Page 104 of Death of the Glass Angel
Des’ ears perked up, listening to quick footfalls down the hall. A blonde Athelstani woman in a dreadful flower-printed blouse approached and kneeled beside her.
“Are you alright?” Avalon asked with unexpected gentleness.
“I’m fine,” Des answered. “I will be, at least.”
“It’s alright. Take your time.” Avalon glanced over her shoulder. “That was an old trick he pulled. Dinu likes to abuse it, though he never has good cause.”
“You’re far too hard on him.”
“If I’m not, who will put him in his place?” Avalon chuckled. “It’s good-natured. Perhaps I lay it on too thick.” She frowned, glancing over her shoulder nervously again. “Is there someone at that table you’re afraid of?”
“I’m not sure,” Des admitted. “Heras worries me the most, but would she really kill her own son?”
“Do you agree with Kahn?’
“I do,” Des confessed. “He has reason to mistrust her. Or maybe he’s responsible. If we have no leads, why not indulge their spirit trial?”
“Hm.” Avalon pursed her lips. “I don’t know if I believe it myself. We’ll be there, as will all our guards. It will be safe. But if you don’t wish to accompany-”
“I’m coming,” Des affirmed.
“Very well. I suppose there’s not much more we can do until then.”
“I’d say there is.” Dinu’s voice emerged behind Avalon.
“See?” Avalon gestured to the messy-haired man. “Every dinner, he uses the-”
“I didn’t use the handkerchief if that’s what you’re implying.” Dinu raked a hand through his shoulder-length hair, straightening it. “We’retaking an interlude. But, I’ll admit, I cannot believe youwillinglyleft dinner.”
“Do yourself a favor,” Avalon warned, “And stop that line of thinking before it begins.”
“Testy.” Dinu smiled at Des. “I had a thought. Your report says an evoker read your memories. That sort of magic is difficult, and the only documentation on the method is hidden in Valeria.”
“He was from Valeria,” Des said. “Felsin has seen him around the palace.”
“Has he?” Dinu stroked his beard. “I wonder. Could he have used the same technique to wipe memories from the maevruthan?”
Des sat straight. “To hide Heras’ incriminating actions? Is that possible?”
“In theory. Though I imagine it would be taxing.”
Avalon folded her arms. “So we need to find this mystery evoker.”
“Well if he worked here, that should be a simple matter.” Dinu fussed with the handkerchief tucked into his coat pocket. “Heras seemed confident about this trial, though. I wonder why.”
“Maybe we’re all wrong,” Des said. “For that matter, how am I supposed to know I can trust you?”
“You can’t.” Dinu shrugged.
Avalon exhaled annoyedly. “You understand just how to comfort someone, oaf.” She laid a hand on Des’ shoulder. “Would you prefer to be alone, or would you rather we stay with you for a bit?”
“I wouldn’t mind the company,” Des admitted.
“Fair warning—we’re not particularly good company,” Dinu said, pulling a flask from his coat. “Now, my mother—there’s a conversationalist. She changed her mind five times on whether she should attend, all worried I’d offend someone.”
“Have you?” Avalon asked.
“I don’t think so.” Dinu took a drink, the flask pausing at his lips. “At least, not yet.”
