Viv didn’t haveto wait long on the corner of Branch & Settle, far south of the shop. She could see why they’d chosen it. The intersecting streets were intermittently lit, and the corner itself was overlooked by a big, splintered heap of a warehouse.
A familiar face emerged from a darker scrap of shadow, and doffed his hat.
“We’re well on our way to becoming fast friends, it seems. It won’t be long ’til you find yourself using my name.”
“I guess you can put in a friendly word for me, then,” said Viv. She looked around but didn’t see anyone else. She knew they were there, though. “How’s this going to work?”
“Follow me,” said Lack. He gestured at a small doorway into the warehouse.
She did, and once they stepped inside, he produced a hood.
“A blindfold won’t do?”
Lack shrugged. “You’ll breathe just fine.”
She sighed and tugged it on. Only a little of the warehouse’s dim light filtered through the weave. Lack’s hand found her elbow, and she didn’t flinch at his touch.
He steered her through the building, and then she heard a metallic shriek. Viv felt the boards under her feet jump as he flipped open a pair of doors in the floor with two dusty bangs. He led her down a set of creaking stairs, touching the top of her head to warn her of the frame so she didn’t crack her skull as she descended.
She smelled earth, at first, and then the growing scent of the river. They passed through pockets of coolness and cross-breezes, and they turned several times. Sometimes, the floor was stone and gravel, and other times dirt or wood.
Eventually, they ascended another set of stairs, rising into the smell of wood oil and cleaner and fabrics and something more floral that Viv couldn’t quite place.
“All right,” said Lack.
Viv removed the hood from her head and took in what was before her. “Well, I guess I wasn’t expecting that.”
The room was cozy. A pair of huge stuffed armchairs sat before a small, tidily bricked fireplace with an ornate folding screen, the low twinkle of flames showing behind. Polished tables flanked the chairs, one holding a tea service heavily illustrated with twining plants. A large, gilt-framed mirror hung above the fireplace, and red velvet drapes bordered big, paneled windows. Enormous bookshelves towered against the walls, positively crammed with thick volumes. Crocheted doilies covered a long, low table, and a luxurious carpet was soft underfoot.
A tall, elderly woman sat ensconced in one of the armchairs, her silver hair in a severe bun, her face regal but not unkind. She was crocheting a fresh doily and took her time completing a round before absently looking at Viv.
To Viv, it was blindingly clear from her bearing, and from the deference Lack showed, that this was, indeed, the Madrigal.
“Why don’t you take a seat, Viv,” said the woman. Her voice was dry and strong.
Viv did.
Before she could speak, the Madrigal continued.
“Of course, I know a great deal about you. That’s at least half my business, knowing. And connecting. But I confess, Iwassurprised when Taivus reached out. Of course, he went by a different name when I knew him.” She glanced up from her crocheting. “Did he mention how he knewme?”
Her expression was mild, but Viv sensed a great blackness beneath that question. “No, ma’am.”
The Madrigal nodded, and Viv couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened if she’d answered differently.
“Taivus’ appeal might not have been enough for me to agree to meet you,” she said. “If it hadn’t been for another mutual acquaintance.”
“Another?” Viv was confused.
“Indeed.” The movement of her crochet hook was hypnotic.
It only took another moment for Viv to catch on, and it should’ve taken less. “Fennus?”
“Hedidprovide me with some interesting information. And as I said, knowing is my business.”
“So he had a tale to tell. Something about a scrap of an old song, maybe, and a new visitor to the city?”
“All of which is why you’re here, not because of some monthly dues.” She fluttered a hand as though they were of no consequence. The woman’s mouth pinched. “Also, I’ll be frank. Despite what you might think, given the circumstances, I don’t have much use forassholes.”
