“For reasons that are my own, I can’t go into Beldon Mor.”

“And you’ve just given me a good reason to get out.”

The woman stood up and faced Surreal. “This is very important.”

“Why?”

The silence grew between them, straining, draining them both. Finally the woman sighed. “Because he may have been sent here to destroy a very special child.”

“You got anything to drink around here besides tea and that wine?”

The woman looked pained and amused. “Will brandy do?”

“Fine,” Surreal snapped, dropping back into her chair. “Bring the bottle and a clean mug.” When the bottle and mug were placed before her, she filled the mug and slugged back a third of the brandy. “Listen up, sugar,” she said tartly. “Sadi may be many things, and the Darkness only knows all that he’s done, but he has never, ever hurt a child. To suggest that—”

“What if he’s forced to?” the woman said urgently.

“Forced to?” Surreal squeaked. “Forced to? Hell’s fire, who is going to be dumb enough to force the Sadist? Do you know what he does to people who push him?” Surreal drained the mug and filled it again. “Besides, who would want to destroy this kid?”

“Dorothea SaDiablo.”

Surreal swore until she could feel the words swirling around the room like smoke. She finally stopped when she noticed the woman’s expression of amazed amusement. She took another drink and swore again because her anger burned up the brandy so fast she couldn’t feel even a little bit mellow. Thumping the mug down on the table, she ran her hands through her hair. “Lady, you really know how to knife someone in the guts, don’t you?” She glared at the woman. If the witch had returned her gaze calmly, Surreal would have knifed her, but when she saw the tears and the pain—and the fear—in those emerald eyes…

Titian lying on the floor with her throat slit and the walls thundering the order to run, run, run.

“Look. I owe him. He took care of my mother, and he took care of me. He didn’t have to, he just did. But I’ll find him. After that, we’ll see.” Surreal stood up. “Thanks for the tea.”

The woman looked troubled. “What about your mother’s people?”

Surreal met her gaze. “If I come back, we’ll exchange information. But I’ll give you a bit of advice for free. Don’t play with the Sadist. He’s got a very long memory and a wicked temper. If you give him a reason to, he’ll turn you to dust. I’ll see myself out.”

Surreal left the Sanctuary, caught a Wind, and rode past Chaillot, chasing the setting sun far out into the ocean until she felt weary enough to return to Deje’s and be civil to whomever she was supposed to bed that night.

5 / Hell

Saetan toyed with the silver-handled letter opener, keeping his back to the man who stood just inside his study door. “Is it done?”