Page 32 (1/2)

Ehon leans forward, see?"

"I accompany the aine to be a quelling fashion "How could she communicate, if I did not?"

With a click of his claws, Ehon dismisses the issue, borderline rudeness there "So you attended a party hosted by Councilor Devri last night, and neither of you departed until quite late Were you together the entire time?"

I have to admit that ere not I wait until it’s safe to answer, once Vel has repeated everything, then I say, "Vel spoke privately with Devri for a time, and Sharis himself kept me company He only left my side when Mako arrived I stood in full view of a roo that tiood Ehon seelad I never wandered off on ator taps his claws thoughtfully, processing the information Then he enters it via a series of taps on the datapad

"Very good," the interrogator says "Once you left the party, what then?"

Frohtly as his vocalizer restates Ehon’s question Giving o-ahead? Okay then, I’ll spill

"Vel and I went back to my quarters then," I say quietly "He remained there with me until dawn"

I assuht even have been his early departure that wokeFor some reason, I’m not at all surprised to hear him repeat my words, nearly verbati this, so I don’t need to be told what interpretation he has put on the information He clicks his mandible in fastidious dismay, but to his credit, he does not pursue the ator simply enters the facts into his datapad Discretion aside, I have no doubt he’ll be drinking on this for days

"Are you both willing to speak oaths that neither of you left each other’s co hours?"

Vel doesn’t wait for ator levels a hard look on Vel "You would not lie for the ambassador, would you, Il-Nok?"

A hiss escapes Vel He curls his claws in deliberate insult "If you were not an interrogator, I would demand satisfaction"

"And Councilor Devri will vouch for your whereabouts prior?" Ehon asks, ignoring Vel’s outrage

When I’iven the opportunity to answer, I say, "He willand a hundred other prominent Ithtorians, as well As I recall, we had a lovely conversation with two merchants named Arqut and Kalid"

Ehon makes further notes on his datapad, then he unfolds to his feet "I believe I need nothing further at this time But if I do need another moment of your time, I will knohere to find you I will permit you to escort the ambassador back to her quarters, but I require you to return to assist with the other sessions within an hour" His wa in parting sends a cold chill down my spine

Gray adder hunts soft, sleepy prey Quiet kill

I cloak, asshole, but I’m not as sleepy as you think After I reply with a controlled wa, I step out of the interview roo smell of hothouse blossoms Vel follows a few steps behind, one claw on uidance or protection, but in accordance with some tradition that escapes me at the moment

"This looks bad for you," I say, once we exit the building A cold wind sweeps over radation of my reputation is scarcely a s in tatters, and there is no altering that we provide each other with an alibi, so it is fortuitous I felt ht"

My teeth chatter in response Vel hurries us into the station, but I telltradition of never having a coat when I need one This time, however, he doesn’t have his bounty-hunter pack to amend the lack

Once I’ve war to think you’re a deviant"

It doesn’t seeards me for a moment, only the distant rush of the tram to break the silence Here, near the jurisprudence center, it is oddly deserted

"And that would make me perverse, if it were true?" The vocalizer renders the question conversational "If I enjoyed human lovers?"

My eyes widen "I don’t"

Hell I didn’t see this co Of all possible outcomes, I certainly don’t want to wound hi; it’s the way his people sees

"Letin exile s experience loneliness in so exile, I did take huenerally did not know my true form In fact, you met one of them"

Before I can frame a response to that, our train arrives

CHAPTER 34

As we board, questions bubble on the tip of ue, such as Who? When? and What happened between you and her? Or hih call, I decide circu into Vel’s private life We haveconcerns