“Why not?It sounds easier than whatever you’re planning.I bet we were going to sneak into the tavern from the roof or something.”
Therehadbeen rope involved in Dimri’s plan, but he didn’t want to give Roque the satisfaction.“What are you talking about?”
“We go there, talk to the owner, and see what they have to say, and decide where to go from there.Even if the owner doesn’t like Berith, they might still tell us something we can use.”
“You do realize that going out there and asking questions will expose us, right?The spy will know we’re after them.”
“So?I’m sure they already know that.Anyone with a bit of sense and intelligence would know that.”
“We can still surprise the spy.”
“Or we could make this easier on us and just ask questions.”
“These people aren’t going to answer our questions, Roque,” Dimri snapped.He already had enough of this man, and they hadn’t even started working together yet.How could Roque not see that Dimri was right?How could he not understand?
“People often reveal things they don’t mean to reveal in casual conversations.”
“This wouldn’t be a casual conversation.As soon as the tavern owner realizes who you are, she’ll shut down and kick us out.We can’t afford for her to know that we’re there.We need to confirm who the spy is and arrest them.”
“We can do that by talking to people.Again, I’m not saying they’re going to tell me everything that’s on their mind, but even the way they’ll react to my questions will tell me a lot.”
Dimri threw his hands in the air.“Yeah?And what does the wayIreact to you tell you?”
“That you’re annoyed and can’t accept that someone might do some things better than you can.”
“That isn’t what this is about.I don’t care if you want to talk to half the palace.We can’t afford to send the spy running, though.We need them to tell us what they know about Ramiel and the kind of spy network he has.We have to be covert and careful.”
“So far, being covert and careful hasn’t helped you.We’re supposed to work together.That doesn’t mean you give the orders while I follow them.”
“I can’t even get you tothinkabout my suggestion, how am I supposed to force you to obey my orders?”
“You can try.”
Dimri wanted to.He also wanted to call Berith to tell him this wasn’t working, but he couldn’t afford to do that.Berith had given his orders.He expected Dimri and Roque to follow them.He expected them to put aside their bickering and do what was right.Dimri was willing to try.
He wasn’t sure that Roque was.
* * * *
DIMRI WAS INFURIATING.It was the only word Roque could think of to describe the other demon.
Why was he making this more complicated than it should be?Roque always had good results when he dealt with things head-on.He didn’t see a good reason not to do the same in this situation.The spy had to know they were coming after them, so they’d be careful, but that didn’t mean that the people around them would be.They might reveal something that could be useful.
Dimri pinched the bridge of his nose.“Look, bickering isn’t going to help.Berith told us to work together, and that’s what we’ll do.”
“I’m fine with that, but you don’t seem to be.You dismissed my idea right off the bat.”
“Because it’s a stupid idea.You can’t go to the tavern and expect people to talk to you.I just told you that it’s owned by someone who’s been vocal against Berith.”
“Did you expect me to tell them who I am?Because that’s not what I was planning to do.”Roque wasn’t that stupid, no matter what Dimri thought.
“People know you, though.”
Roque blinked.“What are you talking about?”
“Do you really think that people don’t know you’re the prince’s bodyguard?”
“I don’t see why they should.It doesn’t make me famous.”
