The Shattered Circle

24. The Mystery of Steel

I made no mention to anyone, especially Haven and Vex, of Shira's failed venture into assassination attempts. While as wights they would feel no anger, both could be protective in their way. I could easily see either of them rectifying my more merciful disposition in their own manners. Besides, there were more pressing matters for me to concern myself with: an agent of the god of righteous retribution still prowled Sanctum and would be looking for an opportunity. If I left that matter alone too long, it would fester like a wound. Fortunately and unfortunately, I was no longer the only one looking into it.

Melody set her cup of tea down with a thoughtful sigh, a few strands of dark hair escaping from her perfect bun. "We have had reports of cult activity in the Streets of Broken Sky, Aleyr," she said. Her tone was not accusatory, friendly to a fault, but I knew her presence in an official capacity at the Winter Palace was not going to go unremarked upon.

Varys's little leech nose was already probably quivering in anticipation of revenge.

I fought the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose between thumb and forefinger. The problem with Melody serving as the King in Black's left hand was that she could read me like a book. "You know as well as I that devotees of Erelim were responsible for Luka's death. This is the only district of the city where human servants of the idiot god could pass without being consumed. It is the natural hiding place. What of it?"

Melody circled the lip of her cup with her index finger, as transparent as a bloody block of granite. "You needn't be so defensive. I'm on your side. It doesn't matter where the cult sits in the city, only that it is excised like the cancer it is."

"You know that's not true," I said pointedly. "I am not deaf to Varys and Teth spreading rumors of my corruption."

"You did snipe Hallen's men from under her." Melody's habit of sounding maddeningly reasonable hadn't changed. "And Varys is still sour that you stole Shira quite literally from under him, even if he doesn't know what became of her. You might as well have touched a lit candle wick and cursed it for burning you."

"What do you want me to do, Melody?" I demanded. "Break down every door in the district? Drag every suspect to Heca for torturous examination? I am not responsible for maintaining His Majesty's peace, only prosecuting His wars. If you want to take the Eibonguard through my district and shake it until the enemy falls out, you are more than welcome to."

"I fully intend to," Melody said softly. "But when the rats go to run, I want them to have a place to go. A place we've prepared for them. A trap, baited and set."

A sourness settled into my stomach. "What did you have in mind?" I wished for something stronger than tea even as I swirled the contents of my cup.

"I want La'an and a few other human members of the Red Sashes to drop as friendly names in a more subtle fashion. Let them think there's a crack they can wriggle into."

While scheming wasn't secondary to my nature, I had lived a long life. "I have a counter offer," I said bluntly. "Hallen needs to prove his loyalty and he is currently teetering on the edge of disgrace. Use him as your crack."

"I need someone I can trust not to actually crack." Melody's riposte was flawlessly diplomatic in tone. Still, I could tell she was weighing the idea carefully and favorably.

"He will not dare while I hold his men. They are more valuable to him than some assassin of Erelim."

"You think he can play the role convincingly?" Melody asked, arching a delicate brow. "Hallen is a man accustomed to war more than the niceties of politics and the intricacies of spycraft."

"He has survived the court long enough to have gray hair. Give him some credit. Besides, who would you prefer to risk?"

Melody smiled faintly. "Point taken. Hallen it is. Though, if Teth and Varys catch wind, they will use it to destroy him utterly before the King in Black."