Amon scanned the hallway, then carefully closed the door behind him and crossed to her side. He held up a crossbow bolt between his thumb and forefinger, the tip wrapped carefully in muslin. “Nightwalker found this. Bodkin-tipped, meant to pierce armor and kill. Common as weeds along a roadside. Except”—he waggled it in his hand—“it’s got a poison daub on the head. I’d like to have Willo look at it and see if she thinks it’s the same as was used before.”

“Good idea,” Raisa said dryly. “It would be good to know if it’s the same people trying to kill me, or a whole different group.”

“Seems like whoever it was took his one safe shot and ran,” Amon said. “Guards are still swarming through the city, the Demonai warriors too, but I’m not optimistic.”

Raisa glanced at Magret. Her nurse was cutting her eyes toward Han and shaking her head, putting her finger to her lips.

“Magret,” Raisa said wearily. “Like it or not, Han is here for my protection. He’s already saved my life once, maybe twice. We have to trust him. We need someone gifted, given what’s been happening with Lord Bayar and the Wizard Council.”

“Speaking of the Bayars, Micah is outside,” Amon said. “He’s been waiting out there for more than an hour, and he won’t take no for an answer. He insists on seeing you and verifying that you are alive and well. Hayden Fire Dancer is keeping him company.” He smiled faintly, the first smile Raisa had seen on him in a while.

“I’ll tell him no, and make it stick,” Magret growled, turning toward the door. “The conniving, scheming lowlife.” She seemed happy to have another wizard to direct her ire against.

“No.” Raisa held up her hand to stop Magret. “Let him in. Maybe we can learn something from his reaction, see what he knows.”

Han straightened, and he and Amon exchanged glances. Raisa studied them, frowning. Something had changed between them, some kind of barrier had fallen. They almost seemed like co-conspirators now. She wasn’t sure she liked that.

“You’re not going to see him in your cami, Your Highness!” Magret said, looking scandalized.

“Oh, let’s just get it over with,” Raisa growled.

“All right. I’ll fetch him, Your Highness.” Amon left again.

“I’m not going to receive him lying down like an invalid, either,” Raisa said. She slid off the bed, her bare feet thumping on the floor. Wrapping the blanket closely around her, she sat down in the chair next to the bed. Magret twitched the fleece up over Raisa’s shoulders, providing maximum coverage.

Han stood behind her chair, his hands resting on the back to either side of her. Raisa’s skin prickled and pebbled at his nearness.

“I should just get dressed again,” Raisa grumbled, trying to ignore it. “I’ve got a lot to do.”