CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX—QUIET BLADES

Skirting around the hedge, Shiro made his way toward the house. There was another line of hedges obscuring them from direct view of the windows, but straightening, Shiro was able to get a view inside through the open window.

There was movement, but it looked to be a servant tidying things, so he moved on toward the veranda. Once Ali met him there he jerked his head indicating that he wanted to go up, then he interlaced his fingers so he could give the other man a foothold.

Once Ali was up, Shiro thought he could back track and then run the length of the wall, but he realized that without Jessamine he couldn’t do that.

Gritting his teeth, he jumped for the veranda. Ali caught his hand and helped him up, but it took a great deal of effort from both men as they grunted with the effort of Shiro’s climb.

They moved forward, crouching low. There was a man up on the terrace. He was approached by someone who came outside. Shiro pushed himself up against the wall below the wooden railing.

Ali did the same and together both of the adventurers—ex adventurer in Ali’s case?—listened. The man speaking had not fully left the enclosure of the house and so his words were incoherent, but the other man was unmistakably Faridoon.

“So you managed?” he said. “Did I fall asleep?

Ali’s eyes widened and he moved jerkily, but Shiro took hold of him by the shoulder and shook his head. Ali relaxed.

“Godsdamned wine,” Faridoon muttered, his footsteps receding as he went inside.

Both men waited for a moment. When it was clear that they were no longer in danger of being discovered, Ali said, “That was that dog Faridoon,” he hissed. “We could have got him right there on the terrace, Shiro!”

“Without knowing where Jessamine is, it’s useless,” he said. “He could have the lamp tucked away in a vault somewhere. If we cause a ruckus now, we might not find her.”

Ali nodded.

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There was a deep dread inside of Shiro now. He wondered why Jessamine hadn’t revealed herself. During their time together, she had revealed her intimate knowledge of her surroundings that had nothing to do with sight.

And yet she’s nowhere to be seen.

He had fully expected her to appear before them as they got into the house, but now…

Nothing. Is she not here?

Swallowing, he decided that if he had to capture Faridoon to force him into a confession as to her whereabouts then he would do that. But first they needed to get inside and search for the lamp’s location.

The roof tiles to their left sloped down to the top of the veranda where they were currently at. There were a lot of clay pots filled with decorative plants. Shiro weaved between them, making for the tiles and glancing back toward the door Faridoon had disappeared through.

There was no sign of the guards, servants or Faridoon, so he made his way up the tiles, his feet slipping slightly as he went, but otherwise his footing was good. Moving lightly atop the roof, he kept his eyes open for guards in the yard or anyone who might be outside on one of the other terraces.

Ali was not so light on his feet.

Shiro turned, signaling quiet as he put a finger to his lips, then pointed to his feet. Ali nodded and Shiro continued on. If he was correct, the small veranda on the other side of the tiled roof would lead them into one of the many bed chambers a house of this size would have.

Climbing gingerly, he jumped to the veranda and landed quietly. Then he turned to look through the door. The shutters were partially open, and there looked to be no one inside. He opened the door which was unlocked, and entered.

Glanced toward the bed, Shiro flinched, his heart racing as he realized the room was occupied. Shiro moved silently as a barely clothed woman slept on the large bed of silk sheets and coverings. At this hour the night was cool but still quite warm.

Ali landed on the veranda, making more noise than Shiro had. The woman moaned quietly and turned. Shiro frozen like a clay statue just come out of the oven, waiting to be knocked over and shattered.

But the woman did not wake.

As Ali made his way in, Shiro nudged his head to the bed. The other man glanced toward the woman and then back to Shiro, his eyes widening in alarm.

Or was he surprised to find a naked woman?

Ali was married.

I better keep an eye on him, Shiro thought.

The room was dimly lit, with two tiny glow rocks spreading soft light though out the chamber. Moving across the luxurious rugs, Shiro made his way to the doors and cracked them open just enough to see through.

The hall was dark.

Good, he thought. We need to get further into the house.

On the next floor, Shiro could see light coming up the stairs. Faridoon was on that level, and no doubt, his guards. Muffled voices could be hard. Shiro and Ali looked at each other. Then Shiro opened the bedchamber doors completely, careful not to wake the woman.

If Jessamine was here, Faridoon would probably keep the lamp somewhere nearby, surely.