“Why would I?” Gairad said defensively. “That’s a Deralli neckscarf.

Whoever he is, he has nothing to do with Feria.”

“Yeah, I know,” Kiem said. “I think that’s why Internal Security didn’t make the link. Iskaners deal with your prominent clans, because that’s who takes up political positions on Thea. We know just enough about clans to think we know how Thea works. But not everyone thinks clan society is the most important thing, do they? I read your article.”

“You barely read anything,” Gairad said. Kiem grinned at her, which didn’t lessen the tension but instead spun it out. Gairad took a moment to think, which was the first crack in her defenses Kiem had seen. “What article?”

“The one you wrote for your Pan-Thean Interest Society back at Bita Point University,” Kiem said. “Fascinating newsletter you guys had. I liked all the cartoons of the Emperor, they really nailed her scowl. Our friend”—he gestured to the face on the screen—“was a member too. From his bylines, it looks like he joined two years before you. You would have crossed over. I think you knew him.”

“So I was at university with someone who’s now dead,” Gairad said. “So what? You don’t have proof of anything. Fuck off.”

“I’m curious,” Kiem said. “And the reason I’m curious is because Internal Security wants to bundle this all up together. They’ll sacrifice both Professor Audel and Jainan if they have to.” It was supposed to be a lie. As Kiem said it, though, it felt close enough to the truth that his chest tightened.

Gairad went white. “They wouldn’t.”

“Jainan fought to keep you out of this,” Kiem said. “He thinks he has a clan obligation to you. I’m not Thean so bear with me—do you have one to him?”

Gairad was silent. She looked away.

There was a small, ordinary noise behind him: a door sliding open. Gairad’s eyes flicked over his shoulder. She wasn’t surprised, Kiem realized. She’d sent a ping he hadn’t seen.

“Your Highness,” Professor Audel said, “what an unexpected honor to find you here.”

Kiem turned in his chair. He started to get up politely, but Professor Audel waved him back down. “Professor. Not good news, I’m afraid.”

She didn’t seem to hear. She stood in the doorway, untidy in traveling clothes, with strands of hair coming loose from their clips and a vague look in her eyes. “Gairad, I think I’m going to have to alter the fish nutrients. Do you

think she’s looking peaky?” She opened a screen that hovered above her wrist, showing a feed to some sort of aquarium.

“Professor,” Kiem said again.

“You must be here to find Jainan? I don’t know where he is. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to steal Gairad to look at—”

“Don’t bother,” Gairad said. “He knows.”

In the two seconds of silence that followed, Kiem’s tentative conclusions rearranged themselves with a swift lurch.

“Ah,” Professor Audel said softly. She didn’t sound vague in the slightest anymore. “What, exactly, does he know?”