The kicks began to slow. Glokta could hear Ardee gasping for air. Her heel dug into Fallow's ribs, her toe cracked into his nose again. If she ever gets bored, she might have a bright future as a Practical. She worked her mouth, leaned over and spat onto the side of his face. She kicked him again, weakly, then stumbled back against the cabinet and leaned on the polished wood, bent over and breathing hard.

'Happy?' asked Glokta.

She stared up at him through her tangled hair. 'Not really.'

'Will kicking him some more make you happier?'

Her brows wrinkled as she looked down at Fallow, wheezing on his side on the carpet. She took a step forward and booted him hard in the chest one more time, rocked away, wiping some snot from under her nose. She pushed her hair out of her face. 'I'm done.'

'Fine. Get out,' hissed Glokta. 'Out, worm!'

'Of course,' Fallow drooled through his bloody lips, crawling for the door, Frost looming over him the whole way. 'Of course! Thank you! Thank you all so much!' The front door banged shut.

Ardee sat down heavily in one of the chairs, elbows resting on her knees, forehead resting on her palms. Glokta could see her hands trembling slightly. It can really be very tiring, hurting someone. I should know. Especially if you aren't used to it. 'I wouldn't feel too badly,' he said. 'I'm sure he deserved it.'

She looked up, and her eyes were hard. 'I don't. He deserves worse.'

That was unexpected too. 'Do you want him to have worse?'

She swallowed, slowly sat back. 'No.'

'Up to you.' But it's nice to have the option. 'You may want to change your clothes.'

She looked down. 'Oh.' Spots of Fallow's blood were spattered as far as her knees. 'I don't have anything—'

'There's a room full of new ones, upstairs. I made sure of it. I'll arrange for some dependable servants as well.'

'I don't need them.'

'Yes, you do. I won't hear of you here alone.'

She shrugged her shoulders hopelessly. 'I have nothing to pay them with.'

'Don't worry. I'll take care of it.' All compliments of the hugely generous Valint and Balk, after all. 'Don't worry about anything. I made a promise to your brother, and I mean to see it through. I'm very sorry that things came this far. I had a great deal to take care of… in the South. Have you heard from him, by the way?'

Ardee looked up sharply, her mouth slightly open. 'You don't know?'

'Know what?'