Healer's Touch (36 page)

Mandir turned to the magistrate and said, “Tell us about the suspected jackal.”

Taya blinked. She needed to focus on the mission, not on her partner, but she couldn’t help noticing, now that she was over the initial shock of seeing him, that his voice had changed. It had deepened into a rich, velvety tenor.

“Three people have been murdered, all of them killed in ways consistent with a jackal,” said the magistrate. “Two by fire, one by flood.”

“Who was the first victim?” asked Taya.

The magistrate’s head dipped. “My younger son Hunabi.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Taya. “How was he killed?”

“Burned alive in the middle of a cotton field.”

“How many children had you?”

“Two sons, Kalbi and Hunabi.” He indicated the young man sitting next to him.

Taya nodded. Until she could clear him, the elder brother, Kalbi, would be a suspect. Ruling-caste families were typically polyandrous, with their sons marrying the same woman in order to keep family estates intact. It was a situation that caused tension if the boys did not get along. “How many years separated Kalbi from his younger brother?”

“Three.”

“What was the nature of the brothers’ relationship?”

“I am no jackal,” broke in Kalbi. “I did not kill my brother.”

“I was not making an accusation,” said Taya. “I’m collecting information.”

“The boys were close,” said the magistrate. “They were in harmony.”

“Were they married, or contracted for marriage?”

“A contract was under negotiation at the time of Hunabi’s death. We have set it aside while our house is in mourning.”

Taya exchanged a look with Mandir. The marriage contract might be significant; it would need investigation. “We’ll need details on the marriage contract. What about the other murders? Who were the victims and when did they occur?”

The magistrate opened his mouth to answer. Then a shudder wracked his body, and he closed his eyes.

“Are you all right?” asked Mandir.

“No.” The magistrate turned to his son. “Fetch my attendants. And Rasik.” Kalbi leapt from the table and hurried from the room. The magistrate continued to speak, his voice thready and weak. “The other two victims were girls. The daughter of cloth merchant Bodhan isu Kasirum and the sister of farmer Zashkalim isu Ikkarum. I will assign Rasik to you. He is my clerk, an educated servant, and he knows all the particulars in these cases. He will guide you around the city of Hrappa as you hunt your jackal.”

Footsteps alerted Taya to Kalbi’s return. Another man was with him, the servant who’d taken her livestock at the front steps. The servant frowned, folding his arms in mock indignation. “My lord, have you been at the whiskey again?”

“If only, Rasik,” said the magistrate. “I require you to place yourself at the disposal of these Coalition representatives. Set them up in guesthouses, see that they’re fed and looked after, and show them around town tomorrow morning.”

Rasik made a face. “Perhaps Sukal, or Illia—”

“I give this task to you. And mind your tongue. You know the Coalition.” He turned back to Taya and Mandir. “Forgive his indiscretions. Servants with his skills are nearly impossible to replace.”

More servants arrived, bearing a litter, which they squeezed through the narrow doorway. Something about the magistrate smelled strange, like rotten fruit. It was disconcerting. Taya was relieved when Rasik beckoned her and Mandir from the room.

The Fire Seer
is available now.

Acknowledgements

My effusive thanks to:

Copyeditor Kim Runciman of Night Vision Editing and cover designer Ravven for their perfect blend of artistry and professionalism.

Jessi Gage and Julie Brannagh of the Cupcake Crew, for their insightful critique as well as their friendship.

The talented people at Writer’s Cramp, who never let me get away with anything: Barbara Stoner, Steven Gurr, Tim McDaniel, Amy Stewart, Thom Marrion, Janka Hobbs, Michael Croteau, and Courtland Shafer.

And my readers, who make this all worth it.

About the Author

Amy Raby is literally a product of the U.S. space program, since her parents met working for NASA on the Apollo missions. After earning her Bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of Washington, Amy settled with her family in the Pacific Northwest. She shares her household with a Golden Retriever, two rosy boas, and an Andalusian horse.

Amy is the author of the fantasy romance Hearts and Thrones series as well as the fantasy/romance/mystery Coalition of Mages series. She is a 2011 Golden Heart® finalist for
Assassin’s Gambit
, a 2014 PRISM winner for
Spy’s Honor
, and a 2012 Daphne du Maurier winner for
The Fire Seer
.