Night Study

Ah, clever. He phrased it in a way to prod her ego into giving us information.

“I may have seen another...cat slinking away,” she said.

“Oh? Do you know who this cat belongs to?”

“It depends.”

Janco leaned forward. “Depends on what?”

“On how many coins you’re going to give me for the intel.”

“Gotcha,” Ari said.

I laughed at Janco’s sour expression. “How about two silvers for the name?” I asked.

“Six, and I’ll tell you who also watched you leave to find your brother.”

“Three.”

“Five.”

“Four.”

“Deal.” She held out her hand.

I placed four silver coins in her palm.

“The cat returned to a well-dressed man wearing a necklace with a large red jewel. The man was staying in the Council’s guest quarters. He stepped from the back entrance to talk to the cat.”

“Can you describe him?”

“It would be better for you to see him. I can tell you where to find him.”

“For a few more coins?” Janco asked.

“Of course. Feeding everyone in the guild isn’t cheap,” she snapped.

“Well, if it wasn’t for Yelena, you wouldn’t even have a guild,” he shot back.

I held up my hands. “I’m happy to pay. That’s the whole point—to provide services in exchange for payment.” I gestured, indicating the room. “So those without homes and families have food and shelter.” Smiling, I added, “I’d no idea it would expand into a guild, and, for that, you have Fisk to thank.” I handed her two more silvers.

Hilly said, “The man sits in on most of the public Council sessions and he’s staying in number three-oh-six.”

“Do we want to have a look?” Janco asked.

Tempting, but rescuing Leif was my priority. “Let’s talk to Fisk first.”

“What about the person who took an interest in us when we left the Citadel?” Ari asked Hilly.

“It’s the same cat.”

I mulled over her comments. Could the cat be The Mosquito, reporting to Bruns Jewelrose? Then why didn’t the assassin try to kill me when I was locked in a cell? Probably because his prior attempt in the Fulgor jail hadn’t worked. And all he needed was patience. No doubt another opportunity to target me would arise.

Ari touched my sleeve. Concern creased his face. “That cat may have followed us here from the east gate.” Ari had chased the same logic as me.

“Unfortunately, Master Ari is correct,” Fisk said, entering the kitchen. “A man—or should I say your cat—is keeping an eye on the White Rose’s stables right now.”

I stood. “I’m so sorry, Fisk!”

“No need to apologize, Lovely Yelena. The man has been sniffing around here for the last three weeks. Seems he assumed that when you returned to the Citadel, you’d pay me a visit before being arrested.” A gleam of amusement touched Fisk’s light brown eyes. “Kudos to you for doing the...unexpected. It may have saved your life.”

“How?” Janco asked.

“Think about it,” Ari said.

Janco tapped his fork on the edge of the plate for a minute. “Oh. If we came straight here, he would have surprised us, but now we know his exact location, but he doesn’t know we know.”

“Not bad, Master Janco. I’d hire you if you were available. You could train under Hilly.”

The girl smirked at Janco and handed the six silver coins to Fisk. She curtsied to us. “Please let me know if I can be of any more assistance.” Then she left.

Fisk pocketed the coins. “Always wonderful to see you, Lovely Yelena, but I fear you bring us bad news?”

“Let’s talk in your office,” I said.

We trailed him down a long hallway that ended with a door. Fisk unlocked it and ushered us inside. The large two-story room also housed a living area and a loft above his office.

Janco sat in one of the two nubby red armchairs and Ari took the other. I perched on the edge of the black-and-white couch. A glass sculpture of two hands spread out like wings sat on the table between the two chairs. It was one of Opal’s magic detectors. Nothing flashed within its core, which meant no magic was in use. Plus Janco appeared to be relaxed.

Fisk remained standing, making him seem taller than his normal six feet. “What happened?”

No way to break this news gently. “Leif’s been taken.”

He gripped the back of the couch. “When? Where?”

I told him about the ambush.

“Oh, no.” Fisk sank to the couch. “I’d thought he’d be safe.”

“Why?” Ari asked.

“He has that...smell thing.”

“Doesn’t matter if they used null shields,” I said. They had their uses, but were a big problem when abused. A strange thought popped into my head. What if the Cartel did gain power over all the magicians? They’d be able to regulate those shields, but would they use them for the good of Sitia or for their own plans?

I shook my head. It didn’t matter, because we’d stop them. We had to. “Do you have any information about the disappearances?”

Fisk hesitated.

“I’ll pay you, of course.”

“No. It’s not that at all. Leif has aided me so much over the years, and I will do everything I can to help you rescue him.”