She turned away. “As I said, it will take time. There has been an unexpected setback to our plans. The Princess—dear little Phryne—has escaped. I don’t know how she managed it, but she got free. So now I must find her and eliminate her. Her escape does serve a purpose, of course. It suggests she is guilty as charged and might provide the excuse I need to have her killed when she resists being brought back to face her accusers. My men are out hunting her. They will find her sooner or later.”

Skeal Eile shook his head. “You let her escape?”

She wheeled on him angrily. “I didn’t let her do anything. She managed it with help from the outside. Her cousins, the Orullians, perhaps. It doesn’t matter. She has nowhere to go that I cannot find her. It won’t take long.”

“Of course it won’t,” he chided. “No more than a few hours, I imagine.”

She cocked an eyebrow at him. “It might go more quickly if you gave me the use of your assassin again. He seems able enough. Perhaps he could track her down and arrange another accident?”

Skeal Eile shook his head. “He is otherwise engaged.” He walked over to the sofa where he had spent his time waiting on her and sat down anew, leaning back into the cushions. “Besides, you haven’t finished paying for his previous use. I see no reason to lend him to you again.”

“No, I suppose you don’t.” She stood where she was, studying him. “Very well. I shall arrange for you to be presented to the High Council in a week’s time. Afterward, a public forum will be held in which you will be given an opportunity to speak of your work and of the sect. Would that suit you?”

He nodded slowly. “It will do for a beginning. At least, it would show good faith on your part.”

She walked over and sat down next to him on the couch. For a moment, he was afraid she would put her hands on him again, perhaps renew her plea for services beyond what he was prepared to offer. But she kept herself at arm’s length as she studied his face.