Stalking Darkness

know. Two months ago he knocked his ring against that bedpost there behind you and chipped the stone seal. It was a tiny piece, really, but he made such a fuss over it! Quite spoiled the mood. This chip makes a tiny flaw in the impression, so tiny that most people wouldn’t even notice it. But I knew what to look for and it was his, all right. What do you think ofthat?”
    Seregil cupped her full breast in his hand like a goblet and kissed it reverently. “I think, in your place, I’d have found some way of inquiring where this lover of yours could be found again.”
    Eirual pressed closer with a luxuriant sigh. “Sailmaker Street in the lower city. A tenement with a red and white lintel. His name is Rythel, a big, blond fellow with a lovely soft beard, very handsome.”
    “And you don’t think this visitor of yours ought to have such a letter?”
    Eirual shook her head. “For starters, it was addressed to Lord Admiral Nyreidian. I’ve never met the admiral, but I’d bet a month’s gold he doesn’t have fresh calluses on his hands and stained fingernails.”
    “Or a yellow beard,” mused Seregil, thinking of the man he’d met at the Mourning Night ceremony. Nyreidian had spoken of his own commission from the Queen, too, overseeing privateering ships.
    “Zymanis wouldn’t let a fellow like this step on his shadow, much less write letters to him.” She gave him a sly sidelong glance. “I thought maybe your friend the Cat might be interested?”
    “He just might.”
    “I could tell him myself,” she wheedled, not for the first time. Over the years the unseen Rhíminee Cat had taken on a glow of romance for many, who envied Seregil his apparently favored status.
    Seregil kissed his way slowly across her chest. “I’ve told you before, love, he’s not what you think. He’s a nasty, weedy little man who spends half his time wading through the sewers.”
    “Last time you said he was a hunchback,” she corrected, stroking his head.
    “That, too. That’s why he keeps out of sight, you see, because he’s so hideous. Why, his boils alone are enough—”
    “No more!” Eirual laughed, admitting defeat. “Sometimes I think
you’re
the Cat, and you just make all the rest up to hide it.”
    “Me? Wading through sewers and running errands for bored nobles?” He pinned her down, feigning outrage. “Fancy me mincing across the roof slates!”
    “Oh, yes,” Eirual gasped, giggling helplessly at the thought. “You’re the terror of the town.”
    “You’ve pegged me wrong, my girl. There’s only one thing I put that kind of effort into.”
    “And what’s that, may I ask?”
    Seregil leered down at her. “I’ll show you.”
    The candle had burned to a stub when he slipped from her bed.
    Eirual stirred drowsily. “Stay, love. I’ll be cold without you.”
    He drew the comforter up under her chin and kissed her. “I can’t tonight. I’ll send a nice present tomorrow.”
    “All right, then.” She smiled, already half asleep again. “Something with rubies and I might forgive you.”
    “Rubies it is.”
    He dressed quickly and blew out the candle. Closing her door quietly behind him, he headed for Myrhichia’s room down the corridor.
    He had to knock several times to get a response. She opened the door a few inches at last, peering out with a resentful pout.
    “He’s sleeping,” she informed him, pulling her dressing gown closed.
    “How inconsiderate.” Pushing past her, Seregil strode into the bedchamber. Alec lay sprawled on his back in the bed, his sleeping face the picture of weary bliss.
    Looks like he managed to enjoy himself after all
, he thought with a mix of pride and wistfulness, glancing around at the disordered room.
    Ignoring the courtesan’s simmering displeasure, Seregil leaned down and shook him by the shoulder. Alec stirred drowsily, murmuring something amorous as he reached to pull Seregil into bed.When his fingers encountered wool rather than whatever he’d been dreaming of, however, he snapped fully awake.
    “What are
you
doing here?” he gasped, sitting up.
    “Sorry.” Seregil crossed his arms, grinning. “Terrible timing, I know, but something’s come up and I may need your help.”
    Alec glanced quickly from him to the girl. “A job?
Now?”
    “I’ll wait for you downstairs. Don’t be long.”
    Alec let out an exasperated sigh. Before he could get up, however, Myrhichia dropped her robe and slipped back into bed beside him.
    “Does he always