Instantly, Safi liked the woman.
“You do realize,” Kahina went on, “that I run the largest fleet of Red Sails in the Jadansi? If you were actually stupid enough to put that knife in my back, you’d be dead before you could even reach the door.”
“Then if you prefer,” Caden offered, his expression unchanged, “the two of us can continue this conversation at the bottom of the hell-gates. I’ve heard kidney wounds bleed fast. We could meet there before the next chimes even toll.”
Kahina eyed Caden for several long breaths, her fingers tapping against the table. On her right thumb was a fat jade ring that clacked and clacked against the wood. Then a smile curled over her face. “Who are you? I’m not used to men who have tongues as sharp as their looks. And you”—her gaze swung to Safi—“sit down, girl. On my honor, I won’t bite.”
There was no missing the truth in that assertion, so Safi did as she’d been ordered, claiming the seat on Kahina’s other side. Up close, the taro deck was on full display across the table. Teal backs, worn edges.
Safi’s hands started drumming against her knees, itching to shuffle. To play. But she forced herself to look away and examine Admiral Kahina instead—whom Safi could now see through the glamour’s magic. The Admiral, though naturally dazzling, was no youth, and her teeth had stained to muddy brown.
Safi realized why when Kahina said, “Hand me that pipe, girl.”
Safi handed her the pipe; Caden glared. “We aren’t here for pleasure, Admiral. We’re here for a ship that you took hold of three days ago.”
“Ignite,” Kahina murmured to the pipe before sucking in a long inhale. Pale smoke slithered out between her teeth as she purred, “You’ll have to elaborate. I do take so many ships. Did I mention I have the largest fleet in the Red Sails?” Kahina leaned seductively toward Caden.
To Safi’s shock, he leaned seductively right back. Before her eyes, Caden transformed into the Chiseled Cheater. It was amazing how stark the contrast—and how quick the change. The Hell-Bard named Caden, so duty bound and intense, relaxed into the Chiseled Cheater, all charms and sweet smiles.
He flashed such a smile now, and heat swept over Safi. Furious heat. Attracted heat. Confused heat. For it was that perfect thrice-damned grin that had gotten her into so much trouble in Ve?aza City.
“The ship I’m looking for is a naval cutter. Crewed by men in green.”
“Marstoki green or Cartorran green? Oh, but how silly of me.” She dragged on her pipe, before shifting her attention to Safi.
Safi’s fingers tapped faster.
“I have never seen two people who looked more Cartorran in my life. That fair hair and those freckles. You are lucky no one in our little territory has skinned you yet.”
“Answer the question.” Caden’s voice was stonier now, his charm already wearing thin. “Where is the Cartorran cutter?”
“At the bottom of the bay.”
Well, that was a lie—and the perfect time for Safi to step in. After all, she could play this game too. “Is that also where you hid your beauty and youth?”
Kahina choked on a lungful of smoke. Then laughed. “The two of you,” she said between chuckles, “are much more fun than my usual company.” She chomped on the pipe stem, holding it in place, and then gathered up the deck of taro cards. “You do realize that even if this ship were nearby, you would never be able to sail her out.”
“Which is why you’ll be telling us where the crew is too.”
Kahina sniffed dismissively. “It is Baile’s Slaughter tomorrow.” At Safi’s and Caden’s confused frowns, she added, “Lady Baile—you do not have her in Cartorra, I suppose. But in these parts, she is the patron saint of the seas, and sailors take her rules very seriously.”
“Rules?” Safi asked, even though Caden was glaring in a way that said, Don’t indulge her.
“Three rules has she,” Kahina sang, shuffling her cards, “Our Lady of the Seas. No whistling when a storm’s in sight. Six-fingered cats will ward off mice. And always, always stay the night for Baile’s Slaughter Ring.”
Well, Safi thought, that explains the sign at the inn.
Kahina wasn’t finished. “So don’t you see, lovelies? No ships are even allowed to leave the harbor until after the fight at the arena. Even then, very few will actually do so. Everyone will be drinking heavy tonight, and twice as heavy tomorrow. ’Tis the biggest fight of the year, after all.” With a smile, she fanned the cards, a showy movement to draw the eye.
Neither Caden nor Safi fell for it. In fact, Caden dug the knife in a bit harder and said, “Admiral, my patience is fading fast. Where. Is. The Cartorran cutter?”
Kahina pouted. “Oh, the two of you are so dour. How about this…” She offered the cards to Caden. “I’ll tell you where that ship is if you can win at taro.”
“No, Admiral,” Caden said. “You’ll tell us now.”