“Shut up, Vasren!” the King snarled. “I have given you many allowances today because of the trauma your lover has been through, but my patience is wearing thin.”
Vasren clamped his lips together but stroked his lover's hair.
“I don't want to bring him further pain, Sir Vasren,” I said. “I just want to stop the man who did this to him.”
Vasren sighed and looked down at the cringing human. “Sweetheart, I've got you. You're safe. Do you think you can tell us about the man who took you?”
Katai looked up at Vasren. Just stared. Then he nodded. Keeping his stare on Vasren, he said, “He wore a hood. Stayed in the shadows.”
“A Raltven,” Sir Gilhu said.
“Shh!” the King hissed.
In the silence, Katai continued, “I didn't see much, but he was big.”
“And he was definitely a man?” I asked.
Katai nodded. Then, slowly, he turned to look at me. “I saw his eyes.”
Eyes again. I'd heard victims go on and on about their attacker's eyes, and I didn't discount what they told me. But, as I said before, I attributed their insight to things they had probably noted subconsciously. Now, however, after staring into the King's eyes, I was rethinking my stance.
“Go on,” I said. “What about his eyes?”
“They were kind.”
I blinked.
“What the fuck?” Gilhu whispered.
“Kind?” Vasren asked. “Is that what you said?”
Katai nodded. “Kind. But also terrifying. He was so . . . certain. No, that's not the word. Determined?”
“You mean fervent? Like a zealot?” I asked.
“Yes, fervent. Assured. He told me I'd be found. By the Claw. That's you, isn't it?”
I nodded. “Yes, it's me. What else did he say?”
“He said something strange. He said to repeat it to you when you rescued me. Word for word.”
“Yes, what was it he said?”
“The clue is in the case.”
“What case? The Kun-lo case?”
Katai shrugged.
“Anything else?”
“He said.”
“Yes?”
Katai glanced at the King.
“What did he say?” I urged.
