Page 96 of The Study of Poisons
“If they’re too far gone, yes. If they have time to learn control, then I smuggle them into Sitia. And if they’re in a position where I can’t rescue them, like one of your advisers or a soldier, then I would have to…end their lives.”
“All for your precious power blanket,” the Commander said.
“Yes.” She was unapologetic.
“Thank you for answering our questions,” the Commander said.
“I wanted to be fully honest with you before going into these discussions.”
“It’s a promising start. We’ll reconvene in the morning.”
Wow. That went a hundred times better than Valek had expected. He’d hoped the Commander would only send them home and not order their arrest and Irys’s execution, but to continue the talks was just another example of the Commander’s personality change.
Valek grabbed the bottles of cognac and escorted Irys to her quarters. Before he left, he asked Irys, “How many magicians have you smuggled to Sitia?”
“Three. And now I’m afraid my honesty will stop me from saving more lives.”
“Yes,youwill have to stop.”
Irys gave him a shrewd look as Valek bade her a good night. Kenda waited for him just outside the main entrance to the guest wing. Two of the Commanders’ soldiers guarded the door.
“I’ve gotten a dozen reports from our agents and none of them match. What the hell happened at the feast?” she demanded.
“I’ll explain on the way,” he said.
“To where?”
“My suite.” He increased his pace and described what happened.
“Poison, huh? You’ve got to admit, it would have worked,” Kenda said, jogging to keep up. “The Commander would have accused the Sitians and they would have accused you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, the Commander invited them. So obviously he wanted them here. Plus, you’re the magician killer.”
“I thought I was the baby killer.”
“That, too. You’re ambitious that way.” She smirked.
“Thanks,” he said dryly. “I need you to interrogate all the people who carried the Sitians’ bags to the guest suite. Find the person responsible and bring them to my office.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted and headed back.
When Valek reached the entrance to his suite, he paused for a moment to banish his worry and fear into a deep dark well. Assuming a neutral expression, he strode into the living room. Janco sprang from the couch as if he’d been caught stealing. Valek set the heavy bottles on the table. The lanterns had all been lit and Yelena’s door was open.
“Stop! No!” Yelena yelled.
He bolted into her room, ready to fight. But she lay on the bed with the blanket and sheets crumpled underneath her. Her uniform was twisted around her, and her boots were on the floor. Ari sat in a chair next to her bed.
“Somersault…feather…prize…,” Yelena mumbled. Sweat beaded on her brow. “Barn! Barn!”
“She’s been raving like this since I carried her here. Why did you order us to bring her here and not to the infirmary? Did you know she was going to be poisoned?” Ari demanded. His eyebrows were smashed together, and he clenched his fists as if he wished to punch Valek.
“She’salwaysin danger of being poisoned. It’s safer here, and I’ve a supply of poison antidotes just in case.”
