Verin looked at me askance.
“I'm not going to get into the details but someone transported monsters from Torr-Chathair to Earth,” I explained. “Since then, the Griffins have upped their security. No one gets onto that planet without them knowing about it.”
“Well, if it is basilisk venom in that cake, at least one person did,” Savassa said dryly.
“I would imagine basilisk venom would go for a lot of money on the Beneather black market,” I mused.
I didn't want to say it aloud because it was so farfetched, but perhaps one of the Griffins had harvested the venom and smuggled it off the planet. You never know what could happen and motivate a person to do things they normally wouldn't.
Verin grunted thoughtfully, then his gaze shifted to the woman standing before us.
The maid wore simple clothes—a loose tunic and trousers—and had her hair pinned back in a bun. As soon as Verin set his stare on her, her shaky gaze shifted to her mistress.
“Just tell the truth,” Meilen urged her.
Verin shot Meilen a silencing look. She hung her head and set her gaze on the floor.
Verin refocused on the maid. “Did you go into the kitchens tonight?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I went to fetch my dinner before the feast.”
“And after that?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Verin narrowed his eyes at the woman but she didn't falter. “Go and stand beside your mistress.”
The woman went to Meilen, who put an arm around her supportively. That both rose my suspicions and made me like her better. Meilen could be acting kindly to keep her maid from talking or she could be genuine in her concern. Or maybe she just needed some comfort herself. Meilen caught me watching her and glared at me. That surprised me. If I were her, I wouldn't want to antagonize me. But then, I wasn't a dragon.
“What song would you sing to find the assassin?” Verin asked me.
I thought about it. “There's one I know of that can both compel truth and track someone down.”
Verin grunted in satisfaction and nodded. “Your singing is preferable to the options that remain.”
Options. I glanced at Meilen and her maid. I had a feeling those options would be violent.
“No problem,” I said, then frowned as I realized I'd have to sing a capella again. Unless...Kyanite?
Nothing.
Ky?I put my awareness in my throat, where the sliver of kyanite laid under my skin. You'd think it would hurt or at least irritate me but I had to concentrate to even feel it.Kyanite, are you there?
My love!Kyanite shouted in joyous relief.
I winced.
“What is it?” Verin asked.
“I'm talking to Kyanite,” I explained. “Give me a moment, honey.”
Verin grunted and released my hand.
Hey, Ky.
Hey, Ky? That's all you have to say to me? What happened? Why couldn't you hear me? Why couldn't I hear you? Where's RS? What the hell is going on?
I blocked you out.
