Children of the Serpent Gate by Sarah Ash

Author:Sarah Ash [Ash, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780553901979
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2005-09-27T03:00:00+00:00

The Guerriers untied the blindfold around Budoc Lavret’s eyes and he blinked rapidly, dazzled by the light.

“Was it necessary to bring me here shackled like a criminal?” he asked. “I’ve done nothing wrong!”

“If that’s the case, then you’ve nothing to fear,” said Méloir smoothly. He flicked back his coattails as he seated himself at a desk and opened up a file of papers, scanning the contents, nodding to himself as he read. Lavret watched, trying to suppress his increasing sense of agitation.

“So this is all she’s told you so far?” he asked one of the Guerriers standing by, hands behind his back, waiting for orders.

“She’s not been very cooperative, Inquisitor,” replied the man in an undertone.

“This is a matter of state security,” Méloir said, shutting the file with a snap. “Bring her to me.”

Lavret had not missed any of this conversation. She. He felt a tightening in his throat, his chest. And his fears were confirmed when the Guerrier returned a few minutes later, dragging a young woman along by the arm, her chestnut hair half-unpinned, spilling loose over her shoulders.

“Get your hands off of me!” She was raging so furiously at her guards that she had not even noticed he was there.

“Trifine!” he said in despair. And he had believed that she had evaded Méloir’s trap.

“Papa?” She stopped abruptly, her mouth dropping open in a little “o” of shock. “Oh, Papa—” She came rushing toward him but was instantly caught and held back by two of the Guerriers.

“I’ll answer your questions.” Lavret’s voice was hoarse with anxiety. He cleared his throat. “I have nothing to hide. But let my daughter go, Inquisitor.”

“Just answer me this.” Méloir thrust a paper in front of him. “Who is this man?”

“Why—that’s Miran Korneli,” said Lavret. The likeness was remarkably true; a pencil sketch that with very few lines had captured much of the young man’s brooding and intense nature. “But who did this? It’s very good.”

“An artist with a very promising future in the Commanderie,” said the Inquisitor. “Your apprentice, Bastian.”

“Bastian?” Trifine echoed, outraged. “Bastian betrayed us?”

Lavret had taken Bastian as his apprentice two years ago and had come to like the young man and respect his talent. He had never once suspected he might be a Commanderie spy.

“You know everything then,” he said heavily.

“We already have his sworn statement that the so-called Korneli stayed at your studio and disappeared the very day that the heretic sorcerer Linnaius was rescued from execution.”

“I was duped,” Lavret said. “Duped by the Smarnan and duped by my own apprentice. But is it a crime to be gullible, Inquisitor? If so, then I’m guilty. But I can’t see the slightest reason for you holding me and my daughter here anymore.”

“Very well,” said Méloir. “This time I shall allow you to go free. But remember, Lavret, that we’ll be watching you.”

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