“Sire?” Gilhu made a face. “I don't think you know what sort of people live here.”
“Doubtless, there are many criminals. But there are also people who can't afford to live in a nicer area. They are all a part of the city, Sir Gilhu. I cannot oust my people just because they are poor. Nor can I force landlords to charge less in nicer areas. If they did, those areas would stop being so nice.” He shrugged. “Balance would be restored no matter what I did. I stopped fighting against it a long time ago and that's when I learned criminals are as important to a city as wealthy nobles are.”
I stopped to stare at the King. Criminals were important to the balance of a city? That was the first time I'd heard such a thing. But after my initial rejection of the theory, I realized the King was right. Balance. And yet, what I said was, “I don't entirely agree, Your Majesty.”
“No? I'm surprised, Claw Shinkai. I'd think you'd know it even better than I.”
“I said, entirely. It's not that crime serves a purpose, but more that it's a byproduct of so many people from different social classes and races living together. It can't be avoided. If it could, every city wouldn't have a Hall of Talons. Crime results from a healthy economy.”
The King laughed. “Yes, perhaps. But that doesn't mean we allow it to thrive.”
“No, Your Majesty. We will not.” I looked up at Katai's apartment building. “I will not.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
If Katai was a criminal, he was an incredible actor.
I stood in Katai's living room, staring at Katai who lay in his bed. Because it was all one room. He had a chair, just one, to define the sitting area. Then there was a little stove and sink for the kitchen. A bed was the obvious definer of the sleeping area. His closet was a trunk at the foot of the bed. The only separate room was the bathroom. I didn't venture into it.
There wasn't much in the way of secrecy once you were in the apartment. Not even as far as storage. His plates—all two of them—were stacked on a shelf above the sink beside his two cups and two sets of utensils, laid out neatly. Everything was tidy, which made it even easier to look around. And left nowhere to escape from Vasren's glare.
“He's still in shock and it's late at night,” Vasren said. “Couldn't you at least wait until tomorrow?”
“No.” I stepped around Vasren.
When he lurched for me, the King yanked him back. I don't know what was exchanged between them, but Vasren went to stand on the opposite side of Katai's bed and crossed his arms. I crouched beside Katai.
The human was on his side, curled up, and staring straight ahead. That kind of shock was hard to fake. He didn't even blink when I leaned into his view. Oh, but when I touched his hand, he snapped out of his trance. Screaming.
“Gods damn it!” Vasren launched himself at his lover, crowding onto the slim slice of bed to wrap himself around Katai. “It's all right. You're out. You're with me. You're safe.”
Katai hunched in on himself, his screams settling into whimpers. I watched closely as a few tears trickled down his cheeks. His hand shook as he reached for Vasren's, but then he gripped the Dragon tightly.
I was about to stand and suggest that we leave when Katai's eyes shot open. “You! Are you the Claw?”
Everyone froze. Except for me.
I cocked my head. “TheClaw?”
“The one,” Katai whispered, his stare darting. “The one he . . .”
“The one he what?”
“Enough!” Vasren growled.
“He is speaking to me, Sir Vasren,” I said. “It may be helpful for him to get this out.” I looked back at Katai. “You might even save lives.”
“Save lives.” Katai huddled back against Vasren. “Yes. He's going to do this again. And again. And again. And—”
“Shh, baby. Shh,” Vasren's tone was soothing, but his stare locked on me with barely contained fury.
I ignored him. If the Dragon King couldn't unsettle me, one of his knights didn't stand a chance.
“Katai, did you see him? Did you see Hallaxgral?”
Katai moaned.
“Gods damn—”
