Page 87 of This Monster of Mine

Sarai whistled. “And does she escape the hunter?”

“Unfortunately not. And she discovers that our hunter is the demon himself. He knows that the nation that controls Naiya will turn him into a tool of war and he wants none of it. So he resolves to kill her.”

“But she isn’t the demon master.”

“Ah, but he doesn’t believe that.”

“So he kills her, and these orchids bloom from her blood?” Sarai guessed.

Cassandane gave her a reproving look. “They fall in love.”

She winced. “So it’sthatkind of story.”

“And the first flowers he brought her were these,” Cassandane continued, undeterred. “Hence the name.”

Sarai held Caelum back from attempting to eat the orchids. “What happened with the prophecy?”

“That’s a much longer story.” The Tetrarch laughed, before casually adding, “I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

“I’m honored, Tetrarch Cassandane.”

“More specifically, I wanted to meet the Petitor the Metals Guild has just put an internal bounty on.”

The ease of their conversation gave way to a sudden, thrumming tension, the laughing storyteller vanishing in favor of a steely-eyed Tetrarch, who looked just as ruthless as the rest of the Tetrarchy.

“What do you mean?” Sarai whispered.

“Any Guildsman who separates your head from your body will be rewarded for it.”

Sarai’s legs would have given out if she wasn’t holding Caelum’s reins. “I see.” Her voice didn’t shake. Her nerves had been cauterized. “I broke the law. There’s always a price.”

“I won’t comment on whether you should have Materialized that memory or not, but the fact remains that the law won’t protect you now.” Cassandane’s gaze dropped to the bruises Tullus had left on Sarai’s neck, and her face closed. “But I can.”

“I don’t understand.”

“There’s a Tribune in Kirtule who’s searching for a scribe. I can smuggle you out of the city tonight. No one would find you. Outside Edessa, the Metals Guild doesn’t know what you look like. You’re in dangerous waters, and I don’t want to see you drown. You showed strength at the Robing, standing up to Kadra.”

“I haven’t had an inch of peace since.” Sarai’s shoulders slumped. “He got what he wanted. He’ll be rid of me one way or the other now.”

“If Kadra wanted to be rid of you, he had every chance at the Robing,” Cassandane said matter-of-factly. “But he’s gone to extraordinary lengths to keep you close, and I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”

“I made myself useful, and I’ve served my purpose.”

“You live with him. He barely lets you out of his sight. Word in his Quarter is that he dotes on you. Those aren’t the actions of a man who doesn’t want you here. You may very well know him better than I do, because throughout our careers, I’ve never seen him show any hint of partiality. Not until you.”

I can’t hear this. “Trust me, Tetrarch Cassandane. He doesn’t care.”

Moonlight struck Cassandane’s face and sank into the tense lines of her forehead. “Petitor Sarai, last night, during the Tetrarchy’s triweekly meeting, Helvus visited us to discuss you. He complained of being Probed without consent.” Cassandane looked weary when Sarai flinched. “Don’t tell me if that’s true or not. The gist of our resolution was that an investigation would be opened into your abuse of power. Helvus is a powerful businessman. You would have been pulled before the four of us and Probed by one of your colleagues. If you were guilty, you’d not only be dismissed from the position but also be barred from Edessa with at least a year in the mines,” she finished grimly. “Then, in a few hours, Helvus is dead.”

Sarai’s breath seized as the implication slammed into her. “But Admia killed Helvus.”

“Stormfall had ended hours ago. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. But my people report that a lightning bolt, just one, came out of nowhere and blasted Admia’s home to embers.”

She went cold, recalling Kadra’s raw power.Of course. That would explain why the bolt had targeted Admia’s scuta. He’d known they would explode, and known that Admia would go after Helvus.He knew there was iron dust in there from the start.Had he hidden it from the public because he didn’t know who Helvus’s clients were?

Cassandane sighed. “Admia was unpopular, but that doesn’t change that she was a woman with dreams and a husband she loved deeply. And now she faces a Summoning.”

“I tried.” Sarai’s voice was hoarse. “I wanted to get to Helvus in time to stop her.” She realized that Kadra had given Admia a head start. “I didn’t know until it was too late.”

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