“She has been thoroughly searched,” Shirazi informed the empress.
Adele looked at the calling card the woman had given her at the opera. In the subsequent events, she had forgotten about the woman until Shirazi announced she had appeared at the palace gates demanding to speak to the empress on a matter of life or death. The Persian woman had been searched and questioned. After several hours, Shirazi was informed of her presence and he came to see her, but she refused to give her message to anyone but Adele. She begged Shirazi to remind the empress about the woman at the opera, and to tell Adele to make special note of a mark written on the calling card.
Despite his misgivings, the captain passed the information on to the empress, who retrieved the card and, with great shock, noticed a symbol that was repeated in her mother's geomancy journals many times. Adele ordered the woman to be brought to her despite the captain's stern reservations.
Adele folded her arms across her chest. “What more can we do to make sure she isn't the enemy? At some point I will have to talk to her.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Well, I want to talk to her.”
Captain Shirazi strode before her, an unstoppable force, tall and foreboding in his crisp scarlet uniform. Before he opened the door, Adele stopped him with a hand. “Let's not scare her, shall we?”
Shirazi planted a hand on the door, his annoyance plain and unyielding. “Your Majesty, it is my duty to protect you. General Anhalt tasked me with that mission when he gave me command of the White Guard. And I have no intention of failing him.”
“I'm most grateful.” Adele smiled warmly at the echo of her beloved General Anhalt's undying loyalty in the young captain's stern words. “I'm not saying you can't come in with me, but you won't be the first one stomping in all grim and imposing. I intend to be polite.”
“Why would you trust her, of all people?”
“I don't know. There's something about her.”
Adele and Shirazi stared at each other like two bulls, neither giving ground. Her eyebrow rose with one last challenge, and Shirazi straightened, resuming parade rest.
“As you will, Majesty. We will treat her with respect until she proves otherwise.”
“Thank you. Let's try not to be an angry mob in there. Smile.” She knocked politely before entering the room.
Sanah stood expectantly, her expression immediately warming at Adele's presence until she saw the soldier behind her.
“Don't mind him,” Adele assured her. “After the opera, my security is tenfold. I doubt I'll be alone well into my nineties at this rate.”
Adele's nonchalant response appeared to do the trick, as Sanah bowed to the empress. “Of course, Your Majesty. A wise precaution.”
“Please, sit.” Adele gestured to one of the plush couches in the room. She sat near Sanah, but not so close as to be within striking range should something go awry, much to Shirazi's relief she was sure. She didn't want to give the young soldier grey hair yet. That would come in due time. “I realize this atmosphere isn't conducive to a normal conversation, but I hope we can start a friendship despite the circumstances.”
“If I may be blunt, Your Majesty, pleasantries must wait,” Sanah said. “You recently received several notebooks that belonged to your mother.”
“Yes, that's correct,” Adele answered slowly. “How did you know?”’
“I am your mother's sister.”
Adele's breath caught and she leaned forward. “What?”
“I have been away for a long time. I have wanted to reconnect with you, especially after the death of your father.” She looked at the captain briefly and then returned to Adele. “And the loss of your mentor.”
“That is not common knowledge.” Adele felt a tinge of alarm, and Shirazi stepped forward protectively.
Sanah sat stone still. “No, it is not.”
Adele realized there was only one way to know such a thing. “You are part of Mamoru's network.”
She nodded. “I am one of his cabal. Though currently, it is not something I am proud of.”
Adele was still trying to process everything. “He never mentioned you. In fact, no one has ever mentioned you. My mother didn't have a sister named Sanah.”
“That isn't my true name. Many of us change our names for various reasons. You may recall the mention of Sayeh.”
That name did resonate with Adele. Her mother had in fact talked about a sister named Sayeh, a devout and curious wanderer. But that wasn't a secret; it didn't prove anything. “So where have you been all these years, Sanah? Where were you when your sister died?” Adele's voice was hard when she asked the last question.