Vidor Kalta laughed. “Carnades, stop being an ass and listen to yourself. First vampires, now a magical bond conspiracy . I heard Sarad Nukpana’s threats as well, and I share no bond with Miss Benares, Paladin Eiliesor, or a rock. Before I met Miss Benares in the examination room containing the general’s remains, I’d never met, seen, or spoken with her before. Yet I can quote word for word what Sarad Nukpana said. Would you like for me to tell you? I assure you it was quite memorable.”

Carnades stood utterly still. “That is impossible.”

Any sign of flippancy vanished. “I’m a nachtmagus, I deal with the impossible every day, and I assure you they aren’t fairy tales.”

“You heard nothing.”

Kalta stepped past Mychael and crossed the squad room at a stately pace until he was close enough to make Carnades uncomfortable. “The voice I heard through General Aratus was most definitely not that of Tamnais Nathrach. I have met Sarad Nukpana at some of the court functions that you yourself attended. You know his voice, as do I. The voice Paladin Eiliesor, Miss Benares, and I heard was Sarad Nukpana. Without question.” Kalta gave his last two words special emphasis, daring Carnades to challenge him.

“I question.” The elf mage’s voice was flat and ugly.

“Do you question my skill?” Kalta grinned with a slow baring of teeth, and his voice dropped to a precise whisper. “Or are you calling me a liar?”

The glitter in Kalta’s black eyes said that he would love for Carnades to openly say that he didn’t believe either one. I kind of wanted to see what would happen if he did.

In his own twisted way, Carnades considered himself a champion of all that was right and moral. I didn’t know what Kalta considered himself or stood for—but he was lying. He hadn’t heard a word Sarad Nukpana said. Though considering that Tam and Mychael’s lives were at stake, he could have claimed the world was flat for all I cared. Vidor Kalta was lying to Carnades’s face in a room full of Mid’s watchers and appeared to be enjoying himself immensely. I was all in favor of personal happiness. Kalta’s sharp black eyes bored into Carnades’s ice blue ones. He ignored Balmorlan completely. It had the potential to get ugly, but it wouldn’t, at least not here, not now. Mages like Carnades preferred a figurative knife in the back rather than a literal punch to the gut. If Carnades answered “yes” to Kalta’s accusation, I had no doubt that Kalta would politely ask him to step outside. I actually wanted Carnades to say that word. That was a fight I wanted to see and, better yet, enjoy the results of.

Carnades drew himself up and did his best to look down on Kalta even though they were the same height. “I have never personally heard you speak anything but the truth.”

That wasn’t good enough for Kalta. “What I have said to others in the past is not the issue here. What I just said to you is. Am I lying to you now before all these witnesses?”

The silence hung thick and heavy in the air. Everyone was holding his breath for the next volley.

“I cannot prove otherwise.” Carnades paused and if looks could kill, Kalta would have been one of his disenfranchised souls. “No, you are not lying.”

Kalta graciously inclined his head. “Thank you. Your trust honors me and my house.”

“This isn’t over,” Carnades hissed.

“Of course it’s not,” Kalta said mildly. “Sarad Nukpana is still at large.”

Chapter 9

“That does nothing to disprove that Tamnais Nathrach kidnapped General Aratus,” Carnades said. “If Sarad Nukpana is regenerating as you say, he would need an accomplice; and who better than a goblin dark mage and an elven traitor? Mistress Benares has been inside the Saghred on two occasions and has spoken with Sarad Nukpana.” He looked to me and his eyes narrowed in cold, reptilian fury. “Don’t think I have forgotten that he referred to you as a partner.”

“Yeah, it still gives me the creeps, too.”

Mychael turned away from Carnades, dismissing him entirely. “Sedge, I want to see the statements of all witnesses who said they saw Tamnais Nathrach abduct the general.”

“You won’t have to go far for two of them; they’re right over there,” I said, indicating a pair of elves who clearly wished that they were elsewhere right now.

“They just finished giving their statements,” Sedge told us. “There were four others who have come over the course of the afternoon.”

Six lying witnesses. Carnades had been busy. He wasn’t taking any chances that Tam was going to get away.

“I want copies of their statements, and their addresses sent to my office within the hour,” Mychael said. “I’ll be conducting my own investigation—beginning with interviewing the witnesses.”

