“What brings the Venatori to my door?”
Pip opened her mouth to answer, but I spoke first. “You know of the blood oath the Venatori took?” I asked.
“Of course. Venatori are bound in a blood oath whenever there’s vengeance to be paid for a Fury. Ancient tradition. Only this time you’re hunting the Phoenix. Heard she killed the Mistress of Blades after failing to kill the Oracle.”
“So we’re told.” I kept my voice neutral. “We’re following a lead. If you’re feeling up to it, we hope we can rely on your discretion in the matter.”
Darius studied us for a long moment. Then nodded slowly. “Ask your questions. I’ve kept secrets for two Magistrates, I cankeep a few more. The Magistrate’s witch had very specific ideas about what happened here. She seemed less interested in the truth than in making sure I agreed with the official story.”
Calder and I exchanged a glance.
“Tell us what really happened,” Calder said quietly.
“Two people. Not beasts. But it was too dark to get a good look. They thought I was dead. Cut my throat and left me bleeding. But they missed the artery by a finger’s width. I played dead until they left, then crawled to my neighbor’s house.” He closed his eyes briefly. “I’m the only survivor. Everyone else... my wife, my brother, his wife, their son... killed.”
“I’m so sorry,” Pip whispered.
He nodded once, accepting the sympathy without dwelling on it.
“We’re investigating a family that used to live in the Tangles,” I said. “The Kirrs. Malachi and Sera. They were killed five years ago.”
Recognition flickered across his face, in the subtle lift of his chin. “The Kirrs, yes. Lovely people. Sera used to bring me honey cakes. Malachi helped me repair my roof one summer.” His expression softened with the memory. “Their deaths were a tragedy. They called it a monster breach back then too, though...” He trailed off, his hand finding the bandage on his neck.
“Though?” Calder prompted.
“The wounds looked similar to mine. To my family’s. Maybe it wasn’t a monster back then either.”
My stomach turned. “What can you tell us of their daughter?”
The man’s face creased with confusion. “The Kirrs? No, you must have them confused. No children for them. Sera wanted them desperately, I remember that. She visited every apothecary in town looking for remedies, anything that might help. But it never happened for them.”
The ringing in my ears became so overwhelming, I had to stand to shake off the fear and disappointment. To think past the confusion.
“You’re certain?” Calder’s voice was carefully neutral as he took over.
“Absolutely certain. Ask anyone who knew them. Sera’s inability to conceive was something she grieved openly about. Why do you ask?”
“Just following leads,” I said quickly. “Thank you for your time. You should rest.”
He nodded. “If you find whoever did this... to my family, to the Kirrs... promise me they’ll face justice.”
“We’ll do everything we can,” Calder said.
It wasn’t a promise. But it was all we could offer.
Outside, the rain had finally ended, and the afternoon sun felt too bright and normal for the weight of what we’d just learned.
“Pip,” Calder said quietly. “Can you check with the Circle? See if anyone can confirm the story about Sera Kirr and the apothecaries?”
“Who were the Kirrs?” Pip asked, hovering between us.
“Unfortunate victims of a senseless crime,” I whispered. The answer was smooth, practiced. A lie and a truth woven together so tightly you couldn’t separate them.
“Meet you back at Chancellery House.” Pip nodded and flew off toward the Tangles, her wings catching the light.
When she was gone, Calder turned to me. His expression was carefully blank, but I’d known him long enough to read the tension in his shoulders.
“We need to talk.”
