Page 66 of Mistress of Bones
“Then how do you know—? Oh, he thought you, the City Guard, had a hand in it?”
“Not quite,” De Macia said, “but close enough. It’s hard to keep such things a secret. Knowledge tends to get around.”
“Should I be worried they’ll attempt to kidnap me again?” Azul didn’t want to be confined at Almanueva or gain more guards.
De Macia studied her closely. “You should be, I think.” After waiting for the words to sink in, she added, “Coming so close after your father’s murder… De Gracia is a dangerous name to be associated with nowadays. I know you aren’t used to these kinds of—”
“Murder?” Azul exclaimed. “I thought he died from an issue with his heart.”
It was now time for Captain de Macia to be surprised, then hesitant.
“Tell me,” Azul demanded.
“He was stabbed in the…”
An eloquent pause ensued, and Azul finished for her, dryness in her voice: “In the heart. Why did my brother lie?”
“He might not have wanted to frighten you. And to be frank, I shouldn’t have told you, if you weren’t already told. It wasn’t my news to share. But given the current situation, it’s better for you to be aware of the danger you face.”
Troubled, Azul mulled the captain’s words. “Thank you. And his bones? In the ossuary?”
“I imagine De Gracia took care of it all.”
“I’ve been trying to visit the ossuary to pray to my sister’s—another sister’s—bones. A family tradition. Perhaps I could see both her and my father? But nobody will grant me entrance.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
Azul didn’t doubt Captain de Macia’s sincerity and shook her head when she was offered some water. “I’m fine, thank you.” Then, allowing some frustration to seep through, “I wish I could see my sister’s bones and be assured that she rests with the gods.”
“Have you talked with the dean?”
“Yes. Well, no. She wasn’t there when I went to the Temple, and I don’t think she’ll grant me a meeting, judging by those who took my request in her stead.”
“And your brother? What did your brother have to say?”
“He said it might take some time to grant me entrance.”
De Macia grimaced. “The bigger the city, the slower time crawls. It’s bad timing. With the royal mourning lifted, things are going back to normal and everyone is busy. Celebrations, balls, politics… The court will be back in season proper, and there are a lot of dealings that need to be finished before that happens.”
Which explained, Azul thought,why it wasn’t so outlandish that people in Cienpuentes kept getting kidnapped. “I was told Noche Verde this year will be popular.”
“Yes, there will be street celebrations and plenty of balls.” De Macia sounded pained at the thought, possibly because the blue tabards would be the ones to answer for it if the events got out of control. “De Gracia should’ve received invitations, of course, but I’ll make sure you are included.”
“Could you make them for two, or is it too late?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.” She glanced behind Azul, and her frown deepened. “What is it?”
Azul turned in her seat to find a new guard at the door.
“Someone has come for the sirese, Captain.”
De Macia looked at Azul, brows arching. “Shall we go see if you know them or if my guards must take care of some trash?”
With a grin, Azul agreed. They went down to the entrance, recruiting another couple of men on the way, the sum of their heels thudding loudly on the wooden floors. Her shadow stood outside, hat in his hands, at ease even with the two tabards flanking him. Azul had expected this, but she hadn’t anticipated the anger the sight brought out in her.
“I know him,” she told Captain de Macia. Curt words the woman didn’t deserve but didn’t seem to mind.
She squeezed Azul’s arm. “I will make sure the invitations are delivered toyourhands.” And she’d make sure Azul was there to receive them.
