Page 102 of Shadows of Winter

Targon walked closer. “In the jail, under the influence of the kafdari root, I believed you were a foolish tourist, as Vlerion said, and nothing more. But now I wonder… I’ve recently grown aware of Virt factions forming to the south, in cities far removed from the capital. You did nothing but babble about your family when we questioned you.”

Kaylina winced, well remembering how she’d revealed far more about her fears and dreams and regrets than she ever would have wished to tell a stranger. She didn’t tell her closest family members that much about her thoughts.

“That’s because that’s all I know about. Honest.”

“Honey alone wouldn’t lure away the taybarri. They’re not dumb animals, and they’re not trapped in our stables. They could escape any time they wanted.” Targon had heard every word of that conversation, hadn’t he? “But as an anrokk, you might be able to do what that girl was asking. The Virts have their own spies. A lot of them. I wonder if they’ve figured out what you are.”

“I’m not anything. I swear.”

“By now, even you can’t believe that.”

Kaylina spread her arms helplessly. What did he want from her?

“What were you trying to learn from Lady Isla?” Targon asked.

“Nothing. She invited me up to her estate.”

He stopped in front of her. Close enough to grab her. Kaylina was tempted to reach for her sling, but he had that deadly blade and might decide her usefulness had ended.

“Is that so? How did she hear about your mead? You haven’t opened yet, and she lives an hour to the north.”

“Vlerion must have told her.” Kaylina shrugged and groped for a way to end the conversation or divert his attention. She hadn’t meant to, but she’d started lying, and Targon was the type who might sense that and get her tangled up in her mistruths. “Look, I was being sarcastic. It wasn’t about mead. She warned me to not flirt with Vlerion.”

“Oh?” Targon had lifted a hand, as if he were on the verge of grabbing her, but he lowered it. “Did she? Maybe Beatrada said something.”

“Yes. His cousin, right? I guess she saw us together in the arena and thought there was something there that wasn’t and told Vlerion’s mom.” Kaylina shrugged. “I get that I’m a commoner, and I’m not appropriate for her son, but I had no idea the mothers of nobles were so nosy.”

“Hm.” Targon regarded her thoughtfully.

Trying to discern if she was telling the truth?

“You can question me with that drug one more time, if you want,” she found herself saying, though the thought made her cringe. What would she babble this time?

“Perhaps we will. For now, I came to check on the catacombs and find out why people want to burn down this castle. And what else they want.” Targon backed away from her.

Kaylina was careful to make her sigh of relief soft so he wouldn’t notice it. “Good. Thank you. We’d appreciate it if no more arsonists crawled up out of the catacombs.”

“We sealed those damn passageways.” Targon shook his head and headed for the kitchen.

Kaylina trailed him at a distance and only because she wanted to see if the pot of water had cooled enough to use. When she stepped into the kitchen, Targon was in the pantry doorway, but he’d paused to look back at her.

“Vlerion said I shouldn’t leave you here alone.”

“I’m not going back down there.” She pointed at the trapdoor and then at her calf. “It didn’t go well for me last time. Besides, I have a plant to fertilize.” Kaylina mixed the contents of the pot again.

He eyed the jar on the counter. “With honey?”

“My grandpa used to do it. It worked well in the garden. Honey has lots of nutrients in it. And it’s not like that plant can get any crankier.” She pointed through the ceiling toward the tower.

“There’s a plant up there?”

Something flickered in the shadows along a wall, making Kaylina jump. But when she looked in that direction, she didn’t see anything. Targon looked too but soon turned back to her. He must not have seen anything either.

“A plant?” he prompted.

“Yeah. I went up there last night.” Kaylina described what she’d seen, the angry writhing vines.

“And you’re going to fertilize it? To make it grow bigger?”

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