Uneasy about having yet another person know about me, I considered my options. “The attack on me could have been sanctioned by the Sitian Council. They’ve always been leery of me and my abilities. If they neutralize me, they no longer have to worry about me. Although you’d think they’d’ve learned to trust me by now.”

“Now you’re being paranoid,” Leif said. “We’ll talk to Bavol. But we’ll call it clan business.”

“And why would it matter what we call it?”

“Loyalty to clan members is important to Bavol. Besides, the Council doesn’t need to know about this poison right now as long as the Master Magicians are aware of it.”

I’d argue we’d gotten into trouble before by not informing the Council, but the thought of them not warning me about Ben Moon didn’t give me any warm and fuzzy feelings toward them.

“All right. Bavol should be back at his place by now. Let’s go pay him a visit before we return to the Keep.”

We said goodbye to Fisk. He promised to gather any information he could about the assassin and poison.

When I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders, it felt like putting on armor. Just knowing it protected me from magic eased my biggest fear. I resisted the temptation to pull the hood over my head. The night air wasn’t that cold.

The lamplighters had finished their nightly task. Bright yellow pools of light painted the streets. Not many people lingered in the central business district after the market closed and the factories reduced their production levels for the evening. We navigated the quiet streets, heading east toward the government quarter, where the Council Hall and housing for the Councilors and their aides was located.

As we neared Bavol’s town house, memories of the time I’d had to sneak into his kitchen rose unbidden. The Daviian Vermin had taken over the Sitian Council, there had been a price on my head, and I’d needed Bavol’s help.

When we reached his front stoop, I kept walking, pulling Leif with me.

“But—”

“Let’s go around back,” I whispered.

“There’s no one in sight.”

I gazed at him.

“Oh, all right, but I still think you’re paranoid.”

“I prefer to call it being cautious.”

He snorted, but followed me for a few more blocks. After a quick glance over my shoulder, I ducked into the alley behind the row of town houses and doubled back to Bavol’s rear entrance.

I peered through the kitchen window. Petal, his housekeeper, scrubbed pots. Tapping on the door with my knuckle, I stepped back as she opened the door.

Petal’s wide face creased with first alarm then concern when she recognized me and Leif.

“Oh my, you gave me such a fright!” Petal ushered us inside. “Come in, come in. What kind of trouble are you two in now?”

“Seems you have a reputation, dear sister,” Leif muttered.

“I believe she was referring to you as well, dear brother.” I turned to Petal. “No trouble. We just wanted to visit our clan’s leader without alerting the entire quarter. You know how nosy the other Councilors and their aides can be.”

“That I do. They’re the worst gossips. But give an old lady some credit, child. An unannounced visit through the back door only means one thing. Trouble.”

No sense arguing with her. “Is Bavol in?”

“He’s in his office. I’ll go fetch him. Would you like something to eat or drink while you wait?”

Leif opened his mouth, but I said, “No, thanks.”

She led us into the front parlor and we settled on a pair of turquoise-and-silver armchairs while she ascended the steps to the second floor.

“You didn’t need to answer for me. Petal makes the best jungle soup—even better than Mom’s.” Leif pouted.

“You ate at Fisk’s. How can you be hungry?”

“It’s not about being hungry. It’s about the combination of spices and the explosion of flavors inside your mouth.”

My stomach roiled just at the thought of jungle soup. One of the favorite dishes of the Zaltana Clan, it contained leaves and flowers from the Illiais Jungle, where our clan lived. To me, it tasted like pulpy rotten coconut mixed with vanilla and lemons. Yuck.

Bavol followed Petal into the room, his wide smile at odds with her worried frown. She clutched her apron in her hands before disappearing into the kitchen.

“What a pleasant surprise,” Bavol said.

Gray had almost covered all his hair, and he was a bit stockier since I’d last seen him.

“Yelena, I didn’t know you were back from your vacation already.” Bavol sat on the couch.

“There was a change in plans.” I studied his expression. Suddenly, I wanted to know if he’d tell me about Ben Moon.

“Oh?” His smile remained, but a slight wariness crept into his gaze.

“I was attacked on the way to our cabin.”

“Oh, that.” He brightened with relief.

Interesting reaction.

“I’ve heard. Nasty ambush.” Bavol tsked.

“You heard I was attacked, but didn’t know I had returned to the Citadel?”

Leif shot me a warning look. Bavol was the leader of our clan and I was cross-examining him like a criminal. Too bad. Bavol should have told me about Ben Moon.

“Yes...well...Master Magician Bloodgood reported the incident this afternoon, but I assumed you remained at your cabin with Valek. Er...how are you feeling?” Bavol asked.