Page 85 of Horn of Winter

I smiled. “Probably.”

“There’s two—Martha Gale and Amara Li. Harold’s opinion is that, of the two, Martha is your more likely candidate. There was an incident at the guild’s Whitlow branch, and she was held accountable. She wasn’t severed but did ‘retire’ shortly after. According to Harold, she was extremely unhappy with the guild’s handling of the whole affair.”

“I don’t suppose he gave you a description of either woman?”

“Amara’s allegiance lies with the Japanese guild, though she is currently working in the UK as a private tutor, so he wasn’t able to access much information about her. He did access Whitlow’s archives, however, and he sent me Martha’s profile picture.”

He reached into his pocket for his phone, then brought up the image and showed it to me. The woman on the screen had a thin, wrinkled face, silvery blue eyes, and short spiky hair that glittered silver.

It was the same woman that I’d seen in my vision.

“That’s her,” I said. “That’s our ice witch.”

Win raised his eyebrows. “You sound very certain.”

I grimaced. “I’ve second sight and had a vision of her when she was attacking the Myrkálfar building. Can you send me the image? I’ll forward it on to the IIT and they can put out a warrant.”

He did so. “I take it you’re also working with the IIT on this matter?”

I nodded. “Sgott Bruin also happens to be my stepdad.”

Win blinked. “You’re Meabh’s little girl? Well, I’ll be damned.”

This time it was my eyebrows that shot up. “You knew Mom?”

He nodded. “Met her a couple of times in the course of guild business. Lovely woman. How’s she doing these days?”

“She died, I’m afraid.”

“Ah, so sorry to hear that.”

Mathi strode back into the room, saving me from saying anything else. Exactly as Win had predicted, he said, “I’ve a meeting with the Ascotts at eleven-thirty. They’ll ensure Tony is there, so once I go in to ensure the kid is in check, you can come in and question him.”

I glanced at my phone. It was close to eleven now. “Where are we meeting them?”

“Helsby.”

Which was a good twenty minutes away. I drained my coffee and pushed to my feet. “We’d better be leaving then.”

“Yes.” Mathi glanced at Win. “I apologize for cutting our visit so abruptly.”

Win waved a hand. “Council business takes priority over visiting old men, lad.”

I swung my purse over my shoulder and picked up the remains of my bun. “I’ll make up for our sudden exit with a visit next week.”

“I should have an answer from Kitty about the tutoring by then.”

Mathi’s car was already waiting out the front. Once we’d climbed in and were on our way, I said, “If this kid is as volatile as Win says, he might well attack you before his parents can restrain him.”

“That is entirely possible,” Mathi agreed, “but a good twenty percent of their livelihood comes from contracts we have with them. I believe they will do as they promised.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Lazy amusement played around his lips. “But fear I’m not?”

“Things have been falling into place a little too easily for my liking.”

“Maybe Fate has decided to be gentle on us for a change.”

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