“We lack necessary information. I therefore approached allies of Mellarionne and asked that they seek that information. Two of the informants have failed to report in. A third is dead. Our assumption, in the absence of bodies, is that the two are likewise deceased.” This might explain the color of her eyes. “When information presents a danger to Barrani, caution is required in its pursuit—but if three of those allied with Mellarionne have been killed it implies the killers either have no fear of Mellarionne or their fear of Azoria, or someone of rank in the High Court, is stronger.”

“In theory she’s dead,” Kaylin said.

“Yes. Regardless, some response on the part of Mellarionne is now required. Had the interested parties approached me first, I would not have considered this action one that deserved reprisal. This did not happen.”

Kaylin had a headache. A Barrani-sized headache. But she understood Sedarias’s anger now. She understood the clothing of those members of the cohort who had chosen, in their own fashion, to stand behind her, and lifted a hand, palm out. “If you have information that’s going to get me killed, I’m not certain I want to hear it right now.”

“That’s unfortunate. For you. At this point, it seems the use of the name merits—in the eyes of an as-yet-unknown enemy—death to Barrani; I imagine the laws of exemption would make your otherwise certain death far more complicated. Our people do not call upon the laws of exemption in life or death. Any retribution from Mellarionne is therefore entirely outside of your remit—and it will stay that way. Mellarionne, as any Barrani family of note, has no wish to fall afoul of those laws.”

“I concur,” Teela predictably said. “This is a Barrani matter.”

“If Azoria was somehow involved in the death of those children—or the kidnapping—it isn’t. You said Azoria is dead, as is the whole of her line. The implication was that her death has been fact for a long time.

“But either that’s inaccurate, or some other person chose to purchase land in an area entirely occupied by mortals—by humans like me—under her name. The building that she bought doesn’t exist anymore.”

“It was destroyed?”

“No. It never existed, except in tax Records. In its place, a much, much smaller building does. That building was either built or bought some eighty to ninety years ago—by mortals.” Kaylin turned toward Teela. “Mrs. Erickson’s parents.”

“Mrs. Erickson’s parents are the only owners in taxation Records.”

“And the location of fourteen and a half?”

“It appears to have been built when, or just before, the Swindons assumed ownership and tax responsibilities,” the Barrani Hawk continued. Kaylin wondered if she were lying.

She isn’t, Severn said. What Records contains is the information she is now offering.

Could those Records be tampered with?