That was not the answer she hoped for. What clues had her father left with Martin to act on? How much had been revealed in his tome? She was anxious to find it – to use the Cruciger orb and find where it was hidden. If she could overturn the binding sigil, she would be free to tell Colvin the truth and end his torment. But as Martin had warned her, it was best to focus on the task at hand. It was probably one of the reasons her father had given her the orb, knowing that she would one day see to find her father’s tome with it.

“There,” Lia directed towards the shallow alcove that led to the garden. They advanced cautiously, listening to the din and laughter that came over the rooftops from another street which was more crowded and blustering. She pushed the gate inward and walked to the hidden spot in the wall where the Leering waited. This time, instead of warning her away, it greeted her with an intoxicating smell. There was no feeling of danger at all, only a thrilling sense of excitement.

She paused, staring at it, confused. She touched the Leering and felt at its powers, trying to understand why it had changed. In a moment, the Medium supplied the answer. Once it had admitted her presence with the proper password, she would be allowed to pass it without barrier. In a word, it thought she was a hetaera because only a hetaera would have known the password. Within the stone, she could sense its formidable defenses. Much like the portals at the Abbey which prevented intruders from entering, the Leerings at Dochte were equally powerful. She questioned the stone with her thoughts, probing to see if another hetaera had passed it since she left that morning. She had the strong impression that none had.

“What is it?” Martin asked, studying the expression on her thoughtful face.

“The prey is careless,” she answered. “It is safe to pass.”

They crossed the maze and emerged into the garden beyond. In this case, they were not so lucky as before. There was one person in the garden, which forced them to halt and remain hidden. They observed her from behind the hedgerows and trees, meandering down the walkway, lost in thought. The sunlight was fading still, but there was enough light to see her face when she turned and came towards where they were hiding. Her long dark hair and supple walk was mesmerizing – until her face lifted and Lia nearly gasped with shock. It was a beautiful girl, probably her own age with dark eyes and raven black hair. She looked so similar to Pareigis that Lia almost darted from her hiding place and ran as fast as she could. That moment of panic soon passed when she realized that though the features were similar, she was staring at the Queen Dowager’s sister. She followed the path and then started when a voice reached them from the far end. Lia recognized the voice immediately.

“There you are,” Dieyre said. “I was told I would find you here.”

“This is a private garden,” the girl said, her voice sly and sultry. “Which of the girls let you in?”

“I hardly remember her name. You are all alike to me.”

“Is that so? Even my sister?”

“She is…unique. There is no woman like her in the world.”

“Is she still in bondage at Muirwood?” the girl asked with a grin in her voice.

“You know as well as I that no Abbey can hold her. She will seduce them all before Twelfth Night. I am certain of it. How fares the little lark from Sempringfall? When do I get to see her? I hear she is much changed.”

“You will see her tonight at the fete, of course. You have not forgotten our quaint ways, have you?”

He took her hand and kissed her open palm. “I have nearly died of boredom in my kingdom. Dahomey suits me better. I understand your brother the king arrives on the morrow. I will get the princedom he promised me?”

“You will get everything you were promised,” she replied with emphasis. “Including the earl’s sister as your wife. Our spies have seen her. She is being followed.”

“Where?” Dieyre demanded, his voice betraying a hint of anxiety.

“In due time. All in due time. Come – I must change before the fete. I have a new gown I have had tailored. You will like it.”

Still holding her hand, he escorted her back towards the Abbey walls. “I look forward to seeing Forshee’s face when you arrive wearing it. Dahomeyjan customs suit me quite well. I enjoy watching a maston squirm.”

Their voices trailed off, leaving Lia smoldering with anger. Martin appeared at her elbow. “Use the orb,” he whispered. “You must find the girl and the serpent’s mark. It is somewhere here in the garden.”

“The mark is everywhere,” Lia said, untying the pouch strings and pulling out the orb.