Page 16 of A Blade of Lies and Spirits

In this show, Rope, the executioner Judge, a brutal red-haired giant, met with Frost. She wore black leather tight enough that I wondered how she could use a weapon with any force. Even gesturing to call up her ice magic seemed unlikely.

They determined how they would kill the General who’d been secretly Ridden. The writers didn’t explain why his face hadn’t changed, like every other Ridden.

“I believe this is one of the sections that Silver hopes you remember.” Walker didn’t look up from his reader as the scene shifted to old men and a few old women arguing endlessly.

The episode ended after that, a mercy. I was going to throw something at the generator.

“So. Do you remember anything?” Walker smiled at me.

I heaved a sigh. “The Republicrats and the New Green Party were trying to convince the Ecological Citizens Party that working together was the only way to keep the Ridden from taking over. Did Rue really sleep with the Southern General to set him up to be assassinated?”

Walker sunk his head in his hand. “You’ve conflated the names of the political parties, you know.”

I shrugged. “Did she?”

“Pretty sure not. By all accounts, she’s the type to kill someone all by herself.”

“Is there much more of it?”

“Six hours or so left in this season. We’re about halfway through season one.”

I regarded him. “We could have sex, then continue?”

He shook his head, pointing to the corners of the room. “Security cameras. I don’t do performances.”

Fair enough. “How about you see if they have any chocolate candy in the gift shop? That would help my concentration, too.”

“I’m not that rich, Alys. I’ll see what I can do when you’re better and come to my house.”

The last episode queued up on the holo. So many episodes, each an hour long- if I had to watch them all it would take days. This one promised the birth of the Guild. More talking, less sex, and explosions.

Sleep punched me. I opened my eyes as the end credits rolled.

“Could you please sum up the politics? I fell asleep when Silver was giving the speech on how some were born to rule, and that it’s best for the uneducated to be led by those who know the issues. Did he...?”

“No. Definitely not. His speech was an hour’s worth of shouting that this was the worst idea he’d heard in all his life.” Walker’s face was somber in the dim light. “There’s a transcript, but no recordings.”

“It all revolves around whether people outside the cities can vote on who is supposed to run their areas. And it didn’t used to be limited to a family—it was anyone who wanted to do it and convinced people to vote for them?” I knew what I said was incorrect, but I wanted to see his reaction. This was how the people in my country ran things.

“Nice. I know that’s how Kalderon does it, Alys. Don’t play the fool.” His voice was dry enough to strike sparks.

I wagged a finger at him. “But it’s fun! And you’re not correct. The Clans can’t hold office. It’s like the opposite of the Guild.”

He held my arm as I wobbled back to the bed from the chair I’d been resting in. Comfortable enough to sleep in, too, I liked it. “And the current party system?”

I sighed. “If I give the right answers, will you stop nagging?”

He smiled.

“Is fucked up and getting worse the closer elections get. There’s a presidential election this fall.”

Walker laughed, dimples flashing. “I love a woman with brains.”

“Where do you keep her? And why am I so damn weak?” I settled against the pillows, eyelids drooping.

“The owls ripped out a piece of your soul to hold the demon in place. It takes a while for your body to come back into balance. That wouldn't normally be a problem, it would make you tired. But you also channeled a lot more magic than you’re used to and gave yourself a nasty case of mageburn on top. Which also makes you tired.”

I hated that there were so many questions I couldn’t ask while we were under surveillance. But, I guess I could wait. As well as a virtue, patience was my middle name!

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