Sapphire was waiting for me. I'd half expected it.
“Why?”
He had been sitting on my bed in the shadows thrown from the lamp on the table. He got up and faced me, his cold blue eyes like ice. He didn't speak.
“I could have you killed just on my word.”
He didn't respond in any way I could detect. His eyes were willing to sacrifice his own life, coldly and with calculation, as though it were nothing. And he was my father's servant. My father was a patron and no man's fool. I had no love for him and he none for me. Sapphire knew secrets that my father did not trust me with. He was here on my father's business and would tell me nothing. Part of me was outraged, and part of me understood entirely
“I am under instructions to discuss my mission with no one.”
His expression gave me nothing. He didn't move. Didn't blink. Just watched me and waited. I thought about it. He was willing to die for this. Or kill for it? Kill me, I mean. I already knew he would kill. So. It must be important.
“Tell me what you feel you can.”
I didn't think he was going to answer. Then he did. “He was an Alendi agent.”
I didn't say anything either. Sapphire was a spy. And an assassin. Sent by my father to track down and eliminate just this agent, or others? How did he know Preth was an Alendi spy? I decided to let it go for this moment. Let him go and think some more. Part of me knew I was doing this out of loyalty to my father and was surprised. I nodded acceptance of what he had said and he at once slipped his hand inside his shirt and came out with a letter which he passed to me. I opened it at once. It was from my father.
Trust Sapphire. He is on my business.
“Do you know the contents of this letter?”
“I was there when it was written.”
“Are there others?”
He did not answer. Eyes cold. Expression blank.
I nodded acceptance and stepped aside. He left without a word or a backward glance.