The crowd didn’t disperse, but they settled down. People pushed chairs and tables to the side. Since most felt it too early for bed, this seemed like less a sleeping arrangement than a lounging arrangement. Everyone sported glyphs on their foreheads, some drawn in ash or chalk, but most formed from elegant glowing yellow lines. Clearly magical in a land that notoriously hated magic.

Kihrin hoped they had enough warning to remove the marks before the last person Janel expected arrived.

If not … they wouldn’t be fooling anyone at all.

16: BLACK LOTUS

Jorat Dominion, Quuros Empire. Three days since a woman finally became emperor

When everyone had finished cleaning or dealing with various minor emergencies, Kihrin settled down on a seat at the bar next to Star. “Hey there. My name is Kihrin. What’s your name? And would you mind introducing me to the lovely woman who’s been monopolizing your attention all evening?”

Star stared at him for a second before making a face. “Keep calling me Star. I don’t mind.”

“I’m Dorna,” the old woman said. She looked Kihrin up and down. “Huh.”

Kihrin had no idea what that meant.

Janel sat down next to Kihrin, so close their thighs touched. He was ridiculously aware of their thighs touching. Every nerve of that leg felt alive. Every time he came anywhere near Janel, the air between them felt charged.

A second later, Ninavis walked behind the bar, grabbed a bottle of aris, and began pouring a glass for everyone.

“Water for me. We’ve all been drinking fit for a wedding or a wake tonight.” Dorna pointed to the group. “You all should start drinking water too, you hear me?”

“Yes, Mother,” Star said.

“So this absent friend of yours—” Kihrin said.

Janel kneaded her knuckles into her temples. “We’re waiting on a wizard who knows how to open gates. I don’t expect him to use the front door.”

“And he was supposed to be here by now?”

“Yes, but—” Janel paused as Brother Qown arrived, taking a seat next to Dorna.

Brother Qown pushed away the aris. “Do you have tea?”

“I’ve a pot of coffee in the back.”

“Even better,” Brother Qown said.

“Qown, any word from Thurvishar?” Janel asked.

“Thurvishar?” Kihrin blinked in surprise. “You’re expecting Thurvishar D’Lorus?” He had mixed feelings about the Lord Heir of House D’Lorus. Thurvishar had worked for the evil necromancer Gadrith D’Lorus, but only because he’d been gaeshed as a child. With the gaesh removed, Thurvishar had proved himself more willing to help Kihrin than assist Gadrith’s other associates—including Relos Var. Plus, Thurvishar was indeed a damn powerful wizard. Powerful enough to be able to open a gate on his own, no Gatestone required.

“I told you we know all the same people, didn’t I?”

“Who’s Thurvishar D’Lorus?” Dorna asked. “Besides no-good royalty scum.” She glanced over at Kihrin. “No offense.”