“Go on, but be careful where you step,” the King said. “There is blood to be collected right there.”
“Oh! Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you. Well done!”
I would have laughed had I not been so focused on the door. Instead, I called to the talon, “A light! Now!”
“Yes, sir!” He grabbed one of the floating spheres and brought it over. “Is that a secret passage?”
“Indeed.” I angled the light into it.
“How did the management not know about this?” the King, suddenly behind me, demanded.
“Maybe they do know.” I stepped inside, careful to search the floor first. There were more spots of blood. “He definitely brought the body in through here.”
“Sire, please,” a Dragon knight said. “At least allow me to go in first.”
“No!” I swung back to point at the Dragons. “You—all of you—stay back! You and your big, blundering bodies will destroy evidence.”
The King snorted a laugh. “You heard the poet. Back away, boys.”
I left them behind, turning a corner before coming to a stairwell. I could hear voices. The walls were thin. Down I went, following a trail of blood until I came to the bottom floor. A door opened into the alley behind Newfangled. I stepped out into the cool night, holding the door open, and stopped short. Every muscle in my body went slack. I just stared, hand still on the door.
Then I regained my senses and let out a foul curse.
It must have been loud enough to carry up two flights of stairs because seconds later, I heard the pound of footsteps. A few moments after that, the King appeared behind me along with his guards and the talon, who brought up the rear.
“Don't let the door close,” I grumbled as I stepped outside and across the alley. To the opposite wall. To inspect it.
“What the fuck?” the King hissed as he joined me.
“That would be more blood,” I said. “What a damn waste.”
The King snorted again, then looked at me. “Oh, you're serious.”
“Of course, I'm serious.” I glanced at him. “Blood is life. And it is doubly evil to kill someone and waste their blood like this.” I waved at the writing on the wall.
“I'm more concerned about the fact that a madman has targeted you.”
“Not targeted for death. Only for the game.” I scowled at the words. “I'm the safest man in the city. At least where Hallaxgral is concerned.”
“Fuck,” the talon whispered. “Is this message foryou, Claw Shinkai?”
Still staring at the words written in blood, I murmured, “That is correct.”
“But why you?”
“Isn't it obvious?” the King asked. “It's because he's brilliant. He's so fucking brilliant, this bastard is jealous. He wants to prove that he's smarter than Claw Shinkai. That will not happen. Will it, my Claw?”
I was thrilled with the King's speech until those last two words. Then I winced and turned to glare at him. “You did that on purpose,” I muttered.
“Did what?” He cocked his head.
I glared at him.
“It's only the truth.” The King grinned. “Youarebrilliant.”
“I'm not talking about that. Ugh! Never mind. I believe you're correct. He's trying to prove that he's smarter than me. And, to answer your question, Talon, I don't know why. Maybe I've ruined his plans in the past. Whatever his reasons are, he has matched wits with me. And so, I have two murders to solvetonight—Claw Greishen's and Kun-lo's.” I looked at the talon. “Did you bring that collection kit?”
“Yes, sir!” He handed over a leather bag.
