Page 75 of The Study of Poisons
“No. Margg works for me. We’ve been feeding Star some rather unique information and hoping to find out who her other clients are. Star’s been pestering Margg to get you involved, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to test your loyalty.”
Margg shot him a that’s-not-quite-the-truth look, but she said, “I had hoped to send this rat back to the dungeon where she belongs. Now she’ll still be scurrying around. Still a threat.” Annoyed, Margg poked Yelena’s arm with a meaty finger.
Yelena moved. In a heartbeat, she had Margg’s arm twisted up behind her back. Margg yelped as Yelena raised her hand up high, forcing the housekeeper to bend forward. Curious to see how this played out, Valek waited.
“I amnota rat,” Yelena said through clenched teeth. “I’ve proved my loyalty. Youwillget off my back. No more nasty messages in the dust. No more prying into my things. Or the next time, I’ll break your arm.” Yelena shoved her hard as she released her grip.
Margg stumbled and landed on the ground in a heap. Pink-faced, she lurched to her feet. As she opened her mouth to protest, Valek stopped her with a glance.
“Well said, Yelena. Margg, you’re dismissed,” Valek ordered.
Margg’s mouth snapped closed as she spun on her heel and left the room.
“She’s not friendly,” Yelena said.
And you handled her perfectly.“No. That is precisely why I like her.” Or rather why hehadliked her. He avoided Yelena’s gaze for a moment, reluctant to tell her the real reason he brought her inside instead of meeting back at their suite. Finally, he said, “Yelena, I’m going to show you something you’re not going to like, but I think it’s important that you know.”
“Oh yeah? Like I enjoyed your test of faith?” Her words dripped with sarcasm.
“I warned you that I tested the food taster from time to time.” Before she could respond, he stopped her. “Be quiet and stay close behind me.”
He led her back around to the street and found a good place in the shadows to witness Star’s next visitor.
“The person who has been leaking information to Star is due to arrive soon,” Valek whispered in her ear. His lips lightly brushed her cheek and a spike of heat hit him dead center. She smelled like lavender. He moved back before he did something incredibly stupid, like press a kiss to her temple.
After a few tense minutes, a lone figure with an uneven gait walked down the street. Yelena sucked in a breath as she recognized her friend. Her only friend, who also sold secrets to Star, including information about the food taster. Valek knew she wouldn’t have believed him. That she’d have to see Rand knock on Star’s door and be admitted.
“Another test?” she asked Valek after the chef disappeared inside. She sounded desperate. “Is he working for you?”
He shook his head and wanted to apologize. To hold her tight and comfort her. Instead, he motioned for her to follow him back around to the alley, inside the house, and up the stairs. This was going to be hard enough on Yelena, so Valek signaled Inrick to give them some privacy. He took the notebook and the agent’s place on the floor.
Yelena crouched next to him and peered through the small holes, then she rested her forehead against the wall and closed her eyes. Valek resisted pulling her into his arms.
“Generals are coming to town this week,” Rand said. “That’s nothing new, but the Commander ordered a feast, so something’s up. Something significant. But I haven’t been able to figure out what.”
“Let me know as soon as possible,” Star replied. Then she paused. “Maybe Yelena knows what’s going on.”
Yelena stiffened.
“I doubt it. She was surprised when I mentioned the feast, so I didn’t ask her. She might know more later this week. I’ll try again.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll ask her myself.” The sleek tone of Star’s voice indicated she’d enjoyed dropping this news on Rand.
“Yelena?” Rand sputtered. “Working for you? Impossible. That’s not her style.”
“Are you suggesting she’s working for Valek?” Alarm tightened her voice.
Yelena glanced at Valek in panic. He shook his head, waving his hand in a “don’t worry” gesture.
“No. She wouldn’t.” Rand had recovered. “I’m just surprised, but I shouldn’t be. She could use the money, and who am I to think any less of her for it?”
“Well, you shouldn’t be thinking of her at all. As I see it, she’s disposable. The only concern I’ll have when she dies is, who’s going to replace her and how quickly can I bribe them?”
“Star, once again you’ve shown me in the most repulsive way that the sooner I pay off my debt to you the better. How much credit do I get for tonight’s information?”
“Two silvers. I’ll mark it in my book, but it won’t make much difference.”
“What do you mean?”
