Page 104 of The Rebel's Prize

Lucien shook his head. "I'll talk to Alain last. I want the emperor to have the truth of whether or not he was—is—involved."

"So we start with Deandra and Istvan?" Chloe asked.

"Istvan, I think. Deandra knows she's most likely going to be executed. She has no incentive to help us. In fact, I suspect she will take some pleasure in thwarting us however she can until she takes her final breath."

She couldn't fault his instincts. That sounded like Deandra. "You think Istvan will talk now?"

"I hope that seeing what Deandra did to me—and knowing she was most likely trying to do it to him—may have disabused him of the notion that she cares for him. He may hold out some hope of gaining some leniency if he talks. Lucette and Rene have been laying that groundwork, as I understand it."

"And will he get it?"

"That depends. The best he can hope for is life in prison, I think. But some people will take that over death."

"And if he doesn't talk?" Sophie asked.

"Can look," Elarus said. "Find old memories. Can't hide all. Can't lose all."

Well, that answered that. Chloe hoped she was right. Even if Istvan talked, he might not know everyone involved.

Lucien's eyes had widened slightly. "We will be grateful, should it come to that, Elarus. But we'll start with Istvan. This is a matter for our human world. I want to hear from those who are trying to destroy it."

CHAPTER23

Chloe followed Lucien into the interrogation room, trying to control her nerves. In contrast, all she felt from him was a rock-solid level of certainty. The Truth Seeker who had his man. Or was about to.

Unlike the room in Basali, this one was built for the judiciary, which meant there were smaller observation rooms to each side of it, illusions concealing the windows that allowed the watchers to see in. There were enough wards on the walls that she assumed it must be difficult even for most mages to tell where they were. But with the bond linking her to Lucien, she could spot them easily.

Which probably meant Istvan could, too, given his talent for illusion. But if he did, he gave no sign of it.

He sat on the far side of a table much the same as the one in Basali, shoulders low, hands shackled. His head lifted as they came in, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Mestier Vargas," Lucien said smoothly, pulling out a chair for Chloe and then sitting beside her. "I trust you've had time to think on your lover's actions since yesterday."

"You remember?" Istvan blurted. "But how is that—" His jaw snapped shut.

"Lieutenant de Roche is going to touch your hand," Lucien said. "Do not move or try anything or her sanctii will take it badly. And I will let him show you just how much."

Istvan nodded, teeth clenched. His skin was cold under Chloe's fingers, but she didn't have to look long to see the doubled reflection. She drew back, nodding at Lucien. Elarus could confirm the period of time later, once they knew how the magic might impact his confession, should they get it.

Istvan was staring at her, brow creased as though he was trying to work out what she could have done with a touch.

Lucien leaned forward, snapping his fingers. "Mestier Vargas, I suggest you focus on me."

Istvan jerked his eyes back.

"Good. We will continue. And you are correct. I remember yesterday perfectly well. Which means I can tell you that you had a very lucky escape. My memories were protected because Lieutenant de Roche and her sanctii were able to intervene on my behalf. If Deandra had reached you, you would not have been so fortunate. Who knows what she would have ripped from your mind?" He shrugged, the gesture all studied nonchalance that suggested he didn't much care. "I'm not sure she feels the same way about you as you profess to do for her, Istvan. Why protect her? She was ready to destroy you."

Chloe tensed, willing Istvan to give in. Lucien had carefully avoided mentioning that Deandra was likely going to be executed either way. If Istvan hadn't worked that part out for himself, better to keep him focused on her betrayal, not his grief. Anger might drive him to confess. Or self-preservation. Grief might not.

For a moment, Istvan's chin lifted, his eyes defiant, and Chloe thought he was going to be stupid. But then he shook his head, just once, and sighed. "If I confess, will I live?"

"I will recommend leniency," Lucien said. "I cannot control the emperor's final decision. He is, as you can possibly imagine, not in a mood to be merciful just now. I can guarantee that you will die if we have to have a sanctii rip confirmation of your guilt from your mind rather than you confessing."

Istvan digested that silently. Chloe made sure she looked only at him, not to either side where she knew Sophie, Imogene, Valentin, and Elarus, not to mention every Truth Seeker and various other palace officials Lucien had been able to muster on short notice, sat watching.

"Very well," Istvan said at last. "I will tell you what I can."

"How much is that?" Chloe interrupted, earning herself a quick disgruntled look from Lucien. "I can tell that your memories have been altered. I assume Deandra did that to you?"

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