“They are beautiful creatures, are they not?” said Altair of Altair, a look of almost inhuman excitement on her face. “And savage,” she continued in a singsong chant. “They kill for food, and when they are sated, they kill for the love of killing.”

“Interesting,” he said noncommittally.

“Fascinating,” she replied with conviction. “There is one you cannot see, who lives beneath the sand. Not this clumsy shellfish, but a beautiful animal, bright as the morning sun. The others hunt for him endlessly, but they cannot find him.” She smiled. “I have named him Santiago.”

“And which fish is Altair of Altair?” he asked.

“None of them.” She stared at him through half-lowered lids. “I kill only for recompense.”

“Nobody’s asking you to kill at all,” said Cain patiently. “I just need to know where to find Santiago.” He paused. “I’m prepared to give you a percentage of the reward if your information proves useful.”

“Are you indeed?”

“Ten percent of the price on his head would keep you in fish for a long time.”

“Do you know what I would do if you tried to take my very bright fish?” she asked suddenly.

“What?”

“I would kill you, Sebastian Cain. I would kill you because that fish is mine, and you would be taking something that didn’t belong to you.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you think you have some prior claim on Santiago?”

“Santiago is mine.”

“Then why is he still alive?”

“Because the reward increases every year, and I am very patient. When it becomes large enough, then I shall kill him.”

“It’s large right now.”

“It will become larger,” she said with certainty.

“And you’re not worried about someone beating you to it?”

“Do you really think it is that easy to kill him?” she asked, obviously amused. “He is Santiago.”

“If you think he can’t be killed, why not give me the information I want?”

“It would do you no good.”

“In that case, it would do you no harm,” said Cain.

She stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. “There are more important things than information.”

“For instance?”

“The gift of life,” she said. “No one who has ever entered my lair has been given it. But because I lead the solitary life of a killer, I respect all others who do as well. Pledge to return to Keepsake and fish for lesser prizes, and you may leave here alive.”

“After I find Santiago,” he replied, suddenly wary.

“Then you are a fool,” she said. “Did you know that even as we speak, Virtue MacKenzie is racing to the Angel’s side to betray you?”

He looked surprised for just an instant, then shrugged. “It won’t be the first time I’ve been betrayed,” he said. “And it won’t do her any good.”