Page 49 of House of Dusk
“I’m afraid that’s impossible at the moment,” said Beroe. “Agia Halimede is unwell.”
Unwell. It could mean so many things. Sephre clenched trembling fists. “Where is she?”
“The infirmary. She—wait, sister! She isn’t to be disturbed. We’ve given her poppy syrup.”
Sephre whirled back from the door. “Yougave her poppy syrup? How much? Why? What’s wrong with her?” Accusation turned the words sharp.
Beroe’s eyes narrowed. “Sibling Abas suggested it. The agia fell ill shortly after you left. Pains in her chest, and shortness of breath. You know as well as I that her health has been fragile, and no doubt the stress of recent events weighs heavily on a woman of her years.”
“She was fine last time I last saw her.” A bit of breathless on the stairs, that was all. Even Sephre had felt that climb.
“Which was five days ago,” replied Beroe, coolly. “What kept you away so long? Did you discover more about the attacks?”
“Yes,” began Timeus, helpfully, “There was another—”
“We’ll report everything to the agia,” interrupted Sephre.
“Iam acting agia,” said Beroe, chin lifting. “As senior yellow, it’s my duty to ensure that Stara Bron does not suffer in Halimede’s absence. And the others agree. It was decided yesterday, at summations.”
Sephre’s teeth were going to crack if she ground them any more tightly.
“I can see that the news of the agia’s illness has distressed you,” offered Beroe. “Very well, then. Go. See for yourself that she’s in no danger. Minister to her as you see fit. I’m sure that Brother Timeus can provide me a full report of your activities in the meantime. Won’t you, brother?”
Timeus gulped, glancing to Sephre.
Furies’ tits. “That won’t be necessary. Settle your things in the dortoir, Timeus. Then go and see that the mint hasn’t taken over our garden. I’ll meet you there once I’ve given Sister Beroe my report.”
She waited until the boy had scuttled off, keeping her gaze fixed on the map table.
“I understand Agia Halimede sent you to Potedia to investigate another death,” prompted Beroe. “Did the dead man have the same mark as the girl from Tylos?”
“Yes,” Sephre answered grudgingly. “But his family had never seen it. I believe it was placed there by someone.”
“Who?”
Her tongue felt heavy. Why? She owed Nilos nothing. And no doubt Beroe would ask Timeus to confirm her story. There was no point to lying. But what would Beroedowith the information? Would she send word to the king, telling him of the attacks?
Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. Sephre might despise Hierax for an arrogant, self-aggrandizing fool, but he had far more power at his disposal than the temple. If the goal was to hunt down Nilos, the king was likely their best option.
She plunged onward. “We heard tell of a stranger who was in Potedia at the same time the shepherd was killed. We tracked him to Kessely. He kidnapped a newborn from the village. We confronted him and recovered the child. The baby’s fine now, back home safe.”
“And the man?”
“He gave his name as Nilos. He’s trying to restore the Serpent.”
Beroe’s eyes narrowed. The sparks of yellow in their depths flared. “How do you know?”
“He told me. He seemed proud of it.”
“Where is he now?” Beroe glanced past her, as if she expected to see the man bound in chains.
Sephre hesitated, wishing she had a better answer. “He got away.”
“You let a minion of the Serpent escape you?”
“He was holding a child!” Sephre couldn’t quite keep the ire from her tone. “Or do you think I should have incinerated the baby, too?”Collateral damage, Captain. Unfortunate, but the victoryis ours.
Beroe drew in a long breath. “Of course not. But he could be anywhere now, murdering some other innocent.”
