Page 51 of A Touch of Poison
Brynan grinned up at me from his desk. “Come on. Surely you know that.”
After more than a week of trying to work out the note’s contents myself, I wasn’t in the mood. I pinched the bridge of my nose but it did nothing to dull the thud of my headache. “Things might’ve changed while I was away. Just tell me.”
“Sorry, Bastian. I was just—”
“It’s fine.” I patted his shoulder. “The best cryptographer?”
“It’s my partner.”
“Gael. Of course.”
“That’s why I was—”
The knock pounding at the door could only be the guards.
We exchanged small frowns.
“Enter.”
Led by Urien, a dozen guards filed in and at their centre—
“Elthea? What brings you to Dusk?”
“I’m sorry, Bastian.” Urien shot her a glare. “She said she needed to see you at once—something relating to her patient.”
Kat. I held perfectly still, but something gripped my throat. “Oh?” I raised my eyebrows like this was only faintly interesting, but inside I burned with a dozen questions. Was she all right? Where was she? What had happened?
“It’s a matter of some delicacy. Perhaps your office?” She raised an eyebrow. “Iassumethe queen’s spymaster would have wards to ensure privacy.”
“I have no such title.” Not officially, anyway. I gave her a smooth smile. “But no one can hear what’s said inside.” I dismissed the guards to wait in the hall and ushered Elthea inside.
“Oh, there’s one more joining us,” she said as I went to close the door.
“Inviting people to my offices now?”
“This one, I don’t think you’ll mind.” Her eyes glinted as she tilted her head.
Out in Brynan’s office, the door opened and a familiar voice drifted through, making my stomach flip. “I had an odd message asking me to come here.” I could hear Kat’s hesitancy.
“Send her through,” Elthea called.
Presumptuous.
Kat didn’t so much as glance at me as she stopped in the doorway, pale, her attention fixed on Elthea. She’d largely avoided me since giving back the note. It was probably the universe paying me back.
Once we were all settled, the door shut and thus silenced, Elthea took a deep breath and interlaced her fingers in her lap. “I’m calling in the favour you promised me in payment for saving your human.”
Kat’s eyes flicked to me for an instant, but otherwise she kept her surprise hidden. I could’ve kissed her for not revealing to Elthea that she didn’t know.
Yet, inside, I winced. I never intended for her to find out all I’d done in desperation to save her life. Not this, but especially not the deal with her husband—I didn’t want to humiliate her.
“I see. Well, I hope it’s something good.” I spread my hands, inviting Elthea to explain.
“I need you to retrieve an item for me. A box.”
I waited, but she said nothing more. That couldn’t be it.
“Is that all?” Kat crossed her arms, seeming to shrink under Elthea’s gaze. “Why don’t you get it yourself? Why waste a favour on something so petty?”
