That shocked me out of desire, as suddenly as a slap.

She was all that Dekarta wanted and more, he continued. Their goals were never the same, but in every other way, she was more than a match for her father. He loves her still.

I swallowed. My legs were shaky so I did not stand, but I made myself straighten from the hunch that I had unconsciously adopted. Then why did he kill her?

You think it was him?

I opened my mouth to demand an explanation. But before I could, he turned to me. In the light from the window his body was a silhouette, except for his eyes. I saw them clearly, onyx-black and glittering with unearthly knowing and malice.

No, little pawn, said the Nightlord. Little tool. No more secrets, not without an alliance. That is for your safety as well as ours. Shall I tell you the terms? Somehow I knew that he smiled. Yes, I think I should. We want your life, sweet Yeine. Offer it to us and youll have all the answers you wantand, too, the chance for revenge. Thats what you truly want, isnt it? A soft, cruel chuckle. Youre more Arameri than Dekarta sees.

I began to tremble again, not out of fear this time.

As before, he faded away, his image disappearing long before his presence did. When I could no longer feel him, I put away my mothers belongings and straightened the room so that no one would know I had been there. I wanted to keep the silver fruitstone, but I could think of nowhere safer to hide it than the compartment where it had lain undiscovered for decades. So I left it and the letters in their hiding place.

When I was finally done, I went back to my room. It took all my willpower not to run.

11

Mother

TVRIL TOLD ME THAT sometimes Sky eats people. It was built by the Enefadeh, after all, and living in a home built by angry gods necessarily entails some risk. On nights when the moon is black and the stars hide behind clouds, the stone walls stop glowing. Bright Itempas is powerless then. The darkness never lingersa few hours at mostbut while it lasts, most Arameri keep to their rooms and speak softly. If they must travel Skys corridors, they move quickly and furtively, always watching their step. For you see, wholly at random, the floors open up and swallow the unwary. Searchers go into the dead spaces underneath, but no bodies are ever found.

I know now that this is true. But more important

I know where the lost ones have gone.

* * *

Please tell me about my mother, I said to Viraine.

He looked up from the contraption he was working on. It looked like a spidery mass of jointed metal and leather; I had no inkling of its purpose. Tvril told me he sent you to her room last night, he said, shifting on his stool to face me. His expression was thoughtful. What is it youre looking for?

I made note: Tvril was not entirely trustworthy. But that did not surprise me; Tvril doubtless had his own battles to fight. The truth.

You dont believe Dekarta?

Would you?

He chuckled. You have no reason to believe me, either.

I have no reason to believe anyone in this whole reeking Amn warren. But since I cannot leave, I have no choice but to crawl through the muck.

Oh, my. You almost sound like her. To my surprise he seemed pleased by my rudeness. Indeed, he began smiling, though with an air of condescension. Too crude, though. Too straightforward. Kinneths insults were so subtle that you wouldnt realize shed called you dirt until hours afterward.

My mother never insulted anyone unless she had good reason. What did you say to provoke her?

He paused for only a heartbeat, but I noted with satisfaction that his smile faded.

What do you want to know? he asked.

Why did Dekarta have my mother killed?

The only person who could answer that question is Dekarta. Do you plan to talk to him?

Eventually, I would. But two could play the game of answering a question with a question. Why did she come here, that last night? The night Dekarta finally realized she wasnt coming back?

I had expected the surprise in Viraines face. What I had not expected was the cold fury that followed swiftly on its heels.

Who have you been talking to? The servants? Sieh?

Sometimes the truth can throw an opponent off-balance. Nahadoth.

He flinched, and then his eyes narrowed. I see. Hell kill you, you know. Thats his favorite pastime, to toy with any Arameri foolish enough to try and tame him.

Scimina

has no intention of taming him. The more monstrous he becomes, the happier she is. He spread the last fool who fell in love with him all over the centeryard, I hear.

I remembered Nahadoths lips on my throat and fought to suppress a shudder, only half-succeeding. Death as a consequence of lying with a god wasnt something I had considered, but it did not surprise me. A mortal mans strength had limits. He spent himself and slept. He could be a good lover, but even his best skills were only guessworkfor every caress that sent a womans head into the clouds, he might try ten that brought her back to earth.