Broken Veil (Harbinger #5)(37)

“I’m not, Sera. Truly. I’m not. The only way I even know what one is because Rand’s told me about them.”

“Rand?”

She nodded vigorously. “He . . . he knows things. From the Ministry of War, I think. He told me once that he thought I’d make a good poisoner. I thought he was jesting.”

She was so convincing. Her words felt true. But Sera still wasn’t convinced. The medallion Joanna wore didn’t have the traditional markings, but hetaera often gave their kystrels to someone else to wear. She knew, from the spies they’d captured, that hetaera had brands on their shoulders. Even Empress Maia had carried the mark on her shoulder.

“You don’t believe me,” Joanna said, shaking her head. “How can I prove myself loyal to you, Sera? I know my brother and I will be ruined if I do not help you. Believe me, I don’t want that. I’ll do anything I can to prove myself to you.”

Sera sighed. “Can I see your shoulders?”

“My shoulders? Why?”

“I cannot tell you. But if you want me to trust you, then do as I ask.”

“That’s a strange request to make.”

“I know.” Sera sat still on the stuffed chair, staring at Joanna with an unflinching gaze.

Joanna shrugged and opened more of the buttons on her nightgown. She then slipped the fabric down on her right shoulder, revealing the pale, unmarked skin.

“The other one too,” Sera said.

Joanna lifted the fabric up again and then turned and pulled the nightdress down on the other side. “What do you think you’ll find?” she asked curiously. She gave Sera an arch look from over her shoulder. There was nothing. Nothing but . . .

Joanna was about to pull the nightgown back up, when Sera stood up from the cushioned seat. “Wait.”

The young woman paused, confusion on her face. “What is it?”

“Something on your neck,” Sera lied. “Look away.”

Joanna’s brow wrinkled. She turned her face away from Sera, who took up the wet towel. There was a slightly different coloring on Joanna’s shoulder. It had almost escaped her notice, but the candlelight had revealed it. Sera raised the moist towel and dragged it across the spot. The discoloration wiped away, revealing a brand. The fountain lily Sera recognized from the shoulders of the other hetaera they’d caught.

Joanna’s hand seized Sera’s wrist, her grip punishing, and pulled it away. As if nothing had happened, she lifted the gown to conceal the brand again and buttoned up her nightdress. She turned to face Sera, her expression angry but not alarmed.

Sera licked her lips and shook her head slowly. “You are very good. I almost believed you.”

Joanna cocked her head. “I knew it would be hard deceiving you, Your Grace. I hoped it would work.”

“How long?” Sera demanded.

Joanna’s eyebrows wrinkled in a mute question.

“How long have you infiltrated the empire? I’m assuming when you first arrived with your brother.” Sera stopped, looking askance at Joanna. “Or is he really your brother? He’s not, is he?”

Joanna smirked. “No, we just pretend to be siblings. I may as well tell you. The irony is delicious.”

“What do you mean?” Sera asked.

“Randall Patchett is being confined at the poisoner school where I was trained. He believes he’s making a sacrifice to save his younger sister’s life. He doesn’t know that she’s being held at another school. The Rand you know is Will Russell.”

Sera started. “He didn’t die?” It struck her that this other part of the war, silent and full of layer after layer of deceit and trickery, had been in motion for years.

“You’re beginning to see now, aren’t you?” Joanna said smugly. “We began recruiting Will when your father sent him away. Nothing chafes a man more than being robbed of his inheritance . . . or his opportunity for glory. He was a prime target. His feelings of revenge against you and your father were fierce. The accident on the sky ship . . . it ruined him. He’d always relied on his looks, but his face was mangled, scarred. Everyone thought he was dead, but we were waiting for him beneath the waves. Will is a kishion now. He can’t wait to see you again. We promised him his revenge, and he will get it.”

Sera felt revulsion at the words and the callous way Joanna delivered them. “So he never cared for Cettie. It was a ruse, a plot.”

“You’re very astute, Your Grace,” Joanna said.

“And what about you?” Sera pressed, trying to subdue her outrage and anger. “How is it you both look like the Patchett siblings? Is it magic?”

“I cannot tell you, Your Grace. It’s a Mystery.” She smiled condescendingly. “As for myself, I’m here to keep you under guard until Corinne returns.”

“Is that even who she is?” Sera demanded. “Or is it another trick? Another deception?”

Joanna’s brow narrowed. “I’m not at liberty to divulge all of our secrets, Your Grace. This game would have been more fun if I’d fooled you. If you think cutting me with that little knife will do you any good, I’d like to disabuse you of that notion. You cannot hurt me. Though if you feel the need to try, by all means, do so.”

Sera felt a little foolish brandishing a penknife against someone who’d been given years of training as a poisoner. Rather than allow Joanna to twist it out of her hand, she dropped it on the floor, listening to it rattle as it landed.