Page 35 of The Study of Poisons
But the terror trembling in her voice, and her confused and surprised gaze cracked through his icy defenses. Suddenly, he couldn’t do it. Troublesome? Yes. Too troublesome? Not yet. Her indiscretion would end up killing her eventually.
“Valek, what’s wrong?” she asked in barely a whisper.
He dropped her and returned to the living area. Standing next to his desk, he stared at nothing.
“If this is about the books…” she said behind him.
Valek turned. “Books? You think this is about books?” How could shenotknow? “I’ve been a fool. All this time I admired your survival instincts and intelligence. But now…” He paused as words failed him. “I overheard some servants discussing you as the fugitive. They were placing wagers. How could you be so stupid, so indiscreet? I considered killing you now to save myself the trouble of hunting for your dead body later.”
“I didn’t tell a soul.” Her words came out sharp with anger. “How can you think I would jeopardize my own life?”
“Why should I believe you? The only other person who knew was the Commander.”
“Well, Valek, you’re the spymaster. Couldn’t someone have overheard the conversation? Who else has access to this room? You left your notes in full view on your desk.” Before he could glance at his notes, she hurried on. “They were conspicuous. If I noticed them with just a quick glance, then they begged for inspection by someone seeking information.”
“What are you saying? Who are you accusing?” But he knew who had access to his rooms. And who was leading the betting in the kitchen. Margg. He shouldn’t have trusted her, and he’d almost killed Yelena because of his mistake. Nausea swirled in his stomach.
“I have my suspicions,” she said. “But I’ll accuse nobody without proof. It’s unfair, and who would believe me?”
“No one.” Valek snatched a gray rock from his desk and hurled it toward the wall. It exploded with a satisfying crack, raining debris, and taking the rest of his anger with it. Yelena wouldn’t accuse Margg, but she was smart enough to figure out the housekeeper had leaked the information, unlike him. And if he’d really thought about it, there was the possibility of another person overhearing his and the Commander’s conversation. He should apologize.
Valek decided to play dumb instead. Shouldn’t be hard considering he’d leapt to the wrong conclusion about Yelena with almost disastrous results. This way he could explore the possibility of a leak and see if she suspected anyone else.
“Except me.” He sank into his chair. “Either I’m addicted to risk or you’re starting to make sense and we have a leak. An informer, a gossip, a mole. Whoever he is, we need to find him.” Hmmm. He might have laid it on too thick.
“Or her.”
Valek frowned. He needed to have a conversation with Margg. “Do we play it safe and find another fugitive? Or cancel the exercise? Or continue as planned and make you both fugitive and bait? Enticing our spy to reveal himself.” He grimaced. Had Margg told Star about the exercise? “Or herself.”
“You don’t think Brazell will come after me?”
Now that Valek wasn’t stupid with rage, he considered Brazell’s response to the news. If the old goat ruined the exercise, the Commander would rescind his permission to build his factory. “No. It’s too soon. I don’t expect Brazell to try to kill you before his factory is up and running. Once he gets what he wants, then it’s going to get interesting around here.”
“Oh good. I can barely stay awake now from all the boredom.”
He appreciated the sarcasm, but he kept his expression neutral. “It’s your choice, Yelena.”
She considered. He wouldn’t blame her if she decided not to play fugitive. By attacking her, Valek had demonstrated that he didn’t trust her. Why should she trust him? Yet, he desired her trust. Ah, hell. These strange and fickle emotions needed to be squashed. He imagined stuffing them all into a glass jar and shoving on the lid.
“Okay. I’ll dangle on the hook to see what fish swims out. But who’s going to hold the net?” she asked.
“I will.” And the lid popped off, releasing a strong protective instinct. “Don’t alter your plans. I’ll take care of everything.” Valek picked up the paper with her name on it and dipped the corner of it into a lantern, setting it on fire. “I should probably follow you to the fire festival tomorrow night. Unless logic has made you decide to turn down Rand’s offer and stay in the castle.” He let the burning paper float to the stone floor.
“How did you—”
Valek waited.
She huffed. “I’m going. It’s a risk. So what? I take a risk every time I sip the Commander’s tea. At least this time I might get a chance to enjoy myself.”
Despite his attack, she didn’t scare easily. Good. “It’s hard to have fun at the festival without money.” Valek crushed the dying embers of the paper under his boot.
“I’ll manage.”
He needed to apologize to her. “Would you like an advance on your wage as the fugitive?”
“No. I’ll earn the money.”
Really needed to apologize. “Suit yourself but let me know if you change your mind. And don’t concern yourself about the books. Read all the books you want.”
