“Here we are,” Trefew said with a hint of anticipation in his voice. They had turned a corner, and Maia was hopelessly lost. She did not recognize this part of the grounds at all. The walls were dank, the crevices riddled with scum, and there was a damp, musty smell in the air. The pathway led them on a downward slope, and several more guards awaited them below.
“Cannot be too cautious,” Trefew said to Maia conspiratorially. “There are rumors the King of Dahomey has spies at court. You will be moved all night to foil any attempts he might make to rescue you. But mastons like to go without sleep, eh?” He winked at her. “Consider it a vigil, my pious prisoner. This way.”
The door was unlocked and opened to a small stone chamber with no windows. It was another cell, much more isolated and stark than the last. There was no cot to sleep on, no table to sit at—not even the smallest of comforts or conveniences. It was wide enough to fit a dozen men, but most of the guards waited outside. Only Trefew and the two who gripped her and Suzenne entered. The door was closed and locked behind them. A Leering, set into the ceiling, was the only source of light.
Trefew walked across the room and then tapped on the stone wall with his dagger hilt. After a moment he whispered something that Maia could not hear. The stone swung inward to reveal a Leering on the other side carved to resemble a man in great pain. The eyes in the gouged, worn face glowed orange, and Maia shuddered.
There was another room beyond, in which Maia immediately recognized Aldermaston Kranmir and his mushroom-shaped black hat. He was standing, for there were no chairs.
“Come in,” Kranmir said smoothly, gesturing for them to enter. The room was lit by several lanterns and two Leerings. The thought of being in the same room as him made Maia’s skin crawl, and she started with surprise when she realized Lady Shilton was also present. Her cheeks flaming, her eyes puffy with tears, Lady Shilton looked abashed to see Maia. The grieving look aged her. Seeing the woman who had tortured her for so long caused a visceral reaction in Maia—a stab of fear, dread, and indignity.
There was a dark, twisted feeling in the room, and though she could not help but tremble, Maia steeled herself to face what would come.
After their escort released them, Maia entered first, followed by Suzenne.
“You will not be harmed tonight,” Kranmir said coolly, “if you cooperate. If not, Captain Trefew and his men will compel you. Lady Shilton witnessed this same . . . procedure when her own granddaughters were questioned. Do not think she will show you any more favor than what they received.”
Maia stared at the ground. She knew what was coming. Her heart panged with regret for ever having touched that accursed kystrel.
“Remove your gown, Lady Suzenne. You will be examined first.”
Suzenne shot Maia a look of abject terror and quailed.
Kranmir’s eyes narrowed. “Captain?”
“With pleasure,” Trefew said jubilantly, stepping forward.
“Do not touch her.” Maia blocked his path. “I will help her.” She gave Kranmir a look of loathing, but he seemed unaffected by it. Suzenne shook with fear as Maia stripped away her girdle, then tugged the lacings of her gown loose and helped her remove it. She wore the chaen beneath, protecting her modesty, but Suzenne’s cheeks were beet red with mortification to have disrobed before so many men. Maia gathered up the bundle of clothes and turned to Kranmir.
“Are you providing us something else to wear?” she challenged, before handing over the clothes.
“Of course,” Kranmir said. He stepped forward, giving Suzenne a critical look. She trembled with embarrassment, unable to meet anyone’s eyes. His voice was smooth and dark. Maia could not see the Myriad Ones prowling throughout the room, but she could sense them, their mewling shadowforms snuffling about, greedy to taste the emotions in the chamber. “A kystrel,” he said with exaggerated sanctimoniousness, “leaves a taint on the chest bone. A whorl of tattoos that begins to rise up to the throat. You do not seem guilty, my dear, so that is in your favor. Lower the chaen slightly to be sure.”
Suzenne flushed even more and tugged limply at the front of her bodice. There was no stain.
Kranmir nodded and clasped his hands behind his back. “There are records, however, that an ancient Family in Dahomey was not afflicted by the kystrel’s taint. The only way to be certain is to see the shoulders as well. If you please, my dear. Or as I said, Captain Trefew will be only too eager to assist you.”
Suzenne gave him a black, angry look. She nodded in meek compliance and carefully pulled down the chaen to expose her left shoulder, covering herself as best she could. Maia was furious, but of course this was all a playact for what would come next. She knew it with savage certainty. They were drawing out the charade to make their suffering more acute.
“Thank you,” Kranmir said. “But just to be sure. The other shoulder too.”
Suzenne obeyed and revealed her other shoulder, which was also free of any brand.