“This is House Tadkiel’s purview,” Jadren said. “You have no authority to—”

“This gives me the authority,” Sergio replied, waving the document languidly. “Sammael borders Meresin, so I was in the neighborhood already. And darling Sabrina here wanted to visit her little school friends. I suggest you produce them, Nic, or things will go badly for you.”

Nic held on to her composure with the shreds of mental fingernails. “Alise came to visit me alone. I have no idea where these misplaced familiars are.” Mostly true, as she didn’t know where Rat had taken Han and Iliana.

“Ah-ah-ah.” Sergio waved a finger at her. “The only thing worse than a familiar who speaks without being asked a direct question is one who lies.” He waggled the document. “I have here a letter from a member of House Phel certifying that you are harboring two escaped and unbonded familiars who match the description of House Sammael’s property.” He withdrew another document, one Nic recognized as a deed of agreement. “I also have proof of ownership of House Sammael of the two familiars. You may verify the authenticity of all.”

Nic held out a hand to take them, but Sergio passed them to Jadren, blithely pretending she didn’t exist. Jadren read the letter first and passed it to her, speaking in a low voice. “It’s from Laryn, Wizard Asa’s familiar.”

So much for the NDA, Nic reflected with seething rage. Did Asa know? She doubted it. Asa might argue with her, but he didn’t have a duplicitous bone in his body. So infuriatingly ironic that a familiar’s words and will were ignored until one decided to betray her entire house. Maybe Nic had been wrong to bring more people in. They’d have been safer being just the two of them. Her thoughts chased each other like songbirds scattered by a hawk, slamming into the glass windows thinking it was freedom. But the glass only reflected the sky, bringing mockery and death.

Nic finished examining the documents Jadren passed to her as he was done. She’d be irritated that he was so careful to read them first, but if this went the direction it looked to be going, then it would be good for him to have seen and witnessed everything. She handed the papers back to Sergio, who deigned to notice her this time. “I’m afraid I can’t help you recover your lost property. There are no unbonded familiars in House Phel.”

“Saving yourself,” Sergio replied with an unfriendly smile. “Oh, and another, I understand. A Seliah Phel, Lord Phel’s undocumented sister.”

“Seliah Phel is not in residence at the moment,” she smoothly lied. “I’m certain the Convocation proctor noted Seliah’s escape into the wilds in her report.” If she couldn’t save herself, she could at least save Selly.

“This affidavit suggests she was recovered.” Sergio waggled the letter.

Nic shrugged. “Such a pity you can’t believe everything a liar and traitor tells you.”

“We’ll see what a search turns up.”

“Lord Phel won’t allow you to search his property.”