Page 126 of Death of the Glass Angel
“We come before you today, hoping you will bequeath upon us justice. Chief Adel Kahn accuses Chief Heras Gaevral of treason. He claims she seeks harm upon our allies, upon her son. We ask you to sow truth- to judge the color of her character.”
Once finished, Chief Esseg rose and took a seat near the front. Now, all that remained was to wait. And waiting could take time. Sometimes, the spirits answered immediately; other times, the incense would nearly burn out before they arrived. Time flowed differently for those who were dead. That was what Thuatia believed, at least. And it seemed Altanbern agreed.
Maybe it was just her imagination, but Janus swore she saw a slight breeze stir the flame of the incense. It flickered in the darkness as quiet fell over the chamber.
Janus pulled her pocket watch from her coat and observed the ticking hand. An hour had passed.
The sight of her own cleavage caught her eye, and she stared in surprise. Des favored alluring clothes and dark makeup, something Janus would never understand.
At least she looked pretty. But comfort was so preferable to sex appeal. Maybe Janus would understand Des’s taste in fashion when she found someone to impress. As of now, she had entertained feelings for. . . Well, no one, despite Evander’s best efforts.
Janus’ gaze drifted to the front row, where Felsin sat with his brother. He glanced back at her, golden eyes bright in the gloom, outlined by dark kohl.
Sitting up, Janus adjusted her shirt, pushing up the padding Des had lined her tunic with. Felsin watched her, eyebrows slowly rising. Janusflashed him a smile as she awkwardly tucked her arms under her breasts, trying to make them look more prominent.
Laughing, Felsin bit a nail to stifle the sound. Shaking his head, he turned around.
Alluring. Not a word Janus could ever imagine describing herself with. At least she’d made him laugh.
. . . was that a good thing?
Chatter filled the hall, bouncing off the stone walls. After an hour, the crowd had tired of the solemn silence and had begun to talk.
Rear aching and legs sore, Janus rose and stretched, stepping away from the pews to escape the people and find some elbow room. Anxiety fluttered in her heart, dreading the appearance of the dead.
“Antsy?” Alfaris’ gentle voice asked.
The older man approached, dark robes trailing across the floor behind him. His white hair seemed a light in the pall.
“I didn’t realize you were here,” Janus said, startled.
“I travel quietly.” He smiled. “And I prefer to keep to myself.”
“Did you at least say hi to Gem?” Janus asked, rubbing the back of her head and disturbing Des’s neat bun.
Alfaris’s strange, black eyes tore through Janus, as though he were gazing into her soul rather than her face. “Gemellus hates being disturbed. We have time enough to talk, later.” He looked up at the statue. “I fear the dead are not keen to answer quickly. I’d guess we have an hour, maybe two, left. Once the trial concludes, we will depart. Leaves little time to explore such a historic monument, no?”
“I would like to have a look around,” Janus admitted.
“I could give you a quick tour. We won’t wander far.” Alfaris suggested.
“Mm.” Janus managed in response. She was sorely tempted, especially if she were not exploring alone. Evander would be furious. She could imagine his disappointed face, tapping his foot with his arms tightly folded. . .
“I’d wager nobody here is older than me, save the buried bones.” Alfaris chuckled. “You’ll be safe with me.”
“Well, if you think we can return in time,” Janus said quietly.
“I’m sure we will.” Alfaris scanned the crowd, but the guard’s attention was turned toward their lieges or toward the center of the room. He silently beckoned Janus to follow.
The claustrophobia of the tunnels swallowed Janus as they followed a western passage away from the central chamber. Closing her eyes, she summoned the memory of Dinu’s map.
Each alcove they passed housed a body, some centuries old. The temperature dropped steadily as they trekked deeper. Bodies surrounded them, above and below.
Alfaris stopped, knitting his brows. He reached into the folds of his hood and pulled out the turtle Janus had seen in his observatory.
“You seem scared.” Alfaris pointed out.
“Maybe a little.” Janus eyed the turtle. “You and Felsin can’t be parted from your pets, huh?”
