underground. This time of night -‘
There was disturbance beyond; the outer doorway opened, creating a draught that
blew papers out of order. Dolon slammed his hand on to them to stop the fall.
‘Get someone,’ he said. ‘I don’t care -‘
One of his aides appeared behind the man, signalling with a nod of his head.
‘What?’ Dolon said.
‘Erato sends word,’ the aide said, ‘the woman’s gone to the Downwind. Taken the
informer with her.’
Dolon stood up. ‘Who says? Get him in here.’
‘By your leave,’ the other said, trying graceful exit.
‘You stay.’ Dolon walked round the desk and met the man that came in. Erato’s
partner. ‘Where’s Erato now?’
‘Set up to watch the shore. Figuring she’ll come home – sooner or later,
whatever she comes up with.’
Dolon drew a breath, the first easy one in hours. Something worked. Someone was
where he ought to be, taking advantage of the situation. ‘All right,’ he said.
‘You get back there right now -Tassi.’
‘Sir,’ the other said.
‘Get ten more men. I want them down there on that rivershore. I want every
access under watch, from both directions. I want no surprises out of this. You
get down there. You get those streets blocked. When the witch shows up, I want
an account from her. I want names, places, bodies – I don’t care how you get
them. If she cooperates, fine. If not – stop her. Dead. Understood?’
There was hesitance.
‘Sir,’ Erato’s partner said.
‘Understood?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘They say fire works on her sort. You get what you can.’
‘She’s-‘
Heat rose to his face. Breath grew short.’- gone undependable. If she ever was.