the Segnature Coven can go, but Zayd al-Qadir can’t, you’ll find a way to give me access. ”
“And why would I do this?” She already knows the answer, but she obviously needs to hear me say it.
“Any number of reasons. In the spirit of cooperation? Though I doubt anything so sentimental will sway you.” I place the dagger on the table.
“Perhaps motivation on a more personal level, then. It’d be so easy for me to slit your wrists right here and watch your life bleed from your veins.
Or maybe the less conspicuous but ever popular poisoning of your food, when you least expect it.
” I continue in a conversational tone. “There are so many fun poisons to choose from. My personal favorite is Wraith’s Whisper.
It’s not difficult to come by, though gathering enough bugs to make the oil is a bit of a pain.
The results are worth it, though. After ingesting, the victim appears to suffer an innocent heart attack.
” I hold her gaze. “Meaning no one would be the wiser.”
I pick up the dagger and sheathe it. “Give it some thought, Prima. I can wait. But not for long.” I sit quietly, very still, my eyes never leaving hers.
Her shoulders slump, and she takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Since I have no choice in the matter, I suppose I must agree to your terms.”
There’s fear in her eyes, though she tries to mask it with a glare, and I offer her a token for her cooperation.
“How about I sweeten the deal for you? Any assets I acquire while posing as Sister Solène will be sent here to the Segnature Coven, for you to do with as you see fit. Feed some poor, give work to the non-magical, or line your own pockets. I don’t need it, and don’t care what you do with it. ”
I watch as she mentally struggles for several more minutes before she squares her shoulders and meets my gaze. “Fine. Am I to assume that this arrangement begins now?”
“Yes. I’ll take care of that.” I gesture in the direction of the corpse.
“You should return to your chamber as if nothing’s out of the ordinary.
In the morning, when everyone else is going about their day, you’ll tell them all that Sister Solène arrived and is keeping to herself, filling in the details as we’ve discussed.
I’ll come and go as needed, posing as Sister Solène.
As we’re a similar size, I’ll use her robes once I clean them.
When I require your assistance, I’ll contact you.
” I stand and take the travel cloak from the bed and throw it over my arm before lifting her dead body from the floor.
Prima Alicia flips the cape over the body and opens the door.
She exits ahead of me, moving left down the hall, deeper into the coven living quarters.
I slip out of the room, heading to the right, back through the offering circle, and out of the building through the rear door, disappearing into the early-morning darkness.