‘‘There’s really not much to my hand—he blackmailed me into trying to get something for him, but he didn’t tell me why he wanted it, or if it was for himself, or the dreadlord he said he worked for.’’

‘‘Dreadlord, hmm?’’ Savian chewed that over for a few minutes. ‘‘Interesting. Could be a demon lord, could be someone else.’’

‘‘Exactly. And now he’s dead, which means there’s someone else involved. But why kill him?’’

Savian shrugged again. ‘‘It would be foolish to speculate until we had some answers to our questions. And now, if you would not mind, perhaps you’d care to clarify how it is I found you with the not-at-all-lamented Mr. Porter?’’

‘‘Porter kidnapped Cyrene in order to get me to do something.’’

‘‘Ah.’’ His glance slid down to the dead man.

‘‘He was dead when we got here, and no, I don’t think Cyrene killed him. She couldn’t have.’’

‘‘That’s right, your twin is a naiad,’’ he said, nodding. ‘‘Although it is within the realm of possibility, I agree that it would be unlikely an elemental being such as she would harm a mortal . . . even one as reprehensible as Porter. It certainly is a puzzle.’’

We stood in silence for a moment before I was driven to say, ‘‘Gabriel isn’t going to let you take me into custody, you know.’’

‘‘I’m aware of that, yes,’’ he answered amiably.

‘‘Then why are you just standing here chitchatting with me while he races to get here?’’ I asked. ‘‘Shouldn’t you at least be making an attempt to try to capture me? Not that I want you to, but it’s making me curious.’’

‘‘Well, it’s like this,’’ he said, scratching the whiskery stubble on his chin. ‘‘When I first saw you here, I thought my luck had turned and I’d be able to bring you in myself. Although I will say I had a moment’s qualm about how I was going to get you to go peacefully. You’re not a pushover.’’

‘‘Thank you,’’ I said politely. ‘‘I’m also not the sort of woman who has to wait for a man to help her, although I’m not one to turn down the offer of help if it’s made.’’

‘‘I completely understand. Just as I understood that when you mentioned the wyvern was present in spirit form, my chances of convincing you to come along peaceably were pretty much nil. As were any ideas of forcing you.’’

‘‘Smart man.’’

‘‘I try,’’ he said with a wry twist to his lips. ‘‘The answer to your question is simply that I am hoping your scaly boyfriend will make it worth my while to not make trouble.’’