Page 29 of A Blade of Lies and Spirits

Dove entered, bearing a chilled bottle of wine and two glasses.

“You finished early,” she murmured, setting them out with neat quick movements. “I’ll be up with dessert.”

Pouring a glass for each of us, tone brisk, he said, “Do you think the current leader of William’s Wolves can be bought off?”

I took a sip. Crisp and refreshing, the wine matched the meal exactly.

“We parted on bad terms after the company was sent out to collect some taxes. I’d joined them to travel, and it was my first action. He wanted to celebrate with me after, and I took advantage of him being distracted to show exactly how I felt about rape and the murder of innocents.” I set my glass down.

“Ah, the Finger Lake incident seven years ago? They barely managed to avoid their contract being terminated; they had proof the people shot first. The only witnesses were the company, and the forensics were incredibly muddled by the time the Wardens got there.”

“Forgive me if I didn’t linger to give testimony,” I replied, my voice dry as the wine. “I take it he managed to regain speech, sight and use of his limbs?”

“He was in the medcenter for months; it almost bankrupted them.” Walker paused, tapping his knife on the plate. “Greene or his family must have backers; the family’s finances couldn’t pay the Wolves’ fee, even with the discount for you as the target.”

I shrugged. “Judge me by my enemies. I’m content with mine. And, no, I don’t think you can buy him off.”

“Truer words were never spoken,” he answered. “The Dumonts arrive late tonight, and Robert asked that you wait until tomorrow to come back. Do you mind staying here tonight? Do you want to have the discussion we put off?”

I didn’t, really. “Can it wait until after I go to their house?”

He brushed his fingertips against my cheek. “Of course. If it distresses you, you don’t need to talk about it unless you bring it up. I’m sorry if I mention it hurts you.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled. “And I’m happy to stay here.”

Walker gave me one of his quiet smiles. “Silver suspects the Wendigo is based out of Capitol. Someone I know is digging—the plan is to see if you can sniff it out based on where they’re able to place it. You’ve an unusual gift there; mental talents other than distance communication are rare.” Walker stared down at his glass, swirling the contents.

My shoulders shifted in a shrug. “It doesn’t work at the same level all the time. Silver knows that. It’s unpleasant for me when the emotions are nasty.”

The words came out stiff and short. I wanted it to work at the strength I wanted now, but wanting it to work was the surest way to make it give me too much or too little. Being praised for something I had problems controlling frustrated me.

He raised a hand. “Peace.”

“Peace,” I easily agreed, then drained my glass and held it out for another pour. “So, why the huge workroom when all the other rooms in your house are small? Especially since you have unlimited space?”

He laughed. “I grew up in small rooms; they feel comfortable to me. The workroom isn’t a place to live, so I keep it big in case I need room to maneuver. If something ever got loose, for example.”

A moment later, Dove returned. We both fell silent as she approached our table, and I wondered a little about her. Most people in this area had servants, but she and Walker had similar facial features. I couldn’t imagine that was a coincidence. Cousin perhaps?

Clearing the plates, Dove smiled at me before turning to Walker. “Do you need anything more this evening? I want to watchTaming the Wind?” She looked at me asking, “Do you watch it?”

UnlikeJudge Knights, Silver’s choice of political primer,Taming the Windwas pure fun, all sex and violence and drama. I’d gotten hooked on it from seeing it when Elise watched it.

“I’ve seen most of it, why?” I answered, putting my silverware on my plate and handing it to her.

“Tonight’s the night they finish the subplot between Rope and the Dominion ambassador’s daughter… and start the big battle scenes. Looking forward to it. The actor playing Rope is so hot.” A laughing glance shot Walker’s way.

He rolled his eyes. “It’s a terrible show. I don’t know how anyone who’s studied history can watch it.”

Dove laughed. “Ripped men and women make up for a lot of inaccuracy.” She turned to me again. “Do you have a favorite character?”

“I like the Dominion ambassador. Sneaky. Do you know if he actually seduced the president’s oldest daughter and fathered her youngest kid?”

Walker sunk his head in his hand. Every line of him was full of amusement and exasperation, I assumed at me only remembering the juicy bits. The interesting parts.

It made me want to laugh at him, he took the world too seriously.

The chocolate cake slices Dove set on the table whisked my attention away from silly holos and teasing Walker. I inhaled the first slice of the cake. Walker pushed his slice toward me, and I savored it, eating it slowly.

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