Page 29 of A Weave of Lies
“Just say his name already. Inquisitor Cael Callum will not appear just because you speak it, despite years-long evidence to the contrary. The meddlesome prick.”
“I did not mean offence. I know things have been tense between you two since Nimue’s—”
“Never mind that.” Velten swept aside his worry with a wave, obscuring Semras’ vision until his arm fell again. “We were bound to drift apart. Everyone knows an inquisitor’s worst enemy is another inquisitor. I am used to dealing with petty politics, but let’s hope this will not catch his attention. He has always been better at this game than I.”
Ulrech hummed. “I doubt we would be so lucky, not while travelling with so many of the Confraternity’s sword-bearers. He must be aware of our movements already.”
“I suspect as much too. We have to thank the cardinal for that as well.” Velten groaned. “I still wonder what favour he pulled to get Maldoza to trail me like a dog. Do you think he promised him money? How much does it take to bribe a Venator knight?”
“More than what I am currently compensated with to endure you, Velten,” Sir Ulrech replied with a rare grin. “I should go negotiate with His Eminence for more.”
Semras couldn’t help it. Silent snickers shook her shoulders at the knight’s ribbing.
“Hilarious, var Hesser. If only the boy knight had half as much wit as you have humour.”
The hand on Semras’ back moved to glide down her hair in a surprisingly gentle caress. She tensed up but made no movement to stop Velten. She couldn’t, or he’d know she was awake.
Sir Ulrech glanced back at the column of horses following behind them. “You should not disrespect Sir Themas so openly, my lord. He may lack experience, but he is still a Venator knight.”
“So you keep telling me, but I have yet to witness it.” Velten twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers, pulling lightly at the roots.
Oh …
That felt … surprisingly pleasant. His soft tugging flooded her mind with a tingling sensation. It relaxed her in a way she hadn’t expected.
Ulrech fell silent for a while. When he spoke up again, it was in a low, measured voice. “I know he joined us only a few days ago, but is there any foundation behind your skepticism? Do you think perhaps he fell under the witch’s spell?”
“From what I have seen, ‘fell’ he most certainly did,” Velten replied. “He calls her by her given name. Can you imagine the scandal if this gets to the ears of the Confraternity? But this is not the work of a spell, except the one unknowingly cast by all beautiful women.” The inquisitor let go of the strand to pass his fingers through her hair.
If Semras didn’t want to know so badly what his deal was with Themas, she’d have hexed him for taking such liberties. Even if … even if it felt so, so good.
Perhaps she should make him pet her hair some more in exchange for her forgiveness.
“Or perhaps not so unknowingly, in her case,” Velten continued. “The witch does have her charm and knows it too. It matters not. I do not trust him, and his weakness will not be tolerated to fester much further.” He paused, then sighed. “Out with it. You are thinking so loudly I can almost hear you speaking already.”
“I do not mean to be presumptuous—”
“Speak, I said.”
Ulrech looked at the inquisitor’s hand in her hair, then at his face. “Spoken like a … um, jealous man, my lord.”
Velten snorted, and Semras felt oddly offended. He hadn’t found the idea so ridiculous when he was flirting with her the previous night.
“Nonsense. It has nothing to do with jealousy. It is … how do I say it …? There is something about him. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but I am not buying his facade nor his overly polite tone. There is just no fire behind what he says. Time will tell, but you know I am rarely wrong.” His fingers kept running through her hair in a pleasant caress. “I am half convinced he is the cardinal’s spy.”
“If you say so.”
“Have I ever led you astray?”
The gentle fingers turned into an icy grip over Semras’ nape, digging too harshly into her skin to be a mistake. He knew she was awake—and listening.
Heknew.
A cold sweat fell down her spine. When did he figure it out?
“Everything will be well, Sir Ulrech,” Inquisitor Velten said, voice light and airy, “as long as you listen to me.” His grip on her neck tightened like a claw.
Inquisitor Velten was addressing his knight, yet his words weren’t for him.