Carnades sneered. “So you think our chief watcher is incapable of properly—”

“Chief Watcher Rinker is more than capable in every capacity of his job.” Mychael’s voice was level and professional—and cold enough to give Carnades frostbite. “The continued safety of the Conclave’s mages is my responsibility. And I will do everything in my power to bring those responsible to justice.” He paused meaningfully. “And that includes any false witnesses. If Tamnais Nathach has been falsely accused with malicious intent, I will see those responsible prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Valuable hours have been lost here tonight, hours that may have cost the life of another citizen of this island—a life I was sworn to protect.”

Carnades was livid with outrage. “You will not roust our good citizens out of their beds in the middle of the night.”

“Watch me. And speaking of the middle of the night, Sarad Nukpana is out there. I can’t allow you out in the streets alone.”

“I have two bodyguards who—”

“Insufficient,” Mychael told him. “You are the senior mage on the Seat of Twelve and it is my duty to see you safely home.”

Taltek Balmorlan stepped forward. “It is not Magus Silvanus’s intention to go home yet, nor is it mine.”

“Then my men will escort the two of you wherever you need to go, and then see you both safely home.”

If Carnades or Balmorlan wanted to report back to Markus, Mychael had just thrown a big crimp in their plans. His Guardians would report every stop they made to their commander. Another flash of brilliance on Mychael’s part. Best of all, he was just doing his job.

I had a sudden feeling of cold dread. I hadn’t heard Talon come up behind me—the kid was too light on his feet for that—but he was there. And Carnades and Balmorlan were still there.

Taltek Balmorlan looked like he’d just been handed a present with his name on it. Carnades looked like he’d just seen one of those ghosts that he didn’t believe in.

I sighed. “Talon, you were supposed to stay put.”

“You know I only do as told if there’s something in it for me.” His voice slipped smoothly into a lower register and his magic flowed around us all, warm and silvery. I don’t think he was aware that he was doing it.

Balmorlan was aware and delighted.

Damn.

“Young Master Nathrach.” The elven inquisitor’s lips curved into a jackal’s smile. “I have seen you perform at Sirens on more than one occasion. You have a most impressive talent.”

“Let me guess,” Talon shot back smoothly. “You’re the type who enjoyed my dancing much more than my singing.”

A few watchers did a fine job covering their snorts or guffaws with spontaneous coughing fits. Vegard sounded like he’d swallowed a bug.

Taltek Balmorlan’s look was murder.

Talon flashed him a dazzling smile, but his aquamarine eyes were pale fire. He knew exactly who and what he was playing with, and he was doing it anyway, cheerfully even. These were the bastards who had put his father in a cell, and the kid was out here to show them that Nathrach men didn’t intimidate and they sure as hell didn’t hide in conference rooms.

Vidor Kalta leaned toward the elven inquisitor. “The boy has your number, Taltek,” he murmured, laughter running under his words. “I’ve always said you need to find another hobby.”

Carnades hadn’t found any words. His stare was fixed on Talon’s pale eyes; eyes only a shade darker than Carnades’s own. “Abomination,” he whispered hoarsely, whether to himself or Talon, I didn’t know.

“Your mother was a pure-blooded high elf,” Vidor Kalta said gently to Talon. “And was no doubt very beautiful.” His black eyes were daggers on Carnades. “And his father is a good, noble, and innocent man.” He looked back at Talon. “You should be proud of them both.”

“Yes, sir. I am.” The kid’s voice was steady as a rock.

Vidor Kalta might be creepy, but I liked him.

Mychael moved smoothly between Talon and Carnades, forcing the elf to break eye contact with the young goblin. “My men are ready to escort you to your next destination.” Mychael’s words were polite; his voice said that both Carnades and Balmorlan were leaving. Now.

They left with Carnades’s two bodyguards in tow, and through the windows, I saw a whole bunch of mounted Guardians who looked only too glad to escort all of them around town. Carnades’s mage cronies dispersed. I guess it was no fun being on the losing side. They’d go home and lick their wounds; Carnades and Balmorlan were no doubt hatching another plan before they were in their coach.

I wanted to run directly to Tam’s cell, but knew that wouldn’t look good for either of us.

I draped an arm over Talon’s shoulders. I knew I’d probably get groped for my trouble, but a show of guts like that shouldn’t go unrewarded.

“Phaelan has a saying for what you just did,” I told him.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. He’d tell you not to trip over those things.”

“What things?”

“Your balls that are dragging on the ground.”